The text came through in the middle of the night:
Amsterdam. Taking a shower!
I smiled. I could only imagine how happy my man must be, after nearly two weeks in Africa, to arrive at the Amsterdam airport and indulge in the most lavish luxury: A hot shower. What an ingenious amenity for an international airport to offer!
Of course he had access to clean water, staying with Next Generation Ministries missionaries Paul & Pam Hunter. But there’s nothing like the feeling of hot, clean water drenching you from above, water you know is clean, where you don’t have to remember to keep your mouth closed tightly.
And here in Oregon, of course, in what feels like the clean-water capital of the world, we can turn a facet and drink ice-cold, crystal clear, spring water straight from the tap.
I remember three years ago, on this day, we did an experiment on this day: We didn’t use any water for a whole day.
It was AWFUL. We couldn’t flush. Couldn’t wash. Couldn’t drink. It was a bizarre year and there was snow on the ground, so I spent the day melting snow just to satisfy our thirst a tiny bit and try to cook something for dinner. I remember feeling so panicky, even just for one day, not having water available to wash my hands or drink, clean or cook.
I truly cannot even fathom having to live like that. And yet, so many do. To give you more info about the lack of clean water in our world, here’s a fun infographic, put out by one of our favorite mission organizations, Gospel for Asia: Perhaps you might consider today making a contribution toward a well, providing clean water for those who desperately need it. Thank you so much.
