I recently returned from a trip to Indonesia where we visited some of Water Mission’s safe water projects. It was encouraging to see how God is at work in this distant part of the world.
Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world following China, India, and the United States. It is also the world’s most populous Muslim country. The differences between predominantly Muslim and predominantly Christian communities were fascinating and apparent as we visited a wide range of communities. It was amazing to learn how God is using all of these projects to transform people’s lives.
The highlight of the trip came when we went to the project commissioning celebration in Lae Hundulan. This village is so remote that the only way to access it is to travel the last few miles on the back of motorcycles. As we arrived in the mountainous community, a large tent was set up next to the school and several hundred people were gathered under it.
The joy of the villagers overflowed as the celebration — full of speeches, dancing, and a lot of food — started in full force. Before the safe water project, their only source required community members to walk down a steep hill to the nearby river. Now, thanks to Water Mission, there are eight access points throughout the community, each targeting common areas including a school and health clinic. One of the workers at the health clinic shared that since the water system started operating, no one had come to the clinic because of diarrhea or waterborne illness.
I met a woman named Sela who used to walk four times a day to collect water. She shared that before, when they had to drink the contaminated river water, her kids were always getting sick. Sela was eager to show me the water tap near her home and talk about the changes she’s seen in her family. She was incredibly grateful to have finally access to safe water!
Just as importantly, I was encouraged to hear about how our staff, after spending countless long, hard days working on the technical parts of a water project, would gather together community members and hold candle-lit Bible studies to proclaim God’s love.
Our Indonesian staff members’ hearts to serve and see lives touched by God reminded me of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
For more information on the NALC Ministry Partner Water Mission or to connect with the author of this article Kevin Herr, please visit: https://watermission.org.