Water Mission: Clean Water & Disaster Relief

The Church of the Good Samaritan has been involved with the Christian ministry "Water Mission" since 2004, and has provided financial support via the Missions Committee beginning in 2013. For several years until 2020, about 70% of this support came from the proceeds of Fair Days. Even without these Fair Days funds, the Committee is pleased to report that it was able to provide an increase of the church's support to $11,000 for this year. (Future news articles will give information on the full 2020 budget for supported ministries.)

Water Mission is a direct Christian response to the fact that 2.1 billion people world-wide (that's one-third of the world's population!) lacks access to safe water. Many at Good Samaritan are familiar with this ministry's water treatment facilities in Africa. Several of these are the direct result of our church's fundraising, spearheaded by Rusty Smith, including the annual Walk for Water and other special events. The yearly funds directed to Water Mission via the Missions Committee go beyond the mentioned fundraising efforts and are not designated for any certain purpose, but are given "For Where Needed".

This "For Where Needed" may seem a minor point, but for Water Mission's Christian ministry it is very important. Water Mission is in partnership with many organizations and receives grants and donations from several sources, many of which are secular and are directed to the activities of Water Mission that are not overtly "Gospel Proclaiming". Water Mission's leaders especially appreciate our unrestrictive giving as it helps them fulfill their mission to not only work in Christ's name, but also to directly further the gospel message to those they serve. Read more about Water Mission in general at their website.

While many are familiar with Water Mission clean water facilities in Africa (and around the world), they are also key players in immediate relief involving natural disasters around the world that make our news. On January 7, 2020, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico, leaving thousands of people without permanent shelter, power, and access to clean, safe water. Less than a week later, a second major earthquake struck the island. Working with Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA), which is setting up temporary outdoor shelters, Water Mission is already deploying and operating safe water systems that function despite power outages. In fact, Water Mission had been on the ground already with relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated much of the island in September 2017. More about these efforts, along with a link to donate directly to the relief is here.
 

People who give to Water Mission can do so with the confidence that their money is used as intended. For the last 13 years, Water Mission has received "Charity Navigator's" highest rating.