Day 9: Walking with Water

Today's journal reminds me of the day I was baptized. I was on a retreat during high school up in the mountains. On Sunday our plan was to climb to one of the high points of the mountain and have a Sunday morning worship service there. I asked my pastor if he would baptize me then. When I asked, I forgot that there don't tend to be buckets of water waiting on mountain cliffs. The pastor told me I would have to carry the water up myself if I wanted to be baptized. The only thing large enough to carry the water was a big basin. We filled it up with a gallon or two of water on Sunday morning and began our trek. I was a bit arrogant, and thinking myself in pretty good shape, I figured the whole thing would be a piece of cake...guess what...it wasn't. I started in the front of the line and slowly fell back behind my peers until I was trailing several yards behind someone who was really taking their time smelling the roses. By the time I got to the worship spot, which took about 20 minutes to get to, I was completely winded and covered in sweat. It's hard to imagine a walk like that being the daily life of a child for their entire adolescence. And then I wonder how far that child could really stretch 1-2 gallons of water. I use more than that whenever I brush my teeth if I leave the water running.
Water.
It's funny...I can't think of a time in my life when I was thirsty and I couldn't get a drink of water, can you?

Personal:
If you aren't willing to do the water exercise found on the "six week quest" link, then think of something else you can do to make this personal. Put extra books in your backpack. Try only using 1-2 gallons of water today (that means no showers!).

Action:
1. Did you carry the bucket for a mile, and then carry the water back? What was that like? Did any other inconveniences come to mind...like maybe the time it would take you everyday just to get your water. It's easy to see how when your impoverished you're entire day can quickly be taken up just with trying to survive.

2. Check out some stories about people in need of clean water by following the Water article link below.