Water of Reconciliation
The morning weather is chilly. We are on a rough road from the top of the Rift Valley. The whole trip, although planned, left many of us in the car peeking through the windows, uncertain about the terrain of the area. We drove along a meandering route with a need for the driver to be especially careful to avoid a head-on collision with the huge rocks that come toppling down during the heavy rains. We are grateful that we offered a prayer for safety before the start of our journey from Eldoret!
The landscape of the area is blended beautifully with maize plantations along the road. They keep our eyes busy and distract us from the bumpy ride. I studied the maize plantations that run up to the apex of many escarpments and was left wondering how farmers could climb that high to farm on the steepest lands. We left Eldoret during the wee hours of the morning with the intention of reaching the village of Kalwal in Elgeyo Marakwet County on time. This day we are armed with the message of preaching reconciliation using a drilled water well.
At ten in the morning, we arrive at the compound of the Kalwal Christian Church Family. A few brethren are already in the area. The church pastor ushers us in. We are there to witness and dedicate the water well drilled by Christian Relief Fund.
For many years, CRF has been traversing across many areas in Kenya to make it possible for communities to have access to clean water. With the green vegetation currently thriving in the region you can be cheated to believe that this means the village has a clean source of water. On the contrary, the members of Kalwal Village for many years have been drinking from a dirty river.
When Francis Bii took the stand to address those present, his message was: “We should use this water to glorify God. Each one of us is aware that many people in the past have used issues of clannism to reject people from this community. This water should be used to reconcile with every member of this community because it was a miracle from God. All the gates should be left open so that everyone who wants to fetch this water can do so because it belongs to God.”
According to Mr. Korir who lives in this village: “My cows come running each morning to drink this water. If you are not careful they can run you over as they make their way to the church compound. I was among the last people to have migrated here, and I have gone through many difficulties. My neighbors blocked two of my shallow wells I had dug to get water for my animals due to clan clashes. I am grateful that this water is now accessible and free to all.”
Thank you, CRF, for ministering about reconciliation and making it possible for all to access a clean and reliable source of water.
