On the last day of the trip, CIY participated in a water distribution in Bonnette, a community close to our hearts.  Bonnette is where HOME team pastor Rodney Jusme grew up.  Partnering with Foundation for Peace, the CIY team provided a new water station in the center of the community where people can bring their empty jugs and refill them with clean water for about 21¢.  FFP filters the water and delivers it weekly.  The twenty one cents pays for the filtration system and workers, delivery and driver as well as a security person in the community who keeps the key to the station and watches it. CIY funded enough for 50 families to participate in the project. 

The morning of the distribution we gathered in the local church with the fifty families.  Pastor Valentin from FFP and Ribinson Cherisma from HOME lead us in worship. One of CIY team members presented information about hygiene and the importance of the water for good health.  At the end of the presentation a man stood up and offered his gratitude for the opportunity to drink clean water.  He said, "There is a Haitian proverb that says, 'A Haitian holds his nose to drink his dirty water.' You are helping us to change that."  Another man stood to give thanks but then asked what our intention was for the future.  Considering his neighbors he said, "This is a large community.  Do you have plans to help more families to make a real impact here?"  My response was, "We are here today because someone prayed for clean water.  I am sure if someone is praying for more, God will provide."  

As we closed the worship and began the distribution my mind began to calculate...How many MORE families would it take to make a powerful impact in the community?  

One hundred fifty MORE families would require $750 additional funds.

That night after dinner our sweet cook, Jaria, called me over to let me know she had change from the week's food purchaces. Because she does so much with what, I give her I usually I tell her to keep anything that is leftover as a "thank you."  This time, however, she insisted on giving it to me!  Jaria was adamant that we keep the change from the week, forfeiting herself and delighting in giving back. I was astonished at the amount of money she had saved during the week!

That evening at the team meeting, I explained that to make a real impact we would need to offer the water to 150 more families. The cost would be $750...and our cook had saved enought to start that project with the first $250! With generous contributions from team memebers and a few friends at home we were able to fund the extra 150 families! Can you imagine the next Sunday when Jusme announced to the church that 150 more families would receive water!

Jusme once shared that when he returned from bible college one of his friends from Bonnette said he could never do anything good in his own home town. God changed that story! 

HOME (Haiti Outreach Ministry of Evangelism) holds 5 kids clubs each week. Pastor Jusme leads two of those. His home town of Bonnette has over 100 children in Kids Club, a soccer team of young men being mentored for Christ, and now 200 families drinking clean water!

So many blessings.  

• CIY's trust and generosity
• The prayers of the people
• Jaria's frugal spending and honest heart
• The boldness of one man to ask for more
• The calling of the Holy Spirit on hearts to make a difference
• The gospel being preached with a message of living water
• Jusme staying true to the Lord and his community

Thank you to the CIY and Pat Fancher for being Kingdom minded and allowing us to be a part of your journey.  

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that ask you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

John 4:10