TEXAS MINISTRY BRINGS CLEAN WATER AND CHRIST TO 400,000 IN AFRICA'S LARGEST SLUM: 22,000 CONVERSIONS REPORTED
In Kenya, hundreds of thousands are crammed into Africa's largest slum known as Kibera, where a Texas-based ministry is going door-to-door, bringing God's love and life-changing water filters.
The Bucket Ministry, a nonprofit committed to sharing God's love through the gift of clean water, marked the completion of a five-year effort to provide generational access to safe drinking water and the love of Jesus to every resident living in Kibera.
Through the efforts of 100 local Kenyan missionaries, the majority (98%) of whom live in Kibera, The Bucket Ministry distributed 81,777 Sawyer PointONE filters connected to buckets, providing all 408,478 Kibera residents with access to clean water.
Kibera has no running water, no permanent electricity, no social services and only 78 public latrines. Kibera's residents living among open sewers and piles of garbage are highly susceptible to health hazards, many of which can lead to death.
A recent Hope College research study confirmed the filters are extremely effective in reducing levels of E. coli and total coliform bacteria in drinking water by up to 99%. After approximately 70 days of filter use, self-reported diarrhea rates dropped from 52.7% to 2.2%.
"We are hearing reports that the numbers of patients coming through clinics are so few compared to what it was that clinics are having to close and consolidate operations."
"Water is the secondary reason why we are there. The gospel is the sole reason." Missionaries visited every single home, sharing the gospel, resulting in 22,000 professions of faith by families that received the life-saving water filters.
The Bucket Ministry is now targeting Kawangware, another slum on the outskirts of Nairobi. Work began January 1st with 3,429 water filters already distributed and 1,075 people giving their lives to Jesus Christ. Beth aims to reach all 710,000 residents within the next four years.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
This is what the Great Commission looks like when Christians actually do it.
A Texas businessman knocked on 81,077 doors. He brought clean water to 408,000 people. He saw 22,000 souls saved.
While Western churches debate pronouns and hold committee meetings, The Bucket Ministry just transformed Africa's largest slum. They didn't overthink it. They met physical needs and preached the gospel. Simple. Biblical. Effective.
The formula hasn't changed in 2,000 years. Meet people's needs. Tell them about Jesus. Disciple them.
Health clinics are closing in Kibera because people aren't sick anymore. Diarrhea rates dropped from 53% to 2%. Children who were dying are living. And 22,000 people met Christ.
This is Christianity with hands and feet. This is faith plus works. This is what happens when you stop talking about mission and actually go on mission.
The world doesn't need more Christian conferences. It needs more Christians with buckets, filters, and the guts to knock on doors in the world's worst slums.
The Bucket Ministry proved something the church keeps forgetting. When you love people with actions, they'll listen to your words. When you bring living water, you can share the Living Water.
TAKE ACTION
Support The Bucket Ministry: Visit www.thebucketministry.org to support their work bringing clean water and the gospel to slums across Africa. They're currently working to reach 710,000 people in Kawangware.
Join a Mission Trip: The Bucket Ministry offers mission trips where you can personally deliver water filters and share the gospel. Contact them directly to participate in their next deployment to Kenya.
Pray for Kibera and Kawangware: Pray for the 22,000 new believers in Kibera to be discipled and grow in faith. Pray for the ongoing work in Kawangware and for the 710,000 residents who still need clean water and the gospel.
Partner With Sawyer Products: The company donated 95,000 filters for this project. Support businesses that use their resources for Kingdom work by visiting www.sawyer.com.
DEUS VULT
