Shared by Rev. Brad Davis of Welch Charge
The Welch Charge has decided to put its faith in action and do something about the ongoing water crisis in McDowell County, specifically in their affected communities.
Thorpe UMC has hosted multiple water distributions recently at Gary City Hall for that town’s residents. The Gary water system has been compromised, with discolored water routinely running through faucets. As one resident said as they were picking up water, “we’re paying for water we can’t use.”
Another distribution at Gary City Hall is scheduled for next Friday, April 12, at noon.
Boyd’s Chapel in the Leckie community and Jenkinjones UMC are serving as distribution sites for affected residents in the Anawalt area of the county. Boyd’s Chapel serves an area that contains 61 households connected to unusable wells.
While the residents of Jenkinjones are connected to a public water system, it is unreliable and in desperate need of upgrades.
Affected residents in both communities, many of whom are on fixed incomes, routinely make trips to Bluefield to purchase bottled water in bulk.
Boyd’s Chapel is hosting a community meeting on Saturday, April 13 to allow residents to gather for prayer, learn how to report water problems to authorities, and to have a safe space to share their stories and discuss next steps in addressing the root causes of the issue.
In stepping up to meet this crucial need, the people of the Welch Charge are reflecting the life of Jesus in the world and helping to alleviate the suffering of their neighbors.
