http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/blog/ en Neverthirst Copyright 2013 2013-04-24T16:18:59+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/south-sudan-update/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/south-sudan-update/#When:16:18:59Z We just returned last week from Mundri, South Sudan. We hosted two CHE (Community Health Evangelism) conferences; a Visioning Conference with over 10 villages represented, and a TOT 1 (training of trainers) conference. TOT 1 was the next level of CHE training for the 10 communities that attended the conference we hosted in November 2012. Each lesson integrates community health and development with evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. It's extremely encouraging to see our Sudanese friends eager to implement change in their own villages. The remainder of our time was spent traveling out to six villages, which recently received a new well. To promote sustainability, community members are required to raise 1,000 South Sudanese Pounds (around $220USD) before the water project is installed. These funds are used for future maintenance and repair needs. CHE plays an important role in helping communities change from a relief mentality to a long-term development mindset. More information about this program is available at "Water is Life - South Sudan". Thank you for your continued partnership with Neverthirst in helping transform the lives of the poor throughout South Sudan.   Brandon 2013-04-24T16:18:59+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/living-water-flows/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/living-water-flows/#When:17:09:52Z Living water flows As she raised the pump of the new well, Sokha smiled while her children played in the water that flowed from the new hand pump. Sokha has lived her whole life in Samrong village in the remote province of Preah Vihea in Cambodia. Sokha's husband passed away recently, and she is raising five children on her own. Before the new handpump, she would walk a kilometer to collect water from a dirty stream....a task she would do THREE times a day. ‘Carrying water everyday is hard work and I would often get a sore back', she said. Pastor Narith started a Church in the village and Sokha began to attend. She came to faith in Jesus Christ, and now the small Church meets in her house. The new hand pump was Neverthirst's first in Cambodia. We partnered with Pastor Narith to implement our first Water is Life project through a local Church. He is a quiet, humble man, with a passion to love people and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Narith worked hard, and with the support of the village leadership and the local community, he organized the construction of the new affridev hand pump. On any given Sunday, five families attend the Church at Soyka's house, and over 25 people from the village attended the dedication service.  For all of our water projects, we ask families to contribute some funds towards the capital cost of the hand pump as a means of demonstrating ownership. The people in Samrong are very poor and many families could only afford to give $5 towards the well. Sokha though gave $35 because in her words ‘I wanted to help and pay for other families so that more families could have water'. God's love lived out through faithful people loving God and their neighbor...that's the gospel in action. Jason BerryNeverthirst Cambodia Director     Brandon 2013-04-11T17:09:52+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/celebrating-world-water-day-in-cambodia/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/celebrating-world-water-day-in-cambodia/#When:15:10:07Z   Today in the Cambodian village of Kandal, our local partner installed a 4000 liter rainwater tank, providing safe clean water to another family. Mrs Som-vone and her children (pictured) now have a safe source of water. Clean safe water....for many of us it's as easy a turning on the tap...but in many villages in Cambodia the groundwater is contaminated with arsenic. Sadly, thousands of Cambodians have been and continue to drink unsuspectingly from arsenic-contaminated water sources. Ingestion of arsenic contaminated groundwater over a long period of time causes a serious medical condition known as arsenicosis. Arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. It is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and it can only be detected by chemical testing. Mrs Som-vone has been drinking from an arsenic contaminated well for the past 13years. It was only when our local partner shared with her the risks of drinking this water that she realized the gravity of the danger. She said 'I wanted a big rain tank so that my family can be healthy and my children can live a long life'. Today, Neverthirst's local partner constructed another 4000 liter tank. Thirty tanks have been constructed in the last 7 weeks and our goal is 200 this year. We also trained members of another local partner organisation in rainwater tank construction (picture) for another project where we hope to build 50 tanks this year in a extremely remote location. Today on World Water Day we'd encourage you to support a family with a rain tank. Partner with us and bring a smile to another family just like Mrs Som-vone. Thanks for your support. Serving togetherJason     Brandon 2013-03-22T15:10:07+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/wod-for-water1/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/wod-for-water1/#When:21:52:49Z In October 2012, Jason and Derek of Troy, AL, decided they were going to be an instrument of change in the lives of those in India who lack access to clean water by hosting a CrossFit event at Troy University called WOD for WATER. Their goal was to raise $2500 to provide 1 village in India with access to clean water. With just a few weeks to plan and raise the money, WOD for WATER had approximately 75 participants, and raised over $16,000!  They were able to provide clean and Living water for not only 1 village, but 6 villages in India! Be on the lookout for details of how to be involved in WOD for WATER in Troy or Birmingham in the Fall of 2013! You can also host your own fundraiser! Contact brandon@neverthirstwater.org to learn how you can be an instrument of change in the lives of the poor around the world. We are humbled by your support, and grateful for your partnership with Neverthirst in providing clean and Living water to the poor through the local church.   Brandon 2013-02-13T21:52:49+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/over-4000-people/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/over-4000-people/#When:19:54:33Z Drilling crew being prayed over by their church Feb 2, 2013 We just sent a drilling crew from Yei, South Sudan to Mundri, South Sudan to complete 10 water projects through the local church over the next couple of weeks. Because of your partnership with Neverthirst, and your generous stewardship, over 4000 people will receive access to the gift of CLEAN WATER! Even after the clean water arrives, these villages will continue their work in Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Many have asked, "What is CHE?". CHE is a Christ-centered educational program implemented with all of our water projects in South Sudan that equips communities to identify issues and mobilize local resources to achieve positive, sustainable change. Lessons are taught by local church and village leaders that incorporate Biblical stories creating Christian community as these leaders are sharing the love of Christ not only in word, but also in deed. Please join us in praying for this crew's journey and work in Mundri over the next couple of weeks. For more information about how you can be involved in providing clean and Living water to the poor through the local church in South Sudan, contact brandon@neverthirstwater.org or click HERE. Thank you for your faithfulness in continuing to partner with Neverthirst. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - 1 John 3:18   Brandon 2013-02-06T19:54:33+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/irontribe-in-india/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/irontribe-in-india/#When:15:05:49Z This past August, our friends at IronTribe Fitness rallied together to raise $100,000 for water project in INDIA! That's amazing! Now it's time to visit this incredible country and see firsthand how these villages are being impacted by the generosity of the ITF family. On the week of August 31st, I'll be leading a team from IronTribe to India for a firsthand look at the communities that have received clean water and to scout out communities currently living without access to safe and clean water for future projects. Our local church partners have been working hard to identify these communities, engage them and help them raise the necessary funds to open an account for the sustainability of the water system. If you're a member of IronTribe and feel that you might like to travel with us, we are opening up six spots. Shoot Natalie Gibbs an email (natalie(at)neverthirstwater.org) and she'll put your name down.  Here are some of the details: * Dates: Leave Saturday August 31st, arrive back in Birmingham Satuday September 7th * Register no later than May 1st (we will need plenty of time for your passport/visa applications to process) * Approximate cost will be $3,000 (depends on international airfare...could be less, but not more than that)  * Travel will include cultural tour in Delhi as well as rural field visits * First come, first serve (only six spots available) * At least three mandatory team meetings to be held between June and August * $500 deposit by May 15th, remaining balance of airfare by June 1st I'm really looking forward to spending time with everyone and seeing the work that you all have so generously supported in 2012!   Grace and peace to you all, Spencer Sutton Spencer 2013-01-04T15:05:49+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/life-transformation/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/life-transformation/#When:19:18:41Z Two years ago we met Jennifer in the village of Te’do (left). That day it was difficult for us to hear her express her disbelief in God. She shared that for many years she had prayed that her suffering would subside, but that God had not answered that prayer. For years she suffered illness and hardship from war, famine and the burden of drinking unsafe water. Leaders from Mountain Brook Community Church were there that day and took a challenge back to their people. It was simple - give one less gift this Christmas and donate that money to help the church in Te’do give the gift of clean water. That Christmas, through their stewardship, they raised enough to help Te’do as well as three other villages!  We were back in Te'do last week to visit the community and see how the well was functioning. While we were there, Jennifer came and greeted us. Of course it was great to see her, but we were also anxious to know if this clean water had impacted her life and her faith. What she said encouraged our hearts so much:    "How can I not believe in God now. By answering our prayers and giving us clean water, He proved to me that my thoughts and words were foolish, and now I want to profess I am a believer!" Jennifer then led the entire village and team in a song of praise, "Aro'boya Jesu", which means, "Thank you, Jesus" in the local Moru language (right). The village chief informed us the drilling team had also brought Bibles to the people of Te'do when they arrived to install the well.   Life changing stories like Jennifer’s is why Neverthirst exists. It is our heart's desire to not only meet the physical need of clean water, but also provide people with access to Living Water, the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their local church. Thank you for being a part of stories just like Jennifer's.   Brandon 2012-11-15T19:18:41+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/cambodia/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/cambodia/#When:21:19:36Z Today - October 1, 2012 - we officially launch our work in the beautiful country of Cambodia. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Berry as our Country Coordinator. Jason comes to Neverthirst after serving in Cambodia almost five years with Samaritan's Purse in several roles, including Country Director. Jason will be establishing our work with local partners and churches who are eager to bring clean water to the people of Cambodia. This has been a relationship forming for much of 2012 and the way forward was made clear when Neverthirst Executive Director made a visit to the field in July to spend time with Jason and his family. "We were introduced to Jason through a mutual friend and over time began to see how God was moving this relationship along through the mutual interest of using clean water and sanitation to engage the lost as well as help lift them out of poverty. Each step was confirmed through prayer and we couldn't be more excited to have Jason and his family serving with us and leading our efforts in Cambodia." Jason is married to Caroline and together they have two beautiful girls - Ellie (9) and Sophie (7). Stay tuned on how you can be a part of this work in 2013 and help bring clean and living water to those living in Cambodia.   Brandon 2012-10-01T21:19:36+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/what-a-difference/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/what-a-difference/#When:18:31:47Z Last week we received photos and testimonies from 10 villages in West Bengal, India that had recently been given the gift of clean drinking water. Madyha Fatikpur is one of those villages. Prior to a well being put in, they would collect their drinking water from this algae filled pond.  Water sources like this are very common throughout India. However, thanks to your generosity and partnership with Neverthirst, today, our friends in Madyha Fatikpur are gathering their water from here:   Thank you for joining Neverthirst on our mission to provide clean and Living water to the poor through the local church.  Learn about all the many ways you can be involved on our website.  Tell your friends and family about Neverthirst, and "What A Difference" they can make in the lives of those around the world! Brandon 2012-09-07T18:31:47+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/1-day-20000-served/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/1-day-20000-served/#When:16:56:21Z   THANK YOU!! When Irontribe and Neverthirst set out together to provide 40 villages with access to clean water, we knew it was a lofty goal. However, YOU believed it was possible, and partnered with us in helping change the lives of 20,000 people! Over 160 athletes participated, and several others came out to Railroad Park to enjoy some Steel City Pops and to be a part of one of Neverthirst's biggest events ever. We are humbled by your support, and grateful for your partnering with us on our mission to bring clean and Living water to the poor through the local church.         Watch the video from WOD for WATER below:   Thanks for being a part of this event, and we look forward to seeing you at our 5th WOD for WATER in Fall 2013!   Brandon 2012-08-23T16:56:21+00:00