In my preparatory reading and study for returning to Kenya next week, I came across quite an amazing illustration and statement.

When we meet a community’s need for clean water, and basic hygiene, and sanitation, it is like toppling the first domino in a whole series of serious issues.

Deal with these first and it becomes easier to confront the lack of education, the risk of rape, and violence, poor health and limited employment. If we deal with these areas of water and sanitation then people in the poorest areas of the world are more able to handle other matters to improve their quality of life.

When women no longer have to find a quiet spot to use as a latrine, the danger of being on the receiving end of violence and rape diminishes. That is so true. How would you like to venture out late on a dark night where there is no lighting to do the toilet?

At this harvest season one of the major aid agencies is emphasizing issues of water and sanitation. Is it not terribly sad that we have still to major on that as we near the end of 2009?

Village life has been totally transformed in parts of Uganda and Kenya when running water became a reality. Diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera suddenly declined! Healing can arrive so simply where there is clean fresh drinkable water and where human refuse can be washed away.

Life is exceedingly hard in these African villages where I have had the joy and privilege of speaking and teaching at Seminars. Pastors and leaders will travel miles for the two or three days and take notes to share with their precious people.

Jesus spoke about water and the Holy Spirit. The Feast of Tabernacles has just drawn to a close for another year as I write this piece, and when Jesus attended the Feast in Jerusalem He cried out in a loud voice for the people to come to Him and drink. Of course, He was referring to the Holy Spirit, but the picture He presented was that of water, and as the Holy Spirit is pure so we must seek to offer people water as clean and clear and pure as we can.

As we are changed and transformed we have a responsibility to do what we can to improve the environment of those who face hardship after hardship.

Many simple acts of self-sacrifice, and love and grace, flowing in servant-hearted compassion could make a massive difference to whole communities.

It is possible for individuals to do more than they might believe to be achievable by giving time and gifts to those agencies that can be trusted to deliver the improvements in the front line where the needs are massive.

That reading and study has encouraged my heart, as I prepare to return to Kisumu and Nairobi. It is not easy but nevertheless we must work at combining the physical and practical alongside the spiritual. After all, God the Father sent Jesus as a real man! He was human and divine! He was physical and spiritual! the Bible makes that exceedingly clear.

Sandy Shaw.

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, http://www.wsho.com and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland” on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw

Contact me through Twitter

All About Prayer $14.98 Mr. Henry explores prayer with an animated story about Nehemiah, games & puzzles, a visit with his twin brother Professor Henry, a song with his bluegrass band, and a "spontaneous re-enactment" of the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den. Discover the truth about PRAYER....

Mr. Henry's Wild & Wacky Bible Stories, Vol. 1: All About Obedience $6.92 Mr. Henry explores obedience with an animated story about Jonah and the whale, games & puzzles, a song with his bluegrass band, a mystery posed by his twin brother, Professor Henry, and a "spontaneous re-enactment" of the story of Adam and Eve. Discover the truth about OBEDIENCE....

Wild & Wacky Bible Stories: All About Fear $6.99 As author Frank Peretti steps into the shoes of wacky inventor Mr. Henry, he scares away the monsters under the bed with All About Fear! Now coming to you in popular DVD format, Mr. Henry will teach kids with his goofy inventions, lively music, and reliable Scripture that they really have nothing to fear when God is on their side. Kids will be entertained with the never-ending action that fills M...

Melissa & Doug Deluxe 100pc Noah's Ark Floor Puzzle $7.48 Under the arch of the rainbow, as the waters recede, the animals emerge from the Ark and on to dry land. Over four feet long when assembled, this puzzle features 100 extra-thick pieces that are 20% thicker than most puzzles. Its easy-clean surface keeps the puzzle looking new for years to come. 100 pieces....

Melissa & Doug Noah's Ark Shape Sorter $13.52 Playfully detailed and built to last, this Wooden Noah's Ark is an educational craft that children will treasure for years. Each of the 12 pairs of smoothly shaped animals load onto the roomy boat through their matching shape cutout or through the removable cabin. All pieces store conveniently and comfortably below deck. Great for developing fine motor, matching and shape recognition skills in an ...

Sunsout I Am With You Cross 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $9.35 Put together this 1,000-piece, cross-shaped puzzle and reflect on the life of Christ. Here, artist William Ternay shows us some of the important moments, from his birth in a manger to preaching to crowds to gently caring for children to his final prayers in Gethsemane just before his arrest and crucifixion. Finished puzzle measures 26 x 33....

Jewels of Sinai $9.91 Unlock the mysteries of the Jewels ofSinaiProduct InformationImagine a journey on foot from Ancient Egypt across the Red Sea through theburning desert sands to Mount Sinai where everything you need to survive therigorous expedition is miraculously provided through the power of faith. Jewels of Sinai uniquely integrates the amazing Book of Exodus with fiftychallenging levels of match-three puz...

The Beginners Bible Old Testament Favorites $2.98 Teaches children the lessons of the Bible in this series of CD-ROM based interactive storybooks and activity centers based on the best-selling children's Bible in the world....

Bible Crosswords $3.42 Platform:  WINDOWS & MACINTOSH Publisher:  SELECTSOFT PUBLISHING Packaging:  JEWEL CASE Rating:  EVERYONE Exercise Your Bible Vocabulary!  Enjoy hundreds of Bible-themed fill-in crosswords based on the people places and stories of the Bible! It's a fun and entertaining way to use your Bible vocabulary! Over 3100 words! Plus High Scor...

Family Card Games Pit $13.85 The "Corner the Market" Card Game. Shout your deal and trade your cards to "corner" the market. Be the first to get all the cards of one commodity, slap the "Corner!" board and you'll win the hand. You'll feel like a trader in the pits of the exchange! Beware of the Bear and take your chances with the Bull. PIT is great frenzied fun.Ages 7 and Up - 3 to 8 Players...