The Gift of Water

Saala will never be the same.

Let me back up a little bit and explain. My third month in Zambia, Africa brought me to an area named Saala. It was the last expedition that my group would take, as a part of Advanced Mission Training with Overland Missions.

We arrived in the area of Musukotwane named Saala around dusk and had camp set up within an hour. The following day we set out on a ten minute walk to the nearest borehole. Our mission: to fix this well for the locals.

We found out that the well had been broken for over two years. The local villagers had been digging in a dry riverbed to get their water. I cannot even imagine how the Zambians were able to live on such a small amount of water. I was able to see where they dug in the river several days later. I was a bit startled by what I saw. It was a small riverbed, maybe around 12 feet across. There was a hole dug in the sand that went approximately 8 to 10 feet deep. This hole was surrounded by a fence of thorn branches. The Zambians use thorn bushes and trees to form a fence to protect the water source. This fence not only keeps animals from drinking the water but also from bringing in contaminants. The part I found shocking was the fact that there was no water to be seen. The sand at the bottom of the hole was not even wet. It is amazing to think how hard they had to work just to find a couple drops of water.

The part which was needed to fix the well was brought with us. So the men quickly got to work taking it apart. Within minutes the whole team was needed as we pulled out a pole that was several hundred feet long. The trick was that we couldn't let the pole snap in two. After the pole was successfully removed, the well piece was fixed and then put back together.

Once the well was put back together, we all waited in suspense as a man started to pump it. Nothing, nothing, nothing... Several minutes had past before suddenly water burst forth from the pump! Everyone jumped and cheered with joy. The people of Saala had access to water again after two years!

We had been at the borehole for several hours total. The commotion had brought attention from the locals. We ended up with around 40 spectators. I wanted to take advantage of the situation so I asked one of my teammates to share a quick message with the people. We gathered the men, woman and children together and sat on the ground by the well. James delivered the Word of God to the people and gave them an opportunity to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Over thirty people committed their lives to God by the well that day.

The people of Saala gained water, and then also the Living Water! Praise God for my opportunity to see so many lives that will never be the same.

Photos by: Michelle Nice