Tag: safety

  • The Iceberg

    05.21.11 | Comment?

    by Beau Abdulla, Living Water International

    When we humble ourselves and seek God’s will, I believe our actions in obedience can reach farther and impact in ways we can’t imagine. After all, it is all for His glory and not ours. Many times in a ministry like LWI it is easy to focus on the water projects. These are tangible things. I don’t want to diminish the value of the water project but I find myself reflecting on the impact outside the water projects the LWI Uganda ministry is having. I want to share with you how Bethany Community Church’s support of this program has reached beyond the borehole.

    1. The LWI mission is to provide a cup of water in Jesus’ name. I want to you know that the projects you have supported have opened doors we never could have anticipated. An example of this was when the First Lady of Uganda dedicated a number of water projects in Ntungamo directly. When she does, it is not a political show. Imagine your First Lady coming to your community, sharing her testimony, and telling you the only reason a new project has come is because Christ answered her prayers. It is awesome!
    2. Bethany Community Church has financially supported 33 water projects in Uganda. The LWI ministry has completed over 60 projects in Ntungamo and over 90 in the entire country. Bethany’s support has enabled the LWI Uganda to grow. You are a part of over 90 projects here. 
    3. For my wife and I, the LWI Uganda staff is also our ministry. LWI Uganda currently employs 15 people (12 Ugandans, 2 Kenyans and 1 Indian). Jobs are not easy to find here. Your love and support is helping to provide jobs. The effect one working person has in their family can easily reach 15-20 people.  We are planning to add more staff in the coming months. By the end of 2011 we hope to employ over 20 people locally.
    4. Your support has helped the LWI Uganda program learn and grow in Ntungamo. Because of this program, LWI has received interest in starting new zones using Ntungamo as a model. Rest assured the Ntungamo program will not be compromised by this. But I just want you to know that the love you have shown to the people of Ntungamo has captured the attention of other people and they want to replicate the model in an area they feel called to. How amazing is that? It is possible that by 2012 LWI Uganda will have expanded to 2 zones, doubling our impact for God’s kingdom.
    5. Clean, safe water sources in open areas may lessen AIDS. When I first heard this, I had to make sure I heard correctly. It’s something I never thought about. During many dedication ceremonies the local officials make this remark. They say that previous water sources deep in valleys or surrounded by thick bush were places young girls would be attacked. They say that these new water sources will lessen the incidence of rape and AIDS. 
    6. I’m sure you thought that your gift of clean safe water would help save lives. Did you ever think it was because a child wouldn’t be eaten by a crocodile while fetching water from a river or lake? We hear people say “thank you, now we won’t lose our children to crocodiles.” It’s hard to even imagine.
    7. These projects can help communities gain self-esteem. 
    8. These projects can be the beginning of a revenue generating point for future community development.
    9. The support programs targeting youth can greatly impact the future as these young men and women become leaders in their communities.
    10. The largest impact is one that we can’t measure. It is the impact the LWI ministry makes on someone’s heart. You can be sure that all LWI Uganda project are done boldly in the name of Christ through an indigenous staff. It is our prayer that people’s hearts turn toward Christ. We have to lift this up to God.

    The list could go on and on, but I’ll stop here. I’m sure there are many impacts that we don’t even know about. That is OK. Maybe sometimes when we know too much about the impact we have, we tend to own the impact and diminish God’s glory. Perhaps it is best for us not to know all the answers. Maybe it is best for us not to understand how everything interconnects and links. At that point all we can do is stand in awe and praise God. He is an awesome God!

    We give all the glory to Him and thank you for the support of His ministry here in Uganda.

    Beau and Staci Abdulla