Faith in Action - 'Water of Life'

Earlier in 2014, a group of men from Saintfield Baptist Church took a trip to Burkina Faso, West Africa with the desire to dig wells and bring clean drinking water to the local community. A few of those men (Brian, Ed, Paul and Nigel) joined us at Listooder to update the young people on that trip and bring the needs of the people before us.

Opening with the Word of God, Brian recounted the battle for water in the time of Isaac. Unlike what we experience in the UK, many people across the world experience a real thirst for water, and this is the need that Friends in Action seeks to meet in this lowly country of Western Africa.

In the Bible we read of the deer, panting, thirsting for water. In writing of the deer, David was likening this 'panting' to his thirst and desire for God. Do we thirst after God? Is it our desire to be found in His Word and spending time with His people? Friends in Action works to meet the physical needs of the people in Burkina Faso, but their ultimate goal is to meet the spiritual need.

We also read of a woman, the woman of Samaria, who received the Living Water of Jesus Christ, the Saviour. The moment she received Christ, having her sins cleansed and her heart washed as white snow, she ran back into Samaria and told everyone of the Lord Jesus and what He had done for her. Surely this must challenge each one of us to reach out to others, bringing the message of the Gospel to those around us. For the work of Friends in Action, the preparation of the ground, installing of the equipment and commencing of the drilling process provides the perfect opportunity for the Gospel. As crowds gather to watch the impressive project unfold, local Pastors take their chance for the Lord and preach Christ to the needy people, the vast majority of which will never have heard the name of Jesus.

Finally, Brian brought to mind the ocassion when King David desired to have the a drink from the waters of Bethlehem. The nation was in battle, the army of the King was in grave danger, and the enemy was blocking the way to Bethlehem. Yet there were 3 men, having made this request, who made the dangerous journey to get a drink of water for their King. We serve the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, just as these men served David. Would we risk our lives to meet the request of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ? Even if few of us will ever be asked to take such risks, it is worth considering what we would be prepared to do for Him. 

The work of Friends in Action is fraught with dangers, challenges and hard labour, yet it is a work that is bringing genuine life-saving care to the people of Burkina Faso. But above all, it is providing a means of presenting the Gospel to those who have never heard it, enabling local Pastors to spread the name of Jesus Christ.

Listen to the podcast, and browse through the slides for a detailed look at the Friends in Action, through the eyes of 6 local believers who went out to spread the message of God's love in a practical way to needy souls.