By Pastor Leah Fintel Krotz, Trinity Lutheran Church, Bruning
In November of 2023, my husband, Rick, and I, along with a group of others from around the U.S., traveled to Uganda, which is located on the equator in eastern Africa, on a mission trip with Hope 4 Kids International. Uganda is absolutely beautiful, with some of the kindest, most hospitable people we’ve ever met. It also suffers from extreme poverty, much of which is due to the lack of clean, safe drinking water.
In many villages, up to 50% of the children will die before their 5th birthday. I think of what it would be like for to see our children or grandchildren walking for miles each day to fill jugs with muddy water from water holes they share with cattle and wild dogs, knowing that this is the only water they have to drink.
Disentery, cholera, infection, livestock hazards, drowning, assault, animal attacks, insects, and snake bites are just a few of the obstacles to retrieving water every day. Lack of safe water robs children (mostly girls) in Uganda of educational opportunities, trapping them in a life cycle of severe poverty, and most people have little or no access to adequate, affordable health care when they become sick.
I’ve shared some of our pictures and stories with our congregation here in Bruning, and peoples’ hearts have been stirred to help. As I write this, members of Trinity Lutheran—individual families, our youth group, our Sunday School, our women’s group—have stepped forward to give generously so that we can dig wells in remote Ugandan villages.
On Sunday, January 26th, we’ll be having a special service where Rick and I will talk about our experiences in Uganda. The public is invited to join us. In addition, we would be happy to share a presentation with any church, group, or organization who is interested. Please email pastoroftrinity1884@gmail.com if this is of interest to you, or if you would like to contribute personally.
If you have ever looked at all the troubles and problems in the world and wondered if there is anything you can do to really make a difference, please believe that giving to this project to drill wells could directly save hundreds, even thousands, of lives. [Jesus said] “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” ~Matthew 25:35
