This region is interlaced with thousands of miles of rivers and "cochas" or lakes. The very ground is saturated with water.
Dig a hole nearly anywhere and within minutes it will begin to fill with water.
The people of this region can and do use the river waters for washing and drinking. The problem is the numerous bacteria
and parasites that are prevalent in these waters.Nearly 80 % of the health problems in developing countries are caused by impure drinking water.
A substance as abundant as pure water is often taken for granted in America where it is readily available with the simple twist of a knob.
Jesus said whoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple shall in no way lose his reward.
Christian Emergency Relief Teams (CERT) International has initiated a project called Wells of Living Water to provide pure sources of drinking
water in the Northern part of Peru for the Ticuna Indians.
One of our partners generously funded the purchase of a drilling rig. In March of 2004 an evangelism and water well drilling team from Tucson,
Arizona met with George Willis, International Field Coordinator for CERT International and drilled 3 successful wells. The team from Tucson included
David Hibberd, Cam Anderson, Bruce Steenson and Jim Kazal. The evangelism team of Pastor Pat McClanahan his son Matt and Helena Anderson and son
Jacob and Brittney Nolen ministered the living water of the Word of God through preaching, sharing and the ministry of music.
We are excited about this brand new project and it's potential for improving the health of the Ticunas. It is a wonderful sight
to see the pure sparkling water begin to flow as the
wells are developed, and to watch the children frolic and play in it as the villagers gather with buckets and pails to carry it to their huts.
These wells are now producing thousands of gallons of cold clear water every day. The benefits are manifold with the most
important being the drastic decline in stomach parasites and a general improvement in overall health.