Jaydn Mann - Rock Star!

Jaydn Mann celebrated birthday number six in February, 2009. After Christmas, 2008, she remarked to her mom, "Wow, we got so many toys for Christmas maybe we should give money to those kids who don't have clean water instead of getting more presents for my birthday."

Lisa Mann was blown away by the size of her daughters heart and agreed this was a great idea. There were several fund raising activities in suceeding weeks culminating in a big birthday bash. The kids were all asked to bring donations for water, not gifts. They taught the kids the Chicken Dance, YMCA, Limbo Rock, and other wedding reception classics. These kids are now looking forward to going to wedding receptions! The party was a blast and a huge success.

A short time later, our phone rang at the office. It was the parents, Michael and Lisa Mann, asking if they could stop by so Jaydn could personally present the money she had raised. Soon the whole family walked into my office and Jaydn presented me with $500.00 cash! I then had the privilege of telling Jaydn that her heart and her gift had provided water for ten children for life! What a great moment to share with this great lady and her family! We were truly blessed!

"And a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

Twitter Name

If you want to follow on Twitter, here is my Twitter name: @ehahwi

Steve Harvey - Comedian

Enjoy!

Johanna - Part I

 

 

 

Johanna is one of Josphina's six children that we featured on our May 3 Post. We hung out together on free water day at Las Palmas and became friends. A special bond was established between us on this day. My heart hurt because I doubted I would ever see her again.

Johanna - Part II

 

 

On May 19 we were back in Las Palmas and decided to take our guests to Josephina's shack even though she was not there. We also knew the children were probably in school. As we approached the house, guess who came running with arms outstretched? Yes, those are tears of joy! Johanna and I hugged and hugged! What a privilege! What a blessing!

Empowering the Church

Often I am quizzed about the challenges of working with churches in developing countries. Most people see the potential problems but lose sight of the blessing.

Recently we received three letters from church partners in Chiapas, Mexico letting us know how much they value their water system. Here is one of them:

Iglesia Del Nazareno "Adonai" A.R.
Potinaspak
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico

Healing Waters International
Denver, Colorado, USA

Affectionate Greetings to All:

The Comite de Enlace of ADU system #5 in Tuxtla Guitierrez, Chiapas, is conscious of your good social work in our community; reflecting specifically on the economic, physical and social impact of the water system. Your help is very laudable and praiseworthy, of this we are sure.

From the percentage of net revenue that has stayed with the church to help the greater community, we use 100% of that each month: to buy medicine, to buy shoes for children in single family homes, to help run a medical dispensary for senior citizens and sick people, to provide materials to help build simple houses, to pay for funerals for poor people, to buy food for street children and for other projects.

We are very appreciative to the sponsors/donors of the water system. Their investment and donation is being very well used. We will continue praying for you so that God rewards you richly.

With much gratitude and love,
The Comite de Enlace
Pbro. Eustacio Gonzalez Ramirez

DR Trip - May 14 - 20, 2009

We arrived safely in the Dominican Republic late last night. We are looking forward to great week with our guests, our HWI staff, and our ministry partners.