06/10/2014
Letter from Peter Mostert:
Annual Men’s Retreat and Breakfast
Chino Church of Christ
Elders and Organizers
June 9, 2014
Brethren,
Thank you for hosting another very successful Men’s Retreat. Kevin Schwiger’s encouragement from Vince Lombardi that “we are the men”, and C.L. Thomas’ reminder that “I am God’s man” are very meaningful in our various ministries as proactive men of great Christian character and commitment. As a minister of the Gospel for over 30 years, having spent several years of missionary work in Africa, I was glad to hear, once again, of Nehemiah’s appeal to God and rebuke of those who were against the rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 2:20): “We are servants of the God who rules from heaven, and he will make our work succeed.”
Thank you, also, for including the announcement “Clean Water Project – African Mission” in the program. Last year the La Puente Church of Christ responded to our appeal and gave funds to restore 3 water wells in Zambia, Central Africa—33 are now fully operative. The ladies of La Puente along with “sewing sisters” at Magnolia Center, Riverside, and Azle, Texas, have sewn over 550 dresses for young girls in Africa—bringing many smiles. We are currently on schedule to repair another 10 wells this year (2014). Each well provides clean water for the daily needs of as many as 1,000 people. A Christian lady, Joan Shearing, recently widowed, married to a police officer, committed to fund the restoration of 5 wells.
As you may know, the interest of the clean water project is to provide clean, disease free, well water to all who ask but especially those who are widows, orphans, elderly and infirm—for drinking, cooking and washing (sanitation). Central Africa is very receptive to the Gospel of Christ and many have become Christians following the New Testament example.
Obrien Malindi, a local evangelist from the area of Venda in South Africa, requested that we repair a well in Zimbabwe, between South Africa and Zambia where two churches have been established. There are also clean water needs in Mozambique and Malawi to the east, Angola and Botswana to the west.
“When it rains in Africa it pours” is a common saying in Africa. During the rainy season there is water in abundance. Once the rain stops rivers and pools either dry up or become stagnant; contaminated with animal waste. Several well-funded international organizations have very generously established new wells in critical areas. These groups move on to new locations with the expectation that repairs to existing wells will be made by others. Wells become inoperative because galvanized pipes submerged in water with a high mineral content, over a period of time, corrode and the water well system looses pressure. It costs about 1/10 of the cost to repair a well as it does to establish a new well.
As wells break down villages trek to rivers, if near-by, or dams for their water needs—rivers often have wild animals seeking the same water. It is not uncommon to dig a hole in the riverbed or alongside a stagnant pool and to “pan” for water. Water used is first boiled before consumption. I have been served food with water collected in this manner. Stagnant or “grey and black” water is difficult to purify.
Why repair wells? When Jesus went about His ministry proclaiming the Kingdom of God, He healed and provided for people—He saw their need. The miracle that we perform today, as we proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ is through humanitarian acts—acts of kindness. It is not uncommon for local chiefs, headmen and women to invite local evangelists to preach the Gospel and establish churches. Clean water has been supplied to school children in slum areas of the capital, Lusaka, and used to baptize prisoners in the border town of Chirundu.
Clean water is essential for healthy living, for both humans and domestic animals (John 4:12). On a continent where disease is common from various insects (Mosquitos, Tsetse Fly, and others) clean water is a Godsend. African people are very appreciative of the generosity of others—as a token of thanks I was given a Guinea Foul (Thanksgiving Turkey) by a village headman, Tobias Masaba, while the President of Zambia, Michael Sata, on visiting in Siavonga, to the south, recognized Charles Phiri, a local evangelist for his work on restoring water wells. Your partnership is appreciated.
Peter Mostert -- African Missions-Clean Water Outreach – www.pccsihopenow.com - 909 240 2739
Oversight – Elders, Magnolia Center Church of Christ, P.O. Box 2346 Riverside, CA 92516 – 951 686 4343
African Missions: Clean Water Outreach is concerned with helping people in various needs and with proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Current benevolent efforts include the restoration of water wells...
