"Jesus Wells" Refreshing Body and Spirit and Preparing the Way for the Gospel in South Asia

GFA Staff : Mar 19, 2012
Gospel for Asia

"The digging of the Jesus Well was in itself a miracle. Others had attempted to dig a well in the village but not seen water even at depths of 300 feet. So when Kavi saw water at around 100 feet, villagers were amazed."

One day's work brings fresh, clean water to a dry, dusty village in Rajasthan, India

Most of us take for granted the water which flows freely from our taps. But for many villages in South Asia, this basic life necessity is often in short supply. Village wells may dry up—especially during drought season—and it is not unusual for families to walk several miles just to find water for their household needs.

If you are a Dalit, one of Asia's "Untouchables," you will likely be barred from drawing water from the village well at all because of your inferior social status. And Christians suffer too, as persecution commonly comes in the form of banning them from the local water source.

But God is providing Jesus Wells for such communities. Bearing a plaque with the inscription of Jesus' words in John 4:13-14 about offering eternally satisfying water, each well is a tangible expression of Jesus' love. The well not only provides families with life-nourishing physical refreshment, but also points them to the true source of Living Water.

Imagine the joy of Christians in Asia—as well as "Untouchable" Dalits—when a Jesus Well is dug in their village! Not only are the Believers encouraged in their faith, but by God's gracious provision, hundreds of communities have been transformed—for now and eternity—through the Jesus Wells outreach.

Another Story of how the Jesus Wells are making inroads for the Gospel

A Gospel for Asia missionary, Kavi knew he was laboring in hard soil in his village in Andhra Pradesh, India. And the spiritual drought experienced by its people was worse than the physical drought they suffered in the summers. The people of this village lived hard lives focused on daily survival, and most did not have faith in any god.

By God's grace, Kavi has seen a church planted there—and Believers who are eager to help him with outreach. Still, the hearts of many in the village have remained hard. Kavi has suffered beatings several times for sharing the Good News of Jesus. One time, a group of 30 people came to his house to attack him. The Gospel tracts he handed out were torn into pieces on many occasions.

But Kavi knew the people weren't really rejecting him—they were rejecting Jesus who sent him. And he knew there just had to be some way to get through to these people whom Jesus loved so much.

That way turned out to be a Jesus Well. Before the Jesus Well was dug in this village, the people's only source of water was one government-built water tank that was not nearly enough to meet their basic needs. Kavi knew the Jesus Well would be a tangible way to show the villagers that Jesus loved them.

Sudhir Rao, a new Christian in the village, gladly provided his services as a mason to help with construction.

The digging of the Jesus Well was in itself a miracle. Others had attempted to dig a well in the village but not seen water even at depths of 300 feet. So when Kavi saw water at around 100 feet, villagers were amazed.

Kavi and the Believers in his church prayed fervently and lifted up praise to God before digging the well.

"People told me, 'Your God is a great God,'" Kavi recalls.

Even the village leader expressed heartfelt appreciation to Kavi for providing his people with water—and that he desired to see another well dug in a nearby area.

Although the well was just dug in recent months, Kavi has already seen God wash away barriers in the villagers' hearts through its refreshing waters. Hearts have been brought that much closer to being able to receive the message of hope in Christ. And he has a vision of faith for how God will continue to work.

"Through this Jesus Well, surely those who have beaten me and are against me will come to know the Lord Jesus," Kavi shared.