AU Student Raises Money for Wells in Liberia

Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Anderson University nursing major Lindsey Jeffers is paying her rent in service to the people of Liberia.
 
In 2010, Jeffers raised over $2,400 for two fresh water wells to be built in Liberia. These wells will provide a lifetime supply of fresh water for people living in the communities of Zondo and Wayzhon; hundreds of lives have been saved due to her actions.
 
“I know that God was working through me,” said Jeffers. “He was calling. All I did was answer.”
 
The original inspiration came to Jeffers while she was at AU for a Christ in Youth summer camp. “They talked about the water crisis and how people were dying from unsafe drinking water,” she said. Her first involvement, however, came from her church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, in her hometown of Muncie, Ind. “This is where I found out about the organization Hope 2 Liberia. They helped me to see that God was calling me take action and work with this organization,” said Jeffers.
 
The purpose of the organization is to provide freshwater to Liberian communities that have no access to clean water.
 
“Hope 2 Liberia is about reaching the broken and needy for the glory of God,” said Sam Wrisley, president of Hope 2 Liberia and senior minister of Harvest Christian Fellowship. “We desire to water the thirsty both physically and spiritually, realizing this truth: you cannot teach a person about the love of Christ the day after they die of thirst.”
 
Jeffers raised money for Hope 2 Liberia by hosting a “Build a Well” dinner and an auction. “We had about 80 people come,” said Jeffers. “It was really exciting. I also went door-to-door to raise some of the money.”
 
Jeffers feels that her calling is not only for the people of Liberia, but also to serve as many people as she can. As a nursing major, Jeffers plans to use her degree to serve others.
 
“Lindsey is one of the most passionate people I have met,” said Heather McDowell, Hope 2 Liberia staff member. “She has an amazing heart to help others. If she has an idea on how to help, she finds a way to make it a reality. Her excitement for the country of Liberia is contagious. Her passion to do anything that needs to be done is motivating.”
 
Jeffers does not want her service to end any time soon. “I want to have another fundraiser to build more wells in Liberia,” she said.
 
The gratitude the Liberian communities have for Jeffers is remarkable. “Hundreds of children in these Liberian villages now have access to freshwater for the rest of their lives because of what God has done through Lindsey,” said Wrisley. “Most people cannot say they have saved lives, but Lindsey has saved lives in Liberia and given hope in Jesus’ name. It does not get bigger than that.”
 
— Kelli Oxley is a sophomore from Anderson University, majoring in communication arts. Oxley is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.
 
Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music, nursing, and theology.