Agua

   "It appeared as if I had invited the audience into the water with me, and it conveyed the sensation that being in there was absolutely delicious." -Esther Williams

Rob leaving on his weekly water run.

     Before I moved to the Dominican Republic I took a casual approach to water. Now, living in a developing country, I experience enough water issues on a daily basis to keep my agua antenna up. To illustrate, my 14-year old recently told me while visiting the states: "I'm really enjoying showering with my mouth open." In the Dominican it isn't safe to swallow the water so we bathe tight-lipped. We buy bottled water and use it for drinking, brushing, and washing produce. There is no such thing as drinking fountains here so while running errands I carry H2O with me...when I remember. If I ever become lazy about using purified water (say, to wash some fruit), I am quickly reminded about the realities of the water once I peer into the washing machine just before I add the soap and clothes. Often enough the water is a cloudy yellow-ish color and after a good rain it's unmistakably brown. For several days sediments remain when each load is emptied and I have to wipe down the drum with a cloth. No need for a Post-It Note reminder or a "Verboten" sign (warnings always sound most serious in German), I get the message--"Don't drink the agua!"
     Water is essential to living yet many Dominicans and Haitians on the island of Hispaniola lack access to safe drinking water. Dysentery, in fact, is the leading cause of death here and its culprit is contaminated water. G.O. Ministries is addressing this problem by helping to implement water purification systems. Playing a part in restoring communities through purification projects is just a part of the mission G.O. is involved in. Giving practical help to others in need is right and refreshing, don't you think?
     There is another kind of water essential to us experiencing the life we were created to live. Since we are more than physical beings, but spiritual as well, we need living water. Sounds mysterious and in many ways it is, yet it is just as real and needed and hydrating as H2O. When we have a relationship with Christ, we experience the refreshment of His Spirit and His grace. Also, when we absorb the Bible as it is intended--not as merely an interesting book, but as our life's manual--muddy waters are made clear. A sovereign, pure God who loves us unconditionally gifts us with this living water. By sharing it with others we not only refresh them, but redeem them for eternity. Cheers to that. Are you being satisfied by the reality of living water?

"...but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14