India (MNN) — Yesterday, we shared how you could give something up for Lent and save lives. Today we'll take a look at the transformation you could start in India.
According to the Indian Association of Pediatricians, babies in India account for 25% of the world's total deaths, simply because their moms don't have clean water to drink.
"India has major problems with unclean water and lack of sanitation," says Brent Hample of India Partners.
The World Bank says approximately 21% of all communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe drinking water. It's estimated that 665 million people in India defecate in open sewers or fields, infecting water sources with diseases like stomach worms, typhoid, and cholera.
Poor sanitation and hygiene practices hasten the spread of disease from village to village.
"We are working with Waiting for Water not only to provide a well, but also to educate the villagers in sanitation and hygiene practices," says Hample.
You can get involved, too. Just take the money from something you're giving up for Lent to help India Partners build clean water wells. For example, if your morning coffee costs $4.00 and you decided to give it up for Lent, that's $180 you could set aside for a water ministry like this.
Hample says, "It only costs $155 for one well to provide clean water for an entire village–around 1,000 people usually."
Wondering what Scripture says about issues like this?
At WaitingforWater.org, you'll find free resources such as "individual Bible studies, devotionals…sermon notes, group Bible study resources that tie in Scripture with water, sanitation, and hygiene," states Hample.
Lent begins this year on February 13–Ash Wednesday–and ends on March 30.
"Make that a time of devotion to learn more about this issue and what the Scriptures have to say about it," Hample says. Ask God what He would have you do during this time of remembering His sacrifice.
Click here to learn more about the opportunities with India Partners.
"Pray that people's hearts are open, that churches will want to go deeper and learn more about clean water and sanitation," requests Hample.
"Pray that God will mobilize the Church to unite and help provide Living Water, as well as physical water, around the world."
