Throughout my travels as I have been attending conferences and visiting ministries, I have invited folks to send me short write-ups on their ministries and, with the understanding that, as I was able, I would post them on this blog. My hope in doing this is by no means to touch upon all ministries with a Presbyterian connection, but only to gives glimpses of the breadth and depth in which we engage in ministry around the world.
Here is one received from from Living Waters for the World, a group whose mission is to serve as a resource to churches of all denominations, civic organizations and others in mission, enabling them to provide clean water to their partners in need
from Janet Tuck, Director of Communications, Synod of Living Waters.
Pierce Buford has reason to be excited about Living Waters for the World. The mission project of the Synod of Living Waters, LWW provides training and materials to empower churches and other organizations to bring clean water to people where water supplies are polluted.
But this isn’t a “go in and fix it” type of mission. This is mission based in partnership, in relationship. This is what makes LWW so exciting. When a church embarks on a LWW project, they commit to a three-year partnership with an international institution such as a school, clinic, church or seminary.
The team travels to the possible installation site to survey it and develop a partnership, then travel to assist as the partners install a clean water system and trains for maintenance and hygiene education. Then they stay in relationship, visiting the site again for follow-up and troubleshooting.
This model of ministry continues to amaze all involved with significant results flowing from the work. LWW now has installations in 312 installations in 23 countries. Those include Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, Ghana, Thailand and Madagascar. This also includes clean water system installations in Appalachia in our own country.
This growing ministry is providing clean water where it is needed the most. The world is experiencing a water crisis. 1.2 billion people have no access to clean water. 3 million people die each year of preventable water-related disease, most of them children.
Living Waters for the World has developed practical, sustainable solutions to this crisis. And it is exciting because the clean water is flowing. Just ask Pierce. She’ll be happy to tell you.
For more information go to www.livingwatersfortheworld.org or follow on twitter: @LWW_LCWF
