Darryn's Blog

President Commissions Water Drilling Rig

In January of this year, a group of us from Heartland Church went to Sierra Leone, West Africa to spend 10 days in the poorest country in the world. We were honored to meet with the President of Sierra Leone based on the excellent work and reputation of our ministry partner, World Hope International.  During our vist, President Ernest Koroma told us the dire need of his country was to provide clean water for the people.  He asked us to consider the facts:

• Life expectancy is 42 years of age.
• Infant mortality is 1 out of 5.
• The GNP per capita is $142 (per year).

The devastating cycle could not be turned around without dealing with shortage of clean water. Read the background story here.

In June of this year, the people of Heartland gave $150,000 in the short span of six weeks time to respond to the urgent need for equipment to drill wells.  It was an incredible act of generosity to witness.

I just received word that the Water Drill rig that was purchased with those funds finally arrived and made it to the target area of Makeni, a place of extreme poverty in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. 

Apparently this was big news! The President himself came out to the northern city of Makeni to commission it. 

World Hope International Country Director for Sierra Leone, Saidu Kanu, had this to say about the commissioning ceremonies.

Yesterday afternoon, the President of Sierra Leone commissioned the well drilling equipment donated by Heartland Church. The ceremony was very impressive. The President spoke very highly of our work and glad that something fruitful came out of the January visit. The  President (in the white hat) started the rig as part of the commissioning and watch a test drill for few minutes.

Dr. Richard Konteh, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development chaired the occasion. Also present was the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, and many officials of the Northern Province. Thank you, Heartland Church!

This one rig can produce about 50 wells per year.  With a population of about 250,000 without access to clean water, the city of Makeni alone can absorb at least 50 wells. President Koroma told us in January that there were at least 1,000 communities they had identified in critical need.

But this is the difference we can make together. It's awesome.  So many people made sacrifices to get this first project done and you're a part of something wonderful that is happening in the world right now! We're impacting a nation!

A group of us from Heartland will be traveling back to Sierra Leone at the End of November to see the equipment in action; actually drilling a couple of wells  and observing the impact to the people in the community. We're actually going to live in their conditions to experience what life is like without clean water. It will be very compelling. We'll be bringing back a lot of video and hopefully inspire thousands of people to make a difference.

Anyone wishing to give towards this project, can give by credit card online through Heartland’s secure online giving system. It’s EASY!

1. Click the link above and login, (or 1st time register)
2. and then click the “GIVING” tab.
3. Please designate your gift to Sierra Leone in the optional memo line.

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." —Jesus, Matt. 10:42 (NLT)

This is Heartland Video

Here is a link to a video we showed at the Grand Opening our our new auditorium this past week.

Desperate for Leadership

Friday evening on the NBC Nightly News broadcast, anchorman Brian Williams asked financial expert, Maria Bartiromo, about a graphic he saw on CNBC pleading for CEOs to come on the air with whatever ideas they have to solve the current economic crisis. Brian said, “It seems there is no government figure who can speak with towering amounts of credibility on this issue.”

Maria responded “That’s true …Everybody is looking for leadership. Everybody is nervous … and people want to feel like somebody is in charge. Now that we still haven’t seen confidence restored, people want to hear from people who are running businesses who will be able to say the world is not falling apart.”

With stunning accuracy, 3,000 yrs ago the prophet Isaiah predicted that a time is coming when the world will become desperate for leadership.

Isaiah 3:6-11, "In those days a man will say to his brother, “Since you have a coat, you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of ruins!”  But he will reply,   “No! I can’t help. I don’t have any extra food or clothes. Don’t put me in charge!"

We’re living in unprecedented times and people of the world are becoming desperate for leadership. If only someone would rise up who could lead the world out of the mess it is in? If only someone could bring peace in the Middle East? If only someone could solve the world’s economic problems?

Isaiah spoke of a Godly nation who had drifted away from God that had stumbled and what God said would happen to the wicked; how they will get what they deserve,

But also prophesied how all will be well for the Godly and they will enjoy the rich reward they deserve.

Now more than ever we need to know what the Word of the Lord says about the times we live in. It could not be more relevant than right now. You should read your Bible.

For example, in Proverbs 11:14 it says, “Without wise leadership a nation is in trouble.” 

Right now, we have an unprecedented, incredibly opportunity to LEAD! Those who have placed their hope and confidence in the Lord should take advantage of it.

Stay tuned … more to come.