The TLLC Story & The Founding of Water to Thrive
Water to Thrive emerged from an adult Bible study that was conducted at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church (TLLC) in Austin, Texas, during the summer of 2007. This course was held each Sunday morning for six weeks, with an average attendance of 40 people, to focus on World Hunger and Poverty. Through the course of this study participants were exposed to a deeper understanding of both local and international needs.
During one session the study group heard from a representative of A Glimmer of Hope Foundation (AGOHF) regarding its efforts to bring fresh, safe water to the impoverished, rural areas of Ethiopia. AGOHF had a six-year history of implementing successful programs in Ethiopia for education, healthcare, water and sanitation and micro-credit.
The message was simple but compelling – just $3,500 can fund a hand-dug well that will change the lives of 300-500 people (on average, only $7 per person!) with fresh, clean water to help lift them out of the cycle of poverty forever. In addition, AGOHF would cover all the overhead and project management expense, so 100% of the donations would go directly to creating fresh water wells.
After the first meeting, a few of the attendees came together to create a matching challenge fund of $6,000 to encourage others attending to make a commitment to the well project over and above their normal gifts to the church. Later in the sessions, the representative from AGOH returned with an update and a video from a recent trip to Ethiopia. At the end of this session, TLLC had over the $20,000 in commitments, and by the time a check was presented to AGOHF, it was over $26,000. During the worship service in which the check was presented to AGOH, another member committed an additional $3,500, totaling $30,000. Just before Christmas, another TLLC member family committed to fund a well.
The Spirit moved TLLC members to open their hearts and share their blessings with needy people in Ethiopia. Their gifts, totaling over $35,000, will provide 12 fresh water wells, forever changing the lives of over 6,000 Ethiopians in the Tigray Region!
Witnessing this response from the TLLC participants, coupled with the cultivated nature of the Christian heart to serve God’s people in the world, Dick Moeller founded Water to Thrive through his belief that if one church can make this kind of a difference, imagine the impact when we all come together to see change though with service to God.
Water to Thrive is now focusing efforts within the state of Texas, spreading the vision and passion to continue changing lives. We invite you to ride this wave of outreach with us and help Lutherans dig deep!
