Symbols are powerful. You can go anywhere in the world and see McDonald’s golden arches, or Starbucks’ siren, and know exactly what they represent. The most powerful spiritual symbol, thanks to the work of Christians throughout the centuries, is the cross. It is iconic and instantly recognizable—as any good symbol is.
God knows how powerful symbols are. In the beginning, He created light and darkness to mark day and night. He installed a rainbow in the sky as a reminder of his promise to Noah. God frequently uses symbols to get his message through to us. The Apostle Paul tells us this: “Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made,” Romans 1:20 (NRSV). This entire world is a symbol of and is filled with symbols of God’s faithfulness!
Water as a Reminder of God’s Love
One of those symbols is water. Water is a universal symbol of life, cleanliness, and a fresh start. The Gospel of John explores these symbols and shows us water is helpful for cleansing (John 2:6), healing (John 5:2-4), and sustaining life (John 4:13-15). John brings this imagery to a crescendo when Jesus is crucified. He records that blood and water flow from the side of Christ. John wants us to know that a fresh start, renewed life, and healing are available in Jesus through the cross. When we come to a community and install a water access point, we leave behind a symbol and reminder of God’s love. The local churches we partner with help communities learn about healthy habits and God’s love.
Churches in Action
In the Siem Reap province of Cambodia, we partner with local church members to be our community WASH educators. They receive training on healthy practices and then go throughout their community educating the others who live there. They teach them about proper latrine construction, safe water storage practices, hand washing habits, and show them how to build sanitary drying racks for dishes. Church volunteers also assist vulnerable households with projects like latrine construction if needed.
This method is not unique to Cambodia, but is our preferred method for engaging communities. We find that churches have a deep understanding of their neighbors and towns. Their faith also inclines them to be willing to help those in need–even after we leave.
Leaving a Lasting Symbol
When churches live out their faith by serving their neighbors, amazing things happen. In the communities we serve we see entire villages adopt healthy, life-saving practices through their teaching. We also see some people take their first steps towards faith as they see the local church act like Jesus.
There is no requirement for the community to be a certain faith, but there will always be a reminder of God in the flowing water that sustains life and brings healthier, thriving futures.
