Macen (pictured) prays to dedicate the village’s Jesus Well.

GFA pastor Macen regularly visited the villages in his surrounding community. With a heart of compassion, he took note of the various needs in those villages and helped meet them as much as he could, offering practical assistance and spiritual support to the people around him.

But there was one dire need that stood out. It made visiting the villages difficult and threatened the residents’ very lives.

A Desperate Deficiency

Pastor Macen knew eating or drinking anything in these villages carried risk. The people lacked access to clean water and proper sanitation. As a result, disease was rampant.

The need in one particular village pricked Pastor Macen’s heart. The people were good-natured; they got along with one another and welcomed his presence. But their water supply for drinking and other daily use was woefully insufficient. They had to travel a long distance to collect water, and even that water was unclean, causing frequent sickness.

Their plight stirred Pastor Macen’s heart to action. “How would it be if we arrange a water facility?” he asked the people, explaining his desire to help and the process of obtaining a Jesus Well. Perhaps the pastor’s words initially brought shock or unbelief and it took them a moment to fully grasp the implications. Perhaps the news was instantly music to their ears. Regardless, they all rejoiced at the prospect of access to clean water.

A church member (pictured) tastes clean water from the Jesus Well for the first time.

Living Water for the Thirsty

A local believer offered a piece of land for the Jesus Well, and it was soon installed. The well, which serves about 200 people a day, filled the entire village with joy and gratitude. They could now fill their vessels with pure water that didn’t carry disease, and they could easily collect it in their own village, without hauling it miles to their homes.

Though the people had previously welcomed Pastor Macen, they were initially hesitant to listen to his message. The church’s response to their critical need, however, demonstrated Christ’s love and drew the people’s hearts to Him. Several families, after tasting of clean water and God’s love, have now put their trust in the One who offers Living Water.

BioSand water filters are an effective gift to families who have access only to unclean water, removing 98 percent of impurities. Filter recipients often share the gift with their neighbors, too!

Kalin put in long hours working as a daily wage labourer in a tea garden. Day after day he toiled for meager wages, struggling to meet his family’s basic needs.

The remote village Kalin lived in offered little hope for improvement. They had no electricity and, worse, no pure water.

Kalin’s family, like the rest of their village, depended on a small river as their water source for drinking, cooking and cleaning, but the dirty water created a host of problems. Many people in the village, including Kalin and his family, suffered from frequent sickness.

Their situation bred anxiety. How could they go on living like this? What could they do?

The answer came when GFA pastor Elazar happened to visit Kalin’s house. After hearing their woes, Pastor Elazar encouraged the family from God’s Word and offered practical help: He told them of a water filter that could bring joy and health by removing 98 percent of impurities from their water.

After giving them a BioSand water filter, Pastor Elazar continued to visit the family, praying for them and encouraging them. His concern moved their hearts, and Kalin and his family soon chose to follow Christ. With clean water and clean hearts, this family has a fresh start.

Jesus Wells bring joy to entire communities.

Miron, a farmer and daily labourer, needed to stay healthy to provide for his family. Yet, once again, his body was swollen and refused to function properly. Miron’s wife and three children also suffered from various illnesses, many of them from the same cause: unclean water.

Family Seeks Health

Living in a remote area, the only water source for Miron’s family was an open well, unprotected from contaminants that might cause illness. Neighbours suggested the family visit witch doctors to seek a cure for their sickness, but the visits only drained their few resources and pushed them into poverty.

Still, Miron sought a solution. He asked GFA pastor Parley, who served in his sister’s village, to visit his home for prayer.

As Pastor Parley shared from God’s Word, light began to pierce the darkness of Miron’s life. As Pastor Parley prayed, the clutches of sickness loosened. Pastor Parley continued to visit Miron and his family and pray for them, and over time, they recovered from their sicknesses. The entire family embraced Christ’s light and love in their lives. They also welcomed Pastor Parley to lead a prayer meeting in their home every week.

But a potent need remained. Seeing the dirty water the family drank, Pastor Parley was burdened by their need for clean water. They needed a Jesus Well.

Well Springs Joy, Change

Jesus Wells bring joy to entire communities.

In awe of the well’s installation, Miron’s faith increased, and he joyfully shared the news of this miracle with his neighbours. Joy spread with the news as 75 families who had previously struggled for water gained access to an ample supply of clean water.

The prayer meeting led by Pastor Parley grew, and so did the number of miracles as people were healed from various ailments. The Jesus Well became a resource for the community that drew many to also drink of the Living Water, transforming lives.

Thanks to donors like you, Jesus Wells are transforming lives as they provide life-giving water and point to the Living Water of Christ.

The pure water BioSand water filters yield can help restore the health of entire families, like Sabin’s family and the family pictured.

Sabin looked at the muddy water. Perhaps he hesitated before taking a gulp. It was the only water he had, and he needed water to survive. What option did he have?

No Simple Solution

A contaminated open well was the only water source in Sabin’s village. Some people in the village occasionally bought purified water, but most of them were poor labourers who couldn’t afford to continually buy water. Sabin couldn’t afford it at all. Instead, he and his family of six drank solely from the open well.

For months, Sabin and his wife suffered with stomachaches. The doctor prescribed medication, but it brought little relief. The doctor then recommended they drink pure water. It was a simple solution, but one they couldn’t afford. They were left to suffer the ill-effects of their muddy drinking water.

A Lasting Solution

But GFA pastor Keenen was working on a solution for Sabin’s family and others. Serving in Sabin’s village, Pastor Keenen recognized the community’s need for clean water. He arranged for a BioSand water filter distribution, and Sabin’s family was among the 200 families that received one.

Removing 95 percent of biological impurities, the water filter turns Sabin’s muddy water into clear, clean, refreshing water for drinking and cooking. Sabin and his wife no longer suffer from stomachaches. As Sabin invites neighbours to use their filter, this one filter benefits multiple families.

“I am so thankful to [the church] for providing our family a water filter,” Sabin says. “Really it was an urgent need. Thank you for helping us in times of need.”

The inauguration of a Jesus Well often fills people with joy and gratitude as they receive the gift of clean water—and with it, health and hope.

For Mai and the other children of her community, daily life carried risks. One of the biggest risks was getting sick with typhoid, diarrhea, malaria or another waterborne disease. And it was a risk these children couldn’t avoid: Their only water sources were open wells, ponds and rivers, which were contaminated by cow dung, leaves and trash. In the summer, these sources dried up.

GFA pastor Raffe saw the residents’ hardships, and he and other Christians in the village began to pray for a well that would supply clean water. The next year, ministry leaders approved Pastor Raffe’s application for a Jesus Well. When the villagers heard they would receive a new well—one that could yield pure water for years to come—excitement buzzed around the village.

Fresh Water, Fresh Opportunity

After the well was drilled, families began using it daily. They finally had clean water for drinking, washing produce and watering their cattle.

“For a long period of time, ... we were facing shortage of clean drinking water,” says Mai, who was about 13 years old when the Jesus Well was installed. “But at the right time, [the church] got a Jesus Well installed for us to have enough pure water for our needs.”

With the clean water, the families’ health improved. They saved money that earlier would have been spent on medical treatment. Things looked brighter for the next generation. They now had the chance to enjoy freedom from the cycle of sickness and poverty that had shackled their parents. They could dream and plan for better lives as waterborne illnesses no longer drained their energy and resources, giving them more time to be productive.

Gratitude filled the villagers’ hearts, and some wanted to know about the One whose name was inscribed on the well. Mai and her family were among them. They began to visit the local church, where they could learn more about Jesus, who offers Living Water. Eventually, Mai and her parents decided to follow Him.

Through the gift of a Jesus Well, Mai and her village not only have hope for better lives, but some have also found the living, steadfast hope Christ offers.

Jesus Wells bring desperately needed clean water—and the grace found in the Living Water—to people like Jahaira and the woman pictured.

People steadily streamed to and from the well. Clasping empty buckets or plastic jugs, each villager waited their turn. Clear water filled container after container to the brim. A nearby plaque spoke to the passersby: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

These words intrigued 40-year-old Jahaira as she began collecting water at the newly installed Jesus Well, which served around 200 people.

For some time, people in the remote village had drawn water from a pond nearly a mile away. The water, polluted through bathing and washing clothes, sickened many who drank it, including Jahaira, who suffered from near-constant stomach pains and diarrhea from drinking the dirty water. But no other nearby water source existed.

The doctors could not heal Jahaira’s sicknesses, and their treatments didn’t alleviate her pain. All they could suggest was for Jahaira to boil her water before drinking. There should have been a better solution.

Clean Water Heals Woman, Brings Hope

By God’s providence, a better solution arrived. GFA pastor Badan, who led a church in Jahaira’s village, requested a Jesus Well for the village. After the well was installed, many villagers gathered their water from it, including Jahaira.

A week later, Jahaira’s stomach pains and diarrhea vanished. She believed it could have only been the result of drinking the pure, clean water from the Jesus Well, which had a plaque inscribed with John 4:14. Jahaira wanted to know more of this Living Water she saw spoken of on the plaque, so she talked to Pastor Badan. He told her about God’s love for her.

Today, Jahaira rejoices in both the Living Water and the physical water God has provided.

Learn More About How GFA Provides Access to Clean Water »

Many people in Asia, like this woman, must use unsafe water from ponds or old wells, like those in Pastor Jabez’s village.

People in Pastor Jabez’s village were finding the life-changing love of Christ, and the congregation was growing. Along with their newfound joy, however, a new struggle arose—a struggle to provide for their basic needs.

No Water for Christians

Seven wells dotted the rural village landscape, but the water in these wells was not fit for drinking. During the rainy season, that water was even worse: muddy and filled with dangerous bacteria. As the villagers drank the contaminated liquid, diseases such as typhoid and malaria caused much suffering.

On top of it all, the believers’ troubles had only just begun. The other villagers announced that Christians weren’t allowed to draw water from the wells. The reason? Their faith. The other villagers despised Christianity and decided to make the believers’ lives more difficult. The believers then had to walk more than a mile to collect water from a nearby river.

For more than two years, Pastor Jabez and his congregation gathered weekly to pray for a Jesus Well to be installed in their village. Then, through the generosity of God’s people, their prayers were answered.

All May Come

Their new Jesus Well provided cleaner water than any of the other wells and Pastor Jabez’s congregation did not bar anyone from drawing water. Everyone—even those who had despised them—were free to come and draw pure, fresh water. The other villagers changed their minds about Christianity when the believers welcomed them to the well with open arms.

Jesus Wells like the one installed in Pastor Jabez’s village improve the health of entire communities and enable them to hear of God’s love. The life-giving water provided through Jesus Well’s offers to meet both spiritual and physical needs. Thank you for helping make stories like these possible!

Beena with her BioSand water filter

Beena and her family lived in a rural village, and they relied on water from the nearby well. The well water, however, was impure and contaminated with high levels of iron. Drinking it gave them and their neighbours numerous sicknesses, such as coughs and dysentery.

When Beena’s pastor, GFA-supported pastor Ekakshara, visited Beena to encourage her, he noticed the cup of water she was drinking was yellow and smelled horrible. After talking to Beena and her neighbours, he learned their village suffered from a serious lack of clean water.

“Don’t worry!” Pastor Ekakshara told them. “We will try to provide water filters so you will be able to drink clean water.”

Later, the church provided Beena and her family with a BioSand water filter, capable of filtering out 98 percent of harmful pollutants in water. Beena shares this filter with her neighbours, so now they all enjoy pure water.

“The water is clean and tasty,” Beena remarks. “Now I am able to provide pure and clean water to whoever comes to my home.”

In Maala’s community, fetching each day’s water from a distant well was a labourious task that involved adults and children alike, making it difficult for children to attend school.

Maala trotted along beside her mother. The sun warmed her face and back, subtly reminding her of the heat to come in the afternoon.

After 30 minutes of walking, Maala presented the small jug she had been carrying and watched her mother pour water into it. Then she grasped her container tightly in her small hands and began the long walk back home, taking care to not slosh out any of the precious water.

At only 3 years old, Maala was already helping her family survive. Her village’s water crisis meant that long walks for water would burden her for the next 13 years.

Choosing Between Water and Education

The families in Maala’s community lived in a rocky, hilly location with few streams or large bodies of water. They couldn’t finance drilling a well deep enough to provide water year-round, so they had to make long trips to a distant well—often three or four times each morning and evening. Maala and the other children in her village regularly helped their mothers fetch water, carrying heavy pots back and forth.

“I used to feel very tired and very exhausted when I got home,” Maala recalls, now in her teens. “But then there was no other option.”

When Maala reached school age, she often struggled to fetch water in time to catch her bus, which meant she missed the entire day of school. But the severity of the water crisis in Maala’s village required families to prioritize fetching water over receiving education—even though education was the best chance for their children to escape poverty.

“Many times, I missed important lessons in the class, which affected my studies,” Maala explains. “During the exam, I would find it difficult because I [had not been] able to attend those classes.”

Working Together to Alleviate Water Crisis

GFA-supported pastor Bharit grew up in this area and later served as a pastor over believers in nearby villages. He witnessed the bickering at the distant water source, the frustration people felt spending so much time gathering water when they had children and crops to care for, the children missing precious school days, and the barren fields when crops dried up.

Bharit told his leaders how the community desperately needed clean water and asked them to install a Jesus Well. The generosity of believers around the world meant Pastor Bharit’s request could be granted, and he began searching for a good location to drill the well.

A believer in Pastor Bharit’s congregation noticed a plot of land that stood close to a main roadway. The landowner, Ojayit, happily volunteered his land for the project.

“I feel very glad and very happy that at least by donating a small piece of land I was able to become a help to villagers,” Ojayit shares. “By letting this piece of land be used for a Jesus Well, actually I’m doing a service to the society.”

Soon, a brand-new Jesus Well started gushing clean drinking water within the village, eliminating the long walk to the old water source.

In Maala’s community, fetching each day’s water from a distant well was a labourious task that involved adults and children alike, making it difficult for children to attend school.

Jesus Well Changes Futures

Maala was 16 when the Jesus Well appeared on the scene, and her life changed dramatically—as it did for all the children. The new well sat just a few minutes away, so she easily gathered water in time to catch her school bus.

“I don’t have any of the struggles I used to have,” Maala reports happily. “I’m not absent in my classes. … [The Jesus Well] has been such a great help for all the kids.”

Because everyone did what they could to help—Pastor Bharit, Ojayit and those who funded the well—the children in Maala’s village don’t need to choose between education or water anymore, and their childhoods don’t need to be spent commuting for water.

Paband and Litesh and their families all live in a slum. The community’s only water sources provide polluted, smelly water, so many people, including Litesh, suffered from stomach aches and kidney problems.

Seeing the people’s need, GFA-supported worker Lalitkumar decided to do something: He arranged to give some residents BioSand water filters to provide the pure water they needed.

Around 10 families, including Paband’s and Litesh’s, received water filters.

“I never used a water filter in my life, but I will use this and will drink clean water,” Paband said. The filters will not only keep sicknesses away, but they will also help ease financial burdens.

“I had gone to a doctor, who advised me to drink clean and sufficient water,” he said. “I bought water bottles for a week from the shop, but I can’t afford to buy [that] every day. Thank you very much for being concerned and for giving me a water filter.”

Before Jesus Wells are drilled, people in many communities gather water from ponds and rivers because they have no access to a clean, safe water source. For Christians in Muralee’s village, their water sources were barred to them because of their faith in Christ—until a Jesus Well was drilled in their community.

It was April, and 200 people had gathered for what should have been a joyous celebration. The bride and bridegroom were dressed in their best, ready to start their new life together.

But there was a problem.

These men and women were Christians, and their pastor’s life had been threatened for wanting to worship Jesus with others.

Hostility and ostracism became pervasive, and on the day of the wedding, when the believers went to get water for the ceremony, they couldn’t. The other villagers had decided to ban the Christians from the village’s wells, though the wells were unreliable to begin with. But water was needed, and they had no other resource to fulfill this last-minute need.

Pastors Pray for Favour

GFA-supported pastor Bhuman and other GFA-supported pastors and believers attending the wedding gathered in the marriage house to ask God for help.

Fifteen minutes passed when Muralee, a man who lived in the village, heard about what was going on.

“Don’t worry,” he said, “I will supply water for you from my personal well for this entire program.”

With Muralee’s water well, the wedding went on, but the incident only highlighted a greater issue of water scarcity in the village. Pastor Bhuman began asking the Lord to provide a Jesus Well—a prayer he continued for three months.

What Water Can Do

Before the Jesus Well was drilled, many people in Muralee’s village gathered their water from ponds and rivers. During monsoon season, they collected rainwater from their roofs and stored it. This water would carry them through the inevitable dry season when ponds, rivers and wells frequently went dry, a situation that had only worsened through the previous five years.

But the Jesus Well solved their water problems! Within a week of the drilling, people who had been upset at the wedding came to understand more of Christ’s generous, loving heart. When they fell ill or struggled, they started asking Pastor Bhuman to pray for them, and God moved.

That’s how Pastor Bhuman and the believers learned about the plight of a man named Digambar.

Able to Walk Again

Digambar had started limping one day while walking home from his relatives’ house. His limp gradually grew in severity until he couldn’t even walk.

Pastor Bhuman and several believers went to Digambar’s house to pray for the paralyzed man. Their visits and prayers continued for nearly a month. And God answered! Digambar can walk again, and he doesn’t even need the help of a cane to do so. Experiencing this miracle, Digambar and his family have decided to walk with the One who enabled him to walk again.

We praise God for how He moved in so many lives through this Jesus Well and the faithful service of Pastor Bhuman. What started as an interrupted wedding led to the restoration of many hearts. Thank you for your part in making stories like this possible through your prayers and support!

This Jesus Well is sporting a bright red ribbon because this photo was taken during its inauguration ceremony. Through the generosity and support of GFA friends, GFA-supported pastor Dayal could see a Jesus Well installed, providing clean, free, accessible water to the needy villagers.

Only one source of water for a community of 100-plus people simply wasn’t enough. GFA-supported pastor Dayal and his fellowship of 10 believers felt the lack. Families would often wait hours for one bucket of water. One bucket to drink from, bathe in, clean and cook with. It was not uncommon for Pastor Dayal to see fights among his neighbours. The water crisis kept the village under turmoil—there was no peace in his village.

From his desire to display the love of Christ and meet the needs of the people around him, Pastor Dayal initiated the installation of a Jesus Well in the village. Thanks to the generosity of GFA friends like you, the striving in this community was replaced with peace after the Jesus Well construction was completed. Now anyone can come and go freely to obtain water, without having to worry about competition or there not being enough to drink. Experiencing this act of compassion, villagers are curious to hear from Pastor Dayal about how Jesus has moved in his life and how they can know Jesus, too. Thank you!

The words of Psalm 91 encouraged the believers in GFA-supported Pastor Barasaat’s congregation through many years of hardship. God provides His children, like the GFA-supported pastor shown, with His words to encourage and uplift believers every day.

Tilak and his wife were happy again; no one could deny that. But some people in the village were anything but happy about the transformation in their lives.

Villagers blamed the GFA-supported pastor for the couple’s new life in Christ. They wanted to attack Barasaat, so they began looking for an opportunity to do so.

That came one night as the pastor gathered with 20 youth to worship Jesus.

Silent Before His Accusers

The sound of voices lifted to Jesus was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a crowd of angry men. Ten villagers rushed on Pastor Barasaat and grabbed him by the neck. They began to beat him and dragged him to an impromptu village meeting.

Two hundred angry villagers pressed in on the pastor. They hurled accusations at him. They questioned him. They harassed him. But Pastor Barasaat did not respond. He remembered how Jesus had stood silent before His accusers, and he chose to walk in his Master’s footsteps.

Two hours passed as Pastor Barasaat stood silent before the mob, while the 20 youth he had been worshipping with prayed earnestly for the pastor’s protection.

And God answered.

The crowd couldn’t decide what to do with him. One by one, they grew frustrated and left the scene. God delivered Pastor Barasaat that night, but this was only the beginning of the pastor’s troubles.

Five Years Without Water

Pastor Barasaat continued to meet with men and women in the village who knew Jesus or were eager to learn more about Him. But about a month after the impromptu meeting, several villagers decided to ban his family from the village well, forcing them to gather water from the local river.

But Pastor Barasaat and his family weren’t the only ones drinking this polluted water—the village well didn’t provide enough for everyone, and some people even got sick with jaundice, malaria or dysentery because of the water they drank.

As time passed, things grew more difficult: It was decreed that anyone caught talking to Pastor Barasaat would have to pay an exorbitant fine. People even damaged his home.

Love in the Face of Hatred

It was difficult for Pastor Barasaat and his wife not to feel discouraged through these years. But God gave them strength, and they remembered how anyone who follows Jesus will face troubles in this life. Despite the struggles they faced, Pastor Barasaat and his family continued gathering with other believers for prayer and praise. As a body, they found great comfort in the words of Psalm 91.

And then God showed Pastor Barasaat a way he could “bless those who persecute you,” as God instructs us to do in Romans 12:14. Pastor Barasaat applied for a Jesus Well to be drilled in his village, which was made possible through the generous donations of GFA friends. Within a few months, a new well poured out pure water for all to use.

Fresh Water, Fresh Start

Pastor Barasaat continued to love on the people in his village as he had done for the last 13 years, praying for the sick and ministering to those in need, but now things were different. Even those who had once been angry with him went to him for prayer when their families were sick.

The words of Psalm 91 encouraged the believers in GFA-supported Pastor Barasaat’s congregation through many years of hardship. God provides His children, like the GFA-supported pastor shown, with His words to encourage and uplift believers every day.

A 22-year-old man named Dinpal, whose father had died of a waterborne illness, was particularly touched by the new well. The tangible expression of God’s love inspired Dinpal’s heart to know Jesus, so he talked to Pastor Barasaat. Now Dinpal can hardly keep Christ’s love to himself—he joyfully goes around telling others of the God who provides.

Truly, God heard the prayers of His servants and touched the hearts of the people in this village. Praise the Lord!

Every Jesus Well has a story. These women, both leprosy patients, now have an abundant source of clean water in their village because of the generosity of believers like you around the world.

Jesus Wells have the ability to transform villages, providing not only clean, fresh water but also the opportunity for people to find clean hearts and a fresh start at life in Jesus.

Every Jesus Well has a different story. With thousands of Jesus Wells blessing communities in Asia already, it’s difficult to share all the stories with you! Here you will find a small selection of stories we’ve received about Jesus Wells and what God is doing through them. We hope they bless you and remind you how being part of the GFA world through your life and partnership is making a tremendous difference!

Jesus Well Brings Villagers Back

Although the vast majority of Jesus Wells are drilled deep into the ground—some as deep as 1,200 feet—occasionally the location of a village and its unique situation requires a different approach for providing clean water.

That was the case in Muna’s mountain village, where villagers needed to walk two miles over steep hills and through valleys to gather water for their daily needs.

But today, around two miles of pipes connect that water source to the village’s Jesus Well, which for this region took the form of a cement water tank. Now this village has a local water source!

Muna is incredibly thankful for the Jesus Well and the transformation it has brought to his community. Several families who had left because it was too difficult to find water have now returned. Muna shares how the Jesus Well and the church building that was constructed nearby have united the people in his village and brought them all joy.

Dispensing Liquid Love

Pastor Ranadeva loved the people in his village and wanted them to know it. The people regularly heard about the greatest love of all—Jesus—but not everyone wanted to hear. Still, the pastor loved them as well as he could, and one day he was able to show them practically by drilling a Jesus Well to meet their need for clean water.

Datta, an elderly man in the village, had never been very interested in Pastor Ranadeva. But one day, after the Jesus Well was installed, he welcomed Pastor Ranadeva into his home. Datta listened from the Word of God and took some literature to read, and later he attended prayer meetings in the village, where God touched his heart.

Today, Datta and his family continue to draw water from the Jesus Well located less than half a mile from their home.

No Longer Waiting in Line

Poorva, a 50-year-old widow and mother of four sons, didn’t like having to wait in line at the only water pump in town. But until a GFA-supported pastor named Manit arranged for the installation of a new Jesus Well, Poorva had no other options.

After the well was installed, Poorva couldn’t hold back her gratitude. She thanked Pastor Manit profusely—she would have more time to do things around her home instead of standing in line, she shared. As they talked, she decided to attend Pastor Manit’s church, where she and her eldest son soon fell in love with Christ—the One who saved their time and changed their lives forever.

Eleven Jesus Wells

In a village of 15,000, one hand pump just wasn’t enough. Nevertheless, that’s all the people in Layak’s village had. As the leader of the village, Layak wanted to provide for his people, but he didn’t have the resources to do so. That’s why it filled him with such inexpressible joy when a local GFA-supported pastor inquired about installing Jesus Wells.

Within a few months, the dedication ceremony was held for 11 Jesus Wells, and hundreds gathered to witness, including several local officials. Many people expressed their astonishment that Christians would love them so much and follow through with providing for their needs.

“This is something very different that I am seeing today in my life,” shared one elderly man.

Layak, moved with happiness, made a bold decision: “I will donate a piece of land in the village for a church to be constructed as well,” he declared after the ceremony. “I want to see a church in my village.”

Even when no one wants to listen to them, pastors like Kundan are eager to help their communities with their daily problems, such as the lack of clean water. This well, like the one in Pastor Kundan’s village, is a testimony of Jesus’ care for the poor and needy.

When Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Kundan and his family first came to Antim’s village, Antim, like everyone else, wasn’t interested in what he had to say.

But Pastor Kundan didn’t just talk about Jesus’ love—he lived it out. Just as Jesus reached out with hands of compassion toward the hurting and destitute, even feeding thousands of people, Pastor Kundan wanted to help the people in Antim’s village. One day, he saw an opportunity.

A Jesus Well Meets Their Need

Many people in Antim’s village struggled to get adequate, clean water for drinking and cooking. When Pastor Kundan saw this need, he contacted his leaders about installing a Jesus Well. Before long, thanks to the donations of friends of Gospel for Asia, they were able to drill one.

This Jesus Well piqued Antim’s interest, and he realized there was more to this visiting pastor than just words.

One day, Antim struck up a conversation with Pastor Kundan and began asking him questions—questions Pastor Kundan could answer. As their friendship grew, Pastor Kundan shared with him from the Word of God and encouraged him to pray. Although Antim had heard the name of Jesus before, he didn’t know the Saviour’s love and had never met someone so passionately in love with Jesus before.

A Growing Love

Over time, not only did Antim open up his heart to the love of the Saviour, he also opened up his home to hear Pastor Kundan share from the Word of God. More people joined Antim and Pastor Kundan to spend time with Jesus, eventually growing in number to a point where they began praying about building a permanent church building in which to worship God. Praise the Lord!

“In the beginning of my ministry,” Pastor Kundan reflects, “I thought I would not be able to work in this place. … But today I am very much thankful to God, who used my life to start His ministry here. … It is not because of me or anyone, but it is all because of [the] infinite love of Jesus Christ.”

Thank you for your prayers and support to see more people understand the infinite love of Christ.

In areas with short water supplies, people often have to choose between walking for miles to find clean water or settling for contaminated sources.

The young father of four lowered his vessel deep into the well, hesitantly expecting the rope in his hands to tighten and the bucket to submerge beneath the water. Instead, the cord relaxed and he heard the unsettling sound of his bucket hitting the sand far below.

Thunk.

Rasna sighed as he pulled up the rope, his suspicions confirmed: His well had finally run dry.

Sand in Their Water

The well Rasna dug on his property had served his family faithfully for years. As time passed, however, they noticed a problem: Their water grew more and more cloudy with each bucketful they collected.

The family began storing the murky water in containers to let the sand and other debris settle at the bottom before using it. Time consuming as this simple filtering procedure was, the family managed to survive . . . until the well dried up completely.

Left with no other choice and a severe need for water, the family began the backbreaking task of hauling water from a source far from their home, as many other villagers were also doing. Then one Sunday, Rasna decided to talk to Pastor Payas. Rasna had developed a friendship with the Gospel for Asia-supported pastor and had come to know the Lord after he heard Pastor Payas share his own testimony of God’s grace. Maybe he could do something about their situation.

Jesus Well Benefits 25 Families

Pastor Payas assured Rasna he would do all he could to help him and his family. The two men prayed and waited for the Lord’s answer. When a survey of Rasna’s village showed the people’s need for clean, accessible water, a Jesus Well was installed and dedicated for the use of the entire village only a short time later. The well now blesses 25 families with clean water for their daily needs. Because its location is near Rasna’s home, he and his family members often use this opportunity to share what God has done in their lives with the people who draw water from the well.

“I am thankful to my church for the installation of this Jesus Well,” Rasna says. “I cannot help the people of my locality, but our church has looked into the needs of the common man.”

After hearing about God’s faithfulness in the lives of Rasna’s family, two other families have come to taste the Living Water and drink of it for themselves. Today they worship alongside Pastor Payas and other believers, like Rasna and his family.

“The local people . . . now know that our church performs good works and cares about the development of society,” Pastor Payas says.

Bakul (left) with his new water filter.

For years, Bakul and his family faced the debilitating effects of drinking impure water. Stomachaches, diarrhea, weakness, coughs and colds haunted them with every glass they drank.</p.

“I would take medicine for my stomach pain,” Bakul shares. “However, in spite of continuous treatment, I continued to struggle from unbearable pain in my stomach.”

Chance Encounter Changes Lives

A Gospel for Asia-supported pastor named Thorley served in Bakul’s village, but Bakul didn’t know much about him. One day, however, as Bakul passed by the church, he saw a large crowd: The pastor was passing out BioSand water filters to several people in the village.

“I asked Pastor Thorley to give me a water filter, and to my surprise, he gave me a filter,” Bakul shares. “Now nobody is suffering from stomach problems in my family.”

Bakul, having witnessed the kindness and generosity of Christians, has become curious to learn more about Jesus Christ. What’s more, Bakul is able to interact with Gospel for Asia-supported workers when they visit to perform routine maintenance on his filter.

The water was dirty. She could see it. Even though it flowed from a well in town, she knew the water wasn’t safe. People in the village often struggled with diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained fevers. Chandrima, like many others in the area, was well aware the water caused it. But she didn’t have any other options. Her family needed the water, even if it made them sick.

Woman Trades Burdens for Cement Box

One afternoon, Chandrima unexpectedly met a Gospel for Asia- supported pastor named Harshad and invited him to her home to meet with her husband and children. Chandrima poured out her anxieties about the water in town, something that troubled her greatly. Pastor Harshad, in turn, shared about the One he knew who has the answer to all of life’s troubles: Jesus.

Pastor Harshad left that day wanting to help this family. During one of his later visits, he told them about BioSand water filters. How do they work? Chandrima’s family wondered. Pastor Harshad explained: One simply pours water into the filter every day (a filter comprised of rocks and sand in a concrete box), and the water comes out 98 percent pure. It would smell nicer, taste better and not make them sick like the unfiltered water in town had been doing. As they excitedly asked him more questions, Pastor Harshad pointed their attention to Jesus—the Giver of all good gifts.

“The Lord has a plan for your family to live a healthy life and to bless you,” he shared. “He loves you.”

Clean Water and Joyful Hearts

When Pastor Harshad was able to give Chandrima’s family a BioSand water filter a few weeks later—thanks to the donations of someone like you—they were overjoyed. As they used their new filter, they quickly realized how true the pastor’s words were—the water was clean!

Today, this once-struggling family enjoys listening to the pastor and learning from him, and just as they once asked questions about how a box of rocks could clean their water, they have begun asking questions about how God could clean their hearts. Thank you for helping to make stories like this possible.

How are people living in this village? Gospel for Asia supported pastor Sadavir wondered.

The water in this remote village was filled with clay, iron and mud, plaguing residents with frequent fevers, colds and digestive problems. Although many people tried to make water filters, it didn’t help.

“In the summer, we suffered a lot due to the scorching sun,” a villager named Gatik shares. “We desire a glass of water, but by seeing the impure water, our thirst goes away.”

When he saw this great need, Pastor Sadavir and a team of Gospel for Asia workers organized an event to distribute BioSand water filters to needy villagers.

Water is hard to come by in many remote areas of Asia, where most of the year it doesn't rain.

Those who have the water filters allow their neighbours to use them, so everyone now has access to pure water.

“Now we are drinking very good water,” Gatik says.

Village health has improved greatly since having the filters, and thankful for the gifts, people also have grown interested in learning about Jesus from the local pastor.

Baru studied the hardened ground at his feet. The stream that freely flowed during the monsoon season had dried up once again.

This was the closest water source he and his neighbours had, and it was already a half of a kilometer journey. When it became bone-dry, it would be even more difficult for Baru and the rest of the villagers to get a drink of water. But all that changed when a Jesus Well was drilled in their village.

Villagers’ Hearts Softened by Compassion

Baru grew up in a religious family that strongly opposed Christianity. His father prohibited him and his two sisters from attending any of the prayer meetings or services that were led by the local Gospel for Asia pastor, Pranal. Though not everyone was so openly critical of the Christian faith, most of the villagers were uninterested in what Pranal had to say.

Then Gospel for Asia drilled a Jesus Well in their village to provide clean, accessible drinking water. When the people saw this demonstration of compassion, their hearts softened. Baru’s family, along with about 150 other villagers, began to draw regularly from the well. They no longer needed to walk long distances in order to collect water for their daily needs, and the water from the well was clean and safe to drink.

Jesus Well Waters the Seed in His Heart

When the Jesus Well was drilled, Baru saw that the Christians had genuine concern and love for the rest of the village. He became curious about the God of whom Pastor Pranal spoke. Who was this God that the pastor worshipped?

Watch how a Jesus Well plays an important part of Pastor Ruben's Ministry.

When Baru came to him with the desire to know more about the Lord, Pastor Pranal gladly prayed for him and told him how God’s great love and forgiveness were shown through Jesus. Afterward, Baru began to read the New Testament and pray, and he listened to more counsel from Pastor Pranal. Over time, Baru realized his genuine need for the Saviour. He confessed his sins and chose to trust in the Lord.

Because his parents still despised the Christian faith, Baru attended church services in secret at fist. But as his faith grew, he started to share the love of Jesus with the people in his village. Even though Baru’s parents still did not know Jesus, God started a work in their lives. When they realized Baru was going to the church meetings, they didn’t oppose him but instead allowed him to keep attending.

God changed Baru’s life for eternity through believers like you who helped provide a Jesus Well. Thank you for your support to help bring the message of Christ’s compassion to people in Asia!

Each day, Kaamil’s family drank contaminated water because they didn’t have a pure water source. Then GFA pastor Padman invited them to an event where they would receive a BioSand water filter.

There, Kaamil listened intently as a GFA staff person shared about Christ’s love for all people. Afterward, he walked up to Pastor Padman.

“Why are you doing all these things?” he asked.

Pastor Padman shared about God’s love, given so freely to us. He began visiting Kaamil to share more. Slowly, Kaamil realized he’d been offered something much greater than clean water, and he responded in gratitude to God’s provision of mercy and grace.

“Along with the BioSand water filter, Jesus Christ also entered my house,” Kaamil says. “The filter provided me with pure water, and at the same time, Jesus Christ provided me a clean heart.”

Thank you for giving the gift of pure water so many can have the opportunity to receive God’s mercy and grace.

Ratnakar was just passing through the village. It was a day like any other—or so he thought.

His walk slowed when he spotted a group of people gathered. The crowd aroused his curiosity. Suddenly a voice rang out, drawing all attention to the front of the group.

This Jesus Well belonged to the whole village, the speaker said, and anyone could draw water from it without any hesitation.

Ratnakar realized the local church was inaugurating a well. But then confusion entered his mind. Why would the Christians want to share their well with the entire village? Hoping to have his questions answered, he stayed to listen to the rest of the program.

The speaker went on to share about the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

After the ceremony, Ratnakar approached the speaker, Gospel for Asia pastor Jalendra Singh, to find out more.

“Why are Christians doing this charitable work even though they do not know this community?” Ratnakar asked.

Pastor Jalendra was excited for the opportunity to share more about Christ’s love. He explained to Ratnakar the purpose of the Jesus Well and why they were glad to share it with the villagers.

Interested to hear more, Ratnakar invited the pastor to his house. Pastor Jalendra began to visit regularly and continued to share the love of Jesus with the family.

Seeing God’s care and concern, Ratnakar’s family decided to follow Christ as their Saviour. They are now serving the Lord and regularly attend services at the church.

Now, when Ratnakar attends church and sees the Jesus Well, he remembers the Living Water he received and how different his life would have been had he not stopped that day.

Thank you for your gifts and support, which help make stories like Ratnakar’s possible.

They were running low on water again. Gaurav didn’t want to walk all the way to the hospital to get more, but that was the only option.

Water was scarce, and it was a daily struggle to provide for his family. All of the villagers had a hard time finding water to drink and use for everyday needs.

In his village, there were two Christian families. There were rumours spreading that these believers would be getting a well. They would not have to pay to use the well, and fresh, clean water would be available all the time. But Gaurav wasn't a believer, so he didn't think his family would be able to use it.

Jesus Well Installed

One day, the workers arrived to install the Jesus Well. All of the villagers watched with curiosity and longing as the well was drilled. Once it was finished, they were surprised and delighted to hear the local pastor, Yashwant, invite anyone who needed water to use the well. Gaurav was so pleased that he and his family wouldn't have to walk miles to get water anymore!

“This was the day God heard our prayers and gave us pure water to drink,” Gaurav says.

Gaurav, along with his wife, Vibhavari, and their two daughters, decided to attend the local worship services. At one of the services, Gaurav listened closely to what Pastor Yashwant was saying and chose to give his heart to Christ. He and his family began attending services regularly, and before long, Vibhavari made the decision to follow Christ too.

When Tragedy Strikes

Soon the family was enjoying their new-found peace and joy in serving Christ. Life was richer than it had ever been. Then one day Gulal, their 10-year-old daughter, became severely ill. Gaurav and his wife rushed her to the nearest hospital and learned that she had a hole in her heart and was suffering from lung complications.

The doctor said she would need an operation immediately. “Lord Jesus,” Gaurav prayed, “I don’t have money to spend for my daughter. Please heal her heart disease.”

Pastor Yashwant and his wife visited the hospital and prayed for Gulal. They shared Bible verses to comfort Gaurav and Vibhavari while they waited to see what would happen to their daughter.

The Lord Is Healer

One day, the girl realized that her symptoms had disappeared. The Lord had answered her parents’ faithful prayers. During worship on Sunday, Gulal shared the miracle that God had performed in her life.

A Jesus well can help meet the practical and spiritual needs of an entire community!

Imagine how different the outcome would have been had the Jesus Well not been provided for this village. Gaurav and his family may never have gotten the opportunity to hear about Christ and learn that He is the true Healer.

Thank you for your involvement in the lives of people like Gaurav and his family through your gifts and prayers.