How you helped rebuild a vital well in Myanmar after the earthquake

When Pastor Than’s community’s well became polluted after the March earthquakes, your prayers and gifts helped local Open Doors partners to restore the well – thank you!

When devastating earthquakes struck Myanmar in March, Pastor Than* and his family were safe from most of its effects – but not all of them. 

“On the day of the severe earthquake, I was watching the news about the damage it caused in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions,” he says. “My wife had just returned home from a prayer gathering. By God’s grace and protection, we were safe. Later, she went to fetch water from the well to cook food. But as she tried to draw water, she noticed that the well had developed a crack, and the water was contaminated with soil and other impurities. With no other option, she asked me to buy purified water for cooking.”  

The well is restored 

The earthquake, which followed a fault line, destroyed everything along its path. The well was among the many structures damaged.  

Pastor Than and his neighbours – most of whom follow other faiths – attempted to repair the well. 

“After two to three days of trying, we couldn’t fix it,” Pastor Than says. “The water became even more polluted. We were desperate. Buying clean water daily was not sustainable for us, as four families and several new believers staying in the church depended on this well. So, we reached out to the local Open Doors partners, who had previously helped us with safe housing for persecuted believers. They responded immediately and provided assistance to repair the well.” 

Together with church members and skilled workers, Pastor Than began the repair and reinforcement work. “We reinforced the well with a shock-absorbing foundation to prevent further damage and elevated the water tank. Now, we can access clean drinking water.” 

“We feel your care and love” 

Thanks to your generous outpouring of support, Open Doors local partners were able to respond immediately to the needs of believers affected by the earthquakes, which includes giving food aid to over 200 Christians. 

Pastor Than is thankful for your prayers and support that made the repair of the well possible. “You are our shelter whenever we encounter storms in the ministry,” he says. “We praise the Lord that we have God, our Saviour, and you who stand with us in difficult times like this. Three other families and we are directly blessed by the well and, of course, our church members are indirect beneficiaries. We feel your care and love, flowing into our lives like living water – for our family, our church and our community!”  

Ko Lwin*, a local Open Doors partner, shares, “When Pastor Than thanked us and said the well blessed not only the church but the whole community, it reminded me of the story of the Samaritan woman drawing water and meeting Jesus (John 4). I pray that the people here will not only draw water from the well, but also encounter Jesus, who is the Living Water.”  

*Names changed for security reasons