Living Water International Gala 2012

Tags

gala, god, living water international, sustainable, water

The 2012 Living Water International Gala was this weekend, and it was a lovely evening of fellowship and learning more about LWI’s vision for sustainable water supply. We had a great time partaking in the evening’s program, but there was one quote that just will not depart from my mind: “Before I leave this place, Oh God, may I leave it better than I found it. May I leave these people better than I found them.” This was spoken by Samuel Ojoke, a brother in Uganda that has been working with Living Water International for the past few years.

Samuel and his family were victims of the Ugandan Bush War in the 80s, and he described how his two little sisters and Aunt died of Cholera after drinking contaminated water in the over-populated containment camps. This man grew up to serve his community by bringing clean water and helping to teach them safe hygiene practices so that the water from the well remained clean upon entering their bodies. He went on to passionately pursue techniques that will ensure the proper mechanical workings of the wells and pumps in the future as opposed to them breaking down and the people going back to the old contaminated water sources. This man is fervently pursuing a cause that is at the heart of God and is giving Him all the credit and glory along the way. This man is my hero.

His first ever trip outside the country of Uganda was this weekend, and his first encounter with America included an upscale Gala with lovely food and decor. Thanks to God, this Gala has already raised and will continue to raise funds for clean water all over the world, but I bet the atmosphere was a real eye-opener for him. He then proceeded to share his story at our church the next day, and our pastor shared a story that literally brought tears to my eyes because in the midst of pain God is so faithful and absolutely beautiful in all that He does. Our pastor’s father-in-law passed away unexpectedly last week. While his wife was visiting her father’s home, they checked the mail to see if he had received anything, and they found an outgoing envelope. It contained a birthday card for our pastor with a $50 check inside. He, of course, could not spend that money on something mindless, and decided to give it to Living Water International’s fundraising efforts to provide “water for life” (i.e. sustainable and safe water practices). He humbly asked us to consider matching the $50 donation to provide safe drinking water and the Living Water of Christ to the remote places of the world. Ah, we live in such a beautiful community and are truly blessed to learn from such wise and selfless people.

LWI – Nicaragua Trip

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breakaway, breakaway ministries, clean water, jerry can, living water international, missions conference, Nicaragua, sustainable economy, technological knowledge, texas A&M university, travel

In 2008, as a mere brand new Sophomore in college, I remember fervently wanting to quit school. I had the missions bug, and I wanted to abandon all of my comforts, leave America, and plant myself in Africa – with no skills, plans, contacts, or money. A typical 19-yr old mindset when they’ve listened to one too many evangelical sermons.

As I was walking through the Missions Conference at Breakaway (a large Bible-study on the campus of A&M University), I remember seeing a particular booth

http://www.charitywater.org

in bright yellow that caught my eye. There was a jerry can sitting next to the booth with college boys, wait, I mean men, trying to carry the can full of water approximately 10 yards. They were struggling a bit to say the least. This booth was the creation of Living Water International, and they were trying to raise awareness about how so many women and children are forced to carry similar jars of water for several thousand kilometers a day robbing them of time to play, learn, and advance their families and communities.

I began talking with the LWI representative about how I wanted to quit school and run to the mission field. He wisely explained to my earnest mind that 90% of requested missionaries are for engineers and architects. Developing countries desperately need people that have gained access to the technological knowledge necessary to provide clean water, shelter, electricity, and transportation to a community. I will never forget this conversation as it truly altered my path forever. I believe God sent this man to prevent me from making a horrible mistake, and now that the engineering degree is over, I have found and married a wonderful man who shares a similar passion, and doors are opening up for us to utilize our engineering skills to help redeem creation with God, it is all falling together beautifully.

My husband and I had both been aching to go on a LWI trip for years, but they had always been booked up far in advance and/or the timing and finances weren’t right. Now God has provided a trip through our amazing church Ecclesia, and we depart this Saturday! I will bring back tons of pictures and stories, and I wanted to give a huge praise to God for his steadfast faithfulness in this journey. We are excited to be a part of bringing clean water to a community in Nicaragua, and can’t wait to see where this will lead.

Please read the following chart that will help explain how water is the first step in building a sustainable economy. Enjoy!

(Living Water International, water.cc)

Advent Conspiracy

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Advent Conspiracy, christmas, living water international, Nicaragua

Anyone who knows me for more than a few days knows that my passion in life, the driving force that got me through those gruesome engineering classes, the all-night study sessions, and the typical corporate day in America, is to bring clean water solutions to those that need it the most in order to show them the glory of God and keep them alive long enough to either cultivate their current relationship with Christ or awaken a fresh one.

This passion, I’m sure, has been seen at times by my family members as a curse. This involves life-threatening trips abroad and an uncomfortable living situation for my husband. People worry about me, and many assume I will grow out of it once reality kicks in. If I am honest, similar thoughts of wanting comfort above all else and feelings of inadequacy seep in when I am at my weakest moments, full of despair and hopelessness. But God’s faithfulness through His word and His followers always chews up those lies and spits them far into the ocean. I am thankful that He is so steadfast.

Anyway, many of my decisions from how to deal with finances, which job to take, how to spend my spare time, and which books to read stem from this passion. Despite always trying to be prepared, it seems as if this dream was going to die away with the ever in-flow of more bills, more stuff to buy in commercials, and pressure to buy a bigger house for all of children we should already be popping out. I am a huge fan of a non-profit organization called Living Water International, and had been trying for months to jump on one of their drilling trips in Central America. Doors kept shutting, and I had almost given up hope, but then through a series of events we were given the opportunity to go to Nicaragua in July with Living Water. Thank you Jesus. I wasn’t crazy after all.

I am unsure as to how this opportunity is going to pan out in to more opportunities, but I trust that it will, and encourage your prayers. We are excited as we prepare financially and spiritually for this endeavor, and do not intend for it to be an end but a beginning of jumping in to how God is erasing the world water crisis each passing day.

Interesting fact as we approach Christmas: Did you know that Americans spend on average $4.5 BILLION in materialistic Christmas gifts, decorations, music, programs, and food each year? It has been conservatively estimated that it will cost only $10 billion to completely eliminate the world water pandemic…that means $10 billion to provide clean water to each and every village in the world. Consider that while you are purchasing your gifts this season. Perhaps, if you feel led, buy just ONE less gift, and donate that $25 to clean water. One of the reasons I really like LWI is because they know that it doesn’t end with just clean water – that is the beginning, a right that every human being should be entitled to. LWI aims to equip the villages they provide water to with the GOSPEL, the water that will never leave them thirsty again, and the all-important continual discipleship. They also understand the importance of teaching a man to fish instead of just giving them a fish. I could go on forever about this, but check this page out if you are interested in learning more: www.adventconspiracy.org/

God bless, and never stop chasing your dreams! This world is full of opportunities and beauty, and YOU were intended to share in it!

-Cyndi