It had been nearly 40 years since the people of Esilalei village had a well from which they could draw clean water. The prevous well was closed after a lion fell into it and died, polluting the water. Not knowing what else to do, They had simply filled it in with dirt and for nearly a generation they had languished with no access to a source of clean water.
During those years, some of the children died from water-borne diseases picked up from the shallow watering holes that the people shared with their cattle. So this day, in which they would celebrate the opening of a new well, was one worthy of great festivity.
The day began with overcast skies in Moshi Tanzania as we climbed into our four-wheel drive vehicles and headed for the Maasai village of Esilalei where a crowd was already gathering for the big celebration. We drove for several hours watching the landscape change from the lush green foliage of banana and coffee plantations around Mt. Meru to the wide open savannah of Maasai Land with its dry ground and scrubby vegetation.
The sky had been transformed to a vibrant blue with only an occasional wisp of a white cloud to be seen over the vast terrain. As we crested a hill, we could see in the distance, a small sea of red against the backdrop of the rocky brown earth. It was the distinctive tribal clothing of the Maasai people standing in stark contrast to the dusty land. As we drew nearer, we could see that a crowd of over 200 people had gathered at the site of the water well which was to be dedicated that day.
The crowd was evenly divided with men huddled together in one area and the women, decorated with their elaborate beaded jewelry, standing a respectful distance away. Before long, a group of young warriors, known as “morani,” began to assemble to dance and sing a traditional Maasai song associated with the killing of a lion. Maasai Pastor Zablon Laizer explained the significance to us. The villagers had decided to perform the “lion dance” during this important event, because they said, through this water well, “We have slain the lion of thirst.”
We unveiled a sign which we had brought from the U.S. and cemented into the ground in front of the well. The sign read: The Well of God’s Faithfulness – a gift for the people of Esilalei – from friends of Hidden With Christ Ministries. This sign was so true, as we had seen the faithfulness of God every step of the way in bringing this well to pass. because of the generosity of our dear friends, the high price of drilling that well had been paid in full. and then, what had been called impossible had been made possible - God himself had raised the static water level of this very deep well to a level that enabled us to install a hand pump rather than an electric submersible pump, saving thousands of dollars and much time. then another miracle occurred,Lance whyle, a missionary from a ministry called living water, had miraculously appeared on the scene and just “happened” to have a hand pump that fit our well perfectly, and was able to take two days out of his busy schedule to install it. it was certainly a day to rejoice over the faithfulness of God!
With the help of a portable P. A. system and small generator, I addressed the crowd. Speaking in English with translation into both the Kiswahili and Maasai languages, I told the people that this well was a gift from God and a sign that He had not forgotten them.
Telling the story of Jesus sitting down by the well in Samaria, I explained there was both natural water for the body offered by that well, and “living water” for the soul offered by Jesus. God wanted them to have both types of water. Offering a simple explanation of God’s gift of salvation, I invited all who desired to receive God’s forgiveness and love to raise their hands. Clearly 75% of the crowd did so and they followed Pastor Zablon in a prayer to give their lives and hearts to Jesus. It was a day of rejoicing that those present will never forget.
Our team then presented each person with a small gift to remember the occasion. It was a simple plastic cup inscribed with the words written in Kiswahili, “The Well of God’s Faithfulness.” Each person also received a piece of fruit, a package of biscuits and a tract with the salvation message in Kiswahili.
We then drank from the well and rejoiced. The village elders came forward and offered their appreciation and presented a goat and lamb as a gift. They asked if I would take their gifts back with me to America. I gently explained that the government would not allow it, but I promised to take the goat and lamb to our orphanage in Moshi, and they were pleased with that idea. (Those animals got an exciting 3 hour ride in the back of our pick-up truck!) It was an unforgettable day for everyone involved.
It is our desire to dig more wells at Maasai villages like Esilalei. God has placed another village for a well project on our heart. If you would like to partner with us and make a donation designated for our next well project click here.
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