For several years, the Church of the Nazarene Northern District of Nicaragua has provided clean water to more than thirty families near the district center, located in the La Rioja community, in Somoto, Madriz.
District Superintendent, Rev. Denis Espinoza said that the church collaborates with its community especially in the dry season, when the wells dry out. This has been possible thanks to the water well that the district center has. Previously they used a handmade pump, but recently with the support of the Casa Unida Foundation, they installed a more modern pump, which has facilitated sharing the water with families.
Rev. Espinoza said that at this time in the area there is a serious water shortage. “Some families told us that they’d not had water for two days. That’s where our church comes in; we have the well which supplies them with the vital sustenance for free.”
In addition, the new pump has facilitated the irrigation of some orchards planted with trees of various types, part of a forestry project that was funded by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and is carried out in coordination with the National Forestry Institute.
Blanca Rosa Aguilar, 51, a single mother with two children who attends the Second Blessing Church of the Nazarene shared her experience: “The area where I live is located in the dry corridor of the country; during the summer season, water is scarce. Drinking water comes at night, but there are days when water does not arrive, which makes us desperate. But, thank God and the Church of the Nazarene that the well of the church supplies us with water. For the 18 families who live here, and the twelve that live in neighboring sectors, this supply is very important. Every time the water does not arrive at our homes, this is where we come to receive it. We use water to drink, wash, bathe and even to water our plants. Thus, our children go clean to school. ”
Blanca said that many people come to receive water, both Nazarenes and other churches and even people who do not profess faith in Jesus. She also said that if it were not for the well, they would have to go to the river to wash and bathe or visit wells that are very distant.
Source: Rev. Denis Espinoza DS of the Northern District of Nicaragua
