http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/blog/ en Neverthirst Copyright 2012 2012-02-13T20:35:25+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/north-africa-interview/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/north-africa-interview/#When:20:35:25Z It's been right at 12 months since we first initiated our 'Reachable' projects in North Africa.  We were able to visit and see incredible progress being made in November - both in regards to clean water as well as gospel penetration into some tough areas of the world.  Recently, a young mom from our church partner returned after a year serving in a remote area of North Africa where they have been building biosand filters for families in desperate need.  We were able to catch up with her and ask her about her experience providing clean water, hygiene education and the gospel to these predominately Muslim people.  We will call her 'Mary' for security reasons - here's part of our Q&A and what Mary had to say: Why did you volunteer to go to 'xxxx' on this mission? To serve God - I prayed and God spoke to me How long did you say? 11 months How were your living conditions?  Good - Our team shared a big house (brick, 4 rooms, no water or electricity for 10 months). We used to have to buy donkey cart water. It was a long way from 'work' (2 buses - 1 hour trip) How did you contribute to the team? I would wash the sand and gravel for the water filters and did some of the water and human health education programs. What was the best part of your stay in 'xxxx'? The best part was building relationships with the community and sharing with women. What was the hardest thing you did? When our team first arrived, the people rejected us. But after 3 or 4 months, good relationships were built and it went smoothly. Did you have many opportunities to share the 'Good News'?  I played my solar radio (loaded with the Word in many languages) when I was making tea and working with the ladies.  They listened intently, talked about what they heard, and some asked great questions.  For example, they asked about our Savior's illegitimate birth.  They think it was why there are so many pregnancies among single girls today. I shared that His was not illegitimate, but the Holy Spirit came upon Mary to impregnate her. Clearly this is difficult to understand. Some accepted - some rejected. Some of my lady friends accepted our Savior, like our cleaner and a lady in my English class at our language center. The cleaner wanted a solar radio to share the Word with her friends and family. The French teacher at the Center also became a believer. (Note: Some people take French because it is spoken in other areas of North Africa) Our team set up a house fellowship for seekers and new believers. There are at least seven new 'Muslim Background Believers' (MBB) that come to the our house fairly regularly. There are others MBBs that don't come, either due to fear, or for a variety of other reasons. Also, our team leader set up a fellowship center for longer term believers since many did not have a place to worship. We worship on Friday and Sunday with about 40 to 60 people. One of my friends became a believer and attended the fellowship center a few times. Her parents found out and warned her to never go there again, but she still comes to our house. Interestingly, in some areas women can share about spiritual things with men or women, but men can never share with women. (This is one reason why it is good to have both genders in our outreach team). We are so thankful for servants like Mary who leave their families, travel to strange lands and adopt a strange culture for the purpose of loving their neighbors with clean water and the gospel. Please pray for our friends in North Africa and the success of their mission. And THANK YOU to everyone who supports the 'Reachable' projects!! Spencer 2012-02-13T20:35:25+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/wod-for-water/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/wod-for-water/#When:20:25:49Z Forrest and Mendy Walden have been a part of the Neverthirst family since day one. We have been on the ground together and seen the devistating impact of children dying from the dirty water they drink.   Forrest, a co-founder of Neverthirst, at one point even considered joining us full-time - and of course we wanted him to!  But God had other plans. Anyone who gets to know the Walden's immediately notice their passion for God, people and fitness.  In fact, Forrest has been involved in the fitness industry ever since graduating from Auburn almost 15 years ago.  But something happened in 2008 when their garage turned into the neighborhood Crossfit hangout.  Not only did they enjoy the intense and varied workouts - but their friends and neighbors were 'hooked' as well.  It wasn't long before they were encouraging the Walden's to open up a real facility as a Crossfit affiliate.  This little garage venture has since turned into a thriving business - IronTribe Fitness - with two locations in Birmingham.  They have a goal to open another 20 in 2012! Looking back, Forrest and Mendy have clearly seen how God has taken their passion for fitness and is now using it to impact the lives of their clients as well as the world through Neverthirst. Their passion for God, people and fitness has led them to host several Neverthirst fundraisers at IronTribe to benefit people living without the most basic necessity of life - clean water.   So here they go again! That's why we are excited to invite you to join us on September 17th for IronTribe's 2nd annual WOD for WATER!  Sign up HERE.  Your $40 per person donation will register you for the event.   The best news??  IronTribe is MATCHING every dollar...a great opportunity to double the impact on the ground! We are thankful for their sacrifice and how God continues to use them as they connect their blessings with God's purpose - Psalm 67:1-2.   See you Saturday, September 17th - Spencer Sutton Spencer 2011-09-06T20:25:49+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/our-model/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/our-model/#When:21:01:45Z The Neverthirst 100% model has been a part of our humble beginnings since January of 2009. Our friends, family and Board have been gracious in their support of our administrative expenses while you (the public) have given and allowed us to serve over 100,000 with clean water through the local church. In the past two and a half years we have grown in our understanding of the role God would have us play in serving the church through clean water in the developing world. Providing sustainable clean water solutions that have the ability to impact the community for generations to come is a tremendous challenge. It involves educating the local church, mobilizing the community and ensuring each project uses appropriate technology that is sustainable long after Neverthirst has left a particular area. As we have committed ourselves to serving the local church with excellence, we are expanding our operations and services not only in India and Africa, but in our home offices as well. As we emerge into a young community development organization, our Board of Directors feel it wise to transition into a more traditional operating model used by a vast majority of non profit organizations like our own. As of August 15th we will no longer promote the 100% model on our website or in any of our literature. Remaining efficient and responsible with the resources God has entrusted us to administer, the Board of Directors has committed to see that Neverthirst administrative funding does not exceed 20% of total expenditures. This percentage is in line with many Christian organizations we hold in high regard. Also, any gifts made under the 100% model prior to August 15th will continue to directly support our work in the field. We continue to be excited about how God is using your partnership to provide communities throughout India and Africa with clean water through the local church. Our newest Adopt a Village model which is being implemented in India is just the beginning of our new approach to total village clean water and sanitation through the local church. The most exciting aspect of these new initiatives is the ability for the local church to engage the community in extremely important and relative ways that not only meet needs, but equip the people to engage in their own solutions. Our belief is that soon the local church will be recognized as a positive agent for change and be known for their love of the people through this practical demonstration as well as proclamation of the Word. For more information about our new projects, visit our new ‘Adopt a Village' section or see how you can sponsor a woman through this process. Also, be on the lookout for news of our Water is Life benefit that will be held this October 13th at Ted's Garage in downtown Birmingham. Join us as we welcome David Platt and others to share about their experience with Neverthirst! For more information, go HERE. As always, thank you for your support of our work which has allowed so many people to receive clean and living water through the local church. Spencer Sutton Spencer 2011-08-11T21:01:45+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/don-brobst-book-signing/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/don-brobst-book-signing/#When:20:44:43Z I remember reading the first chapter of Dr. Brobst's new book, Thirteen Months.   I was immediately drawn into this incredible story of the Brobst family and in particular, Don's love and life - Gwen.  This gripping book leads you through the last thirteen months of Gwen's life on earth as she battled a rare form of cancer.  But even more so, it is a testament to God's grace in their lives and the journey He sustained them through. Reading this book has made me appreciate even more the man who serves on our Neverthirst Board.  I value his friendship greatly. This Saturday, August 13th, Barnes and Noble at the Summit in Birmingham will have Don there for a book signing from 10am until noon.  If you're in town, come, buy a copy of the book and meet our friend Don Brobst.  You'll be glad you did! Spencer 2011-08-10T20:44:43+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/bangladesh-and-brac/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/bangladesh-and-brac/#When:01:05:35Z This week, our Neverthirst staff has had the privilege of visiting one of the worlds largest and most respected community development organizations, BRAC.   Based out of Bangladesh, they have over 120,000 employees working around the world in the areas of WASH, healthcare, micro-finance, and education. We have been here to learn more about their comprehensive WASH (Water and Sanitation Hygiene) program so that we can better understand the challenges our church partners face in India as they engage their communities in a holistic water approach. It has been quite an experience and was made even more special by the Director of BRAC's WASH program, Dr. Babar Kabir, joining us in the field. He is very intrigued by our model of working through the local church and believes there are definite advantages. Today we will be meeting with their executive WASH staff and then we're headed into India to meet with two other great water organizations. Please pray for our safe journey along the way! Spencer 2011-07-20T01:05:35+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/the-good-news/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/the-good-news/#When:15:08:20Z Like everything else it was just an idea. Can we equip the local church to provide access to clean water in parts of the world that are mostly unaware of The Good News? Can they use clean water to serve and demonstrate what the kingdom looks like when it breaks into someone's life? To use clean water to show unconditional love while building gospel centered relationships? We thought it was possible but now we're seeing the fruit of these efforts. Our 'Reachable' projects in north Africa have gained momentum and acceptance in a hostile environment. This local church has sent out teams into these communities (located in north Africa) to build relationships and help provide clean water through in home bio sand filter devices which turn contaminated water into pure drinking water. The filters are robust and long lasting and are capable of delivering up to 25 liters per hour if the correct sand size is used. These communities have welcomed their new friends with open arms and the fruit of their efforts is evident. Here are some of the reports we are receiving: The team gets a constant stream of people coming by their compound asking for water filters. Our female field workers, Suad and Lubna, are the sand washers and have a ministry going with the women. They often have lunch with these women. Kuwa has asked them why their husbands let them come to a Christian home and spend time. One lady said, "We know that these Christians are kind to us, they will not do us harm. Your men are friends with our husbands and have had coffee in our homes. We have heard that Christians were bad, but we now know that they are not. They have brought us water, medicine, and food. They are kind and loving." These water projects are helping build long term relationships in the community through improved water that can save the lives of their children. But the fruit is not only being seen in the health and attitude of the community towards their new friends, but the church is experiencing something of a revival as they serve in this way. This is what they say: Finally, Kua wants to assure Neverthirst that the church leadership and the church in general praise God for this program. It is one of the best outreach programs they have ever been involved in and the fruit is far-reaching, both in xxxx and within the church itself. Seeds are being sewn in xxxx, and the whole focus and climate within the church is being transformed. Here's how the process works: 1. The team identifies a potential community where dirty water is a serious issue 2. They gather the community together and explain the potential for them to help provide bio sand filters that will be installed in homes and turn the dirty water into pure drinking water 3. The community invites them to come and live there as they implement the program over the next 12 to 18 months 4. As families apply and go through the sanitation and hygiene training, they are then involved in the construction of the filter  Your support allows us to continue these projects. Our hope is that in the coming months we will be able to expand this program into other areas of north Africa through the local church. When this happens the good news is spread to families and communities who have never heard before. Thank you for your continued support! Spencer 2011-07-07T15:08:20+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/south-sudan-national-athem/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/south-sudan-national-athem/#When:14:19:44Z This is great. We are excited about the future of South Sudan. Just five days after our independence celebration, they will become the worlds newest nation.  What do you think of their national anthem? Oh GodWe praise and glorify youFor your grace on South Sudan,Land of great abundanceUphold us united in peace and harmony.Oh motherlandWe rise raising flag with the guiding starAnd sing songs of freedom with joy,For justice, liberty and prosperityShall forever more reign.Oh great patriotsLet us stand up in silence and respect,Saluting our martyrs whose blood Cemented our national foundation,We vow to protect our nationOh God bless South Sudan. For more information about the process and their new government, go here.  To learn the most recent news about the South Kordofan situation, go here. Spencer 2011-06-30T14:19:44+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/thirteen-months/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/thirteen-months/#When:21:01:57Z It was at a friends house that we first met Dr. Don Brobst. We knew Don and his family from our church but we had never gotten to know them until now. We were meeting with a team eager to serve in Sudan. Don wanted to use his skills as a physician to serve and care for people who had no physicians of their own. And this is where our friendship with the Brobst family started...in Sudan. But Don's story started long before Sudan. It started when he met, fell in love and married Gwen, his teenage sweetheart. And an incredible story it is...even up to the very end. In July 2008, after a 13 month long battle with a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer, Gwen was called home to be with the Lord. Don has written an incredible account of their love, life and tragedy. We were able to read an advanced copy and I have to say that this book has had a profound impact on us. Don's words are best: Throughout this journey, God has been faithful and merciful. We have seen His hand up close and personal as He intimately dealt with Gwen and her struggles. It is my sincere hope that her strong trust in Him is evident to all who go on this journey with us, and that His love would be evident in every chapter. This story is inspiring on every level, romantic, and deeply touching, but it is much more as it reaches out not only to those finding themselves in similar circumstances, but for couples everywhere who desire more in their marriages, who need to see the fullness of love God intends for them. This is the depiction of the ultimate love between a man and a woman, the way God intends it to be. I ran into Don at church this past Sunday and he had his first copy of the hardback. He brought the copy to give our pastor and it's on sale now at Amazon.  We hope you'll buy a copy and read it for yourselves. One of the most humbling things for us is that a vast majority of the profits are going to help Neverthirst provide clean and living water to the poor through the local church. We are honored to have Don serve as one of our board members...truly a blessing for us. Spencer 2011-06-22T21:01:57+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/urgent-request-from-sudan/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/urgent-request-from-sudan/#When:21:43:10Z I have a morning routine that goes something like this: Get up between 5:30 - 5:45 and head downstairs. Fix a glass of water and get the morning coffee brewing. Then while I wait for that first cup, I glance through my email and Twitter feed. Unless I know the email is pressing I usually save it to read a little later. Once I have the first cup in my hand I start my quiet time. That's it, nothing special. But God got my attention this morning. I just so happened to be in 2 Corinthians 1 where Paul's writing the church and describing his recent difficulties and hardships in Asia. He's not doing this to have the brothers and sisters feel sorry for him, instead it's meant to encourage them because God had rescued him and comforted him through these trials. He also encourages the church to pray earnestly for them so that it will result in thanks to God for His help. This is how Paul said it, 'You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.' So after some time I went back to my emails and the first one I read was from Sudan. From a bishop we know living in Sudan's current hot spot where his church (and several others) has been destroyed - in his area alone the UN estimates over 60,000 have been forced from their homes to live in in the bush. Bombs from airstrikes and gun fire from troops are enough to send innocent families into hiding. This letter was asking for the exact things Paul had written 2,000 years earlier - prayer. Our friends in the area of South Kordofan (specifically Kadugli) are at a very critical time where there is very little provision of food, water or shelter. We wanted to copy you on this letter in hopes that you will share it and ask friends and neighbors to set aside a specific day (JUNE 26) to pray and fast for brothers and sisters in Sudan. Paul wrote his letter on paper and sent it through human courier. This letter came electronically in seconds. It's amazing how easy God has allowed us to communicate in our day. Let's use this blessing to encourage those who are suffering unspeakable sorrow today. We can do it in light of 2 Corinthians knowing that when we do pray, and when God does answer, the result is praise and thankfulness to Him. And He's worth it. Would you please consider setting aside Sunday, June 26 as a day to earnestly seek the Lord for our friends in Sudan? If so, pass this along and see if others will join you. Thanks for considering. Spencer   Spencer 2011-06-20T21:43:10+00:00 http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/hiking/ http://www.neverthirstwater.org/media/comments/hiking/#When:14:09:26Z This is what a group looks like after a long day in the Sudan bush. We got out of the truck expecting a short walk to the village we were visiting.  So short, in fact, that we didn't bother to bring any extra water. Our dear friend Jeffreys was sincere when he said it was 'just a short walk' to the village.  What he probably should have said was, 'it's just a short walk for me but over 4 miles for you!' Not that a four to five mile hike is a big deal but when you're in Sudan, it's a little different. But that day was really eye opening for most of us. We walked with a camera bag and a bottle of clean water.  We walked in comfortable hiking shoes and we walked knowing this was not a daily reality for us and that we would be home in a few days. That day was spent in the village of Tedo with some beautiful people.  We laughed with them, played with their kids and listened to their stories.  It was a great day despite the heat and the hike.  That day we came back to camp with full hearts and a resolve to help this community with one of its biggest issues - no clean drinking water. Jason Wallis (our favorite photographer & travel companion) was already brainstorming about a way to display and sell his images and donate all the proceeds to this project.  It didn't take long to raise the needed funds for clean water to be provided to Tedo.  We had some great support from friends, family and especially one local church, Mt. Brook Community Church.  We look forward to visiting Tedo again and bringing back stories and images of how clean water has been a part of improving their community.  We'll share them with you as soon as we can! On a side note...one of the disadvantages of long hikes through mud is that it can take its toll on your shoes.  These things were so rank that we had to tie them to the outside of the truck to help air them out....plus no one wanted them inside.  Good times with friends in Sudan. Spencer 2011-06-17T14:09:26+00:00