Clean water points to the Living Water

After spending a few days basically living with Karen’s family, both Dick and I have a strong prompting to help Pastor Miguel and his wife get there church back on its feet in whatever way we can.

First of all, Dick gifted the church with a Sawyer water filter which their family can use to share purified water not only with their church members, but with their neighbors who might otherwise never come near the church.    When we asked them if they would like a filter, they almost jumped for joy.  I have seen few families so enthusiastic about this gift.

We have learned that just indiscriminately handing out water filters does not work.  Unless people believe the need clean water and really want it, the filters are not used and often abused.  Sometimes it just seems like too much work.  Other times, some don’t believe it is their water that makes them sick.  Finally, and strangely to us, many don’t like the taste of clean water after years of drinking water filled with contaminants (which evidently give it a different flavor.  I haven’t tried it though!).

We have found that giving one filter to a strategic family, who will then share clean water with others has proven an effective way of introducing water filters into a community.  This family then keeps a record of who regularly comes for water, and we later give these families a filter and ask them to share the water with others.  And, thus, we build a network of families who encourage each other in maintaining and using their filters. 

The church, Principe de Paz (Prince of Peace), seemed a perfect place.  When we talked with the pastors about sharing the good news of Jesus as the Living Water with those who come for purified water, they were so enthusiastic, as well as hopeful that this will open doors to talk with more of those who live around them.  (Thanks to Pastor Mike Watkins, from Iglesia del Camino in Antigua for demonstrating this connection of water with Water for us.)

Though Hanz and his father were waiting for us in the car, we did basic training in use and care of the filter with them.  I discovered that, while the church had a well, there was no pump, and all the water needed to be pulled up by rope—usually by Pastora, who already has a hernia from carrying her daughter.  When I asked how much it would cost for a pump, they told me 250 quetzales, or roughly $32.  While not in our budget, I knew we needed to provide this to support the use of the filter, and Pastora could not have been more grateful.

Since the water was full of not just contaminants but actual dirt and particles of debris, Dick instructed them to first pour the water through a t-shirt to catch the large particles. 

He then demonstrated how to attach and use the filter.

Pastora was very pleased with the result.

And Pastor wanted to take a turn at practicing backwashing the filter to make sure he was doing it correctly.

We pray that this small tool will be used mightily by God to bring the people of Masagua to His Son.  I know the pastors will be doing their part!

In the future, we would love to be able to bring mission teams into this area to support Pastor Miguel and his congregation.  We have specifically talked with him about medical teams, or groups interested in doing children’s ministry with the children in his area.  I have also a strong desire to minister to the women of this village.  If you or your church or small group are interested in knowing more about what this would involve, please email me.

UPDATE:

We recently stopped in unannounced to visit Pastor Miguel and his family on our way back from the coast.  We walked in to see  a full 5 gallon jug of water waiting to be picked up, and another that was being filtered for the lady who lives next to them.  (Pastora tells me she is a non-believer and somewhat difficult to live with, but they are hoping that by giving her water, she will experience a little bit of the love of Jesus.)  I can't begin to tell you how this blessed us after so many experiences where the filters are not used.  They currently have, in only a couple of weeks, six families (half of whom do not belong to the church) who come regularly for clean water. . .And a bit of the gospel!