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A letter from Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong serving in Zambia

october 2014 - let justice roll down

Dear Friends,

We are in the dry season right now, which means we have not seen rain in over six months. Not a drop. The boreholes are drying up, the shallow wells are nonfunctional, and the heat is extreme. October and November are the hottest months of the year, and we certainly don't live in a land of air-conditioning.

Last week I was sick for a while. In the middle of the night I woke up, sweaty and nauseous, my mouth dry, my body screaming for water. I went into the kitchen, but the tap was off, as usual. I walked toward our reserve water buckets. They were empty; Joel had bathed the children, and there was no water to refill our supply. I looked for a half-empty glass, scoured the fridge for a forgotten sip in a bottle, but with no luck. There was not a drop of water in the house—no clean water, no dirty water, no water at all. My mouth tasted like sandpaper, and my stomach continued to churn. But there was nothing to do; I decided to try my best to sleep. I knew I would be able to get water in the morning.We are in the dry season right now, which means we have not seen rain in over six months. Not a drop. The boreholes are drying up, the shallow wells are nonfunctional, and the heat is extreme. October and November are the hottest months of the year, and we certainly don’t live in a land of air-conditioning.

Protected Water program of CCAP Zambia

 

Borehole provided by CCAP Zambia

 

Water from a borehole

 

Kids at a CCAP borehole

 

Kids at a CCAP borehole

But there are a lot of people who can’t just get water the next morning. A lot of people who wait and wait for rain to come. A lot of people who pray that the borehole does not dry up. A lot of people who weep as their shallow wells become empty holes. I was sick, and I could not get any water, anywhere. But I knew water would come in the morning. Others are sick, and they cannot get any water, anywhere. And they don’t know when water will come.

No matter where I live in the world, I hope I never forget the frustration, and sometimes desperation, that I feel when I turn on the tap and nothing comes out. I hope I never forget the feeling in my body when I want water desperately, and I simply can’t find any. I hope I never forget how hot and dirty and sweaty and sticky and tired and nauseous and weak and sad and dried-up it can feel when the water does not come. I hope I never forget these things, especially if I end up living in a place where long, hot showers are always possible, where the water that flows from the faucet is cold and clean and abundant.

The dry season will end in a few months. Because of climate change, it lasts longer now than it did five years ago. Less rain, fewer crops, drier land. But the rain will come, and the wells will fill again, and after seven months of parched bodies, parched mouths, parched crops, water will flow again.

There is always hope, always possibility, always promise. The rain will come. But in the waiting, in the parched land and parched lives that stretch on and on, there is pain, there is suffering, there is death. For most people here don’t have the privilege we have; most people here cannot just buy water when their supply runs out.

And so we must do something, those of us who come from places where water is wasted and taken for granted. People like me, who lived in Michigan, the land of lakes. We must try to imagine, just for a second, a thirst that is so deep and powerful and all-consuming that we are desperate, absolutely desperate, for just a sip of water. And then we must transform that thirst into a thirst for justice, into our own thirst, a desperate need for a world where there is enough for all. And through that thirst, through that need, through that desperation on behalf of our sisters and brothers, we do something. We fight. For water, for food, for justice. We proclaim these words, “But let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia (CCAP Zambia), hears these words of Amos and responds with faithfulness. Our Protected Water Department digs wells, sinks boreholes, and teaches sanitation. They go into rural communities, where water is scarce and mouths are parched, and they let water flow. Through the faithfulness of our partners, the power of God, and the generosity of people like you, those who are thirsty are able to drink. But there is still more to do.

I invite you to continue to partner with us as we support the work of CCAP Zambia. Through your gifts, your prayers, your messages of encouragement, we are working together to let justice roll down like water. Joel is helping the Protected Water Department, through promotional materials, and we trust that our partners will be able to continue this vital work because of the generosity of people like you. Please, continue to offer your prayers, your financial gifts, your encouragement. The land is parched, but our God is the God of miracles. Thank you, so very much, for being a part of these miracles, for participating in our ministry and the ministry of our partners here.

As I write these words I am thirsty. And although our water is currently off, we have some reserved in buckets in our kitchen, and I can drink until I am satisfied. There are too many people who do not have this privilege. So, let’s work together to create the kingdom, friends. Let justice roll down like water.

God bless,

Kari, Joel, Frankie, and Johnny

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 141
Read more about Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong's ministry
Blog: http://lovinglusaka.blogspot.com/

Write to Kari Nicewander
Write to Joel DeJong
Individuals:  Give onlineto E200492 for Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong's sending and support
Congregations: Give toD507557for Kari Nicewander and Joel DeJong's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).

Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480.  This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!

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