Interim Report from Compassion International
CRBC Funds Compassion International Water Project
Water is not only necessary for human existence, but can be deadly in the process of finding it and drinking it. Forty two hundred people die daily on our planet because of waterborne diseases. Whether it is Dysentery, Cholera, E-coli, Typhoid Fever, Schistosomiasis, or Amoebiasis just to name a few, the privilege of clean, potable drinking water is often overlooked.
Towards the end of Summer 2010, Father put the idea of funding some sort of water project on Pastor Mark’s heart. After some considerable prayer and research, PM was connected with a director of projects at Compassion International. After some discussion it was determined that cooperating with CI was the best use of our financial contribution and mission on the planet.
It is CI’s goal to have fresh, potable water at 100% of their church and education centers around the world. Directors at those centers get bids from local contractors to fulfill the work required to accomplish this goal. Roughly 25% of the centers currently lack potable water. The particular project CRBC chose had a multi-level benefit attached to it. The construction work is done by locals where the funds will stay local. The center will get potable water for students and families. Lastly, there will be sufficient quantities of water to meet the centers needs and actually have a residual amount to sell to locals, thereby bringing an income to the center.
Praise the Lord! After discussing the ideas with the Leadership Team of CRBC, it was a unanimous decision to proceed with announcing and raising funds for this significant project. Pastor Mark made the initial announcement on Dec. 26, 2010 and as of Jan. 30, 2011, all of the $4,500 was raised to fund this life-changing project!
The following is some information sent to us about the region where this water project request originated-
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India. An agriculture-dependent state, West Bengal occupies only 2.7% of the India’s land area, though it supports over 7.8% of the Indian population and is the most densely populated state in India. A significant part of the state is economically backward, namely, large parts of six northern districts of Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur; three western districts of Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum; and the Sundarbans area. Compassion East India has projects most these districts. The State is endowed with 7.5 per cent of the water resource of the country and that is becoming increasingly scarce with the uncontrolled growth of population, expansion of irrigation network and developmental needs. The spatial and temporal variability of rain within the State causes the twin menaces of flood and drought.
We anticipate receiving updates from the field on the status of this project and look forward to seeing photographs and/or testimonies from folks in the area the water project is accomplished. In the event anyone is in their neighborhood, we could actually see the well at work or the rain-water harvesting system.
We are so thankful to Jesus for allowing CRBC the opportunity to be a blessing to those in the uttermost parts of the earth. It is pretty cool to know we can help some who we will never meet to have a healthier lifestyle without the life threatening diseases that come with needing the most essential commodity on the planet. “His Kingdom come, His Will be done.”