We were overjoyed when Samba Paul, Living Water Project's in-country coordinator for Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria, passed along testimonials from three villages in Chad where wells were recently constructed. Samba also reported that community members have been able to establish churches and Discovery Bible Studies Groups in these villages that have been blessed by the gift of abundant clean water.
The words of gratitude from these communities speak volumes about the physical and spiritual power of clean water, particularly in places where it is scarce and collecting it is burdensome.
A representative of Morne, a village in the Tandjile Est:
"We would like to thank the Living Water Project and the Final Command Ministry for freeing us from the great suffering of water problems. In the past, we drank dirty water that always ends up giving us different kinds of sicknesses. To be frank, three times we gathered money and looked for a humanitarian NGO to help us, but we did not find any help anywhere. When you [Samba] visited us, you talked about how you and your partners would help get good water in the village. We were happy, but when it took a one year for you to come back to us, we became discouraged. When you came back and honored your commitment to give us water, we were really happy. The well you fixed has brought drastic changes in our village and in the life of our communities. Some years back Morne was a great village, but because of lack of good water to drink, more than 10 families moved away. Today, many herdsmen who [previously left] because of water problems are now coming back to settle."
A representative of Makoundji Seke village:
"Our sincere gratitude goes to the leadership of the Living Water Project and the Final Command Ministries who thought of us and have provided clean water for our community. We also thank the coordinator who shared with them about our suffering in terms of clean water. Today, we are saved from sicknesses that people always caught because of the lack of good water. Our community used to drink filthy water dug from nearby rivers or muddy puddles. In that same place where we fetch water to drink, all kinds of animals and birds come and drink water, too. That is why the drinking of that water often brings debilitating diseases such as cholera, malaria and others. As a community, we thank you sincerely for your love. We ask the coordinator to take back to his partners our sincere gratitude. May God bless you."
A representative of Moulkou village:
"Today I give thanks to God and the Living Water Project and the Final Command Ministries who came to our place with good deeds. This is real love. If someone gives you water; he has given you life. Somebody who drinks clean water stays always healthy and physically strong; the clean water improves significantly the health of the communities. We appreciate you for coming to our place not only with words, but also with the gift of water. ... We do not know the donors of these funds, but they did it for the love of God. We pray that God should increase their resources so that they will continue to bless others."