Two Villages Learn of a Well That ‘Never Runs Dry’

Perhaps their hearts raced as they eyed the number of people in front of them, hoping they wouldn't be too late to their destination. They knew that their place in line would determine how hard the day would be. Azai probably can't remember the number of days he and his family got in line too late—and the number of days he watched his children suffer because of it.

"For years, we struggled to fetch enough water, often waiting in long lines at the stream. … Sometimes, the well dried up before we could fill our containers," Azai says.

When Azai and his family were too late in line, they didn't get enough water for drinking, cooking or watering animals. During summer, Azai's children became thirsty and dehydrated, and during the monsoon season, they got sick with waterborne illnesses.

Feeling helpless, Azai wondered how long they could go on like this. But even though he didn't have enough clean water, Azai did have faith—so he prayed that God would bring relief.

Azai was not alone in his struggle—it was one shared by the 45 families of his village and a neighboring one. For these families, there was only one water source, a stream that, much of the year, dried up before everyone could get a drink. Typically, the first 30 families would be able to draw some water from the stream. There was no water left for the rest.

This was a crisis that impacted not only their physical health but also their livelihoods. Many people in these villages relied on agriculture and animal husbandry for income, so they needed water for watering their crops and hydrating their animals in addition to drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning.

"As a farmer, water is everything to me," explains Peider, a local farmer. "Without it, crops fail, and animals suffer. … We had no choice but to use the little water we could get from the stream, but it was never enough."

In the drier months, the stream nearly dried up, leaving only a small amount of water. Families became dehydrated. Even mild cases of dehydration likely drained people's energy, hindering their ability to work and earn income. But dehydration also posed serious health threats. It could "cause problems with blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature,"¹ and in severe cases, it could cause people to suffer organ damage, shock or coma.

In the monsoon season, the villagers faced a different problem: The stream flooded and became contaminated. People got cholera, dysentery and other diarrheal illnesses,² which could put them at risk for dehydration again. But without access to clean water, where could the people of these villages get water that wouldn't potentially make them sicker?

...I have seen my children grow up drinking muddy water because that was all we had...

Perhaps the worst pain, though, came from seeing the negative effect of the water crisis on their children. Sometimes exhaustion overtook children as they hiked up the hill to fetch water. And in the monsoon season, the only water parents could give their children was the mud-tinged water that sometimes led to disease. These diarrheal waterborne illnesses are most dangerous for young children.

The World Health Organization explains that diarrhea causes a dangerous cycle: "In low-income countries, children under 3 years old experience on average three episodes of diarrhoea every year. Each episode deprives the child of the nutrition necessary for growth. As a result, diarrhoea is a major cause of malnutrition, and malnourished children are more likely to fall ill from diarrhoea."³ As a result, diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of death in children under age 5.

Just as Azai wasn't the only one who suffered, he wasn't the only one looking to God to meet the villages' needs. Even though the two villages hardly had access to one source of clean water, both villages had access to the knowledge of Christ. Azai's village and the neighboring one each was home to a small church where people could hear about the God who loved them enough to send His Son for them.

GFA pastors Keon and Daren served the two villages; both pastors saw the water crisis faced by the people and desperately wanted to help. Together, the pastors told their regional leaders of the situation. Could the church do something to help these villages gain access to clean water year-round?

When Pastor Keon and Pastor Daren talked to their leader, he helped them develop a plan—a plan the villagers would themselves take part in. As the church provided financial resources, the believers themselves hauled bricks, sand and other materials on their backs to prepare for building two Jesus Wells, one in each village.

When the work of installing these wells was complete, Azai knew it was an answer to his prayer—and both communities rejoiced. They celebrated with a special dedication, during which several pastors and leaders from the surrounding region came to rejoice with them. One of the leaders asked God to bless the new wells and offered words of encouragement to the small crowd gathered.

The villagers expressed their deep gratitude for the gift of the new Jesus Wells, which offered hope for positive changes in their health, work and life. So did Pastor Keon.

"I give glory to our gracious God, whose mercy never runs dry and whose provision always arrives in time," he said. "My heart is overflowing with joy, and our entire village rejoices to finally see clean water flowing here. What I am feeling is that the impossible burden that we were carrying in our village has now turned into God's blessings for us. And I know God's people have a big hand behind us in receiving this blessing."

That day, the villagers looked forward to lives that would be more full, more healthy—to days when they didn't have to spend hours waiting in line for water that might run out before their turn or might make them sick.

After the inauguration of the Jesus Wells, things began to change. When Azai woke up in the mornings, something was absent from his mind: worry about getting enough water for his family. Even better, he no longer had to bear the pain of watching his children suffer. They no longer got frequent stomach illnesses, and they grew healthier. Because the Jesus Well was closer to Azai's home, he also didn't have to make as many or as long treks for water. As a result, he had more hours to farm and to care for his animals.

Because of the Jesus Well, "we no longer wake up with the fear of running out of water," Azai said. "It feels like a dream come true, and I am truly grateful to everyone who made this possible."

Azai wasn't the only one in these villages who no longer worried about water.

"This water tap has changed our lives completely," said Galia. "Before, we had to ration water carefully, worrying if there would be enough for cooking or cleaning. But today, we have clean water whenever we need it. It is a blessing beyond words, and I thank the church leaders for their kindness and support."

The Jesus Wells have changed life for both villages. For many people, the abundant supply from the new wells means only one trip to the well is enough for their household's daily needs. Plus, since the wells are located closer than the stream, they have more time for other work and pursuits. People have also started noticing a difference in their health. They no longer get sick frequently from waterborne illnesses.

"I have seen my children grow up drinking muddy water because that was all we had," Helia commented. "But now, they can drink clean water every day without worry. Seeing the joy on their faces as they use the tap fills my heart with happiness. We will forever be grateful for this gift."

Peider explains how the wells support his work as a farmer: "With this water supply, I can finally take care of my land and animals properly. I feel a deep sense of relief and gratitude."

For Azai, the well is a reminder that God cares for his physical and spiritual needs. He had prayed that the Lord would intervene in the crisis his family and his village were experiencing, and He responded with compassion and kindness.

Because of these Jesus Wells, people's health and lives are improving. And on the wells, they get to read a plaque reminding them that this clean water is a gift from a God of compassion: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13–14 NIV 1984).

The Lord has shown these the people of these two villages that He cares about them as whole people—spiritually and physically. And His people, the Body of Christ, are showing His love not only by exalting His name and worshiping Him but also by doing good works and exemplifying Christ's compassion.

About one in four people worldwide still lack access to clean water for drinking, for basic household needs, for life.⁴ You can help meet the vital needs of people like Azai and his neighbors. For some, a Jesus Well may be their first introduction to the God who promises to give a fountain of living water.

Help more communities experience Christ's compassion. Help give them clean water.