Residents of the Yeshin Gone village have struggled with a clean water supply for many years. The villagers used to walk or drive almost 1 kilometer to fetch water. Through the partnership of Southeast Asia Field Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and Bethlehem Church of the Nazarene, a new well was successfully drilled and now serves the community of about 100 people.

The well provides the villagers with clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc. The new well made living on the church campus easier for the local pastor and his family. It is also beneficial during church gatherings and allows the local church to host training sessions.

The local church pastor and local leaders are responsible for the well’s maintenance and operation. The new well benefits not only the congregation but the surrounding community. It also opens opportunities to start new contact points and outreach ministry. The local church also plans to provide WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) Awareness Training in the community in partnership with local health workers to prevent the spread of waterborne infections and enhance the sanitation in the community.

Access to clean water is one of the essential needs in churches and communities in the rural areas of Myanmar. Since 2022, NCM Southeast Asia has drilled five wells in five small local churches in the country – Bethlehem, Shalom, Shema, Khulam, and Agape.

Through these wells, the local churches are not only providing the physical needs of the people. They also have the opportunity to minister to the community and share the love of Jesus with them as the “Living Water.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific