It is easy to be overwhelmed by the pictures and stories of need around the world. Compassion fatigue sets in, we feel helpless, and so we turn the page or change the channel. But even though we can’t change the whole world, we can do something. In the same way that many organizations offer the opportunity to sponsor a child, we will show you how to make lasting change for a village and hundreds of people.
We are talking about a short-term sponsorship that will provide the knowledge and tools to empower people and give them the ability to provide for themselves. Remember, we are about teaching people how to fish, not just giving them a fish.
When you adopt a village, we will guide you in doing for a village what Hope Springs is doing in our pilot program in Dono-Manga, Chad. The priorities are the same. First, you provide a well for clean drinking water, then emergency medical aid, followed by agricultural training in drip irrigation or dry season farming, followed by animal husbandry training.
With short-term assistance, you will empower a village to stand on its own. But more than this, you will put flesh on the Gospel that is being preached in this village. We have seen how powerful this combination can be in our work in Dono-Manga where people are coming to Christ because they have not only heard about Him, but they have seen Him in the lives of those who are caring for their needs.
The picture above is of 30 Chadian preachers from all over Chad that came together for a meeting recently in Dono-Manga. They each preach for a village with a small group of Christians already meeting. Showing the love of Christ through adopting one of these villages will put flesh on the spoken word and will lead many to Christ. Together we can begin to bring lasting change to a hurting world and expand the Kingdom one small village at a time.
The amount needed for a village will depend on its size and particular needs. We are working with the preachers pictured above in preparing a list of their villages and their particular needs. Let us know if you would like more information, and we will keep you posted on future developments. Drop us a note at: hopespringsinternational@yahoo.com
I can tell you from our experience in Dono-Manga, you will be blessed far beyond those receiving your assistance.
A special time of thanksgiving and celebration is planned next week in Dono-Manga. Rambi reports, “There is excitement everywhere in the villages where the wells are being drilled. Some could not believe that this is happening in their life time because they have never dreamed or imagined they would ever be able to drink from a clean water source. They have continued to give gratitude to God and souls are being won to Christ. A very big time of thanksgiving is being organized for next week to show their appreciation to God for the various projects that are being carried out by Hope Springs and to celebrate the return of Lazarus and Sabasten who recently graduated from the Jos School of Biblical Studies and returned to join in the work.
Pierre said that many people from surrounding villages that have been studying with various ministers, who have expressed a desire to make Jesus their Lord, will be baptized on that day. It is going to be a carnival. Top government officials are also expected to attend.”
Great progress is being made in drilling the wells. With the new equipment now in service they plan to complete the remaining 8 of the 20 previously scheduled wells and the newly funded 15 wells by the end of June before the heavy rains begin in July.
Rambi also reported that great progress is being made toward the completion of the Orphanage Farm Compound. Eight men are working full-time on this project. The goal is to have everything completed by the end of June.
God is at work among His people to lift up Christ through the message preached accompanied by a compassionate touch. “And he (Jesus) went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” Matt. 4:23. This is our model as we reach out to a world that desperately needs the message of Christ.
Today has been a day filled with reflection and prayers of thanksgiving for what God is doing in Dono-Manga, Chad. I can still remember the feeling of helplessness when I received an email from Ebenezer Udofia describing the suffering and death in Dono-Manga. “Sir, there has been a distress call (SOS) from the brethren and people of Dono-Manga in southern Chad for aid. The community at the present time is being devastated by an epidemic of diarrhea disease due to the lack of clean water and malaria due to the lack of bed nets. The community has lost about 600 people within the last six months, mostly children. The churches of Christ in the area totaling about 150 members have lost twenty-one members over the same period.” His words “mostly children” hurt the most. I would learn later that there was nearly a 50% death rate of children under five because of the two problems he mentioned.
Hope Springs was still reeling from having to call our missionaries home and we were questioning if we as an organization would even survive. We had never had any plans to work in Chad. The very fact that Chad had been a French Colony and its major language was French had kept it off our radar. But God heard the prayers of His people. Little did we know where He would lead us.
Since that day in February of 2009 medical/evangelistic/agricultural campaigns have been conducted, numerous people have come to Christ, churches have been established and villages continue to call for someone to come to their village with the message of Christ. 26 out-of-service wells have been repaired, 20 new wells are being drilled and funds are now available for 15 more. A new dispensary was recently constructed and stocked with lifesaving drugs and mosquito nets. A new orphanage was just completed for 41 orphans and a training farm compound is under construction that will be complete with a wall, chicken house, goat barn, catfish tank, a drip irrigation farm and its own well. Two men from Dono-Manga were sent to Jos School of Biblical Studies and have completed their schooling and have returned to help with the work. One of these men has established a school for 325 children that will include the 41 children from our orphanage. One of the subjects he will teach will be English. Does anyone else see the irony here?
What we see as a barrier is not a barrier for God. What God seeks from His people is faith to follow His direction in spite of the barrier. This is a lesson I am still learning. I used to wonder what lesson Jesus was teaching when He said that mustard seed faith could move a mountain into the sea. I no longer question that…I have seen the mountain moved into the sea.
We are trying to develop a greater vision for the future that is based in what we have seen God do over the last 2+ years. We believe that what has been done in Dono-Manga can be duplicated multiple times over in the many small villages that have struggling churches with dedicated preachers. We have seen firsthand what humanitarian outreach coupled with the message of Christ can accomplish. There is something powerful about the combination of the message of Christ being preached when it is accompanied by a compassionate
touch.
Orphans and neighborhood children in front of new Orphanage with recently donated soccer balls
We have a list of over 30 small towns and villages with a church and a preacher doing their best to reach their communities. We are praying for God to raise up churches and/or individuals that will say, “We/ I will adopt a village and over time do for them what has been done in a much larger area like Dono-Manga. We have the connections on the ground to get the
job done. We are not talking about a “forever” commitment, but a commitment to help them stand on their own two feet. We are talking about providing wells and training to make them self-sufficient. Everything we do at Hope Springs is designed to be self-sufficient in a short period of time. As the old adage says, “We teach people how to fish, not just give them a fish”.
I would be remiss if I failed to thank each of you for your prayers and gifts to this ministry. You have radically changed the lives of 126,000 people living in numerous villages throughout Dono-Manga. Through your donations you have saved hundreds of lives and given hope in this life, and the one to come. Thank you for being Jesus to the people of Dono-Manga. Only heaven will tell the true value of your gifts.
I just got off the phone with a Christian Brother in Christ who wants to see that we are able to dig the last 15 wells in Dono-Manga, Chad. He and his wife have offered $7500.00 in matching funds. That means that they will match dollar for dollar all funds that are donated by midnight Monday the 6th of June. The reason for the short deadline is he and his wife are leaving the country on Tuesday the 7th.
I know this is a challenge, but we have seen God work before. So we trust Him to touch hearts that have the ability to help. Will you help us spread the word? Here is a link to the last blog with all the details of this awesome opportunity. THREE WELLS A DAY NOW POSSIBLE WITH NEW EQUIPMENT
Most of all pray! If we reach this goal it will provide clean drinking water for a minimum of 30,000 people. Only God knows how many lives will be save and how many doors to share the gospel will be opened by these wells. Thanks to each of you for being Jesus to those who have never heard His name.
New well drilling equipment donated by The World Bank has now reached Dono-Manga! The timing could not be better. Two weeks ago the drilling came to a halt because of old and worn out equipment. With the old equipment it took 2 to 3 days to drill one well. With the new equipment they will be able to drill 3 wells a day. What a difference!
Here is the report received today from Rambi in his own words.
“Sir, work has fully resumed on our designated sites for the wells yesterday. Two rigs have been deployed, one of which is new with the capacity to drill three wells a day. They have drilled an additional five so far including the one at the orphanage…The staff and equipment are stationed at Pierre’s house.
There is general excitement in the entire Dono-Manga over the arrival of the new rig. Here is how Pierre explained the excitement, “The World Bank Director instructed them to make their camp in front of my house. The government appreciates so much the work of Hope Springs in this country.”
They hope to complete the 20 wells paid for in two weeks, but they can do more if we can pay for it before they leave the area.”
We only have a few more weeks before the heavy rains slow drilling to a halt. We continue to be blessing to be able to drill wells for only $1,000 each. Each well provides water for about 2000 people. To date 26 wells have be repaired and brought back on line. In two weeks a total of 20 new wells will be completed. We need an additional 15 new wells to meet the total need of the 126,000 people of Dono-Manga.
Time is very short. Please help us spread the word about this wonderful opportunity to change thousands of lives and continue to open hearts with the message of Christ.
This is the only choice for water for those villages we have yet to reach with a new well.
You Can bring lasting change for a village
Hope Springs International 