Imagine walking hours in the scorching sun to draw water from a shrinking lake. It’s the same place cattle, goats, and wild animals drink and bathe. Every day there are thousands of other people jostling for a spot to get water too!
This is a reality for villages across northern Ghana and Nigeria. Often women will drag their children along as they fetch water in the middle of the night – the only time they can get close to the lake. The situation is desperate with water sources drying up and the search for water takes them farther and farther from home. Everyone suffers. Children miss school or sleep through lessons. Sickness from unclean water is common. Bathing and washing clothes are no longer possible.
That is why Call of Hope has started drilling wells in villages throughout the region. Just a few months ago Brother Abukari brought a crew to the village of Sambu to drill a well! Another COH Frontline Worker is planting a church there. He too has experienced the harsh life of a village far from water. When water first gushed from the new well, villagers could not contain their joy! At its dedication, the pastor shared how the free gift of water is a picture of God’s free gift of salvation through the coming of Jesus, our Savior and the Giver of Life.
Two months later, the pastor had unexpected guests. Two veiled Muslim women came seeking an audience with him. This highly unusual visit surprised the pastor, so he was eager to listen.
They began, “We are here on our own even though we may be speaking for the lives of many women in this village, thank you! Since we now have a borehole in our community, we no longer walk long distances in search of, and compete for drinking water with cows and sheep. We now have confidence that our water and food are without germs. Having easy access to water has given us time to care for our families, and to do our house chores with ease. Our children who slept during school because of tiredness from carrying water are now alert and active learners.”
Then they revealed the real reason for their visit, saying, “But pastor, the reason above all that we are here is to inform you that we were greatly moved and challenged by your speech during the commissioning. We have pondered on the well as a free gift from Call of Hope, and Jesus as the free giver of life. We have decided that we would like to receive the free gift that Jesus gives! We want to be followers of Jesus, but we do not know how to go about it.”
This thrilled the pastor, who quickly shared how they can live a life of faith in Jesus, as they place their faith and trust in Him! The church is growing in Sambu and other locations where Call of Hope offers water as an expression of God’s free gift of life!
Call of Hope has identified 33 other villages in Ghana alone, that desperately need water wells. Each well costs about $3,500 to drill. Would you consider offering this free gift to villagers thirsty for God’s love with a donation today?
