Rain + Jugs + Filter + Tears

Solving an equation for clean water for a school in Belize

“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall have a great mission trip.”

That’s what Derrick Pitts, the Belize Filter of Hope director, tells his mission teams. Mission trips rarely go precisely as planned.

But halfway through their mission trip to Belize, Calvary Christian Church and Filter of Hope staff members Dan and Jill Bauer had experienced exactly what they had hoped for. Dan said they visited many homes, installed filters that produce clean water for 10 years, and shared the gospel in every home.

“When the week finished, our team of 23 had installed 127 filters and saw 93 family members receive Christ.” 

For many on the Calvary Christian team from Bellevue, Nebraska, this trip was a step outside of their comfort zone. “Many had never left the United States before, and most had never been on a mission trip.” About all Bellevue has in common with Belize is the first three letters.

After getting into the groove of filter distribution for a couple of days, the team was asked to step out of their comfort zone again on day three. “Pastor Greg, our in-country partner that day, suggested our team stop by his church’s partner school to sing songs with students.” 

The team had no instruments, had never visited a Belize school, and wouldn’t find this activity anywhere on the trip schedule. But they responded with “no problem” and walked to the nearby Pilgrim Fellowship School. Serving Pastor Greg and the local church would be their priority.

Blessed are the flexible.

There, 80 students dressed in matching blue school uniforms awaited the team, all gathered under a tree. The children sat in small wooden seats and desks that they had carried out from their classrooms. But now there was another concern. “As our team stood in front of the kids, the sky was getting dark. There was a storm on the way.”

"As our team stood in front of the kids, the sky was getting dark. There was a storm on the way."

The school’s principal, Arlette Mossiah, asked the team to lead the kids in songs of worship. “We sang traditional church songs like Amazing Grace, This Little Light of Mine, and Jesus Loves Me.” 

The students sang along until the sky suddenly opened up and rain began pouring down. 

In a frenzied attempt to avoid getting soaked, everyone rushed inside the school, carrying desks and chairs with them. The storm picked up quickly, and the power went out in the school. 

Without any direction, the Calvary Christian team split into groups and spent time with students in their classrooms. “Our team members read Bible stories with the children and played games while they waited out the rain.”

The team had taken Derrick Pitts’ flexibility beatitude to heart. 

Dan and Jill took the opportunity to sit in the principal’s office with Mrs. Mossiah. “When we entered the room, we noticed a dozen five-gallon jugs of water, half of which were empty. As we shared and learned about one another, the Lord nudged Jill to offer a water filter to Mrs. Mossiah.” 

The room was dimly lit by natural light coming through doors and windows, but it was enough for them to install and demonstrate the filter. “As Mrs. Mossiah watched the clean water stream out of the filter, she had tears of joy.” Her emotion came from years of struggle. 

“So you mean I don’t have to buy all this water for the kids anymore?” Principal Mossiah tearfully asked.

“So you mean I don’t have to buy all this water for the kids anymore?”

Until now, Pilgrim Fellowship School had required three or more five-gallon jugs of water each day. Each of those five-gallon jugs cost Principal Mossiah somewhere between two and five dollars. In Belize, the median household income is just $6,000, so the financial burden of buying $15 of water every day was great.

“We saw God bless Mrs. Mossiah and her school through our Calvary Christian team, the Pilgrim Fellowship Mennonite Church, Filter of Hope, and a fierce storm. Now Principal Mossiah will be able to use that money to provide for her students in other ways.”

“I can put this money into supplies for the kids now!” Principal Mossiah said.

Mrs. Mossiah thanked the Bauers as the storm died down and the team prepared to go into the surrounding area to distribute more filters and share the gospel message. Twenty-five more people prayed to receive Christ that afternoon.

Only one filter was distributed by the Calvary Christian Church team at Pilgrim Fellowship School. But thanks to that one filter, 80 kids and one very grateful principal were blessed with a decade of free, clean drinking water. 

Giving Tuesday is November 28th

Would you consider giving two families a water filter for Giving Tuesday? Your gift will be matched so two families can have clean water for 10 years with your gift of $50. They'll also have an opportunity to know Christ personally. Thanks for your generosity!