Digging Wells For Africa

Water. We simply turn on the faucet and we have more fresh water that we need. However, there are places where people have to walk miles to collect water that is barely potable. Join me, Jill Murphy, in trying to raise $18,000 to dig a deep well in a village in Africa. A source of clean water for a village in Africa can cut the child mortality rate in half. Help me dig a well in Africa to save a generation of children. Help me share something that we take for granted. Donate today.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

What would you do for a drink?


If the nearest source of water was a three hour walk; would you do it?

Look for me and my waterfilled backpack around town to help raise awareness of how others are suffering. Just like those who have to make the trek back to their home with a few gallons of water everyday, I will be wearing a backpack everywhere I go filled with water bottles. If you see me in the grocery store or around town, feel free to ask. I would love to let you feel the weight of the water to experience a taste of what a burden others have to carry because they don't have a source of clean water nearby.`

posted by Jill Murphy @ 11:35 PM   0 comments

Meet Jill Murphy

My good friend Tiffany thought it would be a good idea to write a bit about myself so that people could get to know me and why I am trying to raise money for digging water wells in Africa. So, here it is, from the beginning. About a month ago I was sitting in our church service singing and praying. I felt God say to me that He wanted me to help others. Not just search out a mission trip to go on, but make helping others a part of my day-to-day life. Why wait for a trip when I can do it everyday! Make every moment count. These thoughts collided with my heart for children in Africa. My family and I give to World Vision when we can and we often receive newsletters about what is going on around the world. I read many articles about children, babies who go with out water! I have read articles about a one year old that weighed 10 pounds! When he cried, no tears came because he is soo dehydrated. I have read articles about women who walk 8 miles to get nasty water for their families to drink. I began thinking of how I use water daily and believe me, I have become VERY aware of how I waste water and very aware of how easy it is for me to get water. Water fountains are everywhere!!! When I wash my dishes I think about how if that kid were here right now, he would not believe his eyes! Water coming out so freely and clean just to clean my dishes. I think about if that woman were standing beside me, she would probably cry at the ease at which I just turn the faucet on to bathe my children. I extend no energy in my efforts to use water daily. Not compared to them. While all of these thoughts run through my head, I start to tell God, “I am soo plain. Nobody would listen to me. I am NOT a speaker; I would tremble badly if I had to speak in front of a crowd. I am a mom; I have too many things to do. How could I possibly add something to my plate? I am just a special education teacher in Ruston Louisiana, how can I possibly raise $16,000?!” God said, “Just be willing.” After I spoke with my husband and did a bit of praying, but really, how much praying needs to be done when you already feel God has spoken? I needed to break into action. So, here I am today; I stand as a wife, a mother, a teacher, a daughter, a sister…trying to raise money for a waterless village in Africa. God is good and He is leading me on this journey.