You CAN Make a Difference

Sharon United Methodist Church will be holding a can drive on November 30

Submitted by Shirley Disch

We take it for granted. Clean, clear, cool water is at our fingertips and we don’t think a thing about it.

How different would your life be if you had to walk a mile to draw your water for the day from a river that is shared with animals of all kinds? Think about hauling it back a mile to your home and the worry on your mind … will this batch be the one that makes someone I love sick? For the villagers of Lueji (Lou’gee) located in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo this is how their day began yesterday, today and every day.

For the congregation at Sharon United Methodist Church and especially their pastor, Rev. Pete Harris (Pastor Pete) this is personal. In 2006 Pastor Pete traveled to Zimbabwe on a short-term mission trip to teach English to pre-theology students at Africa University. It was there he met Mujinga Mwamba Kora who, over the next few years, finished his education and returned to the North Katanga Conference of the United Methodist Church. He assumed his responsibilities as pastor, evangelist and educator in this village of 6,000 people.

Earlier this year Pastor Pete emailed Pastor Kora asking if there were any projects needing support. There is nothing more basic than clean, safe water. The village needed a well and it will cost $8,200 to dig.

The congregation at Sharon UMC set a goal of being fully funded by Easter 2020 and began raising precious dollars that would fulfill this dream. Here’s how you can become part of this important venture. Save your deposit cans and bottles and on Saturday, November 30 from 10-2, bring them to Sharon United Methodist Church to fill the bed of a pick-up truck (or two). The church is located at 19980 Pleasant Lake Rd. in Manchester.

If you have any questions regarding the Well Project, call the church office at 734-428-0996 or email sharonumchurch@gmail.com. You CAN make a difference!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.