The city of Kangaba, Mali, with its 101,000 inhabitants, is located on the north shore of the mighty Niger River. Yet, it suffers from a chronic shortage of clean water that is especially severe this time of year during the dry season. Residents have to learn how to live without enough clean drinking water, or water for washing and bathing. Long lines form at water sources every morning. Lack of access to pure water and sanitation is associated with violence, rape, teenage pregnancy, cholera and typhoid.

Access to pure drinking water is a human right. Pure water is colorless and tasteless, but humans can survive without food much longer than without water. In The Ministry of Healing, p. 237, Ellen White says, “In health and in sickness, pure water is one of heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system and assists nature to resist disease.”

Over the years, people in Kangaba have attempted to dig wells, but most efforts were in vain, and many diggers lost their lives in the attempts. Even wells that do find water tend to dry up for part of the year. We are grateful for our donkey that helps us haul our water long distances to our home.

In John 4:14, Jesus says, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Pray not only for Kangaba but for all the people in our district that they will come in contact with the spring of Living Water.

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