A look at what John does in Kenya

When I saw a video clip produced for Compassion International where a local Christian radio station took a team in Kenya of a slum outside of Nairobi, Kenya, I thought of the work that Living Water International is doing in a neighboring slum (called Kangemi). The two areas have the same desperate need for clean water, sanitation, trash removal, hygiene, and the love of Jesus.

In response to the needs in Kangemi, Living Water International has drilled a high-capacity borehole in the middle of the slum. In the center is a water kiosk. In addition, water is piped to three kiosks, each about 1/3 mile from the well. A Christian, health-worker is at each kiosk to answer health, family and faith questions. A local water committee sells water to the local community and they charge a few shillings (about four cents) for a five gallon jerry can. While I was there, there was a steady flow of people filling their jerry cans. People had carts to carry jerry cans so I'm guessing that they traveled pretty far to get the water.

All together, somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 people have access to the well water. Money collected will be used to pay for the small salary of the heatlh worker(s) and to pay for maintenance on the pumping equipment.

In summary, the conditions are terrible, and we all need to try and help people in these slums. Living Water International is trying to help by providing

- a sustainable water system (anyone can get water)
- health and hygiene training
- a few jobs
- an opportunity to see the Gospel in action ('and where necessary, use words')

If you would, please pray for people of Kenya, Living Water International, Marcia, and me.

Your fellow servant,

John (and Marcia)