PATSY'S WELL
The Challenge
The Vision
From
that moment on God placed in my heart a desire for our family to dig a well. I began saving
my money and waiting for an opportunity to dig. Joey said, “I will help but, I would like for us to dig the
well at a church. Providing a community with water is a wonderful ministry but
what better way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ than to use one of man’s
basic needs, water, as a tool to share spiritual water.” And to that end we
began praying.
Jesus
modeled this type of ministry. People’s physical needs became the avenue in
which Jesus met their spiritual needs. When the woman came to the well for
drinking water Jesus was intentional about offering her “living water.” Because
of this encounter an entire village was evangelized. As Followers of Christ we
are to care about providing people’s physical needs. However, this is the means
not the end. If must be intentional about sharing the “living water” or the
gospel will not be furthered. The action will be nothing more than a humanitarian
or civic gesture.
The Opportunity
Then we received our July Hands on Missions newsletter, Joey said, “Read this.” I
read the letter, about the village in Chittoor, India. After Sam Stutts, with Hands on Missions, shared the gospel
with the people, they were saved. Not only were they saved but they wanted Pastor Stutts to build them a church. He told them “he
could not”, but “they could.”
He called the men together to pray for a church and God began to work in their midst. Two men donated the land, others began baking bricks, others donated wood and windows. This might seem quite simple but the only water was transported in on a truck. When that water ran out Sam challenged them to begin praying for a well. What a tremendous testimony to the power of prayer and of the faithfulness of God to answer prayer. Two scriptures immediately came to my mind. 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
God is faithful to those who walk by faith. The believers in Chittoor were trusting God to provide their needs. Joey and I were trusting God to open doors of opportunity.
He called the men together to pray for a church and God began to work in their midst. Two men donated the land, others began baking bricks, others donated wood and windows. This might seem quite simple but the only water was transported in on a truck. When that water ran out Sam challenged them to begin praying for a well. What a tremendous testimony to the power of prayer and of the faithfulness of God to answer prayer. Two scriptures immediately came to my mind. 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
God is faithful to those who walk by faith. The believers in Chittoor were trusting God to provide their needs. Joey and I were trusting God to open doors of opportunity.
Responding to the Challenge
We knew that God had planned a purpose some five years ago but we did not know the particular need, but we know as we "set our heart on God He will direct our steps." We can trust that if we are sensitive to God's leading, he will show us where to join in ministry. When
God calls, he equips.
God prepared my heart and the funds so when the opportunity came through the mail in the July newsletter, we were prepared. I went to my stash and we had enough to drill the well. However, it was not enough for the pump, pipe and other materials. Joey kept his promise to help, so he matched my donation. I called Rev. Walker, with Hands on Missions and asked if anyone had responded to the need. He said, “No.” We were so excited, because this was our affirmation that God would use us to fulfill the dream that he placed in my mind years ago.
God calls, he equips.
God prepared my heart and the funds so when the opportunity came through the mail in the July newsletter, we were prepared. I went to my stash and we had enough to drill the well. However, it was not enough for the pump, pipe and other materials. Joey kept his promise to help, so he matched my donation. I called Rev. Walker, with Hands on Missions and asked if anyone had responded to the need. He said, “No.” We were so excited, because this was our affirmation that God would use us to fulfill the dream that he placed in my mind years ago.
Naming of the Well
Joey
wanted it to be called "Patsy’s Well," but I did not want it to glorify me. I came home and began praying about this, and actually researched the origin of my name. The origin of Patsy means “noble or regal.” The urban dictionary defines Patsy
as a scapegoat, or one who takes the blame and is punished for the sin of others. This made sense to me not. This well really wasn't about me. When
someone ask, "why Patsy," the door will open for them the gospel of Jesus. to tell how Jesus
died for our sins to provide us “Living Water.”
“But Christ came as High Priest . . .. Not with the blood of goats and
calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all,
having obtained eternal redemption.
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. . . And
according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without
shedding of blood there is no remission. . . . So Christ was offered once to
bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a
second time, apart from sin, for salvation. . . . For it is not possible that
the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. . . .
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By that will we have been sanctified through
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the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all . . . . This Man, after He had offered one
sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. . . . For by
one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. . . . Says
the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will
write them," then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I
will remember no more."
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Hebrews
9:11--10:17 (NKJV)
Living Water from the Well
All who come to this well will be given fresh drinking water as well as the opportunity to meet Jesus. They will learn that it was Jesus our scapegoat, who took upon himself their sin, and the sins of the world, that we might have eternal life. Jesus offers all who receive him and believe in Him, "living water," - eternal life. Because we can belong to God, through our position in Christ, we become a part of the nobel family.
My prayer is that all who come to this well drink fresh water, will
go back to their home and village, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your Opportunity to Serve
Hands on Missions have
started a school in Chittoor, India. They have many needs there as well as
needs in many other areas of the world where they are involved in missions. I
believe that God has been speaking to you about getting involved. Hands on
Missions focuses on teaching people to seek God and He will supply their
needs. But we know that God uses His Followers to supply those needs. 100% of
the money given will be used for the intent it was given. Would you help me
raise the money for this ministry? Contact Hands on Missions at http://handsonmissions.org or 704-471-1150 and tell them you want to join
Patsy in supporting the ministry. Maybe you would want to donate a one time
gift, or an amount each month.
Patsy C.
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