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Digging wells for hope

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  • Ross Cunningham •
  • Originally published January 8, 2009 at 10:53 a.m., updated January 8, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.

In America, having fresh water daily is something all of us take for granted. In Africa having fresh water is a luxury and often times is not available. Van Vleck missionaries Donald and Sarah Reed and Becky and Noe Cano from Bay City have a mission to save lives by building and drilling water wells in Tanzania, Africa. The team of missionaries are members of Open Door Enterprises that is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Donald Reed is the founder for the nonprofit organization. “Water born diseases is the No. 1 killer of children on the continent of Africa,” said Sarah Reed. “It is a tragedy that is so unnecessary because it could be prevented if they had fresh water. The people in Africa drink water out of ditches, rivers and lakes and all the water is contaminated.” Reed said that the problem of not having fresh clean drinking water could be solved by building and drilling water wells. The cost for a water well is about $2,500. In order to meet this need the mission organization is raffling off a 1997 AM Hummer HI to benefit the mission project in East Africa. The vehicle for raffle is valued at $29,000. The Hummer has a custom sound system; Realtree camo Skin, 6-½ ton wench, and central tire inflation system. The raffle tickets cost $20 and can be purchased by calling 979-557-9585. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn on Jan. 16, at Vineyard Church located at 900 Nichols St. in Bay City during the Beast Feast Wild Game Dinner at 6:30 p.m. The Beast Feast is a men and teens only free wild game dinner. Winners of the raffle must be 18 years or older. “When you’re in Africa, buying water is very expensive and the well the people dig takes nearly two years to dig because the dig it by hand,” said Donald Reed. “The well water that the natives dig is also contaminated. The average income in Tanzania is $1.15 a day and the cost for bottle water at a store is 90 cents. The people in the villages that we minister too can’t afford clean water and also they would have to travel far to get it.” Noe Cano and his wife Becky are 2002 Bay City High School graduates and they joined Open Door Enterprises in December of 2008 to assist the Reeds. Noe and Becky Cano are both graduates of Christ for the Nation in Dallas. “By meeting a social need like providing fresh water, it then opens a door for us to meet the people’s spiritual need,” said Noe Cano. “Our heart is really to see the Bay City Youth and others exposed to missions in a practical way. One of the ways the organization helps expose youth to missions is by taking them on mission trips to Mexico, Brazil and occasionally to Africa.” Noe said that he is encouraged by the response from the different people in the community and their willingness to give financially to missions.



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