Benjamin Watson, left, and Eric King, proper, pose with members of Water Mission. (Photograph courtesy of Water Mission)
A gaggle of Water Mission advocates, together with former NFL gamers Benjamin Watson and Eric King, just lately joined the Christian engineering nonprofit on a visit to its nation program in Kenya. Throughout their immersive week, Water Mission employees members guided their friends by way of communities at varied phases of protected water initiatives. These “imaginative and prescient journeys” supply Water Mission supporters an up-close take a look at the influence of protected water on native communities.
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“My wife and I have been partnering with Water Mission for the previous decade or so, and we all the time like to go and see the work firsthand,” mentioned Watson, who spent 15 seasons as a tight end in the NFL. Along with visiting native communities, Watson blessed Water Mission’s employees with a devotional and shared the Gospel with residents all through Kenya.
On the @Sports_Spectrum podcast, @BenjaminSWatson mentioned his longtime help of Water Mission and why he selected to hitch us on a imaginative and prescient journey to Kenya!
Take heed to the episode ⬇️
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Apple 🎧 https://t.co/4m46vz4weI pic.twitter.com/QpEIjUBaS9— Water Mission (@water_mission) May 21, 2024
This was the primary journey with Water Mission for Eric King, who performed defensive back in the NFL from 2005-2010. “I’ve been partnering with Water Mission for the final 12 months, and this time, I selected to come back to Kenya,” King mentioned. “That is my first time in Africa. I got here to get my ft on the African soil and see what Water Mission is doing and the way the communities have embraced it.”
Along with visiting communities impacted by protected water, it’s essential to witness the devastating results of the worldwide water disaster — an issue that leaves 2 billion folks around the globe with out entry to protected water. Throughout a cease in Kithasyo, the residents graciously welcomed their guests with songs and dances. Because the group sat in on the early mission evaluation course of by the Water Mission employees, they discovered that ladies and kids stroll as much as 8 kilometers a day to gather soiled water, subjecting themselves to animal assaults and different risks. However regardless of these hardships, the neighborhood is eager for the longer term because it awaits protected water. The Water Mission crew will proceed to evaluate the neighborhood’s wants because it develops an answer.
The following day, Watson, King and others visited a neighborhood that has loved entry to protected water since 2022 by way of a Water Mission mission. Even with the protected water mission full, the crew continued to share the Gospel with residents. The vacationers noticed as Water Mission employees led locals by way of Dwelling Water actions, throughout which 61 folks from the neighborhood gave their lives to Christ.
The journey culminated with a go to to a neighborhood through which a protected water mission is at present underway. The group spoke on to members of the neighborhood to listen to about their anticipation for the mission and the influence they count on it to have.
“We stepped into the city and met with its leaders and representatives, and so they had been thrilled to have this [project] coming,” King mentioned. “It’s going to vary plenty of lives, so it’s nice to see.”
All through the week, the group skilled Water Mission’s thorough course of of putting in a protected water mission. Individuals discovered about how the group assesses a neighborhood’s scenario, entails its residents, and customizes a protected water resolution to suit its distinctive wants.
“It’s simply wonderful to see a number of the initiatives from begin to end,” King mentioned after visiting a number of mission websites. “Those which might be to start with, the tip, and the center phases. It’s only a joyous event, and I’m grateful to be right here.”
(Photograph courtesy of Water Mission)
The time in Kenya had an amazing influence on the friends who made the journey. It may be tough to witness the consequences of the worldwide water disaster, however the options that exist present hope for the longer term.
“We’ve been within the nation for a couple of week, and we’ve seen some great work,” Watson mentioned close to the tip of the journey. “We’ve seen protected water initiatives in several counties and now have spent a while with the employees, listening to from them immediately.
“… I’m leaving right here inspired that God is doing a terrific work bringing water and Dwelling Water to His folks, particularly right here in Kenya.”
Longtime Water Mission companion and former NFL participant, @BenjaminSWatson, traveled to Kenya to go to our nation program. Hear what he needed to say about his time on the imaginative and prescient journey. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/UTw6bDNjaM
— Water Mission (@water_mission) May 3, 2024
To study extra about Water Mission, and the way you would possibly be capable to become involved, please go to watermission.org/join-us.
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