Can water flow from a rock?

The elders of Israel would have no trouble saying so!  They saw it gush out with their own eyes! The elders of Chamwala would also agree wholeheartedly.  And how can one argue with a cloud of witnesses?

For the full details about the liquid that came from a rock at Rephidim, read Exodus 17:1-7. For a brief scoop about the waters that are flowing from a rocky hill at Chamwala, read on:

Chamwala borehole

So the Chamwala congregation submitted an application for a borehole. They were granted their request! The borehole crew dug deep and the rocky hill sprung a leak!  With pipe and pump, Chamwala has access to clean water!

So does Kafyula.  You see, it wasn't only Chamwala that had a problem with water.  So did dozens of our Lutheran congregations and communities.  And still do!  By God's grace, thirteen other congregations in the Eastern Province of Zambia have also recently recieved the blessing of a borehole!  Thirst was now on the run!  Oh, if you could see the look on the faces of the people at Kafyula!   

Kasenga water hole dug in a dry river bedption here

Kafyula is a long-time full member congregation in the LCCA.  One day after our worship service I asked the elders to show me their water source.  We walked and walked until we came to a mud hole.  It was obvious that the cattle had recently trudged through.  I inquired, "Where do the women draw water?"   They replied, "This is it!"  The pictures explain it much better than I can.  By the way, I didn't say it to the elders, but a thought crossed my mind, "So this is the water they use to make the food I eat at this church?" 

Another picture shows a different scenario:  sand.  I was at Kasenga.  Kasenga is a mission outreach congregation.  Their group is small but their love is great.  And so was their thirst.  They had a water source but it was far from ideal.  We walked to a river.  Uh, wait, let me explain.  I shouldn't have said river.  You might think of the Mississippi or the Wisconsin or the Peshtigo.  Don't think of a river with water.  Are there rivers with no water?  In Zambia there are!  Every dry season!  This river had no water.  The only thing between the banks were downed trees and sand.  Lots of sand.   "So where is your water source?" I wondered aloud.  "This is it!" came their answer.  I watched as a woman dug into the sand.  Sure enough, the water seeped up.  Careful not to rile up the small amount of water at the bottom, the woman delicately scooped out a mere cup of it and then waited for the water to seep in again. 

Yes, there is water down there!

 

Unless God would give us a present day power as He gave Moses of long ago, we simply can't get water by striking rocks with staffs. 

But we can by boring deep with drill bits and engines . 

Thanks to all of you who have given to the WELS Humanitarian Aid Fund, that has been done!   

Not just our congregational members, but entire communities here in Zambia are benefitting from the boreholes!  

Amazing, isn't it, what happens when a gift is given! 

The Zambian people in the Eastern Province don't know hymn #473 in your hymnal, Christian Worship, but perhaps you do. 

Even if you don't sing this particular hymn and verse (v.2) aloud with others in your church, will you take a minute to sing it to yourself wherever you are?

Riven the rock for me, Thirst to relieve
Manna from heaven' falls, Fresh ev'ry eve.
Never a want severe, Causeth my eye a tear,
But thou doest whisper near, "Only believe."

Kafyula water source

Ever since 1953, God has been showering the Lutheran Church of Central Africa; with the Living Water found in Jesus Christ. Now, in 2006, this same loving Lord has poured forth yet another blessing through WELS: the gift of water.

A drink of water makes a difference to a thirsty man. But does it to God?

Apparently so. For Jesus stated confidently in Mark 9:41, "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." And in Matthew 25:40, Jesus commented," Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for ME." (emphasis, mine).

Chamwala church building

What will the Committee on Relief do next?  I don't know.  In part, that depends on all of us. 

What will God do next? Again, I don't know. But if God desires a thirst to be relieved, He will see to it that it is. 

Even if it means a rock needs to be riven.

In Christ,

Mission Partner Missionary John Holtz

Chipata , Zambia