United States (MNN) — Living Water International lost one of their co-founders, Harry Westmoreland, due to complications of heart surgery on February 16.
"Harry was a good man and faithful servant to the end. He loved his family and LWI more than words can say. His last words, the night before the surgery and the day of the surgery were ‘Either way, I will be ok,'" said his wife of 43 years, Jo Ann Westmoreland. "Harry died peacefully, as he lived his life."
His life was dedicated to a service that started on a mission trip to Kenya in the summer of 1990. Westmoreland's passion and vision to provide a source of clean water, as well as living water, to the poorest of people turned out unsuccessful in Kenya. However, it didn't end his dream of starting LWI.
Today LWI has completed 4,000 projects in 21 countries
Westmoreland's vision didn't stop at getting water to people but improving the system as well. In 1989, he constructed a light-weight, portable drill rig called the LS 100. He said that God actually invented it, he just manufactured it. Later, the LS 200 and 300 were born and are now used all over the world.
"My dad is my hero. I am so glad to have been on mission trips with him. I feel honored to have him as my father," said his daughter Alice Polacek. Westmoreland
often said that he wanted nothing more in life than to be a part of God's work.
Family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, friends honor Westmoreland's memory through the Harry Westmoreland Memorial Fund in order to continue his ministry. Donations can be
made on the LWI Web site.
Services are being held at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Texas, where he served as a deacon for many years, on Tuesday, February 20. Viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 9:45 with the service at 10:00 am. A lunch reception will follow.
Still think of Harry all the time.