Partner Spotlight: Living Water International
Did you know?
884 million people lack access to clean water every day! One organization that is committed to fight the global water crisis is Living Water International. MSC recently partnered with Living Water to bring clean water to a small community in Liberia. Read on and see how Living Water is serving the world's thirsty with not only clean water.
1) In a few sentences explain what is Living Water International
Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and to experience “living water” – the gospel of Jesus Christ – which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. We bring a cup of water in Jesus’ name to thirsty communities throughout Africa, India and Central America implementing water solutions, propelling Health & Hygiene Education and sharing the Gospel. LWI was born in 1990 when a group from Houston, Texas traveled to Kenya and saw the desperate need for clean drinking water. Over 20 years later, we are now working in 25 countries bringing “water and the Word” along with hygiene education and intentional methods for sustainability. We “train, equip and consult” by hosting Drill Camps, Pump Repair Camps and Health & Hygiene courses to mobilize volunteers and send teams to serve the thirsty. This year we will host 150 short-term mission trips to Central America and Haiti and look forward to more expansion next year.
2) What impact is Living Water making in the local communities where they are based?
This year in 2011, we have just completed our 10,000th water project – Praise God! In most countries where we serve, we are led by local pastors to villages in most desperate need of water. We work on a method of “train, equip and consult. We also teach health & hygiene and tell Bible stories through “Orality” Training workshops. Many communities we serve cannot read or write and so this is the most communicative way to share Jesus. We believe that community involvement is one of the most important parts of sustainable water solutions. Lasting change doesn’t happen unless the community takes the lead. In the community receiving water, we train them in the operation and maintenance of the new water system after it’s installed.
3) How have you seen growth within Living Water?
The Lord has blessed us with a great amount of growth, specifically within the last three years. We will continue to strive for good stewardship with our time and donor dollars to serve the thirsty in 2011 and beyond. We have recently completed a 5-year Strategic Plan that will begin phase one this Spring.
4) What was the driving force behind Living Water?
In Matthew 25:35 Christ tells us about the thirsty and goes onto say in Matthew 25:40 that “whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.” We are called to worship the Lord by loving the thirsty, serving clean water in His name. Our core values are founded in the following: Honor God (we will do all things as an act of worship to God), Develop People (We will empower and build up both our staff and those that we serve), Pursue Excellence (We will maintain high standards of excellence in all activities, continually learning and improving) and Be Good Stewards (We will use resources wisely and effectively as we carry out our mission).
5) What does the future hold for Living Water?
Living Water will continue to seek partnership from the local Church, families, businesses and all people who desire to see His kingdom advance by serving the poor and becoming a part of God’s heart for the thirsty. We greatly encourage those who are called to this work to come be a part of it bringing water in His name and saving lives around the world.
Living Water now has the capacity to provide 2,000 water projects per year with adequate funding. With that said, we can’t reach the thirsty without you! If you or your church would like to sponsor a well, we provide a Well Report to show the community you’ve served. You can become an advocate by talking to friends, family or your church and raise awareness and funds with our tools online at www.water.cc. Come all who are thirsty for change!
Mitchell Swaback Charities has been a blessing to partner with! Last year, we were able to serve the orphans of Christ our Hope in Monrovia, Liberia who desperately needed a water source at their orphanage. The Lord was glorified! His name proclaimed for them to taste and see that God is good.