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Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Ryan Geertsma.
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And I’m Robin Basselin. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
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For the past six weeks, Christians around the world have been observing the religious season of Lent. The Lent season is about forty days long. Christians use the time to prepare their hearts and minds for the most holy Christian holiday of Easter. During Lent, many Christians devote extra time to prayer. Often, Christians will deny themselves particular foods or other desires. They use the time they would have spent eating to think about God and pray. They also give more time and money to people in need. For many Christians, Lent is a very important spiritual time.
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This year, over twenty international Christian groups have joined together. They want to produce a positive global change during Lent. Together, they have started the “WASH for Lent” movement. During Lent, this movement encourages Christians to work for clean water and healthy living conditions for all people. Today’s Spotlight is on the “WASH for Lent” movement.
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Clean drinking water is necessary for a healthy life. However, nearly one thousand million (1 billion) people in the world do not have clean water. Many more people must travel very far distances each day to gather clean water. Basic sanitation is also important for a healthy life. Basic sanitation involves keeping harmful human waste separate from living spaces. However, over two thousand million (2 billion) people in the world also lack basic sanitation. This lack of sanitation and clean water makes it difficult for people to have good hygiene - to keep their bodies clean and disease free.
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It is a huge problem that so many people lack clean water, sanitation and hygiene. And this problem has many terrible effects. The World Health Organization says that eighty percent of all sicknesses in the world are caused by diseases from dirty water. In fact, lack of clean water and sanitation kills more than 2 million children each year. This is more than the number of children that die each year from AIDS and malaria combined.
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Lack of clean water and sanitation causes these and many other negative effects. However, the groups from “WASH for Lent” believe that the problems of clean water and sanitation can be solved. One way that the “WASH for Lent” movement is sharing information is on their website. There, they encourage the global Christian community to help solve this global problem. The website says,
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“The problem is not the end of the story. People of faith can make a real difference in opposing these problems. …this Lent, decide to get involved. Take action to create a better world for all of God’s children, and all of God’s world.”
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In the name “WASH for Lent”, the word “WASH” is an acronym. The individual letters of the word represent other words. The letters “W” and “A” represent the word “water.” The letter “S” represents “sanitation.” And the letter “H” represents the word “Hygiene.” This acronym communicates the three basic needs that the movement calls Christians to help improve – people’s need for clean WAter, basic Sanitation and Hygiene.
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The “WASH for Lent” movement chose to concentrate on these needs during Lent because of Lent's religious meaning. During the Lent season Christians think about the suffering of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus Christ suffered death so that all people could live. During Lent, Christians also think about how they live their own lives. They think about their need for God.
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The “WASH for Lent” movement encourages Christians to not only think about their needs. They also encourage them to think about the needs and suffering of people without clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The “WASH for Lent” website asks Christians this question,
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“As we enter this time of Lent, one question for us is: How does Jesus Christ’s life, death and victory over death require us to act toward those who experience suffering every day?”
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“WASH for Lent” is a global movement. Christian groups of all kinds are working together in this process. It includes groups like the World Council of Churches, the Ecumenical Water Network, the Church World Service and Lifewater International. They are encouraging the global Christian Church to pray, study and take action. The “WASH for Lent” movement provides prayers and Christian study materials for each day of Lent. These materials look at what the Bible says about serving other people and following the example of Jesus Christ.
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The website also has website links to many international Christian organizations that are working for clean water and sanitation around the world. “WASH for Lent” hopes that Christians will give money to these or other groups. These gifts can be an act of their worship during Lent.
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Water is an important symbol in the Christian faith. Jordan Blevins helped create the “WASH for Lent” website. He told the Christian Post news organization,
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“Water is a symbol of our link with God. Water communicates the image of renewal, promise and hope. Concentrating on the global water, sanitation, and hygiene crisis for Lent makes strong our link with God, and with all of God’s people.”
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“WASH for Lent” hopes that Christians around the world will take time to think about this powerful symbol. And that their prayers and studies will cause them to act. The “WASH for Lent” Bible study for this last week of Lent calls Christians to this action. It says,
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“We are called to live in a more thoughtful relationship with the rest of the world around us. This means answering the needs of that world - giving again the waters, and providing clean water and sanitation to those in need. So, answer the call. Follow the example of Jesus.”
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“WASH for Lent” is a wonderful example of a global faith community joining together to produce positive global change. Their work will help improve the lives of many people in need. Their work will also help change the hearts and lives of the Christians that get involved. However, this movement does not have to be limited to the Christian Church. People all over the world, from all different faiths can act to help solve the global water and sanitation crisis.
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In fact, there are many other faith communities working to end the world’s clean water and sanitation crisis. And people of different faiths are even working together to develop movements that will produce positive global change. Together, people of faith can change the world.
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