March 22, 2009

Source: HCJB Global (written by John Adams)

Today (Monday, March 22), marks World Water Day, celebrated annually following designation by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1993.

More than 1,000 families in Ecuador may be oblivious to the event, but they now enjoy clean water year round. These families live in 16 communities where the clean water team of HCJB Global Hands assisted on projects, helping people both physically and spiritually.

The remote Quichua communities in Moste Chico, for example, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their regional water system which serves about 500 homes that cling to the steep Andean mountainside.

Team members helped the local residents design and build the water system while giving a clear Christian testimony. As a result, many of the local residents came to faith in Christ during the construction, and a number of churches were formed.

The testimony of God's provision and the benefits of clean water continue in sharp contrast to the majority of rural water systems which fail (such as in neighboring Santa Rosa). As a result, the community has requested help from HCJB Global Hands to design and build its water system that will connect to the Moste Chico regional system.

On any given day, members of the clean water projects team are working with about 10 communities in planning, design or construction of water systems. The mission has been involved in clean water projects in Ecuador since 1980, utilizing funds from individual donors, churches, governments and collaborating charitable organizations.

Now similar stories are being told in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Ghana and Burkina Faso as part of the mission's initiative in Africa to integrate media and healthcare in African communities.

Three wells were recently dug with partner Theovision to fulfill founder Theo Asare's dream of providing radio stations, medical clinics and clean water wells. In Burkina Faso two wells are being installed.

HCJB Global Hands is also working in partnership with Radio Evangile Dévelopement (RED) which has two radio stations in Burkina Faso. One Power Partner donor paid to install a well in honor of each of her grandchildren. She visits each well with her grandchild at each dedication. Enough funding is in place for one more well in both Burkina Faso and Ghana. Work also continues to progress on finding partners in Senegal and Mali.

HCJB Global engineer Jeremy Maller, who helps with the installation of these African wells, said, "I watched the large drill turn as it pushed through the earth. Later, water began spraying from the borehole, and we knew that clean water was now going to be a reality for that village for the first time!"

Maller had previously served in Ecuador for several months as a working visitor and was mentored by HCJB Global Hands' longtime water project director in Ecuador, Bruce Rydbeck.

"Development flourishes and health is improved by implementing biblical values," Rydbeck explained. "Training in water system management and hygiene are as integral to the program as evangelism, discipleship and pastoral training."

He emphasized that each benefiting community is required to provide manual labor, local materials and some of the finances for their project. The communities also build their own latrines and participate in hygiene sessions to receive the collaborative help from HCJB Global Hands.

"As a result, the sense of pride and ownership runs deep when they complete the project, providing clean water and sanitation at each home," Rydbeck concluded. "They know that God empowers us when we harmonize our plans with His desires."

To view a video on the clean water projects ministry, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYbV3nIffjs.