Clean Water Climb
A former member and retiree connected CCEM with Mike Navolio, a brother in Christ who is passionate about providing clean water and the Word of God to people in need. Below is his story and links to other websites where you can donate or sign up to help if you feel called to do so.
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By Mike Navolio (edited for brevity)
While working as a geophysicist at Southwestern Energy, my wife and I went on our first mission trip to Kenya for 10 days. We aimed to assist churches in Nairobi's slums, learn about a water well ministry, and go on a photo safari. Initially drawn by the safari, I was unexpectedly moved by the water well ministry.
Our first stop revealed hundreds collecting water from a dry riverbed. I was stunned to see people scooping water from holes and hauling it away. It was there that God showed me the problem: people need water. At our next stop, we found a new water well that was being tested, much to the delight of a local villager who shared that he previously walked 20 km for water! It was here that God showed me the solution: water wells.
Finally, we visited a site for a new well that was about to be “spud” and witnessed children gathering as a crewman shared his Bible with them. It was here that God confirmed that providing water creates opportunities to share faith, but it requires resources.
I began giving to support the cause, but something felt absent. I needed to return to learn more.
In 2009, a friend encouraged me to travel to South Sudan to repair broken water wells and share Bible stories. Trusting my friend, I accepted the opportunity. Shortly after planning a trip to Kenya, I was invited to visit Malawi to meet Jeff and Karen Rogers of Child Legacy and assist with another water well repair. After our Kenya trip, we flew to Malawi, where I helped teach hygiene to villagers. I used the opportunity to share a memorized Bible story and, despite my hesitation, led 40 in prayer for salvation through a translator. This transformative experience concluded with a joyful celebration around the restored water well, filled with singing and dancing.
When I got back to Houston, I knew God was saying that I needed to help Child Legacy. Somehow. Someway. Again, was it just financial support, or was there something more? After thought and prayer, God clearly said to do two things: Give and bring people to Malawi. He will move in their hearts.
In 2010 I gathered a group to visit Malawi. The villagers' joy for clean water at each well was profound. Rural Malawi needs Hope for Today and Eternity. I wondered what God wanted next. On a flight from Nairobi to London, an Englishman shared he and his friends had climbed Kilimanjaro to fundraise for a hospital. This inspired me to start the Mt. Kilimanjaro Clean Water Climb for Child Legacy. When I returned from the first climb in 2011, I questioned my choice of the name “1st Annual.” Despite the challenge, we raised $50,000 for clean water in Malawi, prompting annual climbs.
We have now trekked Kilimanjaro 19 times. I have been to Malawi 21 times. We also have added other treks (Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Aconcagua, Ecuadorian Volcanoes, Mt. Mulanje, Colorado 14-ers, and Appalachian Trail segments) for the ministry. We are about to add treks in Europe and Oceania. Soon we will be trekking all 6 continents. All treks raise funding for the Clean Water Climb, which supports Child Legacy’s water ministry. To date the Clean Water Climb has raised over $4.8 million dollars through the generosity of over 6000 unique donors which has resulted in just over 4000 water wells being repaired by Child Legacy since we began in 2011.
If you like adventure with a higher purpose we invite you to join us on a journey to Kilimanjaro and Malawi, we now call Prairie-Peak-Purpose:
Prairie – Get over jet lag, acclimate, see God’s amazing African animals
Peak – Journey with amazing guides and porters to the top of Africa
Purpose – Bring Hope for Today and Hope for Eternity through clean water and Living Water
If you are looking for what God may want you to pursue, I recommend asking yourself:
What are you gifted in?
What are you passionate about?
What opportunity is in front of you right now?
Whose Godly council or advice do you trust in your life? For me it was:
Kenya (church short mission trip opportunity)
Sudan (friend’s suggestion opportunity)
Malawi (friend’s suggestion opportunity)
A very direct message from God through a guy on a plane!
“You will never know your true potential unless you leave your comfort zone.” …Dr. Buumba Bubala, Zambia (M3 Conference, 2017)
To help the cause, check out these resources:
Clean Water Climb Website: https://cleanwaterclimb.org
Mike’s fundraising page with the story and photos of his early trips: https://give.cleanwaterclimb.org/Mike-Navolio
Typical P-P-P trip: https://youtu.be/wU1lqFe14C4