Thursday night, a night following a week of division and anger and violence and political diatribes and "the-world-is-going-to-hell-in-a-handbaskets," I witnessed good news. Some 220 people gathered to learn of the efforts of one ministry, The Living Water Project, to bring clean water to places who need and do not have it. Really, it is a misstatement to say "bring" clean water, for it is there, placed by God, Himself, and He is affording The Living Water Project, and other such ministries, the opportunities to capture or unearth it. Those who support The Living Water Project are taking advantage of those opportunities.
There were reports made of joyful celebrations as new wells in remote villages brought forth clean, cool water. That is a life changer. I am not good at remembering statistics, and a lot were given at the dinner, but I do grasp the significance. The percentage of people in extreme poverty is rapidly decreasing around the world. The percentage of people without access to clean water is decreasing rapidly. The percentage of people dying of kidney disease caused by dehydration due to the unavailability of clean water is decreasing rapidly. The number of people dying of water-borne diseases is decreasing rapidly. That is good news! And, I hope, as I just put in wash load 18 of tablecloths from the dinner, that the number of women having to wash clothes beating them on a rock in a dirty stream is decreasing. Now, that is really good news.
It is astounding how little, relatively speaking, money it takes to dig wells or build catch systems. Yes, don't get me wrong, it takes money, but Living Water gets a lot of bang for its buck.
There is a house for sale around the corner from me. The first asking price was $2,000,000.00. The present asking price is $1,600,000.00. The reason for this decrease in price is, I do not live in a $2,000,000.00 house neighborhood. I have no problem with anyone who spends that on a house. Two million to them might be the equivalent of two thousand to me, so do not hear me judging that, but when I think of that amount of money spent to make a home for one family versus that amount of money spent in water-starved areas around the world and how many people would be affected, it gives me pause.
So, yes, there is good news in spite of what the media would have us know. Please know, that while I am a bit of a Pollyanna, I am aware that racism, terrorists" attacks, threats of war and all other manner of darkness are present in this world. I just invite you, on this Saturday morning, to celebrate some good news with me.
If you would like to know more about The Living Water Project, check it out on FB where you will also find links with more information.
Have a beautiful day, and when you take a drink of water or wash yet another load of clothes, just think about those who cannot do those simple acts, and do not feel guilty because they can't, feel grateful that you can.
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