“Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink.” So laments the cursed sailor in the epic poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798). Paraclete associates Michael and Linda Whitener spent ten days ministering to an entire community with a similar plight. Partnering with a 17-member team from The Bucket Ministry, they traveled on the upper deck of a small boat 55 hours eastward, down the Amazon River from Manaus, Brazil. The Amazon River is massive. It has a greater output of fresh water than the next seven biggest rivers in the world. So, except for the waves, the three- to six-mile-wide waterway seems ocean-like. Tiny villages cling to its banks, squeezed between jungle on one side and brown water on the other.
The team landed at one of those villages, the home of the Quilomboa people. These folks are the descendants of Angolan African slaves who escaped Brazilian sugar plantations and fled to the jungle. Most were recaptured, but a few communities managed to survive until Brazil outlawed slavery in 1888. They are still not recognized as citizens, nor do they benefit from Brazil’s welfare system. Even the surrounding people groups do not accept them.
Michael, Linda, and the team arrived to minister to an essential need the Quilomboas and their neighbors deal with every day—no access to safe drinking water. They have neither funds nor equipment to drill wells. Their only water source is the river itself. And that’s a big problem. The chocolate brown water contains a multitude of debris, pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria, and parasites. Not a single villager could recall ever going an entire week without a serious illness or malady—indigestion, weakness, fever, diarrhea, malnutrition, etc. That was their “normal.” The Whiteners worked with the Bucket Ministry as they followed a four-step procedure.
First, they assess a community’s access to clean water.
Second, they distribute a bucket and filter system to each family. These units filter out 99.99% of all bacteria, parasites, and harmful particulates and yield clean, safe drinking water. Everyone immediately sees the water quality improvement. It’s not long before they also enjoy the health benefits. Each unit costs about $50 to assemble and will last the average family 20 years. Training in use and maintenance is provided.
Third, they share an antiparasitic medicine.
Fourth, they share the Gospel. Pastors receive training and become the primary administrators of the program, which means the gift of clean water comes from the local church. And this opens many doors for evangelism and discipling.
Like other Paraclete associates, Michael and Linda found an avenue to use their God-given talents and training to come alongside another ministry. They helped The Bucket Ministry team assemble the units during their long boat trip. Then, once on shore, Michael chronicled their ministry with photographs and video. Linda, a nurse practitioner, also administered a health clinic.
All photos by Michael Whitener
2 thoughts on “Not a Drop to Drink”
Who wrote this? The way it is written is so good! Brings vivid imagery to the story! Love!
I did, Glenda. Glad you like it. Please pray for those living along Amazon Jungle rivers.