Lionel had asked God for a miracle. His village was inundated by the worst flooding in Ecuador in a quarter-century and desperately needed clean water. A few weeks after Lionel prayed, a Samaritan's Purse team reached his remote village and met him fishing on the banks of the river. The staff asked Lionel where they could set up a community water filtration unit in his area.
Lionel and his wife were overjoyed when they met the team. Both received training on operating and maintaining a community water filter, which purified more than 10,000 gallons of filthy floodwater each day. "God has been faithful to answer the prayers of his children," Lionel's wife said.
Lionel's remote community, Babahoyo, was the hardest-hit region. The village had become an island, cut off by two flooded rivers. Samaritan's Purse worked hand-in-hand with local believers to install and maintain large-scale community filtration units. As a result of this partnership, the local church gained a greater level of respect in the community. Lionel told friends and neighbors about his prayers, and how God had chosen to answer them and spare residents from additional hardship.
As the floodwaters receded, Samaritan's Purse traveled up and down these rivers, providing clean water to remote villages. After filters were installed, individuals no longer suffered with bouts of sickness caused by unclean water and were able to concentrate their efforts on rebuilding homes and cleaning up debris.
It all started with a cup of clean water.
