Thirty Years of Memories

As we celebrate 30 years with Cru, we are recalling some of the significant or funny moments we've experienced.

At church on Sunday, Catelin led the class as we talked about miracles. Throughout the years, we have seen God's hand provide in very specific ways as we stepped out with Cru.

As a young family in Minnesota, we worked with Cru's high school ministry.  Our landlords told us we needed to move out of our little duplex.  I was filled with anxiety about about where we would because we didn't have much notice.

As we drove by a house right next to the high school where we were ministering, Dayna pointed out a moving truck being loaded.  She wanted us to ask about it.

I said, "Look, it is the last day of the month, and they are moving out.  Tomorrow the new renters will move in.  Let's just go."

But Dayna told me to stop the car and she got out and walked up and talked to the people there.  

It was available, more than twice as big, for less rent, and a perfect location.  I mean, Catelin's bedroom window looked out over the football field of the high school.  I had to take 8 steps to be on school property.

A miracle?  It sure felt like it to me.  Another example of God’s surprising provision for us over all these years.

Helping GAIN help others.

The Gain Leadership Team.

Within the last month, I (Barrett) spent a week in Dallas with the leadership team of GAIN (gainusa.org) helping them make progress on clarifying their mission, purpose, and strategy.  They provide humanitarian aide in support of the work of Cru around the world.  The team does amazing work, and I’m getting to help them work more effectively as a team.  

I truly am excited about the growing impact they will have around the world.

Much of their work provides a platform or credibility for our staff who serve in difficult locations, and the needs they meet conveys the love of God and opens hearts to encounter Jesus.

One of the projects they work on is providing wells for water poor villages.  I've shared the story of a village in Tanzania below.

It is an honor to partner with you in helping bring the gospel to people all around the globe.  Thank you for all you do to allow us to serve with Cru.

With much love,

Ikundilo Village, Tanzania April 2016

Latitude: -2.845311  Longitude: 34.156504

Drinking water in Ikundilo comes from either a shallow well or a hand-dug hole. The laborious task of fetching water takes hours each day, especially in the dry season when women and children must wander further from the village to find water. Retrieving water can also involve danger from hyenas living in dens found in the rocky hills nearby. Hyenas commonly chase or attack people getting water during dark hours.

The task of collecting water each day falls to these women. They often wake at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. to avoid long lines at shallow wells or to be the first to find water in the bottom of holes.

The notoriously dry Bariadi area posed challenges for locating a deep well site. According to Dismas Shekalaghe of LIFE Ministry, GAiN's partner ministry in Tanzania, an entire week spent drilling to 300 feet in one location produced no water. Four drilling attempts ended in dry wells. However, by God's grace, three additional attempts resulted in water! You provided this successful well in Ikundilo Village.

Now, 500 families--several thousand people--have easy access to clean water.

When the team from GAiN arrived for the well dedication, people from the village streamed out, shouting, singing, and playing music. Some ran and danced carrying clubs or machetes. The mood was full of excitement and celebration!

People gathered in the shade for the dedication. Kepha Mlugu from LIFE Ministry addressed the crowd. He introduced community leaders and guests from GAiN and Thirst No More, GAiN's drilling partner. The crowd shouted and applauded in agreement when leaders thanked the guests, and you, for the new well!

Children climbed the tree to get a better view over the crowd.  Women brought their buckets to try out the new well!

The well, having been in place for only a few weeks, became a catalyst for a new church. Simon, wearing the orange jacket, serves as pastor of the young church. His work with LIFE Ministry inspired him to plant this church in Ikundilo.

Only one month old at the time of the celebration, the new church in Ikundilo consisted of 72 members--30 adults and 42 children. LIFE Ministry strives to build a partnership of pastors to reach this area using the provision of clean water to share Christ's love. Their plan calls for planting 1,000 churches by the year 2020. Deep-water wells, as part of a bold church planting strategy, provide both physical and spiritual living water to the people of the Bariadi region. Because of the dire need for water in these villages, beginning relationships through deep-water wells opens doors to show people the power of God.