SAFE, CLEAN WATER - comin' right up!

I'm someone who loves water - it makes us feel good, it's healthy and our bodies simply need it.

Within the 30 minutes I wake up, take a drink, shower, use the restroom, wash my hands, wash my dishes, brush my teeth, and fill up my waterbottle, I've used more water than one person in a developing country does in DAYS.

And...I didn't have to walk 5 miles with a 44 lb container before I did any of this.

DID YOU KNOW:
* When you flush the toilet, you are using the same water amount that one person in a developing country uses all day to wash, clean, cook and drink (http://www.knowh2o.org/)

* MORE THAN HALF of Africa's people lack access to safe drinking water. (www.dropinthebucket.com)

* Over 80% of the disease in developing countries is related to poor drinking water and sanitation (http://www.who.org/)

* A child dies every 15-sec from diseases related to poor drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. (http://www.knowh20.org/)

* 1/3 of all deaths in developing countries are children under 5, often because of DIARRHEA - 4,900 deaths occur daily because of diarrhea.

The CHAIN REACTION of unclean water is devasting. Aside from the severe health and sanitation issues, the time it takes women and children to retrieve clean water keeps them from being able to attend school and therefore, obtain a career or respected status.

Luckily, people around the world are taking notice...People in our neighborhood are taking notice. Engedi Church, through the organization World Hope International, has formed a relationship with and has fully supported an Orphan Trust Community in Zambia, Africa.

Through World Hope International, $3,500 covers the direct costs of drilling a well and provides clean drinking water to as many as 2,000 people. (http://www.worldhope.org/)

THE RIDE

The THIRST: WELLS FOR ZAMBIA bike ride (sponsored by Engedi Church) was an overwhelmingly successful event. I guess you can't really define 'successful' but, according to the numbers below, realizing that over 4,000 people will now have access to safe, clean drinking water is pretty much not only successful but downright amazing.

And...you Valeo-ians alone contributed over $800 - Wow. That means YOU'VE directly impacted the lives of about 460 individuals in Zambia...

Here are the stats from the July 19th event:

* 46 riders (including 12 children and teens)
* 1,822 miles ridden for clean water in Zambia
* $8,008 raised which fully funds the cost for two wells and a partially funds a third. Wow!! Is God good, or what?
* 14,000 = total number of people in Zambia who now have access to clean water due to events such as these since Engedi began nearly three years ago
* The first well will be drilled at the Choma Central Orphan Trust which is fully supported by Engedi. (aka - we know exactly where the first well will be - and people we've formed relationships with will directly be influenced!)

THANK YOU!!