From January 1 through May 31, the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church endeavored to raise $3,500 to purchase one rainwater collection tank to provide water for a village in Uganda. Through the efforts of HFCAC, Women of Hope and the generosity of those in Hoosick Falls et al, over $10,500 came in – enough to provide a safe water source for three Ugandan villages.
The first tank, sponsored by Women of Hope of the greater Cambridge area, is located in Nansana. Besides providing life giving water, James Harrington, Director of UWP, reports, “One of the great things about this location is that one of the men from the church is an accomplished contractor and did such a great job installing this tank that we took his contact information so that we can use him for other work in the future.”
The second tank was sponsored by the people of Hoosick Falls and others, including funds raised through Hoosick Falls Elementary School. It is installed at True Vine Secondary School in Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda. UWP had previously placed a water tank at the girls’ dorm at True Vine. James Harrington, UWP Director, said our tank is providing clean water for the boys’ dorm which was very much needed and the Headmaster stated he is glad this will help keep the boys and girls segregated a bit more.
The third tank, sponsored by HF Community Alliance, was installed at Entebbe Full Gospel Church in Entebbe, a major town in Central Africa. It is also the location of the Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s largest commercial and military airport and the State House, the official office and residence of the President of Uganda.
We were excited to receive pictures last week, to see the finished products and to hear that the tanks are in full operation. A trip is being planned to Uganda in May to visit these villages to meet the people and begin developing relationships. If you are sensing a call, contact Gail Smith at HFCAC at 686-3269.
Thank you to all who gave so generously. We are overwhelmed to think that our little corner of the world could have such a tremendous impact on others who are less fortunate. It is through your generosity that death and disease rates will be cut dramatically in these three villages; that mothers and children no longer have to walk two to five miles twice a day to draw water from sources which are often infiltrated with micro-organisms and bacteria; that children can now attend school and mothers can learn trades or help tend to farm animals to help meet their families’ needs. You have helped to bring hope where there once was none.
Besides providing hope through physical water, UWP also provides Hope through Living Water – Jesus Christ (John 4). As we enter fully into this Christmas season, is HOPE not what it is all about? “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” We all need that Hope.
Despite our need and in light of the adversity, tragedy and poverty that we see all around us, let us consider this Christmas season how we might extend a ray of hope to someone, whether in the physical or spiritual sense – even through a simple smile.
Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church will hold its Christmas Eve service at 7 pm on Christmas Eve at 484 Hill Road. For more information about HFCAC and our ministries, contact the Church at 686-3269.
May you know the love and hope of Jesus Christ this Christmas season.