Assisting Missionaries & National Pastors

Words and pictures only do so much to describe the incredible need for water in West Africa, and never render justice to the amazing work that is happening through Friends In Action’s well-drilling efforts. Whether it’s the first time Christ’s name has ever been mentioned in a village, or it’s coming alongside a struggling church to demonstrate they are not alone, FIA’s work is so important to the national pastors and indigenous people of the region.

With 90% of the population being Muslim or practicing traditional animistic and ancestral worship, West Africa needs to hear about Jesus! Water retrieval is typically done by younger women and children within a tribe. In these remote villages, it is common to have to walk three or four miles to obtain unsanitary water while risking abduction, rape, and possibly even human trafficking. A village well means health, safety, and hope to these communities.

The site of construction workers and heavy machinery always draws a crowd! As FIA volunteers drill, partner missionaries or local pastors share the life-changing message of Jesus—the true Water of Life! Although cannibalism was practiced prior to the 1980’s, today they are very peaceful people, living simple lives almost unchanged over the last 200 years. In some villages, many still wear leaves for clothing, consult witchdoctors, and engage in animistic worship. Through construction projects, we bring the Truth of the Gospel and look forward to seeing all the Ni-Van villages fulfill the words of Isaiah 42:12, “Let them give praise unto the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands.”