Missionary Choi had handed our team one bottle of water each as we made our way into the village. Dust has smoldered our faces like dry paint but what was really crackling was our dry throats. Little did we know, that that one bottle was meant to last us each for four days. Poor Moose ended up drinking the water that was collected from the grooves of the insecticide sprayed tent. Thank God it rained.

I'm also sorry to share that my open defecation somewhere in bushy Tanzania has contributed to the serious lack of sanitation that creates a greater risk of diarrheal diseases, parasites and hepatitis.

Even though some of us have tasted dehydration, I'm not confident enough to say that any of us would ever drink from the muddy waters that one billion people are doing now.

I remember the gloomy faces of my Seminarian friends, wondering what their gloom was about, and soon enough it had come over me too for there was no dinner that night, because there was no water left in the well.

Dakawa is the name of one village that I could never forget. Our team was standing face to face with poverty yet we were treated like kings and queens. The mothers would walk to town carrying empty gasoline containers to fill it with precious water, but it didn't stop there. They also gathered sticks and made a fire, so that their guests could take a hot bath. They also made a makeshift bathroom just for our team, and not once did we go dirty or thirsty.

See, even then, just because I was an American, I was treated like I had a right to clean water. But that is everyones right isn't it?

I can't even imagine what it is like to drink from muddy puddles, even when I'm there, even when I'm standing in the midst of it, it's like I have "wealth" written on my forehead and water seems all too plentiful. But it's not. It's really not.

So, what now? I'm not saying we should try and change the world, but let's help with one village! So in the spirit of Christmas cheer, instead of buying gifts for one another (I hope I'm not imposing) let's build a well! I hope to raise $2,500 this Christmas by asking for donations of $25.00 or more. Oh and 100% goes to direct project costs. :)

Merry Christmas Church!

-Grace Na