How forty-eight people came to Christ through just one water filter in Cameroon.
Yombi, an indigenous missionary in a village in east Cameroon, was at the end of his rope until Quentin offered him two gifts. The first was a water filter. The second was a simple strategy.
Yombi had tried his best to build a ministry, but there was no fruit. On top of this, his family was suffering from having to drink dirty water.
Little did Yombi know that there would be one solution for both of his problems.
No Fruit and Dirty Water
Yombi travelled to the city for a pastor and missionary conference and decided to visit an experienced pastor and missionary named Quentin.
Yombi shared his frustrations with Quentin as he patiently listened. He certainly understood Yombi’s discouragement and wanted to help.
Some of the eastern Cameroon villages are difficult to reach because of traditions and native religions.
At that same time, Quentin was participating in a pilot program with Filter of Hope. He had received a limited number of water filters to test in ministry and determine whether a filter ministry would be an effective way to share the gospel throughout Cameroon.
Before Yombi left, Quentin gave him a water filter and explained that it would last 10 years if he took proper care of it. “And I added that not only could it filter enough water for his family, but he could share the clean water with his neighbors.”
They Came, But They Wouldn’t Talk
Back in the village, Yombi and his wife quickly began having an impact as they offered clean water to their neighbors. One woman started giving clean water to her sick baby and she started telling other women in the market how much her baby’s health had improved. Many women lined up at Yombi’s house asking for filtered water.
Young women were very interested in giving their children clean water.
Quentin visited him in the village a couple of weeks later. Though Yombi and his wife were blessing many families with clean water, they were still frustrated because they weren’t able to share about how Jesus wants to clean people’s hearts like the filter cleans the water.
After listening, Quentin made a suggestion. “I told him to only begin filtering the water after someone had arrived.”
It’s safe to say Quentin’s simple strategy made a difference. In a relatively short time, Yombi and his wife led 48 women and children to Christ.
“There was even enough time to follow up with those who made the decision to accept Christ. Yombi and his wife are meeting frequently with four of them who are speaking more and more about their faith to others.”
The Ministry Multiplied
About a month later, Quentin visited Yombi again and what he saw was incredible!
Yombi introduced Quentin to three women outside his home. “I started sharing about the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. I discovered that the women were believers, so I explained how this woman brought others to meet Jesus. Then I challenged them to do the same.”
Quentin Ngamo (second from the left), is a staff member with Cru Global Church Movements and a Filter of Hope UPG (unreached people groups) partner. He helps coordinate filter distribution throughout Cameroon.
While Quentin was waiting for a ride to another village, one of the women, Ndipayuk, brought back seven other women.
“It was a wonderful time. When the women started leaving, I asked Ndipayuk to wait and I taught her how to share Jesus with her friends.”
Ndipayuk was elated. “Tomorrow morning I will be the first person at the market. I will sell my goods fast so I can talk to as many of my friends as possible about the gospel.”
