Clean water for God's thirsty children
Caring For Our Neighbors,
Near and Far
Debbie and Terry Brown during a mission trip to Honduras
Because of Covid, the 2020
Frankfort Frosty 5K/Fred & Me 143
will be a lot more socially-distanced than in past years.
Debbie Brown with
a new Honduran friend
There are lots of road races for people who like to run and walk. But there aren’t many that ask important questions. And one of them found us.

The Frankfort Frosty 5k/Fred and Me 143 Races ask a question from both the Old and New Testaments: Who is my neighbor?

There is a lot of talk about the Good Samaritan parable these days. Pope Francis even wrote a long letter about it recently. Debbie Brown and the other volunteers who host the races (this year on Sunday, December 6) take their inspiration from good old Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood.

“Fred Rogers was such a wonderful man,” Debbie said. “He said that the three most important ingredients for success were ‘Be kind; be kind; be kind.’ Following his example, we’re just trying to be good neighbors. Locally, we support the free dental and medical clinic at the First Baptist Church at the Singing Bridge here in Frankfort.

“Globally we support Water With Blessings.”

Debbie and her husband Terry are physical therapists who have traveled on ecumenical mission trips to Honduras sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Frankfort. It was through those trips they were introduced to Water With Blessings.

“Every single patient we saw on those trips had parasites from drinking unhealthy water,” Debbie said. “That’s definitely changed now because of Water With Blessings.”
Because of Covid, this year’s races will be virtual – people will have to run on their own and miss out on the fellowship that is always part of these events. But they won’t miss out on the prizes.

“We’re still going to be giving out t-shirts and we’ll have weekly door prize drawings, at least twice a week, but you have to be signed up,” Debbie said. “There are also three grand prizes to be awarded. You can win a Covid-safe visit from Santa Claus to your home or office. There is a photo shoot by a professional photographer. And you can win two hours of professional D.J. services for a party.

“On the weekly drawings we will be giving away electric toothbrushes, wall hangings, Christmas wreaths, and other great prizes.”

For more information and a sign-up form, please click on the link below.

“Visiting a place like Honduras and seeing the families, knowing Water With Blessings is able to help them provide clean water, is just incredible,” Debbie said. “One Water Woman with a filter can take care of her little neighborhood, providing clean water for three other families as well as her own.

“It also shows how much we take for granted. But you see how happy you can be with so little. The people there do have so much compassion and care for one another. They are truly good neighbors to one another. We can learn a lot from them.”


Santa Claus Will Be Coming Your Way at the
Frankfort Frosty 5K and Fred and Me 143
Who is your neighbor?

Please consider asking your neighbors and friends to join our community in mission.

It's easy to say we love our neighbor. It's a little more difficult to put those feelings into action.

By supporting Water With Blessings, you are building an interconnected community, dedicated to a simple mission: providing clean water to God's thirsty children. Please take an extra step and forward this email to a few of your friends. You never know -- perhaps they too would want to be a part of this growing effort.

And remember that you can make a long-term impact by clicking the link below to become a sustaining donor to Water With Blessings. By giving $12.50 each month, you can sponsor two new Water Women each year.

We'll be sure to send you information on seeing where your Water Women live and the impact your gift is making.
Why I Support
Water With Blessings
Rebecca Stutsman
Chief Development Officer

I first met Sister Larraine Lauter in the spring during a community breakfast at the Muhammad Ali Center before the COVID-19 pandemic began. I was struck by her commitment to the Water With Blessings’ mission and how simple, yet profound it is: one Water Woman with a single Sawyer PointONE Filter can make an enormous amount of difference for her family’s health and her neighbors’ health.

The Power of One Person to make a big difference appealed to me as a fundraiser. When Sister Larraine described the global reach of the program to 48 countries, I was hooked. She invited me to consider working as a fundraiser for WWB – and I agreed. I was eager to help work toward clean water and improved public health in impoverished communities around the world.

I wanted to “test” the donor-response system and signed up to sponsor one Water Woman for $75 shortly after I began working with the WWB team. I immediately received a text message thank-you and an e-mail message thanking me for my support. I had found an ideal organization to work with, I was certain.

During the turbulence and changes of the past seven months, the steadfast and persistent focus on finding the best ways to keep moving forward and around unexpected roadblocks has been a daily highlight of working with Sister Larraine and the excellent staff and volunteers that she has attracted to this organization’s mission.

We’re living through extraordinary times. This global pandemic is having profound effects on daily living and our interactions with one another. The primary mission of Water with Blessings (WWB) continues to be an expression of faith and compassion, supported by a pragmatic commitment to public health.
Making clean water available in impoverished communities around the world, and supporting Water Women as they lead the way, are vitally important to maintaining health and safety for families and helping to stave off the next global disease challenge.

When my mom passed away at summer’s end following a three-month journey with a brain tumor, I was very touched by the compassionate response expressed by Sister Larraine and the entire WWB team. Together, they donated funds to make a memorial gift to sponsor a Water Woman and honor my mom’s 94 years of life.

As we seek to find balance and control during these unexpected and unwanted situations, sometimes the most reassuring choice is to recognize the continuum of life. Making a gift to support another Water Woman who will protect the health of little, vulnerable children who will be the next generation of leaders and innovators is an easy choice for me.

Please consider joining us today as we work together to make clean water a reality for more children each day.
Coffee Chat:
A Fun Way to Prepare for Frosty Times Ahead
This week we're going to be Coffee Chatting with Debbie Brown, discussing the Frankfort (Kentucky) Frosty 5K/ Fred and Me 143 road races. Debbie (pictured above with her husband Terry) is a veteran of mission trips to Honduras. She will talk about seeing the work of Water With Blessings up close and personal, and tell us about the December 6 event. You will enjoy meeting her.

Remember, we have moved the time permanently to a noon chat every Friday. Water With Blessings has friends and supporters all over the country, this gives more people a chance to join us.

So if our old time was too early for you, please consider clicking below to be a part of the conversation. Then grab a mid-day beverage and fire up the connection. Once you join us, we think you will want to make it a habit.
Cradles of Christ 2020
Save The Date! DONATE!

The Cradles of Christ Nativity Display will be virtual this year. So now everyone can enjoy experiencing the beauty of the Christmas season in a new way.

Here are the important ways you can participate and support the efforts to provide clean water to families in need around the world:

  1. The Silent Night Auction, featuring lots of great items, begins Thanksgiving Day. You can bid on gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, a Roomba automatic vacuum cleaner, a Bed & Breakfast stay, Santa theme baskets, spa packages, manicures, beautiful artisan Nativity Sets, and much more. Track your bids each day to make sure you get the one-of-a-kind gifts you want.
  2. Donate items or services to the Silent Night Auction! But do it soon because our deadline for items is this Thursday, November 5.
  3. Cradles of Christ Advent Journey Series gives you a few moments of quiet in this busy season. Subscribe to the Advent Devotion for no charge, donations are accepted. Each day you can view a unique Nativity and video description from the owner, then read the accompanying scripture verse and reflection. Please sign up for your subscription using the following link: Cradles of Christ - Advent Journey
  4. Share your Nativity with us for the Cradles of Christ Advent Journey by signing up on SignUp Genius link: Share your Nativity Sign Up
 
Please feel free to reach out to Debbie at debbie@waterwithblessings.org with any questions.
 
This is a very different year for all of us. We trust the Holy Spirit to guide this new effort to provide health for families, whether physically through clean water, or spiritually by reflections on what Christmas means. God bless you.
Other News and Upcoming Events

Thank you to Le Moo – A Great Event With Even Better People!

We thank the wonderful folks at Le Moo for hosting us last Sunday. The event raised $558.68, plus $187 in cash donations from the patrons. Most importantly, we made a lot of new friends! One of whom is planning a special baby shower for her baby who is on the way: she wants to ask her friends and family to honor the birth of baby Myles by supporting our efforts to provide clean water for other babies.

If you know of a restaurant that might be interested in hosting us, please put us in touch. The Water With Blessings community will show up in force!

Please share your story with others

As you have been reading, people are telling others why they support Water With Blessings. If you would like to tell your story, please let us know. Send an email to debbie@waterwithblessings.org and we will get in touch with you. Thank you for helping Water With Blessings.
We believe every child should be drinking clean water. Are you with us?
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