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By Barbara Carneiro November 7, 2024
Water pollution is a major environmental problem the world over, but India is among the nations most severely impacted by water scarcity and contamination. Clean water is arguably the most essential resource for life on the planet, and, in wealthy nations, most people need only turn on a tap to access it. Yet in India, people, animals, and crops struggle for daily survival because of the degree to which harmful practices have corrupted water resources. Each detrimental effect of water pollution leads to another, causing systemic suffering. The Causes of Water Pollution in India There are three main causes of contamination in India’s surface, ground, and drinking water: Lack of Planned Water Infrastructure. Water infrastructure is fragmented (each state controls its own), and urban population growth exceeds the government’s infrastructure capacity. Rural areas have even fewer municipal water resources. Industrial Pollution. Water pollution caused by industries in India is endemic. Over 77% of national industries contribute significantly to water pollution. Major offenders include the mining, chemical, and electricity sectors; pollution from textiles; and other water-intensive industries as well. Lack of Proper Waste Management and Processing. About 70% of India’s daily wastewater (sewage, garbage, and industrial runoff) is untreated and flows directly into natural bodies of water. Eventually, infectious bacteria and disease seep into the groundwater as well. The Effects of Water Pollution in India As you might imagine, India’s water pollution has devastatingly harmful effects on both humans and ecosystems. These include: Destroyed Crops. The polluted groundwater prevents crop growth. The crops that do grow are less nutritious or unsafe for consumption, resulting in food shortages and the inability to export healthy crops for economic gain. Spread of infectious disease. The bacteria in the polluted groundwater causes people to contract diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, E. coli, dysentery, and salmonella. It also causes malnourishment in children, which leads to problems with their development in the short term and for their overall health in the long term. Disproportionate suffering of women and children. In India, women are responsible for domestic water acquisition . Both women and children are tasked with walking long distances to reach water sources and with carrying water home, which takes time and energy away from other responsibilities. As a result, mothers have less quality time to spend with their families. Lack of proper nutrition and a greater chore burden mean that children have difficulty progressing in their education. This in turn ultimately impedes their chances for academic and professional success. Economic Stagnation. Communities fail to thrive as a whole when crops fail, people get sick, or children face obstacles to their education. This in turn lowers India’s productivity, wealth, and GDP (gross domestic product). Ways to Address Water Pollution in India There are several ways to address water pollution in India. Water infrastructure can be integrated so that problems can be solved nationwide. The billions of cubic meters of rainfall that India receives each year can be better harvested and managed; the number of wastewater treatment plants can be increased. Water filters can also be used as a stopgap. Another solution is to install clean drinking water wells in villages that most need them. At Quenched, we want to change the world and know you do, too. One of the ways we do that is by helping those in need in India and Nepal. We work to give the people of Nepal and India hope by offering them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ . Find out how you can help us make a difference and bring clean water to these communities today!
By Barbara Carneiro November 7, 2024
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By Barbara Carneiro November 7, 2024
To find water to use in their homes, poor people in India must often travel long distances for many hours in search of water. Once they find it, it’s often contaminated but their only option. About 200,000 Indians die every year from diseases related to dirty water and many more become sick from them. Something that seems so simple, a water well, can completely transform a community. Having clean water available frees up time for education and starting businesses. It also makes life safer for the women and children who have to bring water back to their villages. A healthier community can grow and thrive. Our organization, Quenched, was created out of a desire to help. We’re committed to bringing both physical and spiritual relief to developing countries who do not yet know Jesus Christ. The wells are built by local workers and blessed by local pastors, who use each dedication ceremony as an opportunity to share the Living Water of Jesus.  Currently our projects are in India and Nepal. Many people in these countries are not only in desperate need of water, but also have never heard of Jesus . We like to show the impact our wells have had upon communities by sharing a project report. It tells the story of one community in Nepal whose lives were changed by a single village well. For a free copy, please fill out the form below.
By Barbara Carneiro September 27, 2021
When asked about their aspirations, many people cite a desire to make a difference in the world. This sounds like an altruistic purpose; it hints at humanitarian or conservation goals, but what does it really mean? Our world is a huge, complex, and often dangerous place. How do you make a difference in the world? How to Make a Difference in the World Making a difference in the world can seem like an overwhelming task when you think about it. However, if you’ve ever heard the expression “think globally, act locally,” you know that it’s sometimes simplest to start by “making a world of difference” in your own community. This could mean engaging in random acts of kindness where you live, such as helping out your neighbors, making your backyard more wildlife-friendly, picking up litter, or leaving positive reviews on apps like Yelp for businesses you frequent. Even mindfully working supportive comments into your conversations with others can make the difference between a good and bad day for them. Love Makes a World of Difference Sometimes love itself is a way of making a difference in our world. You can find ways to support vulnerable groups or become active in your local church. You may also consider using whatever platforms of influence you have to inspire others to show love for people who most need it. The world needs acts of love now more than ever for countless reasons. Global warming is increasing natural disasters worldwide, and low-income countries suffer the heaviest losses from these. International relations are becoming more tense and violent, and domestic political divisions threaten national peace and unity. Travel the World and Make a Difference If you’re adventurous, you can also travel the world to make a difference. Many Christian, humanitarian, and conservationist groups organize missions in various countries. If there’s somewhere you’d especially like to visit or a particular community you’d like to help, you can do some quick internet research to see how to get involved with an organization that aligns with your values and interests. However, even traveling the world with the simple intention of learning about other cultures (and representing your own to others) will give you more of a global perspective, and this is a meaningful goal as well. Support Nonprofits That Make a Difference Whether you’re at home or abroad, you can always support nonprofit organizations that make a difference in the world. You can do this by volunteering your time or making donations to a nonprofit or charity of your choice. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small stand-alone group or a local chapter of a larger organization, your effort is still helping to better the world. If possible, maximize your impact by choosing a group that makes a difference in the world in more than one way. At Quenched, we want to make a difference in the world and know you do, too. One of the ways we do that is by helping those in need in India and Nepal. We work to give the people of Nepal and India hope by offering them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Find out how you can help us make a difference and bring clean water to these communities today!
By Barbara Carneiro August 25, 2021
Childhood is an incredibly important part of every person’s life. It’s when we begin to discover the world, develop physically and mentally, and begin learning about values such as honesty and obedience. While there are many important lessons to teach children, one of the most essential things that we can pass on to younger generations is the importance of generosity. Here are some tips for teaching generosity to children from a biblical perspective: Use the Bible as Your Guide - Children learn from the things they see and hear, so use the Bible as a guide for teaching them about generosity. There are many parables pertaining to gratitude and helping others that you can share, such as The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44). In this story, Jesus is watching people put offerings into the temple treasury. Many rich people come and give large amounts, but one widow catches Jesus’ attention as she puts in two small coins. Jesus explains that her contribution is worth more than all the other bigger ones because she gave all she had while being impoverished, and the rich simply gave out of their wealth. This is a great Bible lesson to convey the meaning of generosity because it focuses on giving based on what you have. This also teaches children that you don’t only give when you have plenty, but also when you have little. Additionally, God shows His own generosity in John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In this verse, God exemplifies the meaning of generosity by giving His only Son to the world to bring us salvation. We should follow God’s example with our time, talent, and treasure. By incorporating the Bible and its teachings into your child’s life from an early age, you can help teach them what it means to be a generous Christian disciple. Practice Generosity as a Family - One of the main ways children learn is by imitating what others do. Understand that you are a role model for your child and if they see you do something, they are more likely to do it as well. As Christians, being generous and grateful for what you have should be a central part of your life. Generosity is a matter of the heart and we want to foster a generous heart for both ourselves and our children. We have received God’s love freely and we should give that love freely as well. By being the good you want to see in the world, you are both acting as a disciple of Christ and ensuring that your children will become generous Christians as well. Make it a point for your family to spread your generosity throughout the world by doing things like volunteering for community service, helping at your church, being gracious hosts when you have people over to your house, and living your life according to God’s will. Another good idea is to encourage your child to give every time they receive. For example, if your child receives money as a gift, suggest that they allot some of the funds to a local charity. This will help spread God’s gifts to others, as well as teach your child to be grateful for the things they receive and teach them to be generous to others. The world needs more generous people in order to help one another and solve the issues we face. Teaching children about generosity is one of the best ways to ensure a brighter, more hopeful future. At Quenched we want to change the world and teach generosity to the next generation. One of the ways we do that is by helping those in need in India and Nepal. We work to give the people of Nepal and India hope by offering them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Our work there is even more critical now due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how you can help us make a difference and bring clean water to these communities today!
By Barbara Carneiro July 26, 2021
While stuck at home during the pandemic, our minds were opened to the different things we could do to entertain ourselves and even learn a bit more about the world we were shut off from. Many creative at-home activities popped up all around the world, and some of them have even stuck around as the pandemic is slowly brought under control. If you’re looking for fun things to do at home, one of those creative activities is hosting a cultural night for your friends or family. Here’s what that entails: Figure Out What Culture You Would Like to Experience  The first step in hosting a cultural night is to choose a culture you and your family would like to experience. Is there a country or region you are interested in that you would like to learn more about? Is there a country you’ve visited that you want to introduce your friends or family to? In this article, we will specifically highlight what hosting an Indian cultural night looks like and everything it involves. Pick a Cultural Recipe to Make The next step is to pick a recipe specific to the culture you selected. Cooking is one of the cornerstones of every culture, so experiencing a culture through its food is one of the most authentic ways to learn more about it. One of India’s most popular dishes is butter chicken (murgh makhani), which is chicken prepared in buttery curry and is normally served with rice and naan. Try to prepare your meal in the traditional method and make as much as you can from scratch. Try out these recipes for butter chicken and homemade naan for your Indian cultural night! Find Other Cultural Activities to Include Next, research other activities specific to the culture you are focusing on. This can include learning to speak several phrases in the language(s) the culture uses, playing games that are a part of the specific culture, reading from popular authors, watching movies from that culture, and even performing cultural dances. India has many different styles of dancing, but one of the most popular ones is Bharatanatyam. This style of dance can be traced back to Hindu temples in the Tamil Nadu region of southeastern India, and includes expressive gestures as well as religious storytelling. As a group, follow these steps to learn how to perform Bharatanatyam dances and add more fun to your cultural night! At Quenched we want to change the world and know that you do, too. One of the ways we do that is by helping those in need in India and Nepal. We work to give the people of Nepal and India hope by offering them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Our work there is even more critical now due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how you can help us make a difference and bring clean water to these communities today!
By Barbara Carneiro June 15, 2021
Over the course of the last year, many aspects of our daily lives have taken on more significant importance. One of these areas is proper hand-washing and sanitation. This is something that many people didn’t often think about, merely just going through the steps. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made us re-examine these small parts of our daily lives. Even before COVID-19 hit, though, poor sanitation and lack of access to handwashing facilities accounted for nearly 1.5 million deaths per year across the globe. The majority of these deaths occurred in developing countries that all have one main thing in common: lack of access to clean water. Once communities gain access to clean water, proper hand-washing and sanitation will become a reality. Proper hand-washing includes washing your hands with clean, warm water and soap for at least twenty seconds, scrubbing all around your hands, including in between all of your fingers. With proper hand-washing, it’s also important to think about when and how often you wash your hands. Any time someone handles food, uses the restroom, sneezes, touches something outside, or touches something that many other people have touched, like a door handle, they should wash their hands. Without clean water, people cannot properly wash their hands, even if they have soap and other cleaning supplies. This leads to the contraction and spread of infectious diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, as well as viral infections like influenza, meningitis, and even COVID-19. So, expanding access to clean water is the first step to helping those living without appropriate sanitation. At Quenched we want to change the world and know that you do too. You can give the people of Nepal and India hope by partnering with us to offer them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Our work there is even more critical now due to the COVID-19 situation. Your contribution will fund the building of a well in a place in desperate need of clean water, train the local community in proper sanitation and hand-washing, and hopefully help to build a faith community as well.
By Barbara Carneiro May 24, 2021
May 2021 As summer rapidly approaches, those of us in the United States are starting to see some signs of healing from the pandemic. Businesses are reopening, travel is picking up, churches are open, and optimism for continued recovery abound. The situation in the regions we serve in India and Nepal is very different. In the last week, India is averaging nearly 400,000 confirmed COVID cases per day. Nepal has surpassed its 2020 daily case count highs as this crisis hits both countries harder than ever before. People are on strict lockdown. Food, water and other basic needs are proving more difficult to find. Hospital beds, oxygen and other necessary treatments that were already in short supply amid these poverty-stricken countries are now nearly impossible to find. The images of countless funeral pyres burning on the news breaks our hearts. As those we love so deeply in India and Nepal face such a dark hour, Quenched is in a unique situation to help. We have several dozen wells that were nearing completion before the lockdowns started. We will be dedicating those wells and starting many more as soon as we are able. Last year during the lockdowns, we helped thousands of people who were literally starving by providing basic necessities like food and self-care supplies. As the situation develops, we are likely going to have the opportunity to meet needs and help the poorest of the poor once again. As you are wondering what you can do, we have two suggestions. First let's all join together in prayer. Pray for the people of India and Nepal, that those infected by the virus are healed. Pray for the medical providers, that they may have the supplies and resources needed to treat those that are sick. Pray for the safety of our pastor partners and other believers as they try to help those around them and share the gospel. Finally, let’s pray that God would reveal Himself to the people of India and Nepal, that many will be saved through this situation. Secondly, would you please consider donating to the mission? With so many countless needs in Nepal and India, a one-time gift or joining our monthly giving program will go a long way. Every gift counts and will allow our pastor partners to be on the front lines helping those impacted by this situation. Also, 100% of your gift goes directly to the field because of generous donors who cover all of our operating expenses. Thank you for your prayers and support! God Bless, Matt MacLean “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
By Barbara Carneiro May 3, 2021
“Living water,” is a phrase that can be found in different books throughout the Bible. There are four main instances that hold significance, two in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament. One of the early examples of living water in the Bible comes from Jeremiah 2:13 where God says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Later in Jeremiah 17:13, Jeremiah says of God, “Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.” In these two passages, God is referred to as “the spring of living water,” who His people have abandoned to try and do things their own way by digging their own cisterns and turning away from Him. The passages show that God gives His people everything they need, like water, and that when they turn away from Him, they are lost and hopeless. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman in John 4:10, saying, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Later in John 7: 37-39 Jesus once again speaks of living water, saying, “‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” In the two passages from John, Jesus speaks of living water not just as water, but also as a symbol for the Holy Spirit and what is to come after Jesus’ death and resurrection for his followers who believe in Him. So, what is living water? Living water can be understood in various ways, but the clearest way is that living water is a symbol for salvation and a true knowledge of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God provides us with everything we need and is the “living water” that continues to always give to us. At Quenched we want to change the world, and know that you do too. You can give the people of Nepal and India hope by partnering with us to offer them living water through clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Your contribution will fund the building of a well in a place in desperate need of clean water and hopefully help to build a faith community as well. Click here to find out more about the work we do in India and Nepal. For an example of the impact our wells have had upon the communities we serve, please fill out the form below to receive a free project report. It tells the story of one community in Nepal whose lives were changed by a single village well.
By Barbara Carneiro March 15, 2021
World Water Day, which takes place on March 22 every year, was created by the United Nations in 1993 in order to raise awareness about the world’s water crisis and what can be done to tackle it. It offers a great opportunity to think about what water means in your life and to contribute to a global conversation. If you’re fortunate, you live in a country where you don’t have to consider whether water is both available and safe to use. For most of us in the United States, there is no need to think about water. It’s something we need to survive but which we take for granted - streaming from our faucets and hoses, boiling in our tea kettles, flushing our toilets and helping to make our gardens grow. This year’s World Water Day theme is simple -- the value of water. It’s important to understand just how essential this resource is; if managed correctly everyone can benefit. A core focus of World Water Day is to help achieve one of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals: water and sanitation for all by 2030. As we’ve pointed out elsewhere on this site, not just millions but billions of people around the world suffer due to poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene. At Quenched, we’ve found that meeting a basic, physical need like water can open the hearts and minds of those with spiritual needs as well. We work with local pastors to help us identify villages in India and Nepal that would benefit from a freshwater well. Once the well has been installed, we celebrate with a well dedication ceremony at which the pastor shares the Living Water of Jesus and begins to build relationships with the community.  To help you better understand the impact of our work, we have a free resource just for you: a sample of a completed project report with the story of an actual family or community who went through this process. It’s the best way to show how much difference a well can make. Our mission requires your help and there are so many ways you can contribute, You might choose to send a tax-deductible gift or host or participate in a fundraiser. But even by simply sharing Quenched’s message with friends, family, and associates, your support can save lives!
By Barbara Carneiro January 28, 2021
As I write this, most of the world is under a stay-at-home order or lockdown due to the global pandemic. Here in the United States, we can still go to the store when we need food or other basic items. When it comes to working, many people are able to do their jobs from home and earn a paycheck, but for millions, they’ve lost their jobs or been furloughed. We all are facing uncertainty and difficulty both physically and economically, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. In Nepal and India, the people we serve are also affected by this crisis. Both countries have been under strict lockdown since March 25th. During that time, businesses are closed – even most grocery/food stores. People are not able to go to work as there is no option to work virtually from home. In remote villages, the vast majority of the population does daily labor work for their wages. They do not have electricity or a pantry or fridge full of food. So, when their income goes away and any nearby markets are closed, most people face significant challenges to find food for their families. Since our founding in 2015, we have served over 52,000 people with clean and reliable water. These people are still able to wash their hands and have water for their daily needs. There are millions more in these regions who are not so fortunate, and we are planning to bring more people water as soon as the lockdown ends. In the meantime, there are countless people who have not eaten for days and are literally starving due to the circumstances already mentioned. Quenched is in a unique position to adapt and help. In the last four plus years, God has multiplied the church and the pastors we work with. With a network of hundreds of pastor leaders across Nepal and India, we have people on the ground that are aware of the needs of those living in urgent physical and spiritual poverty around them. These pastors are being supplied with resources to purchase a 30-day supply of food for families in urgent need. In the last two weeks, we have helped over 500 individuals with these basic food needs while pastors share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with them. The church is once again being equipped to be the light to those who are lost, and we know of 2 families who have already given their lives to Jesus amid this crisis. Despite all of the uncertainty and fear right now, God is still on His throne. The pandemic we face has not surprised Him. I firmly believe how we respond will either glorify Him or show that Christians are no different from the rest of the world. Right now, there are tens of millions of people who are without the hope of Jesus Christ in Nepal and India. They are looking for hope amid the most difficult situation they have faced in their lifetimes. We as the church have the opportunity to rise up and meet their needs physically, while a pastor who speaks their language and knows their hurts provides the ultimate hope of Jesus Christ to them. The church will stand out by bringing food and clean water to people living in urgent need when it appears nobody sees their pain and difficulty, all while pointing to the God who loved them enough to die on the cross so they could be reconciled to Him. God is going to bring countless more people to salvation through this crisis. Quenched has been uniquely prepared for such a time as this. Our team is ready and waiting to meet the needs of thousands more not just physically, but spiritually. In order to do this, we need your prayers and partnership. This is likely the greatest challenge our generation will ever face. I love hearing the stories of how people rose to the challenges of the Great Depression and the World War eras. Lord willing, I want to look back on this crisis and share stories with my grandkids one day about how, despite the historic difficulties we faced, it was the church’s finest hour. And through the work in this crisis, God will add more of our brothers and sisters from Nepal and India to faith, and they will be part of the scene described in Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” So, as you look to help and impact those living around you, please consider those we serve halfway around the world. We have opportunities for you to partner with one-time gifts to meet the current urgent needs. We also have our Quench & Equip program where for $40 per month you will impact 12 people per year with clean water and provide discipleship training to that region. Since we have generous donors who cover all of our overhead, 100% of your gift will go directly to those we serve to provide an immediate impact. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” We pray this over you and your families during this time. God Bless, Matt MacLean ​President and Founder
By Ingrid Nunes August 12, 2020
Many charities are devoted to combating the global water crisis. All are dedicated to installing systems that will make clean water accessible and dramatically change people’s lives for the better. This could take the form of a well, filter, rain water collection container and/or affordable loans that could help break the cycle of poverty. Many train local residents of the communities they serve in sustainable practices to ensure access to clean water continues to be available.  At Quenched we want to change the world, and know that you do too. You can give the people of Nepal and India hope by partnering with us to bring them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Your contribution will fund the building of a well in a place in desperate need of clean water and hopefully help to build a faith community as well. Click here to find out more about the work we do in India and Nepal. For an example of the impact our wells have had upon the communities we serve, please fill out the form below to receive a free project report. It tells the story of one community in Nepal whose lives were changed by a single village well.
By Barbara Carneiro June 17, 2020
Many charities are devoted to combating the global water crisis. All are dedicated to installing systems that will make clean water accessible and dramatically change people’s lives for the better. This could take the form of a well, filter, rain water collection container and/or affordable loans that could help break the cycle of poverty. Many train local residents of the communities they serve in sustainable practices to ensure access to clean water continues to be available.  At Quenched we want to change the world, and know that you do too. You can give the people of Nepal and India hope by partnering with us to bring them clean water and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Your contribution will fund the building of a well in a place in desperate need of clean water and hopefully help to build a faith community as well. Click here to find out more about the work we do in India and Nepal. For an example of the impact our wells have had upon the communities we serve, please fill out the form below to receive a free project report. It tells the story of one community in Nepal whose lives were changed by a single village well.
By Barbara Carneiro May 3, 2020
This summer is flying by! In just a few weeks, my kids head back to school. I can’t believe it! As we head into the second half of 2019, it’s amazing to look back and see all that’s happened. We rebranded Living Water for the Thirsty to Quenched, continued to expand the work of the ministry to new areas in Nepal and India, and had an impactful Vision Night in Peoria, Arizona. God is certainly on the move, and we are excited to share some other updates from the field and stateside. Well #300 In June, we completed a series of wells in some predominantly Muslim areas in Northern India. Over 82% of the population in India is Hindu, so this was a unique opportunity for Quenched to reach yet another faith both physically with water, and spiritually with the Gospel. The 300th well since our founding was completed in this series of wells with a Muslim family as the recipient. Their testimony is unbelievable: “I am the first man in my village to get a well from Christians. My previous assumption about Christians was wrong. I found how they are loving and caring towards the poor and needy.” This is exactly what Jesus told us to be, a light in the darkness and difference makers to those in need. We continue to pray for these families that they come to believe in Jesus as the one true God. Baptisms & RAD Training Since the beginning of 2019, 105 people have been baptized as a result of Quenched’s ministry in Nepal and India. Momentum continues to build as the work spreads to new areas. We have seen new churches planted, with our Rapidly Advancing Disciples (RAD) program leading the way. RAD training is a key component which makes us different from other clean water ministries. At these trainings, new believers are taught what it means to follow Christ, how to share their faith, and how to plant and grow a healthy church. Each time we receive a well sponsorship donation, the funds are split between digging the well and training disciples in that same community. With RAD training, wells become the foundation for a sustainable church plant. In the last 90 days alone, we have seen 17 new house churches started from these efforts. Invest in Others Finalist Back here in the U.S., Quenched just received some national recognition which we are very excited about! It’s connected to my day job as a financial advisor. Invest in Others, an organization that recognizes the impact that financial advisors have on a nonprofit, has selected myself and Quenched as a finalist for the Invest in Others Global Impact Award. As a finalist, a $10,000 donation will be given to Quenched. If named the winner at the awards gala in September, the donation will increase to $40,000! We are so excited to see how God will use this nomination and donation to further his work in Nepal and India. Finally, please keep Quenched in your prayers. We truly believe this movement is of God. Please pray that He will continue to advance the work in a way that only He can do. In addition to your prayers, please consider donating. Our commitment is that 100% of your donation will go to the field to dig clean water wells and train disciples because all of our overhead is covered by private donors. We would be honored for you to join us as we help unreached people living in extreme poverty receive clean and Living Water through the local church.
By Barbara Carneiro February 20, 2020
This summer is flying by! In just a few weeks, my kids head back to school. I can’t believe it! As we head into the second half of 2019, it’s amazing to look back and see all that’s happened. We rebranded Living Water for the Thirsty to Quenched, continued to expand the work of the ministry to new areas in Nepal and India, and had an impactful Vision Night in Peoria, Arizona. God is certainly on the move, and we are excited to share some other updates from the field and stateside. Well #300 In June, we completed a series of wells in some predominantly Muslim areas in Northern India. Over 82% of the population in India is Hindu, so this was a unique opportunity for Quenched to reach yet another faith both physically with water, and spiritually with the Gospel. The 300th well since our founding was completed in this series of wells with a Muslim family as the recipient. Their testimony is unbelievable: “I am the first man in my village to get a well from Christians. My previous assumption about Christians was wrong. I found how they are loving and caring towards the poor and needy.” This is exactly what Jesus told us to be, a light in the darkness and difference makers to those in need. We continue to pray for these families that they come to believe in Jesus as the one true God. Baptisms & RAD Training Since the beginning of 2019, 105 people have been baptized as a result of Quenched’s ministry in Nepal and India. Momentum continues to build as the work spreads to new areas. We have seen new churches planted, with our Rapidly Advancing Disciples (RAD) program leading the way. RAD training is a key component which makes us different from other clean water ministries. At these trainings, new believers are taught what it means to follow Christ, how to share their faith, and how to plant and grow a healthy church. Each time we receive a well sponsorship donation, the funds are split between digging the well and training disciples in that same community. With RAD training, wells become the foundation for a sustainable church plant. In the last 90 days alone, we have seen 17 new house churches started from these efforts. Invest in Others Finalist Back here in the U.S., Quenched just received some national recognition which we are very excited about! It’s connected to my day job as a financial advisor. Invest in Others, an organization that recognizes the impact that financial advisors have on a nonprofit, has selected myself and Quenched as a finalist for the Invest in Others Global Impact Award. As a finalist, a $10,000 donation will be given to Quenched. If named the winner at the awards gala in September, the donation will increase to $40,000! We are so excited to see how God will use this nomination and donation to further his work in Nepal and India. Finally, please keep Quenched in your prayers. We truly believe this movement is of God. Please pray that He will continue to advance the work in a way that only He can do. In addition to your prayers, please consider donating. Our commitment is that 100% of your donation will go to the field to dig clean water wells and train disciples because all of our overhead is covered by private donors. We would be honored for you to join us as we help unreached people living in extreme poverty receive clean and Living Water through the local church.
By Barbara Carneiro January 9, 2020
This summer is flying by! In just a few weeks, my kids head back to school. I can’t believe it! As we head into the second half of 2019, it’s amazing to look back and see all that’s happened. We rebranded Living Water for the Thirsty to Quenched, continued to expand the work of the ministry to new areas in Nepal and India, and had an impactful Vision Night in Peoria, Arizona. God is certainly on the move, and we are excited to share some other updates from the field and stateside. Well #300 In June, we completed a series of wells in some predominantly Muslim areas in Northern India. Over 82% of the population in India is Hindu, so this was a unique opportunity for Quenched to reach yet another faith both physically with water, and spiritually with the Gospel. The 300th well since our founding was completed in this series of wells with a Muslim family as the recipient. Their testimony is unbelievable: “I am the first man in my village to get a well from Christians. My previous assumption about Christians was wrong. I found how they are loving and caring towards the poor and needy.” This is exactly what Jesus told us to be, a light in the darkness and difference makers to those in need. We continue to pray for these families that they come to believe in Jesus as the one true God. Baptisms & RAD Training Since the beginning of 2019, 105 people have been baptized as a result of Quenched’s ministry in Nepal and India. Momentum continues to build as the work spreads to new areas. We have seen new churches planted, with our Rapidly Advancing Disciples (RAD) program leading the way. RAD training is a key component which makes us different from other clean water ministries. At these trainings, new believers are taught what it means to follow Christ, how to share their faith, and how to plant and grow a healthy church. Each time we receive a well sponsorship donation, the funds are split between digging the well and training disciples in that same community. With RAD training, wells become the foundation for a sustainable church plant. In the last 90 days alone, we have seen 17 new house churches started from these efforts. Invest in Others Finalist Back here in the U.S., Quenched just received some national recognition which we are very excited about! It’s connected to my day job as a financial advisor. Invest in Others, an organization that recognizes the impact that financial advisors have on a nonprofit, has selected myself and Quenched as a finalist for the Invest in Others Global Impact Award. As a finalist, a $10,000 donation will be given to Quenched. If named the winner at the awards gala in September, the donation will increase to $40,000! We are so excited to see how God will use this nomination and donation to further his work in Nepal and India. Finally, please keep Quenched in your prayers. We truly believe this movement is of God. Please pray that He will continue to advance the work in a way that only He can do. In addition to your prayers, please consider donating. Our commitment is that 100% of your donation will go to the field to dig clean water wells and train disciples because all of our overhead is covered by private donors. We would be honored for you to join us as we help unreached people living in extreme poverty receive clean and Living Water through the local church.
By Barbara Carneiro December 30, 2019
In Biblical times, a disciple referred to anyone studying under, and trying to emulate, a valued teacher. To modern day Christians, it means a follower of Christ who leads by following his example. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Discipleship is a process of not only holding onto your faith, but growing in it so that you may lead others toward Christ. This at the heart of our work in bringing clean water to the needy in India and Nepal. We view sharing Christ’s teachings in the same light as offering water to those who are spiritually lost. We have seen hundreds of people change their eternal destination forever in the few short years we have been doing this work. Click here to find out more about the work we do. For an example of the impact our wells have had upon the communities we serve, please fill out the form below to receive a free project report. It tells the story of a community in Nepal whose lives were changed by a single village well.
By Barbara Carneiro February 1, 2019
With the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams just a few days away, I’ve been reflecting on where I was 10 years ago when I got the opportunity to cheer on my team, the Arizona Cardinals at Super Bowl XLIII. As a season ticket holder since 2002, I dreamed of the day that I would watch a playoff game at home. That dream came true not once, but twice in January 2009 when the Cardinals hosted the Atlanta Falcons in Glendale, beat them, then went on to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship, also on our home turf. At the end of that game, I remember thinking, “What just happened?” Arizona fans were all in shock, but we celebrated like there was no tomorrow! Knowing this could be a “once in a lifetime” opportunity (ouch! saying that out loud kinda hurts), my father and I decided to make the trip to Tampa Bay to watch the Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Game Day February 1, 2009 was everything I thought it would be. The Super Bowl pregame parties were awesome, but the atmosphere in the stadium was hard to describe. Thrilling and uneasy. Electric and restless. The game went back and forth, and with a little more than 2 minutes left, the Cardinals miraculously took the lead! My section was filled with long time Cardinals fans and we went crazy. What a moment, and I was getting to experience all of this with my father at my side. At the same time, I had a sick feeling in my stomach that there was too much time left on the clock. Unfortunately, that turned out to be true. It was painful leaving the stadium that night, and it didn’t help seeing all of the Steeler fans celebrate around us. No one thought the Cardinals would make it to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. I was so disappointed to be let down again. I wanted so badly to witness history in person. To tell you the truth, it stung to be so close and walk away a loser. A New Perspective Now 10 years later, because of what Jesus has done in my life, I can look back on those experiences, shake my head and smile. The way I view the world has dramatically changed, including football. Am I still a loyal fan? Absolutely. Does the game affect me the same way? Absolutely not. Christ has shown me that He is the One True Champion and that He will never let me down. He’s already won the big game and I share in that victory! Jesus also opened my heart to the countless people around the world who don’t know about Him. After praying and asking God how I can help, He led me to start Living Water for the Thirsty, an organization that meets both the physical and spiritual needs of unreached people. Living Water for the Thirsty drills clean water wells in needy communities, then during well dedications, we share the Good News with the people there. In just three and half years, more than 22,000 people in Nepal and India now have access to clean water and more than 1,300 people have come to know Christ. As I reflect on what truly matters, I’m so excited for the future of Living Water for the Thirsty and how it can make a difference in people’s lives. Not to say that football is bad. I love football and am inspired by the many players that use their platform to glorify God. But football games, even the biggest game of all, the Super Bowl, won’t matter 10 years from now let alone 10,000 years from now. What will matter is what we’ve done to help others meet Jesus, the One True Champion. In order to allow more people to hear about the Victory for them that can be secured through faith, we need more people to join us in our quest to make Jesus famous. Would you join us in living out the Great Commission for our King?
By Barbara Carneiro August 28, 2018
For this update, we want to pass along a note of praise, and also a request for prayer. As we approach the 3rd anniversary of the founding of Living Water for the Thirsty, we have an exciting milestone to celebrate. This month the 200th water well project in the country of Nepal was completed! In those 200 projects, over 18,500 people now have access to water. Additionally, over 8,200 people have heard the gospel (many for the first time) at well dedications. This is all something to celebrate, but we are not done yet! There are many more villages and families that still lack access to clean water in Nepal. And there are many more who still have never heard the good news of the Gospel. We are seeing tremendous growth in our first wells in the country of India, and so excited for what God has instore. We have completed over 15 projects in just five months in India, but there is much left to do. In the two Northern Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, there are over 300 million people! Most of these people live in extreme poverty, and both of these countries are less than 0.2% Christian according to the Joshua Project. They need clean water through the good news of the Living Water. As the gospel is spreading in these areas, persecution is on the rise. This month, a law went into effect in Nepal that makes it illegal to convert someone to a different faith. If found guilty, a person could be set to prison for five years and face fines. With the law in force and persecution increasing, believers in Nepal have to be wise in how they live out their faith. We would appreciate your prayers that they may continue in wisdom and boldness. ​We have seen growth and testimonies that cannot be explained apart from the work and hand of God. For those of you who have been supporting our work or praying for us, THANK YOU! You have been part of the Gospel spreading in equipping local pastors to be the hands and feet of Jesus. For those of you who have been thinking about getting involved, there is no better time than the present. Join us as we continue this mission to bring clean water and the Gospel to the unreached people of Nepal and India!
By Barbara Carneiro June 3, 2018
If you have been following Living Water for the Thirsty for a while, you know how we have been helping to bring clean water and the Gospel to people in Nepal for nearly three years now. During that time, we have seen God work in amazing ways, with over 150 projects completed to date. As we have grown, we have expanded to different regions within the country of Nepal. If you visit the projects page at lw4t.org, you can see how the projects cover much of the southern part of Nepal from east to west. We continue to feel led to bring the basic need of water while also sharing the good news of God’s love with the people of Nepal. Lord willing, we will reach additional areas of Nepal impacting more lives with this work. At the same time, we feel the call of God to bring this work to a nearby country that also has significant physical and spiritual poverty – the country of India. India is such a large country, with over 1.3 billion people currently living there. This is over four times the population of the United States! With so many needs among so many people, where do we start? Our initial work is now underway in northern India. To give an example, the state of Bihar where we recently completed our first project in India, is in the northeastern part of the country. It is smaller than the size of the state of Virginia, yet is home to over 113 million people. Most of these people live in extreme poverty, with little hope of escaping this reality. The average income is around $1. per day according to the IBEF. Additionally, according to the Joshua Project the population in Bihar is 0.1% Christian. The reality is that not only do people in this region live in difficult physical conditions, many of them have never even heard of Jesus. This can feel overwhelming, even to the point of paralyzing us into inactivity. But the good news is we do have a chance to make a difference. The gift of water allows us to meet a huge physical need in a way that does not cause dependencies on outside resources. It frees up valuable time for people to work, go to school, and be productive instead of gathering or looking for water. The gift of water shows the love of Jesus. We have invaluable local pastor partners now in both India and Nepal. These partners are the ones who find the needs, help bring the resource of the new water well, share the gospel with them at a well dedication, and build long term relationships with them. This is how bringing clean water can connect unreached people to the nearest church. When you give to our ministry in Nepal or India, you give not only for clean water but also support discipleship training in the regions of our work. Our goal is to create a movement with the local church that eventually will expand without outside assistance. So, as we start this work in India and continue the Nepal expansion, first we would ask for your prayers. Please pray for the people of India and Nepal, for their physical needs of clean water to be met, and for their hearts to be opened to the good news of the Gospel. We also ask for prayers for our local partners, as they face growing persecution. Please pray for their safety, wisdom, discernment, and also for boldness. Secondly you can give to support the advancement of this work, and help us launch work in the country of India! God has given us large goals to reach more people with water and the Word, and your partnership helps continue this expansion. We are so thankful for churches and individuals who have donated to allow the work to continue. If you are looking to get in on the ground floor of our launch in India, or help us expand to new regions in Nepal, our website has the ability for you to give one time or ongoing in any amount. If you wish to connect with us, we can share more details about well sponsorship and other opportunities. Thank you and God Bless! Matt MacLean, Executive Director
By Barbara Carneiro March 26, 2018
March 26, 2018 By Lisa Horner I first felt the calling and desire to go to Nepal with Living Water for the Thirsty when I heard Matt share about his vision and how the ministry works. The idea of installing clean water wells in villages in rural, unreached areas of Nepal and then sharing with them the Gospel message, the Living Water of Jesus Christ is too compelling to pass up. I raised my hand and said, “Yes, I want to see that!”  Preparing for the trip I tried to have few expectations other than to be fully present while in country. Fully present to observe what was going on around me and not interfere too much. I’ve travelled enough on mission trips to know that you have to be a master at flexibility because not very often do things go the way they’re planned. I prepared my heart for being in places with accommodations and comforts less than we’re accustomed to at home. I typically experience home sickness when traveling, so I made a plan to feel connected to home. I tried to see the value and strength of each team member and ask God how he has planned to use each and every one of them. Turns out that when you raise your hand and say “yes” to going and serving God, he has more plans for you than to just sit back and observe. On the trip I was challenged to share my testimony with beautiful Nepali women who were desperate to connect with women from around the globe. Our whole team felt led to share our stories, share our pain, and share the ways in which God has led us through dark times in life. Just because you believe in Jesus, doesn’t mean all your troubles and pains go away. Instead, we have the ability to choose hope and peace and obedience despite those struggles. Our team was challenged to discern “lesson plans” and how to maximize our time with the women and youth we met because we very quickly learned that we had an opportunity to really speak truth into these women and we only had a limited amount of time to do it. I was challenged to sit back and keep my mouth shut when God was clearly working in the hearts and minds of our team. We had powerful conversations about God’s mission in the world, the Living Water, community, climbing the mountains in our life, radical acceptance, running the race marked out for us and fixing our eyes on Jesus. We heard each other’s struggles with grace and believe we experienced “holy ground” as we “denied the Devil our silence”. I saw team members connect on deep levels as we opened ourselves up to what God might have for us. What strikes me as powerful is that none of this had to do with Nepal or Living Water. It’s just what happens when Christ followers gather away from our normal hectic lives, separate ourselves from normal distractions, and allow ourselves the luxury of spending a week with the Lord serving Him. Overall, my largest takeaway in regard to Living Water for the Thirsty is that they are the real deal. It’s a compelling ministry format. Take a church planter who excels and is passionate about church planting and spreading the Gospel and take a church pastor who excels at digging clean water wells and partner them together to introduce wells to new communities to families who are not believers so that there’s a platform to introduce the Living Water to them, their household, and their community. Living Water then follows up with the local pastors and churches in those areas to do discipleship training and Bible teaching to encourage the believers in remote areas who don’t have access to Christian teaching to help them develop their faith. It was a privilege to see this in action. To meet these servants who previously were just names. ​Coming home has been difficult. I struggle with how to take that experience and not lose it when getting back into daily life and the stresses and tasks that await me. It’s easy to “resent” normal life. Why can’t every day be full of deep sharing amongst believers, encouragement in the faith, and witnessing Kingdom advancement. But why can’t it? Lisa Horner
By Barbara Carneiro October 17, 2017
It is now the two year anniversary since Living Water for the Thirsty was founded. We have seen God work in amazing ways during this time, and we are believing that He has many exciting things still ahead. I would like to provide you with an update of the work He is doing through LW4T. Since our founding, God has used us to complete over 110 water well projects in Nepal. These projects have brought clean water to over 9,000 people, with thousands of them hearing the good news of the Gospel at well dedication ceremonies, and hundreds making decisions for Christ while being connected to the local church. Clean water is a blessing and something we celebrate, at the same time reaching people for Christ is why God formed this organization, and is what drives everything we do. In September, God used this ministry to complete the first, of hopefully many mountain wells. This project was constructed in Western Nepal, in a very difficult to reach village. It required over 3,500 feet of pipe to be run from the nearest clean water source to the village, across different elevations and terrain. He has blessed LW4T to provide two water wells in this region, with one of them being for a school in the village that had no clean water on site prior to our visit. These projects are more expensive given the amount of labor and pipe needed, but are a great way to show the love of Jesus to those in need. Discipleship training is ongoing, and is a huge part of the mission given to us by our Lord. We are equipping our church partners to provide the training without outside assistance. These leadership sessions have been provided to over 100 church leaders in three districts, with plans in motion where they can begin to work with hundreds of believers to equip them to make disciples and advance the Gospel for the glory of His name to many who have never heard. As the end to the year rapidly approaches, we have an exciting blessing to announce. Mission Increase Foundation, a nationally run mission support organization, has a wonderful year end offer. They are matching all first time and monthly gifts, in addition to new campaigns up to $5,000. Many people think about giving at the end of the year, and this allows your gift to glorify Him to be multiplied and impact even more people in Nepal! To learn more, visit www.lw4t.org/donate in order to set up a one time or monthly tax deductible gift, or www.lw4t.org/campaigns in order to launch your new campaign today! Finally, we are excited to announce another mission trip to Nepal, Lord willing, in March of 2018. If you would like to join us and see the impact the Lord is making with unreached people groups, now is the time to register. We are planning this trip for March 8th-18th, 2018. During this trip, you will have the opportunity to personally witness multiple well dedication ceremonies, help to encourage and equip our church partners, train and disciple young adults in a youth camp, and much more. If you have not been on a mission trip before, they can be worldview altering and life changing. If you want to learn more about taking a mission trip with us we are partnering with CCV (Christ’s Church of the Valley) for this trip in 2018. They will be hosting informational meetings early next year. If you are ready to go with us you can register for this trip by visiting this website. For those of you who are supporting this work with prayers and donations, thank you. Your generosity and investment of time and resources is making a difference in meeting physical needs while expanding the gospel to unreached areas for the glory of His name. If you have yet to partner with us, we challenge you to join us. There are countless people in urgent physical and spiritual need that we can reach one at a time together for the Glory of God! God Bless, Matt MacLean Executive Director Living Water for the Thirsty
By Barbara Carneiro July 7, 2017
Summer is upon us, and so is the heat for many in the United States. As the busy season of vacations and travel is in full swing, I wanted to provide an update on what has been happening with Living Water for the Thirsty in the last three months. ​ Urgent physical and spiritual needs are our focus, with clean water as the key initiative. Our work is currently in the country of Nepal, where many people still lack consistent access to a clean water source. As I write this, our first mountain well project is completed and will soon be dedicated. This project has been much more difficult than previous wells, and the community is so excited to finally have a well of their own. We estimate that this project will reach over 650 people with clean water. Other projects are ongoing throughout Nepal, as we are projecting to complete our 100th water well project in the 3rd quarter. God is doing some amazing things among these people, and the love of Jesus is on full display when a local pastor completes the well dedication ceremony after the project is complete. We have seen lives changed physically, but also spiritually as people hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. We ask for your continued prayers for this work, that the people would be impacted not only physically, but spiritually as well. The second key component to our work is discipleship training. We believe the local church is the hope of the world. Our mission is to train and equip the local to church to understand what it means to follow Jesus, how to share their faith, make disciplines, and plant a healthy church. We recently completed this training with over 155 pastors and church leaders in attendance. The impact that is being made as these leaders go and live out what they have learned is truly amazing, and we are so excited to see what God has in store next. The next step is to multiply this training, with each church hosting their own sessions. We are now beginning leadership training with all the pastors we have relationships with, to equip them to lead their churches through it on their own. As these trainings continue, we have seen requests from more churches and leaders to receive this training as word spreads. Campaigns are a fun and exciting way to share a passion about this work with friends, family, and co-workers. Joel, and wonderful friend of the ministry, ran the Boston Marathon in April and combined this race with a campaign to sponsor wells in Nepal. The campaign was a wild success, with over $3,000 raised - which will provide three wells to people in need in Nepal. We are also launching another campaign through three young men from O'Connor High School in Phoenix, AZ. Miles, Josh, and Nick are on fire for the Lord, and excited about making a Kingdom impact through their lives both now and into the future. ​ God is certainly at work both here in the United States, and more importantly half way around the world in Nepal. We continue to covet your prayers, that we would follow God where He leads, and more people would come to a relationship with Him through this work. For those of you who have donated and supported us, thank you! Your generosity is making a huge difference in the lives of people with great physical and spiritual needs. If you have not yet decided to support us financially, we invite you to join us on this journey. Thank you and God Bless! ​ Matt MacLean, Executive Director
By Barbara Carneiro June 21, 2017
Update from Ron Jenkins, Board Member An airline pilot, a financial planner and a local pastor walk into a village in Nepal… Sounds like the start of an interesting joke, but it would soon become a part of my reality. My friend and co-traveler, Matt MacLean, had asked me to go with him on a mission trip. We had originally met a few years earlier when a mutual friend invited him to attend a men’s group that I was leading. When I first met Matt, I can honestly say that I never thought that I would be traveling with him so far from my home, but God had some long range plans for the two of us. Little did either of us know that, in just a short time, we would be missionary partners to unreached people groups on the other side of the world. Sometimes, as I look at the pictures and videos that we have taken to document what have now become two trips for me, I am amazed. I can’t believe that I actually went to Nepal. It truly is surreal. It is only after I have returned to the U.S. that I can process the events that have transpired on those intensely packed days. Nepal is a place I had told Matt that I thought I would never go to. Something he now reminds me about each time we have gone there. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not adverse to mission trips. I have taken several to Mexico to build houses, but Nepal? That’s literally on the other side of the globe. By air, it takes about 30 hours and three to four flights, depending on the region you are traveling to, and that’s just to get there. Now Matt is not the kind of guy to twist your arm into doing something, he just asks nicely and lets the Holy Spirit do all the hard work of convincing. He’s a financial planner, so he can tell you all about investing for the future, and sacrificing to achieve monetary goals. Make no mistake; going to Nepal is a sacrifice. We aren’t going as tourists to see the Himalayas like most people. One of the first questions I get asked when I tell someone I have gone to Nepal is, "Did you see Everest?" The next thing they say is, "How cold was it?" These are interesting questions, but the region of Nepal that our work is focused on is called the Terai, which in Nepali means "the low-lying land at the foot of the Himalayas". When you read this think, “flat, hot and far away from Everest”. It is geographically located in the southern third of the country and in elevation and climate is vastly different than what most people have seen in travel brochures and on the Discovery channel. The late spring and summer temperatures can routinely climb above 100 degrees, and the average elevation is less than 1,000 feet, making it more tropical than mountainous, as most people think. I wish I could tell you that what honestly motivates me to go to Nepal is a pure love for the people. I’m not there yet. I think that I go because God has placed a passion in my heart to train believers to become disciples. I see my role as finding creative, and inspiring ways to portray the Gospel message to a people that don’t even share my same language. Not that the message isn’t inspiring already, but that I am compelled to convey the truths of scripture that have been entrusted to me by faithful believers, to a people group that hasn’t been exposed to these same truths.  That I get to witness the material need for water being met is just a bonus to the trips I have made to Nepal. One of the most impactful being when I witnessed a well dedication for a village of about 400 people, who we learned were all getting their water from another well source, that they shared as a community. This same well they were using prior to our arrival was also unclean water. What impacted me the most happened while I was taking pictures of the dedication for the new well that had been installed. We do this for two reasons; to document and record the experiences for the folks back home who have contributed to our organization, and secondly, to raise awareness for the urgent physical and spiritual needs of the people in Nepal. During the filming, I was suddenly struck with the reality of where I was, what I was seeing, who was there, and why and how we were even in Nepal. I was witnessing a local Nepali man who had become a Christian and part time pastor dedicate this well to a community that had not heard the Gospel message before. The villagers present were part of the Musahar people group, social outcasts in Nepal, the poorest of the world's poor. What made me start to cry was the realization that God so loved this small, insignificant, poor, outcast village that He sent His son to become living water for them and laid it on the hearts of some men to go and share this good news with these very people. Here I am, taking pictures of this local part time pastor, who is also a security guard, preaching to people who I couldn’t have imagined in my life that I would ever meet. Why would I travel over 8,000 miles to a remote village in a country where I don’t speak the language? He was allowing me to witness just one example of a very tangible expression of His love for all people. I think to myself, "I would not be here, but for the grace of God." I still struggle with my role in all this, but I see that as a good thing. I believe one of my strengths is problem solving, but the problems I have witnessed in Nepal are much bigger than I can solve on my own. That is good, because, when the people are helped, God gets the glory and not me. So now when I hear someone saying, “I could never go there and do that.” I am reminded of that fateful day when I said the same thing to my friend about going to Nepal, and I smile. Ron Jenkins Board Member Living Water for the Thirsty www.LW4T.org
By Barbara Carneiro January 31, 2017
As we enter 2017, I would like to share some exciting updates from Living Water for the Thirsty. God continues to open up avenues and opportunities for us to continue with and expand upon our work. Since our founding in 2015, we have completed 76 water well projects throughout Nepal. Through those projects, over 5,000 people now have access to clean water. In addition, thousands have heard the gospel through well dedication ceremonies and are now connected with the local church. We are so thankful to everyone who has prayed and given financially so this work could be accomplished. The numbers are great, and something we celebrate. It is also the individual stories that are life changing. Whether it is the police officer and his family who struggled to get water, and now have their own clean water source. Or the young family who received a well but also the gospel message at the dedication ceremony, and decided to follow Jesus. Each one of these numbers represents a person who now has a basic need met. Time spent previously obtaining water can now be used to increase their productivity and personal livelihood. As you may know, we also support the local church in Nepal with discipleship training. Through the wells and our church partners implementing the training, we have seen hundreds of people come to faith in Jesus. Clean water is something we celebrate, at the same time reaching people for Christ is why God has formed this organization, and is what drives everything we do. In 2017 and beyond, our goals are even larger. Lord willing, we plan to provide wells to 85 families and or communities, and expand to new districts in Nepal. In addition, we plan to train hundreds of more pastors and new believers. To help share this work with others, we have launched a new video series highlighting our work and also our campaigns that I discussed in the previous blog message. You will see these videos at the bottom of this message. We have an exciting event approaching, with one of our church planting partners traveling all the way from Nepal to the US to spend some time with us here in the states. For those of you that are in the Phoenix area, we are hosting an intimate Vision Meeting with him on Sunday, February 19th at 2pm. It will be held at Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV), at their Peoria Campus. This will be a unique opportunity for those who may not be able to travel to Nepal with us to have some of Nepal come to them, and hear first hand how things are going. There will also be time for Q&A at the end of the session. If you wish to attend, please email your RSVP to mattmaclean@lw4t.org. In March, we are headed back to Nepal in order to launch our discipleship training in a new district, dedicate more wells, and spend time with our partners. We have plans to train over 150 pastors and new believers during the visit, to help equip them to advance the Gospel. In short, we are so thankful for the progress that continues to be made and what is next. We look forward to providing more updates in the months ahead. Thank you for your support and prayers. God Bless, Matt MacLean Founder/Executive Director Living Water for the Thirst
By Barbara Carneiro October 24, 2016
As I write this, it has been one year since our official launch as a non-profit organization. Looking back on all that has been accomplished in our first year, it is amazing to see all that God has been doing through Living Water for the Thirsty. During or first year of operation, we installed and dedicated 40 wells in Nepal, impacting over 2,500 people with access to clean water. This could not of happened without your prayers and financial support, so thank you! We all take access to clean water for granted, a reality that millions in Nepal still lack. We are very thankful for the early successes God has provided, and at the same time we know there is much yet to be done. In addition to the component of clean water, our work is focused on creating introductions of the local church to unreached villages. Living Water for the Thirsty does not dedicate the wells, it is the nearest local pastor that gives this ceremony and begins to build relationships with people in the community. We believe the local church is the means God has provided to spread His Gospel to those who have never heard, and our model is built to equip and support them in this goal. We provide discipleship training to our pastor partners, their local church leaders, and new believers that have come to faith through our work. This training helps believers understand what it means to follow Jesus, how to share their faith, how to plant a healthy church, and so much more. Word about our work and success is spreading. Our leaders in Nepal have relationships with believers in different areas in Nepal. Through communications with these leaders, they are asking to partner with Living Water for the Thirsty so that villages near them may receive the same water projects and discipleship training we have launched over the past year. These leaders love the way we meet urgent physical need through clean water projects, and urgent spiritual need through partnership with the local church. We feel God is leading us to expand our work into new areas in Nepal. We have prayerfully considered how to best expand, and feel the appointment of new leaders on the board of directors are necessary. Earlier in October, we added Ronald Jenkins and Paul Ledbetter to our board. We look forward to the advice and counsel they can provide along the way as Living Water for the Thirsty continues to grow. As we begin our second year of work, there are a few areas of opportunity we want you to be aware of. First, we are beginning to partner with churches here in the United States that believe in our mission to meet urgent physical and spiritual needs through clean water projects and the gospel. If you attend a church that supports missional work among unreached peoples, we would appreciate an introduction. Secondly, we are launching a campaign section on our website. This area will allow individuals who want to sponsor a well, multiple wells, or travel with us to Nepal in March to raise money for their goal. We are currently working to build our very first campaign to help someone sponsor multiple wells in Nepal through an event. This will involve the pooling of resources from friends and family who are looking to come alongside them and support the cause. Other campaign ideas include donating a birthday, doing an athletic event or run, or anything else you can think of to get involved and make a difference. If you have interest in setting up a campaign, please reach out in the campaigns section of our website to begin the process. Finally, we still continue to covet your prayers. We know that God has been working through the prayer warriors who have been lifting us up on a consistent basis, to which we are extremely grateful. Additionally, the goals we feel God is giving us require continued financial assistance. We ask that you would prayerfully consider what God would have you do. The last year has been amazing. We can get caught up in the numbers of people impacted with clean water and the gospel. However, the real impact is seen in the difference this is making in individuals, one at a time. When a child and family receives the gift of water, it makes a significant difference in their health and financial livelihood. When that same family hears and responds to the Gospel, the difference is eternal. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings! Matt MacLean Founder, Executive Director Living Water for the Thirsty www.lw4t.org
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