The group is the second from Faith Covenant to be involved in this kind of water project – the first village that was part of the project now has water flowing to the village square where it is available at the turn of a spigot.
The team left the United States November 6, traveling to the remote village via plane, truck and on foot. El Polito is a small village – population 357 – whose only source of water has been a river located more than three miles distant.
The project involves digging a trench to hold a large water transmission pipe to connect the water source with the village, making fresh water available to village residents within their own village limits. Volunteers are paired with at least one local resident – some 30 to 32 individuals total – to dig the trench by hand and lay the pipe. Although the project likely cannot be completed during the week the team from Faith are on site, it is expected that the project will be far enough along to allow local residents to complete the work after the team returns to Minnesota.
“In addition to the mechanics of the job, the intent is to bring the love of Jesus to these people by example as well as having evangelistic/sharing meetings on three of the evenings,” notes Joan Sommerfeld in a message to Covenant News Service. The group also transported craft supplies for the children as part of the approach to sharing the gospel message.
“These hardy men (ages 30 to 69) covet the prayers of the Covenant at-large for continued good health (they will be eating, sleeping and living in the homes of the villagers) and that this project might not only bring water to the bodies of the villagers, but living water for their souls,” Sommerfeld adds. “I know the men will be comforted to know they are being prayed for.”
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
