The mission behind the Yazoo-based Gracewater ministry continues to grow with now over 200 people accepting Christ, 30 of those from the team’s most recent trip to Africa.
Nick and Ann King, along with their three children and other members of the Gracewater team, recently returned from a month-long mission trip to Zimbabwe. The family and team traveled all over the country to continue their charity’s work of installing water wells and spreading the Gospel.
Not only do many African communities and schools now have clean, accessible drinking water, but they also have the Word and a love for Jesus Christ.
Nick and Ann have traveled to Africa before to continue the work of their ministry. But this recent trip was special to the couple because they were able to bring their children, McCarty, Virginia and Isabel.
“It was a great experience overall,” Nick said. “We hope it really shows the kids that there is so much need, and helping others is more important than material things.”
The King children were involved in many of the team’s projects. McCarty held Bible studies with many schoolchildren and even helped with the well installations. Virginia and Isabel spent time playing with the children. Playtime seemed to be a universal language.
“Even though they couldn’t speak their language, they seemed to understand each other,” Nick added.
Although it was an exciting time for the Gracewater team, it did have its share of challenges. But it was as if God was looking out for their team, with many challenges eventually ending in success.
The first project for the Gracewater team involved working with the Good Hope School, a learning facility established by Dennis Streak. What once began as a community club transformed into a school for the community’s children. What began as a one-room school in 2017 now has six classrooms with more being planned. The school, however, did not have a clean water source. That is where Gracewater came in to help.
For three days, the Gracewater team was met with obstacles with installing a water system.
“While making plans for the well, we went to the community well and helped families pump water,” McCarty said. “After pumping for a minute, you get tired and the bar gets heavier and heavier as you go. Then they had to carry the water on their heads to wherever they had to go. I couldn’t imagine doing that.”
Even while working on the well, a van of children arrived, filling the air with songs.
As work continued to fix the water station, the team also held Bible studies and worship songs.
“The children at the school were very happy,” McCarty said. “They were content with what the had even though they didn’t have a lot.”
On the third day, clean water arrived for Good Hope School. And the spiritual water flowed as well.
“After celebrating the water, the Gracewater team shared the Gospel to the children and their parents,” McCarty said. “Many of them came to Christ.”
A second project included repaired a faulty well in Binga, Zimbabwe.
“Binga was a huge celebration and also the dedication was very much a celebration of what God had given them,” Nick said. “They praised the Lord, danced and sang. It was a really neat time.”
Then, the team traveled to Victoria Falls with a pastor and his wife who have ministered to the community for two decades. The well there will also be used for a community garden. And the team also revisited a past project at the Meschesche Primary School.
“We were pleased to see that they had water spigots to wash hands and get drinking water,” Nick said. “They also had started a community garden. It was encouraging to see them taking initiative and improving their lives.”
The team drilled a well in Masvingo, and they will return to dedicate it another time.
“The most rewarding experience is doing life and ministry together as a family and seeing people come to Christ because of our obedience,” Nick said. “We feel inadequate sometimes to do what we are doing, but the Lord always takes what we have and uses it for His glory.”
Since Gracewater began right here in Yazoo City, 23 wells have been drilled. Close to 13,000 people have been served, and 2,250 have heard the Gospel. Of that, 217 people have accepted Christ.
And the team’s Zimbabwe mission trip continued that effort…spreading clean water and clean spirits.
“The people in Zimbabwe, in general, are very open to the Gospel and want to hear what you have to say,” Nick said. “Almost anyone will let you talk to them about spiritual things, which is extremely refreshing.”
