I think we can all agree that living in America we take a lot of things for granted. One of those being the ability to have clean drinking water. We can get up anytime we want, walk into the kitchen, and turn on the faucet.
But for many people around the world, they don’t have this luxury. It reminds me of one of our mission trips to East Africa. We landed in the capital city of Nairobi, Kenya, and proceeded to drive out into the mountain region of the bush.
We were headed out to visit our friend Stephen’s parents who lived in a small community, along with several other people. The problem is, they have no clean source of drinking water for miles and miles.
Don’t get me wrong, there was a river at the base of this hill they lived on. But, the water was so nasty and dirty looking, no one would dare think of drinking that water. Not to mention the animals would freely do their “business” in the river.
Our intent was to survey the land, and then to help build a water well for Stephen’s parents and the rest of the community.
The Bigger Problem
At this point I still didn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the problem, so they shared this story with me. Men or women walk for miles with what appeared to be an old, empty, plastic 5-gallon gas can, with hopes of filling it to get water for themselves and their family.
Upon arriving, they find other people gathered all around, trying to push their way to the water well to fill their can. In the midst of all the adults fighting for water, there is a young boy, with an empty one-gallon milk jug in his hand.
The young boy stands on the outskirts of the crowd watching and waiting for his turn. That’s when I asked, “how will he get water, being that he’s so young and small in stature?”
They said, “he won’t…unless someone fights for him.”
That’s when it hit me. I knew that I might not be able to help everyone get clean drinking water. But I could help him. I could fight for him! I could help this young boy get water for himself and his family.
So many times we become callous to the needs that are all around us. And understandably so. The needs are overwhelming. But don’t let that keep you from doing something. Instead, would you be willing to fight for one? Would you be willing to do for one what you wished you could do for everyone?
Every day there are opportunities. You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to make a difference. Start right where you are! Look in your own community, your neighborhood, school, or work.
I’ll promise you this, if you begin to look, you’ll find your opportunity. Then the question becomes, will you harden your heart, turn your head, or close your eyes to the opportunity in front of you, or Will You Fight for Me?
Be blessed,
Chris Chandler