by John Zwicker
"I was thirsty and you gave me to drink.” (Matt. 25:35)
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| John Zwicker @JohnZwicker1 on Twitter is a Catholic swimming pool designer/contractor residing in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, Canada with his wife and 7 children. |
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, a handful of Catholics began working together on Twitter in a Lenten hope of raising funds to build a well for a desperate Catholic Mission in Africa. We use the Twitter Hashtag: #YearofMercyWell.
It is a formidable task. Preliminary guesstimates for the cost of well construction, including storage tank and plumbing, is $45,000 in U.S. currency. This grassroots collection of promoters are hoping others will come on board to promote the need. They pray, with this increase in numbers, they will have a successful campaign.
Currently, the water for the Awasi Mission in Kenya comes from seasonal natural sources such as streams, creeks and ditches. Awasi is
one of 17 missions, 11 secondary schools, 25 primary schools, plus chapels and hospitals served by Father Joseph Mungai, a Third Order Franciscan Missionary from the Archdiocese of Kisumu, Kenya. He estimates he serves 50,000 of God's people.
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Fr. Joseph Mungai at home in Kenya
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During the dry season, water is not available, except through vendors who sometimes resort to unscrupulous means, such as high prices or more alarmingly, the vendors expect sex for water.
“That's what is happening” says Father Joseph, “Sex for water, it's disgusting.”
Those campaigning for Father Joseph are very concerned for the well being, safety and lives of the people of the Awasi Mission. David Ives, managing the campaign's gofundme account, Father Joe's Water Well,
writes: “Their only clean water nearby comes from unscrupulous vendors who may force them to pay with their bodies or with their lives should they refuse. All they need is a well. We can help them.”
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Fr. Joseph Mungai is visiting
the U.S. in February to raise money
for his people's water needs
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Catholic blogger Peg Pondering Again writes, “They do not have clean drinking water and help is needed.” Recently, as a result of drinking tainted water, some, including children, were hospitalized.
It is hoped that funds will be raised and the well installed during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, which began on Dec. 8, 2015 and will end Nov. 20, 2016. Father will dedicate the well in honour of Canadian Mohawk Saint Kateri Tekakwitha whose homeland is shared by both the U.S. and Canada (where it is
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Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Lily of the Mohawks
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A recent newscast detailed the plight of this Awasi Mission and motivated the participants to assist Father Joseph in a Lenten Campaign, commencing Ash Wednesday: Water Crisis in Awasi
Donations are accepted at:
OR
2.) Sr Larraine
11714 Main Street, Middletown Ky 40357
Contact: 502–356-9281 or Larraine@waterwithblessings.
Those wishing to assist in the promotion of this cause may contact any of the following:
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| "I Thirst." |
"For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him, saying: 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and feed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee?' And the king answering, shall say to them: 'Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:35-40)
