Tuesday, February 04, 2014

January update

January 2014



The new year brings a bright hope of new beginnings. We reflect on 2013 as one of our most defining and productive years. It was the climax of answered prayers that had been brewing for many years. We had labored in prayers and fasting for the events that happened in 2013. What can 2014 bring that can top our 2013? We wait with anticipation of what the Lord has in store for this ministry. He has opened doors that we have been pounding against. What doors will he open this year? We are so thankful for his mighty and amazing provision.

Rain, rain, and more rain seemed to be the focus of the month of January. Lilongwe and the surrounding areas have seen a great abundance of rain. Despite the impossible odds, Larry ventured to the villages to survey drill sites. He discovered that in some areas, the rain has been delayed. This provides an even more optimal time for drilling because the ground water tables are even lower than last month. When the bore hole is drilled during the driest part of the year, and he finds water, that means the village will be ensured water all year round. The well will not run dry, if water can be found now. In the village of Maganizo, where they were drinking from water that was milky looking, Larry drilled them a bore hole that was 15 meters (49 ft.). He found such an abundance of water that when he was cleaning the well, the water did not deplete! He was amazed and when he figured the amount of money spent on that well, it was less than half of what the other wells cost. This was the village where the chiefs had banned the traditional Gule Wamkulu followers. In his daily devotional time, Larry found special inspiration from Matthew 10:42, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."

Please continue to pray for the Lord's provision as wells continue to produce water and the hope. And for the presence of our Savior as it is presented in villages. 

CHE

Rita and Grace have finished another phase of village development training. They have trained a committee to take over the work (eventually). Some of the things they learned are: how to oversee the CHE work in their community, home visitation, promoting CHE, mentoring others, all of the CHE principles, and many others. We are praying for the next phase which is choosing CHEs to do home visits. These people will be trained to teach about basic health issues and hygiene and will also tell Bible stories and do some basic teaching.

Please continue to pray that our CHE work will increase, thus spreading the message of Jesus in the Lemesi and surrounding communities that many more will come to know Christ and be discipled to lead others.

TRUCK NEEDED!

Please pray with us that funds will be received soon for a good truck. If you feel led to help, please click on the "donate" button at the bottom of the page or send a check to the address listed below. We still have a way to go, but we are confident that the Lord will provide. 

This is what their water looked like before!


These ladies just got their first basin of clean water from their new well. They were so grateful! 

If you wish to help us give clean water, please send your donation to Wellspring Ministries, PO Box 1471, Pinellas Park, FL 33780. Wellspring Ministries operates under the umbrella of First Christian Church of Seminole Florida and all gifts are tax deductible. 

Thanks for your prayers! The well drilling has been successful and we are almost finished for the season (Nov. to Feb.)!

                                                                                                

Saturday, January 11, 2014

December Review


Although we were all about drilling wells, the people on whom we were dependent were all about the December holiday. In Malawi, many workers are given the entire month of December for a break. Despite the challenges of the season, Larry was able to drill two more wells successfully. Truthfully, he needed to take a break. Drilling is hard and doing back-to-back wells takes its toll on him and the crew.

The experience for Larry and Andy in the village has been a tremendous blessing and benefit. Not only for them, but for the presentation of the Gospel. The crew that Larry takes with him are Bible college graduates with a heart to teach about Jesus. Rita, Andy's fiance went with them for a few days and taught the kids about Jesus.

Larry said the people in the second village did not want to help the chief because they did not like him. He smelled of alcohol when they arrived, but one of our workers was able to share the Gospel with him. We pray his heart will be changed by the presence of Christ being in his village that day. The chief's heart melted somewhat when the clean water flowed from the well and he grabbed a bucket to save water for his bath. It's a start. The people were given hope that day - teaching about Jesus, the Living Water, and clean water to make their lives better.  
                                                                  

Please continue to pray for the Lord's provision as wells continue to produce water and the hope and presence of our Savior is presented in villages. 

CHE

Rita and Grace continue to serve the Lord developing the village of Lemesi. They recently reported that the people are so receptive of CHE principles. One lady who was not a Christian said she would never have stayed around to listen about Jesus, but the way He has been presented, she wants to hear more. She is a woman of influence in the village. We are praying that she will become a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ as she hears more about His great love and mercy. 

Please continue to pray that our CHE work will increase, thus spreading the message of Jesus in the Lemesi and surrounding communities that many more will come to know Christ and be discipled to lead others.

TRUCK NEEDED!

Please pray with us that funds will be received soon for a good truck. If you feel led to help, please give through this link: http://www.gofundme.com/truck-clean-water or send a check to the address listed below. We still have a ways to go, but we are confident that the Lord will provide. 
 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We realize some of you will be seeing this after Christmas, but if yours is like our family, the holidays sort of run into each other and we enjoy the whole season and squeeze as much as we can get out of it. We don't like it to end. May you be blessed beyond measure during the season and may you experience true worship and peace in your heart.

Check out our website for more ministry information: www.WellspringMinistriesMalawi.org