In December, Irving Bible Church challenged its members through its Not Just Ourselves (NJO) effort to donate funds for purchasing the initially needed equipment for Water is Basic, and they responded in a big way. IBC’ers not only made individual donations but also secured matching donations from their companies and others across the United States, raising awareness through www.waterisbasic.org. To date, more than $160,000 has been raised.
With initial funding in place, plans to purchase trucks, a drilling rig and additional equipment, along with training a drilling team in Sudan, have begun. Jacob Oyuru, the Sudan project manager for Water Is Basic, is now working in Juba to hire qualified team members and to procure training from International Aid Services. Although two of his sons were recently murdered in Juba—a sad reality in this war-torn country—Jacob and his family move forward with the hope of saving millions of lives through this project.
In addition, Steve Blankenship, the U.S. project manager and volunteer for Water Is Basic, is working to purchase the rig and equipment, exploring several leads on used equipment in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa as well as new equipment in India (due to high demand in Africa for used equipment). He will be traveling to southern Sudan this month, along with IBC missionary and ALARM president and founder, Celestin Musekura, to meet with Jacob and the drilling team.
In the meantime, Water Is Basic is seeking to meet the need for clean water now. The Sudan Evangelical Alliance has identified Lietnhom (south of Darfur) as the first area to drill. There is currently a non-governmental organization nearby that is drilling wells, and they have agreed to drill three wells for Water Is Basic once their current work is finished. One well will be drilled in the village center so that all villagers will have access to clean water for their daily needs at home and in their businesses. Another will be located between the Linda Primary School and Hope Secondary School so that both schools will have access to clean water, The third well will be located at the ALARM, Inc. (www.alarm-inc.org) Training Center for Pastors.
Water Is Basic in an ongoing effort, with at least 22,000 wells needed to be drilled to meet the needs of multitudes of refugees. IBC’ers continue to give generously of their time and resources to save lives in Sudan. The young adults of IBC recently donated $1,100 at The Hub young adult gathering. Children’s Ministry is collecting quarters in their “Quarter Mile for Wells in Sudan” challenge. IBC student Blake Mankin is leading an effort at his school to raise awareness and collect funds for Water Is Basic. Blake is also working on t-shirt designs and a bottled water project to raise awareness. Local runners are in the planning to raise funds through a run in the fall of 2007.
We are overwhelmed with the generosity of the people of IBC, and continue to challenge people to respond to the needs of the Sudanese people through this life-giving project. As we reflect on our own blessings and call to serve others, let us bring relief and hope to the people of Sudan.
