Water thoughts

Today I received a video in my inbox, one that spills with gratitude and joy as a woman speaks hopefully of the chance for her son to go somewhere during the day where he gets clean water. Clean water to drink, for his food to be prepared in, for brushing his teeth. Just one of her children might make it, might have a chance to defy the odds that declare you won't have a chance to contribute to the world.

A Mother dreams of safe water

The sheer significance of this amazed me and shocked me out of my normal comfortable western world. Just the other afternoon I ran along the vast expanse of a clean beach, I double- cartwheeled and accidentally fell into the water where my friend asked "are you gonna have a drink?" to which I responded "course not!". I wouldn't dream of drinking from the ocean. Yet, I live next to the ocean; I live close to the Sweetwater creek, and Tagalong creek, and I live in a place where rain is plentiful, and I live within a house whose every room boasts a tap that brings forth fresh healthy and clean water, and an abundance of it, at any moment I wish. Would I even dream of taking a sip in the ocean? Never! But the sad truth is that the salty water in the sea is probably far better and less harmful than what this woman has ever known.

Back to the video...

This rural living Tanzanian woman, lives in such a place that it takes 5 hours to walk for a day's supply of water. And that journey can be whittled down to 3 hours, if you're lucky enough to have a bike. And mind you, this riding route is no manicured Melbourne cycle path. Let me tell you about the quality of this supply. They can't even make the choice: is dirty water swimming with all kinds of microorganisms that carry life-limiting and health-diminishing viruses better than no water at all? People say that education is the key to success and breaking out of the poverty cycle. But before that, when you consider that 5 hours of your day is fetching water not to mention house chores and the inevitably large distance to a formal school, you might also consider that school isn't a possibility.

How can it be that most days I don't even spare a thought to be thankful for this life-giving resource that is necessary for my survival. No matter whether I materially have much or have little, I am affluent, I am rich, I am abundantly blessed. Because of where I live. So while I'm focusing on simplicity through the season of Lent, I will confess my ingratitude each morning and thank my Father who gives me water that is a blessing and health and not a curse and disease.

oh,and if reading this drives you to want to be part of assisting another son like Asha's to drink good water and have a chance at life... I encourage you to join me as a partner with Compassion Australia- https://www.compassion.com.au

Blessed to be a blessing!