Cedar Rapids church holds service to build well in Tanzania

CEDAR RAPIDS - One in six people in the world live without clean drinking water. That's why one Cedar Rapids church held a special service to help build a well for people in the drought-stricken country of Tanzania.

Sunday, the First Lutheran Church held a special worship service inspired by Bono from the popular band U-2. With the band's music in the background, congregation members and others donated money to the Tanzania Well Project. That's where the church's partner congregation resides. The lack of clean water means people there must travel miles on foot to get the highly sought after commodity.

Bono from U-2 has a familiar face and voice. But his fame is used not just for concerts, but also for inspiring hope.

“Part rock concert, part worship service, part Evangelical outreach,” said First Luthern Church Pastor Craig Brown.

First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids held a special service Sunday to help in Bono's efforts toward ending world poverty.  His “one” campaign started about five years ago.

“I'm one man, I'm one woman, I'm just a kid but I can affect change in one day,” said Bono.

And there's plenty of work left to be done.  The faces of starving Tanzanian children faces sparked Sunday's service.

“Why not help these people out?  They're the poorest of the poor,” said Craig.

The goal is to raise money to build a well in the small city of Same in Tanzania.  The people there have suffered years of drought and the water supply is scarce.

“You see people walking five miles with a jug on their head to get water.  We flush down the toilet what people would pay for everyday,” said Craig.

With so many luxuries here in the states, Pastor Craig Brown says he hopes more people will be inspired to give.  He shares a simple message he hopes will resonate with all who reach in their pockets so another may have a better shot at life.

“I hope people know they can make a difference,” said Craig.

It costs $37,000 to build each well along with the pumps, piping, storage tanks, and electrical work.  To read more about the Tanzania Well Project and donate to the cause

click here.