I AM SO THRILLED TODAY because of some great news that just arrived. Imagine – yesterday we hoped to reach the village of Mwasamba to begin drilling the next water well BUT – a very heavy rain came and washed out a part of the road where a stream passes by. AND the government that promised to bring their tractor to help us tow the drilling machine to the village never came. Hopes were growing but the challenges were great…
BUT… We serve a great God!
Take a look at these emails that just arrived in the past two days! This is possible because of God and the partnership we share to see lives empowered!
(Email From ELI Staff – Andrew Belko and Yakobo Yasini, ELI Tz Director),
HERE is Thursday’s Email:
On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 1:29 PM, Andrew Belko wrote:Hey Don,The rain last night destroyed the only bridge that leads to the village of Mwasamba. It’s the only road that crosses the river, but the village is working together to repair the road. It’s amazing how people can work together when they have a common goal. You can even see in the photo the guys placing the stones to make the road passable. But even if the road wasn’t destroyed, the government has delayed with their promise of the tractor to move the drill rig. However, it should happen tomorrow God willing.The village is quite excited for us to come. And we’ve heard several people mention that they are very surprised when they hear how much the village has raised to help pay for the well. And not only one sub-village but three of them (Other areas that are hoping to be next)! This is no small amount for these people, as I know you understand. So it makes us even more determined to succeed and work hard alongside them.In Christ, Andrew
HERE is Friday’s Email:
“Drilling has begun today! The road was repaired. The government came through with the tractor. And the community of Mwasamba ‘B’ is all here and excited. We did the opening prayer, giving thanks and praise to God for using us to answer the cry of his people. We remember that often times God will send people to help people. He heard the cry of he Israelites in Egypt, so He sent Moses. We are grateful God sent us and we heard His voice. And of course I mean every one of us involved with the ministry of ELI: every donor, every staff (US or African), and every prayer warrior lifting us up.
But let’s not forget that the release of the Israelites from slavery did not happen immediately. God heard their cry, but it actually got worse before it got better. So we are prepared to face any challenge along the way knowing and trusting that God has a reason for it all. I know there have been various challenges throughout the ministry on both sides of the globe. But we do not become discouraged. Every time someone in the Bible faced great challenges God had something amazing planned for them if they would simply press in to Him. So my prayer is that we continue to do that as a ministry regardless of our individual roles.
We have already reached 50ft in 3hrs and will continue to drill probably until the sun goes down. Here is the exact location. -2.308598,33.791635 If Google Maps updates their photos right now you might even see us down here drilling, but that’s doubtful. But at least you can pray over land with something to look at.
More updates will follow. But for now we say Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise The Lord!)
God Bless,
Andrew
The Rogers' Family Neighborhood 