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Francis Dyololo, 14 (far left) “All I remember is that he was my best friend.” ©2014 World Vision, photo by Jon Warren

Troubled waters

Jesus walks on water – John 6

People in the ancient world looked warily upon one form of water in particular: the sea. It took a good deal of courage to venture out onto the waters—and for good reason. The sea was unpredictable. Even a relatively small lake, like the Sea of Galilee, could be transformed without warning from still waters into a churning tempest.

That’s what happened when the disciples set out for Capernaum by boat. Not only did the rough waters threaten to swamp their vessel; a strong headwind kept them from advancing, trapping them in the violent storm (see Matthew 14:24).

Even a seasoned fisherman like Peter was afraid. So when a figure appeared, walking toward the boat among the waves, the disciples were understandably terrified. Their shock only increased when they realized who he was.

The storm died down the minute Jesus climbed aboard (see Mark 6:50-51). And the disciples were right to be amazed. They were in the presence of One with power to calm the troubled waters.

When we see others being caught in the storms of life, we must not look the other way. Jesus calls us to embody his presence for those in need, to walk through the storm with them.

In Zambia, one dangerous trip for water can lead to tragedy. In 2005, 5-year-old Wise went with his cousin Francis to fetch water. Wise’s mom, Munang’andu, was in the garden with her sister. She didn’t realize he had gone.

The only source of water in the Haangumba, their village in southern Zambia, is a fetid hole in the ground. The water is milky white, polluted from animal waste. What’s more, according to Munang’andu, you have to walk into the hole to get some.

Wise was doing just that when he fell in. “Francis tried to save him,” but he couldn’t pull Wise out. Then Francis fell in too. Both boys were drowning. Francis somehow survived. Tragically, Wise did not.

Time has not eased Munang’andu’s pain. “He was full of joy and happiness,” she says. “I had so many hopes for him.”

But there’s another fact about this tragedy that cannot be ignored: No one should have to drink water that could kill them—or risk their life to collect it. “If we had a borehole,” Munang’andu says, “he wouldn’t have died.”

World Vision is forging a long-term partnership with the people of Haangumba. One of the fruits of this partnership will be a borehole, not far from Munang’andu’s home.