Clean drinking water.  A necessity for survival so easily taken for granted.

Peace Lutheran Church of Monroe, WI is a relatively young ELCA congregation “On a Mission to Make a Difference”.  Founded in 2006, the congregation has a strong orientation toward families, and heavily values youth involvement in as many aspects of our operations and decision making as possible. 

In October of 2008 the congregation began learning about the global issue of clean water through a video series promoted by an organization called Advent Conspiracy.  The video series raised awareness of spending in the United States, (on Christmas for example), and showed what just a fraction of those dollars can provide to God’s children who are without clean water, a basic necessity of life.   The video series stated that a lack of clean water is the leading cause of death in under-resourced countries, with 1,800,000 people dying every year from water born illnesses which includes 3,900 children a day.[1]  A solution to the clean drinking water problem is directly beneath our feet.  Drilling a fresh water well is a relatively inexpensive, yet permanent solution to this epidemic.  A shallow well can provide clean water for over 1,000 people, yet cost just $5,000.  That’s around $5 per person!

Peace Lutheran Church realized they could have a life changing effect on many people through a bit of determination and discipline toward spending.  The congregation learned that a group called Living Water International, (LWI) helps identify areas in need, coordinates work efforts and helps implement the infrastructure necessary to maintain a water well for organizations that are interested in funding these efforts.  Very swiftly the congregation began a drive to raise enough money to finance a shallow well.  The youth raised money from friends, relatives and loved ones.  The parents, through encouragement from their children, diverted a small portion of the funds they normally set aside for Christmas presents, and applied them toward our effort.  In the wake of this abundant determination, the Church Council made the commitment to match the funds that were raised up to 50% of the cost of the well.  When all was finished, the congregation had raised and committed a total of $6,220 toward the well project.

Next came work on the part of Living Water International (LWI), who continued the project by focusing on the people of San Vicente, Champerico, Guatemala - a community 1,100 people.  Their original well was open and contaminated, and many of the community members had been suffering from numerous water-borne diseases.  This area has a primary school which serves 270 children.  When LWI arrived at the well site, the community helped the team by providing materials, assisting the team with the work, and providing security during the night and lunch for the team during the day.  The community also established a water committee to help better serve the LWI team through the duration of their stay.  There were a total of six men and two women who helped serve on this committee.  A local point person was also identified by LWI in case this community well were to fall into disrepair.  LWI provided pictures that were taken throughout the project, and a plaque placed at the site of the well.

After the project was completed, members of Peace Lutheran Church felt good about their efforts to help provide clean water to a needy community and believe it was an important part of their journey as they continue “On a Mission to Make a Difference.”