Mission Trip - Nicaragua
Mission Video Mission Slide Show
On October 22, 2011, the mission team from Immanuel drilled a water well in Leon, Nicaragua and also provided hygiene training. The team returned on October 29, and was made up of 8 drillers and 4 hygiene team facilitators. Participants included: Mera O'Connell, Sue Skalet, Kelly Lawson, Nancy Anderson, Jess Miller, Troy Arneson, Scott Wittenwyler, Mat Wittenwyler, Pastor Jared Parmley, Bob Parmley, Nita Parmley and John Schmitt.
Once in Nicaragua they joined an in-field staff, employed and trained by Living Water International that assisted them in building the well.
The team was excited to be the hands and feet of Christ on this mission trip and feel blessed to represent the disciples of Immanuel Lutheran Church, helping to drill the well that was paid for by donations from Immanuel disciples. A name plate was affixed to the well noting Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin as the sponsor.
The facts:
• 1 child dies every 15 seconds because of water-related disease.
• 1.8 million children die from diarrhea every year, more than armed conflict and terrorism combined.
• 2.6 billion people are without adequate sanitation.
• 884 million people lack access to safe water.
• 884 million chances to reveal the glory of God
The problem:
• Water is a health issue - Unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene cause nearly 90% of diseases in the world.
• Water is a women’s issue - Women and girls in developing countries commonly spend 15-20 hours per week collecting water and often walking up to 7 miles carrying the water.
• Water is an education issue – Water-related diseases cost 443 million school days per year and over 150 million school-age children are infested with water-borne parasites.
The solution:
Clean water changes everything. No single factor transforms communities more than clean water. Access to clean water and sanitation reduces diseases and health costs, increases productivity, saves time and allows children to be in school. This water crisis has to be solved one community at a time, using solutions that are appropriate for each community.
For more information, visit Living Water International.