New Around the Mission
Children’s Donations Rehabilitate a Well in Haiti
April 13, 2011
When kids lined up to take a turn at a dunk tank last summer in Park City, Utah, they were doing more than dunking a guy in a wetsuit. They were helping rehabilitate a well in Haiti through a Houston-based organization called Living Water International.
Living Water caught the Rev. Darin Lovelace’s attention when St. John’s Anglican Church volunteered to man the Silly Market, a kids’ activity area at Park City’s Sunday summer market.
“We wanted to combine having fun with kids with doing something for outreach,” says Darin.
Living Water, a faith-based organization that implements community-based water solutions in developing countries, was a perfect fit. Going along with the water theme, the church chose a dunk tank for the Silly Market. For two throws at the target, kids donated a dollar to Living Water while their parents read brochures about the organization. Over the course of four Sundays, the church raised $1,500.
The rest of the year, Darin reinforced the relationship in his children’s sermons each Sunday. He brought up a distilled water jug, and the children put their offerings into it. By January, they had collected $500 for Living Water. Combined with the proceeds from the dunk tank, the parish was able to rehabilitate a well in Haiti damaged in the earthquake more than a year ago.
“I ask our kids, when you want a glass of water what do you do? What it would be like if you weren’t able to do that?” Darin says. “Combined with pictures and videos, they understand there are kids their age who don’t have access to water, and it’s a natural instinct to do something about that.”
The parish looks forward to receiving a video from Living Water depicting the well and its impact on local Haitians. Meanwhile, attendees are participating in the H20 Project, a Lenten fast through Living Water. It encourages people to give up beverages other than water for 40 days, save the money they would spend buying soda or coffee, and give it to Living Water.
“Our experience with Living Water is that their integrity and focus are clear,” Darin says. “It’s all about giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name.”
Learn more about St. John’s Anglican Church.
Learn about Living Water International.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
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