The Well and the Witness

Early this morning (May 6, 2026) a message went out across the Hilltop campus in the Philippines:

“Hi everyone,

The repair of our deep well will begin tomorrow and is expected to continue until Monday, Lord willing. In the meantime, we will implement daily water rationing…

Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

That simple notice captures something of life and ministry here at the present moment.

The deep well system on the Hilltop campus has faithfully served students, faculty, staff, and ministry families for many years. But now the aging pump requires major repair. In the meantime, water must be rationed during one of the hottest seasons the Philippines has experienced in years.

As I reflected on the well repair this week, I found myself looking back many years to an old photograph of my brother and me standing beside the Hilltop well when water first began flowing from it. At the time, we were young missionaries helping build what was then only the beginning of the ministry. Now both the missionaries and the well system are showing their age! Yet the Lord has remained faithful through every season.

That old well has quietly served thousands of people over the years. In much the same way, countless servants of Christ faithfully labor year after year without recognition, often under difficult conditions, simply continuing the work God has given them to do.

Thank you for praying for the Hilltop campus, for the repair of the deep well system, for relief from the heat, for strength for our pastors and workers, and for endurance in the mission Christ has given us.

Consider helping with the refurbishment of the campus well.