It is heart wrenching when you see extreme joy and thankfulness on the face of someone you hand a cup of clean water to. Such a simple gift can mean a lot to someone who has to walk a couple miles to source the gift. Christmas morning the residents of Audayr will rise early, gather wood for a cook fire and make the journey to the spring for water for the day. For most, the day will be the same as any other.
Kingdom Builders Ministry has continued to assist the community of Audayr overcome their desperate struggle for water supply. As seen in the pictures below, teams have fabricated and installed gutters on some houses in the community. The gutters catch rainfall from a roof and direct it to a 50 gallon barrel. Audayr, a community in the mountainous area of Jamaica, receives enough rain to fill at least two barrels from each roof most days. Our goal for 2017 is to build and install filtration systems on the water catchments already installed as well as install four additional gutter systems including filtration.
It is a good thing to assist the residents of Audayr with the gift of fresh water. It is a God thing that happens while we interact with the residents during construction. Bringing such a needed and welcomed gift opens hearts to hearing the Good News of Jesus' gift of eternal life. Kingdom Builders Ministry is already seeing change in individuals as they welcome us in the community.
When we first entered Audayr we were greeted with hateful chants and jeers. Now, when they see our vehicles we are greeted with welcoming cheers. This change of heart opens opportunities for teams to share the path of salvation and keys to Kingdom life even in Audayr.
KBM needs you to continue this work. The cost of materials to build the water catchment and filtration systems is under $100 USD each, but the labor is great. KBM need teams to come and assist in the fabrication of the systems - cutting PVC & wood brackets, cleaning sand & gravel and putting it all together on site. The task of planting & watering seeds of God's love is lighter with many as well. We pray for teams to join us in 2017 to lighten the burdens of those God has directed us to love and share the Gospel in tangible manners.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”Matthew 9:36-38
On a Personal Note
Thank you for all the prayers for Jim's health. 2016 has been a terrifically difficult year for us. We are keeping hope for restored health in 2017. Jim continues to be unable to return to work as an electrician fulltime, but we believe this is a tremendous opportunity to spend more time in Jamaica leading teams and touching lives with hope. KBM needs hearts, hands, feet and laps to do God's work in Jamaica. KBM needs you as much as many of you need to go on a mission trip. Lives change! Those who receive as well as those who give. Please, spread the word of opportunity to your family and small groups. You don't have to have a large group to come. Let us know if you or a small group would like to join us. KBM will be putting groups together this year. Thank you for sharing this opportunity over the holiday season. We are praying for the Lord of the harvest to call the workers and counting on the workers to respond!
