Karishma stood with several other ladies from her village, waiting to get water from the tanker truck. The village head arranged for regular visits, hoping to provide adequate water for drinking and cooking, but sometimes the truck ran out before everyone could get enough.
The need for water dominated the minds of many in the village. Drought came every summer, bringing scorching temperatures often surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Months would pass without a drop of rain. Despite the daily need for water, another problem plagued Karishma’s mind even more: A wild man in the village threw rocks at passersby and frequently ran away from home. That wild man was her husband, Nirdhar.
Family Struggles With Father’s Erratic Behavior
Most of the people in the village knew only about Nirdhar’s irregular activities outside the home. They didn’t know he couldn’t sleep or eat. They didn’t see the scratches on Karishma’s arms and body inflicted by her husband’s fingernails.
Although Karishma knew Nirdhar was possessed by destructive spirits, she could do nothing to free him. Karishma, along with her son and two sons-in-law, often tried to find help for Nirdhar. They took him to many witch doctors and performed many rituals, but Nirdhar often overpowered those who tried to free him.
Believers’ Prayers Free Husband
One day, Karishma’s neighbors suggested Karishma and the family bring Nirdhar to see Gospel for Asia pastor Dayal Prasad, who lived a few miles away.
On this advice, Karishma and her children took Nirdhar to the church.
When they got to the church, the pastor and all the believers prayed for Nirdhar. God delivered him from the oppressive spirits and restored him to his right mind.
Seeing this miracle in Nirdhar’s life, the entire family recognized Jesus’ power and decided to embrace the freedom found in Christ.
Pastor Sees Villagers’ Need for Water
After Nirdhar and his family decided to entrust their souls to his divine Deliverer, Pastor Dayal Prasad started visiting them in their village to answer their questions about Jesus and teach them more about His ways. Gradually, more people in Nirdhar’s village also came to understand Jesus’ power and ability to save.
During these visits, Pastor Dayal noticed the water troubles plaguing the village. Apart from the regular visits of the water tanker, the only other source of water for the 15 families around Nirdhar’s home came from a pond filled with rain water. The villagers used the pond to water their crops and their cattle, as well as to wash their laundry. Sometimes they used it for bathing, which often led to itching and swelling.
Seeing their plight, Pastor Dayal asked his leaders if they would be able to drill a Jesus Well in Nirdhar’s village. Because of generous donations toward Jesus Wells through Gospel for Asia, they could.
Karishma’s neighbors advised her to bring her husband to a church for prayers. After witnessing Christ restore Nirdhar’s life, the whole family decided to follow Jesus.
Drilling in the Rocks
When Pastor Dayal told the villagers about his desire to drill a well, they were incredulous.
“We live in a hilly area,” said one of the villagers. “Surely some hindrance will occur.”
But Pastor Dayal and the believers knew they served the God who brought water out of rock to satisfy the needs of the children of Israel. They prayed in faith, asking God to provide the water they so desperately needed.
They decided to drill the well next to Nirdhar’s home, a place easily accessible to the 15 families crowded on the hillside. The local team hired to drill the well responded to the pastor’s proposal with skepticism, but they started drilling anyway.
The drill bored deeper and deeper into the hard ground, revealing dry soil and rocks below. It seemed the villagers were right—until the team hit water. God hadn’t left them dry.
“For God, everything is possible, even what human beings can’t imagine,” one of the believers declared, witnessing water flowing from the rocks.
The team continued drilling, ensuring the Jesus Well would provide water even through the hot summer drought. They added the pipes, poured the cement forms and installed the handle on the new pump well.
After Nirdhar and his family found freedom in Christ, Pastor Dayal visited to teach them more about Jesus. While he was in their village, he saw their tremendous need for a clean water source.
Fresh Water Flows in Abundance
Through many dry months and hot summer days, the well has continued to provide ample supplies of fresh and clean water. Not only is there enough for cooking and drinking, but the villagers can also bathe in the Jesus Well water, relieving much of the itching and swelling they lived with before.
Instead of gathering around a tanker, Karishma and her neighbors gather around the free waters of the Jesus Well.
“We never thought a well would be drilled in our village,” Nirdhar shares. “But the true need of this village was met by Gospel for Asia. We are truly thankful for it.”
Today, this Jesus Well stands as a testament to the God who delivered a man from evil spirits and delivered an entire village from thirst.
