Thirst

Oh, to thirst. That stale taste of nothingness that leaves our mouths drenched in drought.

We crowded around the well, Americans alongside Africans, standing shoulder to shoulder in silence. Waiting…patiently waiting.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ John 7:38

Our lungs deflated as we waited for the knob to turn, the well to flow, for buckets to be filled.  Our ears rang through the silence their cries to hear the pelting of water to tin. Our eyes glued to the spout that would soon change their tomorrows.

American hearts were parched. With filled water bottles at our sides, souls that overflowed with truth, we still longed to experience His streams of mercy. A Christ so ever-present you could taste his Splendor. Just as our African brothers and sisters were left thirsty for the simple, yet pressing need for substance, American hearts stood desperately awaiting His accession in our midst.

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:14

After years of despair, and filth, and unquenched thirst—water would arrive. Pipes would deliver hope, veins would fill with life, a new promise revealed.

We watched as water broke the silence—first trickling then flooding the pail.

American lungs gasped in awe of provision unfolding, eyes spilled over as we witnessed the answer to prayers, the fulfillment of His promise to hear our cries.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18

In Sankpem, we left behind a symbol of the truth that is buried in the pits of our souls…a truth still foreign and untranslated in the hearts of our African neighbors. Our prayers for substance were met, our cries for provision answered, yet our prayers for redemption and deliverance are still lifted.

African mouths now experience the abundance of water that was once unattainable, a luxury they’d never known. But their souls…their souls are still thirsty. They’ve yet to drink from the wellspring of life.

So, we pray.

Father, reveal yourself to your African children. May they taste your splendor as they drink you in. Allow them to understand the Truth delivered to their village by your hands and feet. As the handle is turned, may they understand your provision. As their buckets overflow, may they be filled with your Spirit. Quench their thirst in ways unknown to them. When hearts are left wondering, reveal yourself as the answer. Thank you for answered prayer. Thank you for the chance to make your name known. Allow us to return to a village saturated in your presence. We praise you, we thirst for you, we love you. Amen.