Season's Greetings to Living Water Well Contributors:

               As we close out the year 2007, it would not be possible to do so, without thanking you for your contribution to the Webster Church, Living Water Wells Ministry.  While you will receive an official contribution statement in the mail, this is a special thank you for being a part of this great ministry.    The story behind the wells is quite remarkable indeed.  It began with an octogenarian named Mattie King who traveled with us to Ghana in 2005--a trip that she had longed to take for most of her life.  While there she was struck and saddened by the young girls and women who carried water all hours of the day and night from polluted streams and rivers to do the most menial of chores and to provide life-giving water for the necessities of life.  Mrs. King "wanted to do something about this".  In 2006, she contacted me and asked when we would start "this well project".   That next week she gave enough to fund one well. 

               In the meantime, other individuals and groups in the Washtenaw County Area had also started well projects in Africa and other developing countries.  Webster joined in with them and soon became eligible for a matching well from Cross International.  The Mattie King Well was completed in March 2007 and delegates of the Annual Webster UCC Spiritual Pilgrimage to Ghana dedicated and prayed over  The Mattie King Living well  in Dambai, Ghana.  The women and men of Dambai put on a joyous celebration for us, thanking the church and Mrs. King for this miracle of clean water.    Cross International matched the first well provided by Webster and in April our second well was completed in Akaa, Ghana.

               Initially, Cross International thought that they would be able to match us well-for-well, however, their budget constraints made that impossible.  Left with eight wells to complete and a vision of providing fresh, potable water for a total of ten villages, I was reminded by my husband, Dr. Tepper Gill, that this ministry belonged to God and that God would provide for the resources to complete the project.  Indeed, God did provide for more than we had dreamed.  By the end of this year Webster Church, with your help, will be able to provide a total of 14 wells for Ghana, providing fresh water for nearly 100,000 people.  You have made this possible and this is my chance to thank you for your gift and your generosity.  It is our prayer that by February of 2008 all 14 wells will be completed and our 2008 Spiritual Pilgrimage to Ghana will allow us to prayerfully dedicate these wells.  Below is a list of each well, its location, completion date and inscription. 

               In addition to thanking you, I would also like to thank Mr. Kwasi Appoh, the Engineer and President of Smart Final, Ltd.  His professionalism and timely construction has made it possible for us to provide quality wells for fourteen villages.  I would also like to thank Global Ministries, a joint ministry of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ.  They facilitated the transfer of funds from Webster to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ho, who in turn paid the contractor.  I want to thank the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ho for their administrative support in transacting payments for the contractor and in selecting sites in the Volta Region for placement of wells. 

               Most of all I want to thank the Webster United Church of Christ, who made it possible through in-kind and direct contributions to facilitate the construction of these wells.  Without the support of the church, we would not have been able to perform this ministry.  Each dollar contributed for a well went directly to the digging of the well.  The church received no overhead cost whatsoever.  Rather Webster has looked upon this as a valuable ministry of the church and a valuable gift to the world community.  Many members and groups in the church made this possible, Judy Bemis, co-chair of the Ghana ministry was so moved by the Dambai well experience that she made a quilt that she entitled "Living Water Wells".  This quilt has been our trademark for this ministry.  Edda Williams coordinated the "Living Waters Gospel & Spirituals Benefit Concert", which brought in a significant amount of resources for the ministry, while also uplifting the spirits of the congregation of guests, friends and members who attended.  Special thanks to the choirs that participated in the concert, who gave unselfishly of their time and considerable talent:  Concert hosts, the Webster Chancel Choir under the direction of Lynn Hill; Dr. Willis Patterson and "Our Own Thing Chorale"; Cherryl Vanderhoof; Mildrea Smith and the Jim Dandy Ski Club Jamin' for Jesus Gospel Choir ; Laszlo Slomovits and Friends; Hands of Praise Deaf Choir of Canaan Baptist Church; Majestic Voices of Ebenezer Baptist Church; Rev. Pat  Dixon, our MC; and Rev. Richard Nimo visiting from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ghana.

This ministry has truly been a work of a "Still Speaking God"!

Blessings,

Rev. LaVerne M. Gill, Pastor  and the Ghana Ministry

Webster United Church of Christ "Living Water Wells Ministry"

Webster United Church of Christ, 5484 Webster Church Road, Dexter, Michigan  48130, 734 426-5115