Miracles in Africa
Changanyikeni is a very remote village about three hours north of Dar es Ssalaam,Tanzania (a
country on the east coast of Africa). In April 2019, the Living Water had very brief
visit that lasted about an hour with a small church in the village. As the team entered the village
riding motorcycles because cars cannot always negotiate the rough dirt road that accesses
Changanyikeni, Steve and his team witnessed several children drinking water from filthy mud
puddles.
“Who were the children drinking out of the dirty puddles in the middle of the dirt road,” the
team asked?
“They are just street children turned out of their homes because families cannot support
them, “ was the reply.
As the team met with the ministry team of the local church, God made them aware of several
great needs for the community, and he issued a call to the hearts of the guests to help meet
those needs. Pastor Robert (the local pastor) simply asked the team to join his church family in
prayer for three things:
1. water for the village (a desperate need),
2. meals for pre-school children, and
3. that the Christians who have lost their homes because they put their faith in Jesus Christ
would have a way to support themselves.
The team agreed that they would pray, and they committed to provide funding for the pre-school
meals on the spot.
It is hard to understand the desperate need for clean potable water when living in the United
States of America. The village of Changanyikeni has been getting its water by damning areas
that flood and digging holes in the ground to capture rainwater. It doesn’t rain all year and when
there’s no rainy season the villagers become desperate. When water is available, it is dirty
water. The water that is collected is shared by wildlife, cattle, used for bathing, use for drinking,
etc. pastor Robert said, “the children often go to bed at night with sore bellies because of the
bad water.”
Praise be to God, a team comprised of the Lliving Water and MorningStar Church was able to
raise the funds from generous donors to dig a well Changanyikeni.
Miracle # 1 (Living Water)
The village is located 18 km from the coast. Unknown to the team, two different attempts to
provide fresh water wells for the village and already failed. A Korean church paid a team to bore
a well years ago, but the water was so salinaded that it was unusable for humans, animals, or
even irrigation. Later, a wealthy businessman heard of the desperate plight for water in the
village, and he too drill a well, but again, the water was too salty for use. The Living Water,
following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, had a well bored and prayed that the water would be
fresh and usable. “Please, please, please… Let the water be fresh, oh Lord!” Was our plea.
When the well was bored and the water was discovered to be fresh, everyone in Changanyikeni
new the miraculous had occurred. All praise to the Lord Jesus the True Living Water.
“’Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of
living water.’” John 7:38
Miracle # 2 (Prince of Peace)
Tensions in the village between Muslims, Animists, and Christians were very high. When the
news that the well had brought forth freshwater, water that was not just for the church but for the
entire village, was spread, barriers began to come down. The project manager for the Living
Water is a man named Frank Mzoo. Frank has the gift of making peace. The well gave Frank
the opportunity to mediate between the village leadership and the church leadership to begin
healing that ultimately will result in the gospel being shared more freely in this part of Tanzania.
When the villagers learned that the well was for everyone to use, several village leaders got
personally involved in helping build the infistructure required. All praise to the Lord our Prince of
Peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon
his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Miracle # 3 (A Savior that meets needs)
Changanyikeni is a very isolated village. It is a very poor village. When Christians put their faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time, some of these new believers are cast out from their
homes. This leaves them with no place to stay and no way to provide for themselves. In digging
the well, we had two trucks deliver concrete blocks to build the water tower. The delivery cost
alone for these blocks was enormous.Through the process, we discovered a need for concrete
blocks in the village. This will allow the local church to partner with christians for a business to
meet their needs and provide a product needed in the village. All praise to the Lord that supplies
our needs. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory
in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
To all the donors who helped bring freshwater to the village of Changanyikeni, thank you for
your generous support that has resulted in God honoring, miraculous events.
Well done good and faithful servants!
Steve Wood
Author
