The source of life....

                                                                         Water. 

It’s something that until I came here I didn’t give much thought to. It’s always there and there is an abundance of it at home. We use it daily and lots of it and usually pay no attention to it’s provision.

Since I have been here I have seen water differently. I have observed the importance in day to day routines and it's huge value to people here in their daily lives which depend on it and are ruled by collecting it. Those who do not have instant, fuss-free access to the stuff have a hard time and over the last week I have been out and about around GSF observing this. GSF is located in a rural area surrounded by sugar-cane fields and set amongst tiny villages. As we have gone out in the cars I have watched locals – mainly women and children, walking to or from their local water supply. They carry heavy loads and walk for miles to carry the water back to their homes for their families, crops and animals. 

At GSF we have unlimited access to clean, filtered water, which is supplied by two large water tanks that are visible from afar. The water tanks stand high above the ground and act as a locator for GSF from a distance but also a reminder to the locals who live in the surrounding areas of the fact that this orphanage is built on holy ground. This week Mark, one of the directors was telling  our visiting team about the amazing story behind the water tanks; 
When the land was initially brought by Samaritan's Purse the water tanks were being built when the local villagers informed GSF that the land was cursed and that rituals and dark worship used to occur on this land. The team prayed as the water tanks went up. The tanks collapsed. The team prayed again. The water tanks collapsed again. The locals were saying that the land was 'bad' and that the team should not continue. The GSF team at the time then gathered folks together and walked across the land of GSF praying over it and declaring it for the Lord's work. The third time the water towers were built (in the same spot) they stayed up and have been there and functioning well for the last 10 years. The water towers declare God's presence and work in this area for all to see.

John 4:13-14 'Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." 

Pause for thought:
- Every day 10,000 children under the age of 5 die from water related diseases.
- Each flush of the toilet uses the same amount of water that one person in the third world uses all day for washing, cooking, cleaning and drinking.