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Living Water
What water means to a region that, in Sanskrit, means salt
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By Julie Cramer
The gospel drips from seven faucets in India—in an area that derives its name from the Sanskrit word for salt. Aptly named, the Loni community, indeed, thirsts.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told His disciples that the work He called them into was big—in fact, bigger than them. Yet He encouraged them not to be overwhelmed. “It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice” (Matt. 10:42, msg).
A group of Christ-followers from Westport Church in Hillsboro, Oregon, took His advice. They started small—and made a big impact on the Loni community in Muneer, India.
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Gathering at the well
“Muneer has huge needs within its district,” said Westport’s Jennifer Grace King. “Last year the church laid down [a road of] crushed brick so that students could still get to the Muneer School during the monsoon season.” Seeing the community’s need for purified drinking water, the team—in partnership with Orphan Outreach and the Muneer Social Welfare Society—returned to install seven wells.
To raise money, the church sold bottles of dirty water for $5–$50 to represent what their Indian brothers and sisters drink every day. The buyer then replaced the dirty bottle with a clean one. The church raised enough to install all seven wells, which totaled 30,000 rupees, or $5,250.
Although Loni lies on the outskirts of the country’s capital, New Delhi, the people are largely unemployed and enjoy few of the city’s modern conveniences. “Of those who work, most are rickshaw pullers, daily laborers, vegetable vendors, and factory workers,” Shuvra Masih, of the Muneer Social Welfare Society, said. They live in concrete or brick houses, or huts made of bamboo, tin and plastic. They sleep on mats, and any available electricity shuts down for at least eight hours every day. The strategically placed wells cover a majority of the community’s needs for water, Uma Shankardas, OO India director, said.
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“I would like more people to come forward
and strengthen our hand through prayer
and giving so that more can be done.”
–President, Muneer Social Welfare Society
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“India has captured the heart of Westport,” Renae Niebergall, of Westport Church, added. “We plan on returning again and continuing the work in India that God has laid before us.”
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“India has captured the heart of Westport.”
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In Loni—a place named for salt—Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13 come to life: “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth” (msg). Such seasoning inevitably creates for those who experience it a longing thirst for Living Water (John 4:10).
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The Muneer Social Welfare Society
“Over the last eight years, we have been working for the people of Loni. Now the Society is involved with 35,000 residents, and they are now sending their daughters to the Muneer School,” principal, Mrs. Masih, said. “Sustainable development of the community through empowerment is the only solution to overcome these issues. I know that with time, as we grow the school and work more closely with the community in tangible ways (such as the tube well project), they will be encouraged to work towards improving the conditions around them, and they will clearly see God’s love and grace through our efforts.”
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