Many of us spent this past Thanksgiving weekend enjoying special moments with family and friends. And whether your favorite part of the holiday was the abundant feast or the day of football, Thanksgiving universally represents a time to celebrate God’s blessings and his faithful provision.
This year as I recounted my blessings, my mind kept wandering back to the people I met in Ewuaso Kedong, Kenya. Beleaguered by cyclical drought and famine, Ewuaso Kedong is home to the Maasai tribe, a society of semi-nomadic herders that still uphold a traditional lifestyle.
Despite living in severe drought conditions, without food or water, the people I met there were full of hope and true models of thankfulness. And the source of their gratitude is a Cross Catholic Outreach-supported water project that will quench the thirst of 42,000 people.
Here are a couple expressions of thanks from this drought-weary region in Kenya:
“There are so many complications because we can’t do anything without water…But when we have enough water here, there will be many benefits. People and their animals won’t die during times of drought; the health of my children will improve; they will receive nourishment and be clean; they will also have milk because the cows will be healthier…In the past, people came and tried to bring us water. But they left. Now, there is an empty tank over there with no water. But thank you God and thank you Cross Catholic Outreach! I know it is only God who brought you and this new hope for water!”
Punyua Sekento
“You are helping us do the extraordinary. You are helping us do fruitful work. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you! You are improving the lives of people who are very poor and we are praying for you!”
Justus Nkomea
-Annie W.