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The Ohs first heard about Wycliffe Bible Translators and its work around the world at a Wycliffe Dinner Theatre event years ago. Without telling each other, Jerry and Donna each signed cards indicating an interest in short-term mission trips.
The Ohs began to develop their relationship with Wycliffe, becoming supporters through Wycliffe Foundation and attending overseas trips. Shortly after the banquet, their own missions journey became more specific and defined.
“I’ve always had an interest in water,” Jerry explains. Born and reared on a cattle ranch, Jerry was familiar with agriculture and irrigation, pumps, wells and working with his hands. “We went to a Lifewater International conference in Pasadena, Calif., and we both got pretty excited about clean water.”
Lifewater International is a Christian development organization that works to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to those needing it around the world. Jerry and Donna became interested in a bio-sand filter originally developed by the Danvor Corporation already at work and employed by numerous organizations.
The Ohs realized that they could combine their love for God’s Word with their passion for clean water to help provide both of these to those without either one.
Designed specifically for poor, rural villages, the bio-sand filter is typically inexpensive to assemble and constructed from local materials. According to Lifewater International, the filters effectively reduce the concentration of organisms and require little more than sand, gravel and concrete. A bio-sand filter can produce up to 100 liters of clean water each day.
“We’re looking at over 4 billion people in the world, and yet 1.1 billion are drinking unsafe water,” Jerry said. While he was learning how to assemble and construct the devices, Donna’s interest in hygiene education grew.
“Hygiene works really well with the bio-sand filter,” she said. “They sort of go hand-in-hand. It wouldn’t do much good to give them clean water if they don’t know how to handle it.”
Now in retirement, Jerry and Donna devote their own time and resources to finding ways that this tool can be used along with Bible translation, linguistics and literacy efforts around the world.
Innovation is key in Part 3...
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