Wellsprings of Life

August 11, 2008 Congo, Africa 

Fresh, clean, running water is something most of us take for granted in the developed world. To the Lugbara, known as the Naked People, an ethnic group who inhabit the north eastern corner of the Congo, fresh, clean water is a novelty and a luxury, one which they do not want to give up. The water project started by the Bicycle Mission to the World (BMW) a missionary group mainly composed of Korean-Americans in the U.S.A. was met by positive, albeit somewhat unexpected responses by residents in Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church. The pilot project seeks to expand so more people will benefit from clean water. But the project does more than this. It helps relay the message that once they have accepted Jesus, the wellspring of living water, they never have to go back to drinking filthy water.

The success of the Bethel project has created a newfound desire among the Pigmy tribes for clean water. To deny the request for pure water is simply not possible. In order to meet a desperate need, former president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, P.D. Chun and his wife recently sponsored the construction of 6 wells in the North Kivu field of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The wells are in the Mulutu, Mambopi, Lubena, Pandoundou and Pu Pu Camps, the latter was visited by Elder Chun at the end of March 2008.

Yang, Seung Chun, recent convert to Adventism, retiree and missionary to the Congo explains, “These are 5 of 10 satellite camps of the mother camp Aloya we minister to, along with 3 additional camps: Malondo, Makele and Teule. It is our hope that we will be able to provide similar wells to the rest of the Pigmy camps.” Mr. Yang goes on to say, “We have dedicated pastors residing right inside camp, and this was the only way to gain the trust of and build friendships with the Pigmies. We are witnessing many Pigmies accepting the truth and the changes we try to make with the blessings of Jesus in their lives. I am sure they will never go back, once one of mentor pastor’s said: although the Pigmy camps are far away from the Lugbara (650km of rugged, muddy roads in distance, or two full days of driving to arrive safely), the word about fresh water has spread out fast. We wish to make the Lords Word spread out even faster than the news of clean water. “