Nor does it wait for people to act.

Not waiting has been a group of Iowans, Alaskans, and others volunteering time and resources working to provide clean water to South Sudan in Africa.

A number of years ago, they created WellSpring Missions (WSM), and established headquarters in State Center.

Its mission, “is to serve Christ and our neighbor by fostering partnerships working with and training others in skills essential to independence and sustainability.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Bram Riems, left, of ACF/Action Against Hunger (AAH) met with WellSprings Mission executive director James Ruach (center) of Omaha, Neb., and co-founder Bret Burroughs of Anchorage, Alaska at AAH headquarters in New York City, N.Y., recently.

South Sudan is one of the world’s newest countries and one of the most impoverished.

A brutal and deadly civil war which raged for years magnified the miserable conditions many South Sudanese were forced to live under.

An estimated 2 million people evacuated the country.Thousands more were killed in the war.

Fortunately, a cease-fire is in place, and WSM members are hopeful it will open up opportunities to install more clean water wells in South Sudan.

Recently, WSM Executive Director and South Sudan native James Maluit Ruach of Omaha, Neb. and WSM co-founder Brett Burroughs of Anchorage, Alaska were invited to the headquarters of French-based Action Contre La Fam (ACF) in New York City.

ACF is the umbrella organization that manages Action Against Hunger. One area of focus for them is WASH – Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.

“They have been impressed with WSM success in getting wells drilled in South Sudan and are interested in working with us to supply further funding for more wells,” WSM announced recently. “Please continue to pray for the partnership with Action Against Hunger.”

WSM’s foundation was established a number of years ago by a number of concerned Central Iowa residents who worked aggressively to form partnership with churches, Hy-Vee Inc. and Rotary International.

Small change in the form of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, donated by Sunday School attendees at Trinity Lutheran Church, Marshalltown, was the initial funding mechanism for the effort nearly 10 years ago.

The goal was to provide clean water to Old Fangak, an extremely remote village in South Sudan.

Although six wells had been installed over the years, more were needed to serve the growing village and surrounding area, which at times can number 50,000.

Old Fangak is also home to a medical clinic, managed by the Alaska-Sudan Medical Project for more than 30 years, which daily draws hundreds of patients. Many of them walk 50 miles or more on dirt roads in extreme weather to receive aid.

A number of South Sudanese from Old Fangak area were attending Trinity, and informed the parish of the critical need for clean water in the village.

South Sudanese attending St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Ames informed that parish of Old Fangak’s need too, and were also alerted to Trinity’s effort.

St. Cecilia’s had donated funds several times over the course of the project and representing them Thursday were Julie Haas and Mary Ross.

“The donations are part of our international relief effort,” said Haas. “We are currently supporting two international efforts and the clean water for Sudan is one. We also support a number of local causes.”

A Trinity committee managing the project began publicizing their efforts.

Soon, other churches, such as Our Savior Lutheran of Marshalltown, donated funds.

“We are pleased to be part of this project, to team up with other churches and to help bring clean water to the villagers of Old Fangak,” said Ron Duimstra of OSL.

Also contributing were New Hope Christian Church and St. Mary Catholic Church, both of Marshalltown, Trinity Lutheran of State Center, and the Southeast Iowa Synodical Lutheran Women.

Over time, Hy-Vee Inc, and Rotary International donated funds and resources to provide clean water.

For more information, visit WellSpringMissions.org