Clean Water through Jesus Wells

Bringing Water, Breakthroughs and Redemption

"Almost all rivers are dry right now," shared one GFA World worker, Daniel. But the water shortage in his village in South Asia was just beginning. "The real drought will come in the summer days...We have to wait almost six and a half months for the rain to come."

Not far away, GFA World Pastor Layak spoke of the water shortage his people faced. In the summer especially, the people here would bring water from the other villages," he says. "The nearest village is at least four miles away."

Another village also experienced a lack of available clean water.

The GFA World pastor there said, "We store water during the rainy season, and we are still using that. It is not fresh water, and this causes a lot of physical problems, and people get different kinds of diseases. They become sick after drinking that kind of water.

People Are Desperate for More Than Water

But the need in these parched areas run deeper than the physical.

Many times, when a pastor comes to a village, the people misunderstand his motivations.

Blinded by the notion that the pastor cares solely about increasing the size of his following, many can't see his genuine love for them. They don't understand the depth of his concern for their overall welfare.

Today, many of our brothers on the field face similar situations. While they work tirelessly to minister to the people, many villagers will reject them, not understanding that God's love is not just for eternity, but for the here and now—practical and tangible.

Jesus Well Changes Hearts

Rani Thankur hated Christians—most people in her village did. They refused to pay attention to the local pastor whenever he shared about Christ's love. Rani in particular made a point of insulting the believers when she saw them. But the pastor, Suraj, has a great burden for these people, and he continued to trust the Lord to move in their hearts.

Pastor Gives Jesus Well to Water-Needy Village

The people from this village would walk a long distance to draw water from a well, but the well sometimes ran out of water. When it did, the villages were forced to draw water from a small river nearby. During monsoon season, the river becomes dirty, unhygienic, and foul-smelling. Those who could afford firewood would boil the water to remove impurities, but the water would remain odorous. Those who couldn't afford firewood would drink the water as it was, endure the smell and expose themselves to the pathogens and parasites contaminating the water.

Pastor Suraj and the believers began praying for a Jesus Well, and the Lord provided!

Video Highlight: How a Jesus Well Transformed Lives in West Bengal

West Bengal, India. Surrounded by water, these remote islands still desperately needed clean, safe water. This is the story of Nandita, Arnab and their families—and how a Jesus Well changed their lives.

Jesus Well Demonstrates Christ's Compassion to Many

Rani was too ashamed about her attitude toward the believers to draw water. However, one day while Rani was passing by the Jesus Well, Pastor Suraj invited her to draw water, and she sheepishly but gladly did.

Later on, Rani asked the pastor how he could possibly worship a "foreign god." Suraj talked with her and shared his testimony of how God changed his life. The Lord worked in her heart, and she eventually recognized God's love for her and responded to Him.

Her family reviled the decision. They told her to deny Christ, or else they wouldn't let her live with them anymore. But Rani stood firm. Now that she had come to know Christ, she wouldn't turn back, she told them. She also began sharing her story with others.

Rani isn't the only one who has been touched by the kindness and generosity shown through the Jesus Well: Many other villagers have left behind their hostility and are grateful toward Pastor Suraj for providing the Jesus Well.

Hearts Embrace Christ

The Lord has used Jesus Wells profoundly. The water is freely offered to all, regardless of their religious background. But his love, demonstrated so clearly through the Jesus Well, makes such an impression on the people's hearts that many choose to follow him.

They can understand that this is provided by Jesus—that really, Jesus is the God who considers us.

"They can understand that we are doing this for them," shares another pastor whose ministry has been strengthened through a Jesus Well.

"After a long time of struggling for water, now they are getting it," he adds.

Pastors See Breakthrough

Jesus Wells provides the opportunity to minister to many people.

A Jesus Well was drilled in the village Pastor Layak described, where the people once had a negative attitude toward the pastor.

"The people are very happy," he shared, "and most of the people are very positive toward our pastor in this village nowadays," says Daniel.

Most water sources in that area provide salty water, but only fresh, sweet water comes out of the Jesus Well. "People are saying, 'This is just because of God's grace. With our God only this has happened,'" reports Pastor Layak.

The village where people were getting sick because of the stagnant water, also received a Jesus Well. The plaque by that well, like those placed by every Jesus Well, displays John 4:13-14:

"Jesus answered and said to her: 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

"Before, they did not know about Him—[asking] Who is Jesus?" shares the pastor. "Many people ask regarding this name that we have on that [plaque]...Then they come to know about Him, that He cares for the people's needs and for their lives."

Jesus Wells Are...

Wise Investments

Although other water well projects can cost several times as much, GFA World is able to drill a well for only $1400.

When drilling a well, GFA hires a local contractor. Because that same contractor will be hired to drill a large number of wells, he will give a lower price per well. Additionally, most contractors in South Asia use simple equipment to drill and install wells, so their costs are low from the start.

$1400 = a Jesus Well for an entire village for decades

Maintained by a Local Church

Because each Jesus Well becomes a ministry of the local church, the pastor oversees the maintenance of the well. When a Jesus Well is first installed, the congregation commits to maintaining the well. They take responsibility for everything from lubricating the hand pump to replacing small parts to trimming the grass around the well—and sometimes even non-believers help out!

When a Jesus Well suffers serious damage from a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood, GFA World will pay for any needed repairs.

Built to Last

Wells are dug up to 200 meters to ensure water is available year-round, even during the driest summers.

Each well is installed with a heavy-duty handpump. The most common is the India Mark II model. The India Mark II hand pump is a heavy-duty and durable piece of equipment designed through joint efforts of several world service organizations. Although its rubber seals will need to be replaced about every four years, the pump is intended to operate 20 million cycles before requiring mechanical repair. This translates into a lifespan of approximately 20 years with eight hours of use daily. The pump’s simplicity makes it easy to fix. Standard specifications allow replacement parts to be easily obtained at a minimal cost.


Donate to Jesus Wells

$1400 provides a well that gives clean water for an entire village to be saved from waterborne diseases and have clean water for years.


Thank You for Helping Us

I extend my heartfelt thanks and greetings to those who supported and prayed for this Jesus Well! On behalf of all my church members and from these villagers and especially my family and me...thank you so much for helping us to survive and for helping us to [share God's love] in this place. —GFA supported pastor

How Your Donations Are Applied

We value your donation and are committed to good stewardship of the funds entrusted to us by our friends and donors. All gift options represent GFA’s actual ministry efforts to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities. Regardless of particular preferences, monies are raised for ministry purposes, and GFA retains discretion to use donated funds in any manner that serves GFA’s charitable objectives.

Get Involved

Donate to Drill a Jesus Well in Asia

$1400 provides a well that gives clean water for an entire village to be saved from waterborne diseases and have clean water for years.

Donate a Well

Fundraising Campaign

Through the myGFA fundraising tool, you can answer Jesus' call to share His love while inspiring the same desire in the hearts of others around you. These campaigns are to created to help the poor and equip missionaries in some of the most difficult areas of Asia—where millions have yet to experience His love.

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Pray for Clean Water

Pray for:

  • Those struggling with waterborne diseases
  • Jesus Wells make an impact for people in need
  • More resources to drill more wells and produce more filters
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