An Open Letter
This is an open letter from a missionary and field engineer's mom.
It was January 2018 when I picked up my son as he returned home from Atlanta, GA where he attended, "The Passion Conference." He had attended this conference for years, and his faith walk was always strengthened. This year, however, was different. He began telling me, with tears streaming down his face that God had spoken to him for the first time.
My heart was pounding as I asked, "What did He tell you?" He said, "He wants me to serve with Water at Work Ministry in the Dominican." That night, I could sense God telling me, "I am going to use your son". This was the answer to all of my prayers for the past 20 years!
As a mom, I hoped that he could be a part of the ministry while still working in some way locally, but I had to take my hands off, and give him fully to God for His greater purpose.
He has now lived in the Dominican Republic and served with Water at Work in various ways for 5 months. He has immersed himself in the language and culture. We visited him for the week earlier this month to see some of what he does and to celebrate his birthday. He showed us various areas of Santa Domingo and Baní, pointing out several of the water plants.
I was forever impacted by visiting House of Light. We were able to meet the precious children, the workers, and Mr. Lucas who started the ministry about 20 years ago and continues leading it today. Thank God for touching one man's heart to take in special needs kids and care for them. They have a great need for clean water on a daily basis, caring for the needs of 40+ kids. Much of their budget goes towards purchasing water for the children. I am so excited that, through the generous gifts of many people, Water at Work will build a new water plant here soon to meet this need!
As we experienced life in the Dominican, I realized what the greatest need of all of the people buzzing around me was. They need a life-changing relationship with our Savior! Water at Work's has a motto that inspires me: "Dirty water to clean water and clean water to Living Water."
Since Water at Work builds water plants often in connection with churches, this gives pastors and members the opportunity to help folks in their community with clean drinking water for their physical needs, and then begin filling their spiritual needs by introducing them to the "Living Water."
Matthew 25 says, "For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. Then the righteous ones replied, Lord when did we do this? He replied, I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it for me."
I am humbled and blessed that God would choose to use my son to impact others by serving with this important ministry. I hope many more of you will be able to visit the Dominican in the future and find out first-hand the difference that Water at Work is making.
Blessings,
Michelle Hailey
(Devan's mom)