“Jeeva Jala” Means Living Water

They wanted a fresh start.

For years, these tribal people had been caught in the crossfire between communist militias and the government troops. All they really wanted was to raise their families and grow their crops, to live in peace instead of fear.

They finally decided to move their families to a new location, founding a village so remote that it doesn’t even show up on a map. They worked the land, growing millet, coffee, and pepper that they could sell at faraway markets. For water, the women walked to a murky stream at the bottom of the mountain, where they would dip the water and strain it through scarves before pouring it into their buckets.

Straining the water to remove leaves and algae, before bringing it home

They knew it would be hard to start over. But this was really hard.

The Hindi phrase “jal jeevan” means “water of life,” and in the Indian dialect Kannada, the word for “water” is “jeeva jala” – which literally translates to “living water.” So when this village shared their hopes for a new life and told us their need for a well, we were thrilled to give them Living Water to nourish their village.

But even drilling the well was difficult. The road to the village barely existed, and the drillers struggled to get the rig in. Then, the best site for the well was infested by snakes! Obstacle after obstacle appeared, but the villagers prayerfully persisted. They refused to give up hope for something that would be such a blessing to their people!

The villagers come together to celebrate their new well

In the months since their well was finished, the village has begun to thrive. New families are moving in, seeking a life of peace. With water nearby, the women have more time to care for their children, and raise gardens and livestock. Families have time to play together, and to worship. And the new life they were praying for - a life of peace and joy - is beginning to grow.