Living Water for Yantama

CBN WorldReach, through its partners, is touching the lives of many people in the rural areas of Nigeria by way of providing potable water. Yantama village experienced the love of Christ by the presence of the Living Water well that was completed and commissioned on Nov. 18, 2002, bringing to an end decades of trekking more than two kilometers to fetch water from muddy ponds.

At the commissioning

Christians Encouraged
Yantama village is in Zamfara State -- the state that championed the introduction of the harsh Islamic Sharia legal system in Nigeria. Yantama is a settlement of nomadic Muslims with a population of about 2,000 people with only 5 percent Christians. The village is about 50 kilometers from the city. The main occupation is farming. The presence of the Living Water well in Yantama village, has encouraged the few Christians, who were hitherto neglected by successive Muslim governments on religious grounds.

A number of Yantama residents made statements during the commissioning of the well.

Mrs. Shehu Jarmai said: "This well has lifted our burdens. We will no longer have to trek for 2-3 kilometers in search of drinking water in the streams anymore. Thank you CBN."

Villagers celebrate.

"...today, I thank God."
In a similar vein, the chief of the village, Mallam Ali Maigari, in a speech said: "I am now 80 years old, and I grew up in this village to see my parents suffering for lack of good water. I too suffered the same acute water shortage. But today, I thank God. Thank you CBN for helping us with potable water."

The well at Yantama village did not only bring succor and relief to the community but also served as a unifying factor between the few Christians and Muslims.

The well was commissioned by John Kalma, the CBN Living Water Wells project supervisor. It was indeed a celebration of joy by the residents of the community as they expressed their profound gratitude to God and CBN for the Living Water well. For them Nov. 18, 2002 was a dream come true.

Video Outreach
The commissioning took place in the morning. Later in the evening a video outreach was organized during which Muzika was shown. Thus, 200 people were exposed to the gospel. Although no immediate salvation was recorded in Yantama village, the seed of the gospel has been sown in the hearts of the people. It has also opened doors for resident missionaries to spread the gospel in that village without much opposition and resistance.

Donors can designate their gifts for the wells. The cost is $1,000. Donors receive a specially dedicated well, a wooden plaque, a written report, and a photo album from the dedication ceremony.

To sponsor a well send a check for $1,000 to Wells Project, CBN Center, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. Write "Well Project" in the memo field. You can also donate online.