By Allie Martin
August 15, 2006

(AgapePress) - A Christian ministry is helping provide clean drinking water to many who are considered subhuman in India's traditional caste system. Under that system, the Dalits -- those sometimes called "untouchables" -- are often prohibited from using village wells; but Gospel for Asia (GFA) has begun drilling new sources of water, which are being called "Jesus wells."

These wells are located near the ministry's Believers Churches throughout India and are available for anyone to use, regardless of caste or economic background. GFA founder K.P. Yohannan says the wells do more than quench the locals' thirst -- they also help break down invisible barriers found in the centuries-old caste system.

"Now we say publicly, 'In Christ there is no discrimination; there is no contamination. You can come and draw your water all you want,'" Yohannan explains. "It gave us the opportunity to serve the poor and needy," he says, "and the amazing thing is this has caused us to have an open door for so many people to understand the message of Christ's love and acceptance."

The evangelical ministry leader believes the "Jesus wells" have helped many Hindus see Christian faith in action. Bridges are being built, he contends, as Hindu onlookers observe Christian believers showing "compassion for people who don't have clean water in their community, especially when they are forbidden to draw water by the upper castes -- these poor suffering people."

Each "Jesus well" costs about $3,000 to dig, Yohannan notes, but he feels the value of providing these wells to needy Dalits is immeasurable. "I think it is an opportunity God is giving us to serve and have a part in their life," he says.

There are an estimated 300 million Dalits in India. In addition to working to evangelize and meet the physical needs of this group's members, GFA also shares the love of Christ with them through primary schools and education programs for Dalit children and literacy programs and parenting classes for the adults.

Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.

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