Volume 4 Edition 2
50 Years Strong
Moments Like These by Jeff Golby
It’s moments like these. More than kids splashing in the water. More than women dancing in thanks. 6 years ago, when I joined Acts for Water, I believed the work was in essence transactional. Money raised equals clean water delivered. I was wrong, on so many levels. What I didn’t expect was that the work, the act of turning on the taps, would become secondary for me to the people with whom I got to turn on taps with. I didn’t expect the privilege I’d have in working alongside this wonderful community.
50
Acts for Water’s story began in June 1972 when Jim Wardroper founded the Red Sea Desert Development Society (renamed ACTS in 1983) to provide water in Eritrea. The journey these 50 years since is nothing short of a miracle framed in perseverance and strength to walk alongside those in deep need. Here are just some of the projects done along the way: Water catchments for cattle in Kenya
I didn’t expect this team to break out in song upon our return after 2 years, thanking God for the reunion. I didn’t expect the pride of seeing the work they had done or hearing them stand firm in their claim against the big boys (Oxfam, UNICEF, etc.) that their work stood up longer, served more, and was more sustainable (and invite them to come disprove us).
Bikes for pastors in Zaire and Rwanda Carpentry School (1990) and Clinic (1995)
I didn’t expect that connection, that spark, or that energy, that only comes when you run alongside others who also are in it to tackle something meaningful & massive all at once. I didn’t expect a connection with you, the Canadian community. But here we are - 5 years into this role for me, 31 years into building clean water systems, and now 50 years old as a charity and I think we’ve built something pretty unique together. Thanks for being a part of it. Here’s to 50 more years of unexpected joys.
Years Strong
Library Projects (2004 & 2008) First Mutual Benefit Society (2005) Quilting Workshop (2009) It wasn’t until 1989 that ACTS began a more focussed effort on clean water systems. Overall, we’ve seen 29 projects completed serving more than 258,000 people in dozens of communities throughout Western Uganda! Dive into the fuller history at acts.ca/history
Logos through the years Did you know? Giving monthly is the most effective way to make an impact in Uganda! Join our Source Supporter community today at acts.ca.
Still Flowing After All These Years
The Absolute Essential
“I recall the celebration dances we had when we saw water connected,” the words came rushing out of Godfrey’s mouth as he propped himself up on the grass where a few of his neighbours had gathered around. They were all smiles as they swapped stories of the changes they’d witnessed in the 3 decades since that moment.
When asked what kept him motivated all those years, Jim Wardroper, founder of ACTS, welcomed the stroll down memory lane. At 94 years old, he had plenty of stories to share about the early days.
Jim Doble (Engineer) first visited Bujaga in 1993. After witnessing the effects of the community’s poor water source, the ACTS’ team began working together with them to build what is now our oldest water system.
Jim & Joan Doble with Jim Wardroper
by Lisa Beiderwieden
Inspired by the story of Hudson Taylor, Jim similarly found himself on a beach one day surrendering his future to God, willing to go where he would lead him. But it would be 26 years later when he’d recognize the answer to that prayer! Those years were full of ups and downs including opposition from people groups and government bodies, silent times waiting for the next right step, starts and stops, and redirections. “I had nothing to give up! I just kept stepping through the open doors in front of me - no pushing, they just opened.” Jim (1972-1992) was the first of several leaders in ACTS’ history willing to watch for opportunities and boldly walk through open doors. Those who followed him - David Moore (1992-2014), Nate Lepp (2014-2017), and Jeff Golby (2017-current) - have pressed on with the courage to risk, and the strength to evaluate projects with eyes for innovation and growth. 50 years of miracles and hard work poising ACTS for the next 50.
Showing off a water glass with a Canadian flag on it - a gift from Jim for their hard work building the system together, Vincent chimed in, “We responded very quickly to work with them, both men and women, which paved our way to the sweet life we are living in. We had to work hard to overcome all the challenges…it was a miracle. We still appreciate the team he led to give us this joy. I’ve kept this glass safely for 30 years now!” Bujaga is a completely different community today. It’s people are no longer sick week after week with Typhoid or wasting money on medication, and they aren’t facing the dangers they once did to collect water from the dam. Children now wear clean, fresh uniforms, and attend classes regularly. And a busy trading centre is evidence of their growing population and economy. Continued on next page
I asked Jim to describe this work in one sentence. Reminding me that “you can go without food for 40 days, but without water for only 3 days”, he paused to take a sip himself. Wetting his throat, he concluded confidently, “Water is the absolute essential.” Isn’t that the truth, I thought. Through the course of ACTS’ ups and downs, one thing has remained consistent: the need for water. And it’s with that truth and this legacy that Acts for Water leans forward for 50 more.
Vincent
Lydia and Vincent
Still Flowing After All These Years continued “We have lived a safe life. …We thank ACTS so much for helping us live well these 30 years and for giving us the opportunity to wear clean, white clothes!” Lydia exclaimed. Turning on the tap, she roared with laughter as the clean, clear water rushed out. It’s still flowing, after all these years. “Our firstborns suffered a lot, but those who were born after the water connection will never realize what their elders went through. We are now living better!” Godfrey offered. What a gift to work toward this kind of future with you - one in which communities like Bujaga are thriving, and the generations after Lydia, Godfrey & Vincent can’t recall a time without clean water!
P| 778 855 4352 E| info@acts.ca PO Box 30044 Moncton PO Richmond BC - V7E 0A6
The Motivation & the Miracle Our vision at Acts for Water is to see communities thriving through the elimination of water poverty. This is where the rowboat is headed. The motivation - the reason why we get in that rowboat every day and pick up those paddles - is because we believe in a practical expression of the love of Christ. Sometimes it may seem we over-emphasize our desire to be “the best in the world” as our expression of motivation, and not our motivation itself. Sometimes we may get that balance wrong. We know that this work is enabled and extended forward by the power of Christ, often through, but not exclusively by, His people (you!). I see our staff reflect this love to the people they serve whenever I am there. I see the daily miracles in the acts of sacrifice and generosity that come in. This work is a miracle. A miracle motivated by our love and faith in Christ, but ultimately led by Him. Thank you for being a part of this miracle and for including so many in it.
Did you see our newest Annual Report? Amidst a wild and unpredictable year, we’ve seen great growth, impact, and progress. Read all about your impact in our NEW Annual Report here:
acts.ca/AR22
Till Every Ugandan Has Clean Water You are a key reason ACTS is celebrating 50 years of partnering together to see communities thrive! We have so many of you to thank for this incredible legacy, especially knowing how challenging the road has been at times - times when the Board and staff didn’t even know if we would make it past the next fiscal year, let alone to 50. Here’s just one way to visualize the growth over the past few years! People Served
Completing the Kicuzi Water Project was a major milestone for this community. Three years of hard work by hundreds of volunteers, donors, and staff! Kicuzi is on a path to thriving and we can’t wait to see and support what happens next there. Read the full impact report at acts.ca/kicuzi. This is why monthly giving matters so much. When you give monthly, it’s not just for one glass of water, but for a future filled with overflowing possibilities. Possibilities that start once that tap turns on, enabling us to commit to kids in Kicuzi and build on momentum, as people commit to us. This year, we’ve been able to serve almost three times the number of people we did last year! And, we’re hoping to double this again next year! Momentum is indeed growing!
Our goal is to move away from a crisis brand of fundraising, towards a truer partnership that helps us plan, build, and work in a sustainable and radically different way. Average Revenue by Month Monthly Gifts One Time Donations
To be completely transparent, in August we had to shift projects thinking we were going to be behind budget. Then in November, we were blown away by how generous everyone was! What a great surprise, but how much more of an impact could we have had if we could have planned better? Would you consider helping us walk alongside communities in abundance? It could mean:
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A Monthly Donation - which offers you access to our Source Supporter community, personal project updates, and events and some estimates say it gives up to four times the value of a onetime donation.
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An Annual Pledge - which allows you the ability to plan ahead and ensures our team can maintain program momentum on the field.
We’re holding these plans with open hands and realize it’s a big ask, for a big goal. As people respond, we’ll keep moving forward - with the support of this generous and faithful community - till every Ugandan has clean water. Thanks for journeying with us so far.
Together, let’s create a better way to give Clean water - for 50 more. To give monthly, visit: acts.ca To pledge an annual amount, email: jeff@acts.ca