SEND! magazine Third Quarter 2006: Refreshment for New Believers, Life for the Community

Refreshment for New Believers, Life for the Community

Balancing on her head two pots filled with water, Vincy starts walking back to her hut. With one hand she grasps her daughter's hand; with the other, she reaches up to steady the heavy vessels.

To most women, this mix of strength and poise would seem daunting, even impossible. But living in this rural community in Rajasthan, India, Vincy is accustomed to such tasks and does not complain. In fact, she is delighted to pump this water today, thanks to a Jesus Well in her village.

Before coming to Christ, Vincy had the support of her close-knit family. When she received Christ, she would have loved to see her family happy for her and interested in the change in her life. Instead, she suffered verbal harassment and scorn and was told she could no longer have her share of the family property. In fact, the whole village turned against her because of her faith in Christ and prohibited her from drawing water at the public well.

"At times I would think, Why did I follow the Lord?" Vincy candidly states. "But at the same time, the Lord gives me grace and strength to follow Him."

Vincy's experience of persecution is not uncommon. New believers across Asia face similar mistreatment. They may be severely beaten, taunted and even thrown out of their homes for following Jesus. In the Asian culture where family is central, this is an especially devastating blow.

That is why Vincy was delighted when a Gospel for Asia missionary in her village saw her plight and extended kindness to her, urging, "You can come and draw water from this well."

For new believers like Vincy, having a Jesus Well in their village means being able to draw water freely, without reproach or ridicule. And because these wells are open to everyone, they also serve to wash away barriers on the part of nonbelievers, providing opportunities to point them to Jesus, the Living Water. Often installed in front of a church planted by a GFA missionary, these wells are an inviting presence in rural communities—especially villages like this one where, during dry spells, people must otherwise walk long distances to find water.

You can give toward a Jesus Well today and encourage a new believer like Vincy. Learn how here.