May 3 Home Communicator –When studying the Bible in 6th grade, students encounter a recurring theme: God can use anyone to accomplish His purpose. This past Friday, 6th grade students were able to get a glimpse of how God has used them to answer the prayers of people who live halfway around the world!
It all began when Darin and Jonna Fey, friends of 6th grade teacher Jon Huisman, asked for help with a project. They were missionaries in South Africa for 10 years and have been living in the US for the last year. In December, Darin, who is the Global Director for Business Connect, came to share about how far people have to walk for water in some parts of Africa and explained the effects that dirty drinking water can have, especially on children. He brought along a water filter and ran some dirty water through it. Students were able to see it work and drink the clear water that went through the filter.
The sixth graders began collecting funds for Business Connect, which partners with Village Water Filters and helps provide clean water for people all around the world. Just $30 would provide a family with a water filter kit and training so that they could have clean water for 10 years! Students gave sacrificially of their own funds, asked family members to contribute, ran bake sales and concession stands. Hoping to raise enough for 33 families, imagine their surprise when they learned they raised enough money to bless 117 families in Uganda with water filters and training!
Last Thursday, Jonna Fey came to give an update on the water filter distribution. She was also able to give our students some information about living in Africa as they had just finished studying Africa in social studies. Most importantly, she shared a video from a water filter distributor in Uganda and Annette, a single mom, who received a water filter.
For Annette, who sells clean water to provide for her family, the filter was life changing. Purifying the water without a water filter meant buying charcoal, boiling the water, and waiting for it to cool. The new filter saves time and money and adds a level of confidence that the water she sells is safe. It also provides safe drinking water for her and her boys. What a blessing to see one way in which God called and equipped us to be part of His Kingdom work now!
In Christ alone, Katie VanTil, Nurturing Faith Coordinator
