I grew up on a farm in Northern Illinois. Our old house had a manual pump with a handle for pumping water from a cistern, two kerosene gas stoves, and an outside toilet. Yes, we had an outhouse…so what?
Our drinking water had to be carried in a pail from an outside well house. The water was pumped up from a deep underground well. The depth of the well caused the water to always be cold and refreshing.
As you can imagine, the day I came home from school to see our new fan-dangled bathroom with a toilet and running hot and cold water was a glorious day for us. We had finally joined the Twentieth Century…in 1960.
All of this seems extremely primitive to me now.
But to 750 million people in the world, they would be happy to have what we had before the new fan-dangled bathroom arrived at our farm. You see, these people do not have access to fresh water at all. And half of these live in South Asia, mainly India.
Mothers give their children dirty water to drink which results in one child dying every minute from a water-related disease. Open defecation and lack of sanitation only worsen the crisis.
To combat this water crisis in nations throughout South Asia, Gospel for Asia digs Jesus Wells and provides BioSand Water Filters to families and communities thirsty for clean, fresh water. GFA also provides safe, reliable sanitation by building outdoor toilets, preventing an epidemic of water-related diseases. Through the provision of clean water, many communities are becoming more open to hearing about the God who loves them and provides for their needs. Learn more about Gospel for Asia’s clean water ministry by clicking here.
Click on to see MyGFA site.
Larry Who 
That’s good, Larry. (I grew up in northern Illinois too, but we had a bathroom 🙂 )
Like your story. I funnel my well contributions to James Robinson. Praying to be able to do more than i do.
Unshakable Hope,
Thanks. There’s just something about being able to flush a toilet after not doing so for years. It’s a real joy. God bless you.
Mike,
I saw James Robinson preach in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1986. What a great preacher. God bless you.
What a perfect way to show about the desperate need of clean water and outdoor toilets throughout South Asia . God bless you as He works through you and your blog to help others.
Debbie,
Thanks. Those freezing days spent in our outhouse during winters in Northern Illinois have at least been used for something good. Did I mention freezing days? God bless you.
Oh goodness . . .did you develop the ability to ‘not go’ for longer than the average person?
Debbie,
The most important thing to remember when using the outhouse in ten below zero weather is to don’t dawdle. Just budda bing budda boom and head back inside. History lesson is now over, thank you.
Laughing! Very important history lesson!
😉