Today’s Good News at a Glance:

1. Namibia is leading the charge in turning waste into potable drinking water!

2. A 12-year-old hero credits his CPR skills to watching Netflix.

3. We revisit our favorite good news story of the week!

It’s Good News Monday! That means we are taking time to only highlight some heartwarming and lighthearted stories. It’s not that we want to burry our heads in the sand and ignore the negative things in life. We can’t ignore the real world. However, it’s good for our hearts and minds to occasionally focus on the positive. So today, we pray these stories inspire you and remind you that this world is filled with moments that give us hope for the future.

We’re glad you’re here. We pray this take on the news leaves you informed and transformed.

“Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!” (John 7:37)

Dear Lord,

Lord, we acknowledge our spiritual thirst—a longing that can only be quenched by You. In a world filled with temporary satisfactions and fleeting pleasures, remind us that true fulfillment comes from drawing near to You, the Living Water. May we always turn to You in our thirst, knowing that You alone offer the refreshment and renewal that our souls crave. Help us also to be channels of this Living Water to others, leading them to the only Source that can truly satisfy. Thank you, Lord, for the invitation to come and drink from the well of Your eternal love and grace. In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.

Smaller Bites:

Here’s today’s news: cut short and sweet with a prayer…

1. The Frontier of Water Reclamation: Drinking Like the Namibians

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, has developed an innovative technology that turns sewage into safe drinking water within 24 hours, drawing attention from countries facing water scarcity like the U.S., France, and India. The technology, known as direct potable reuse (DPR), was initiated 55 years ago and now supplies about 35% of the city's water, meeting World Health Organization standards. As water scarcity becomes increasingly pressing due to climate change, DPR is seen as a groundbreaking method to enhance a city's resilience against water shortages, with American cities like El Paso planning to adopt similar technologies by 2025.

Lord, thank You for the gift of human ingenuity and the capacity to innovate in times of need. We praise You for the success of Windhoek's water reclamation project, a testament to Your providence and the resilience of Your creation. As communities around the world struggle with water scarcity, may they find inspiration in Windhoek's example to sustainably manage and cherish the resources You have given us. Amen.

2. 12-Year-Old Hero CPR Training From ‘Stranger Things’

Twelve-year-old Austen MacMillan saved his behavioral therapist, Jason Piquette, who passed out underwater while holding his breath, by performing CPR, a technique he learned from watching the TV show 'Stranger Things.' Austen's quick action has been praised widely on the internet and serves as a reminder that accurate portrayal of real-life skills in media can have unexpected, life-saving consequences. The incident emphasizes that not all screen time is wasted time and points to the social responsibility that content creators have.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the miracles that manifest in our lives, often when we least expect them. Thank you for Austen's quick thinking and for the life-saving knowledge gained in an unconventional yet divine manner. May this event remind us that You can use any medium, even a TV show, to instill wisdom and courage for life's critical moments. We pray that more people take the responsibility of acquiring and sharing valuable knowledge seriously, whether it's CPR or any other skill that can save lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

3. From Congo to Nevada: Why New Lithium Discovery Can Relieve Modern Slavery

A massive lithium deposit discovered in the McDermitt caldera in Nevada could significantly disrupt the global lithium market; early analysis estimates the reserves to be 700% larger than any known reserves on Earth. This discovery could lead to more ethical sourcing of lithium, offering an alternative to current exploitative labor practices in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lithium Americas Corporation plans to mine the Nevada deposit by 2026 and promises to uphold higher standards for labor and environmental practices.

Lord, we thank You for the discovery of this vast lithium reserve, which brings hope for a more ethical and sustainable future. We pray for wisdom and integrity for all involved in the mining, regulation, and usage of this resource. May this discovery be a catalyst for global conversations on ethical sourcing and labor practices, encouraging us to be better stewards of Your creation and more caring neighbors to those who suffer. Amen.

The Frontier of Water Reclamation: Drinking Like the Namibians

Windhoek, Namibia – Nestled amidst the parched vastness of two ancient deserts, the Kalahari and the Namib, Windhoek appears an unlikely place for a water revolution. Yet, this compact African capital has done the seemingly impossible: turning sewage into safe drinking water within 24 hours, a method that's capturing global attention as water scarcity becomes a pressing issue.

Why Namibia Leads the Way
Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region known for its arid conditions. Windhoek, the capital, sits an astounding 400 miles away from the nearest perennial river and even further from the ocean. The city houses nearly half a million people, 99% of whom have consistent access to drinking water, thanks to an innovative technology initiated 55 years ago at the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant. This system of direct potable reuse (DPR) was born out of necessity during Windhoek's severe water shortages in the late 1960s.

"Water should not be judged by its history, but by its quality," said Dr. Lucas van Vuuren, a pioneer of this reclamation method. Indeed, the multi-barrier treatment that Windhoek devised ensures that the water is free from pollutants and pathogens, harnessing bacteria to remove waste efficiently.

"Safety First" Is the Mantra
Thomas Honer, who manages the New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant, upholds safety as the facility's main concern. "We find [contaminants] and we remove them," he assures. The plant produces up to 5.5 million gallons of drinking water daily—about 35% of the city's consumption. Monitoring tools consistently verify that the water meets World Health Organization guidelines, with an impeccable record of never causing waterborne diseases.

International Interest Piqued
Namibia's success has lured delegations from countries including the U.S., France, and India. American states like Texas and Arizona, grappling with ongoing megadroughts, are seriously considering adopting Windhoek's DPR model.

"It was about seeing their system's success and applying it back home," said Troy Walker, an environmental engineering expert who visited Windhoek recently. Windhoek's primary contribution has been the demystification of water reclamation, challenging public prejudice that once hampered its global adoption.

The Future of DPR
The United States is ready to follow Namibia's pioneering footsteps. By 2025, El Paso Water aims to turn up to 10 million gallons of wastewater daily into drinking water—double Windhoek's capacity. Other American cities are also exploring this innovative technology, recognizing that while DPR can't create water, it can significantly contribute to a city's resilience against climate-induced scarcities.

Thomas Honer fondly states, "Windhoek was the first. No one can take that away."

Reflection
In a world where scarcity often strikes the headlines, Windhoek’s story is a heartwarming example of human ingenuity and divine providence. Just as Christ turned water into wine, Windhoek turns waste into water, meeting the basic needs of its people in a way that honors the planet. The Bible tells us, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37). Indeed, Windhoek’s technology brings forth water from unlikely places, offering a hopeful vision for tackling global water shortages in a manner that reflects God's own economy of abundance.

So, as droughts and water shortages grip the planet, may we all take a lesson from Windhoek—innovate, collaborate, and sustainably care for God's creation, one glass of reclaimed water at a time.

12-Year-Old Hero
CPR Training From ‘Stranger Things’

When it comes to life-saving techniques, who would have thought a Netflix binge could come in handy? It did for 12-year-old Austen MacMillan, who recently turned into a real-life hero by saving a man who passed out underwater. And guess what? Austen attributes his knowledge of CPR to none other than the popular TV show, 'Stranger Things'.

Life Imitates Art
MacMillan was enjoying time in the pool with his behavioral therapist, Jason Piquette. Piquette was holding his breath under water, and managed to rack up an eye-popping six minutes —though it's not entirely clear how many of those minutes were voluntary. It became apparent that Mr. Piquette had lost consciousness.

Not one to waste time, Austen sprang into action. He quickly dragged Piquette out of the water and sprinted around the house, shouting for assistance. When help didn’t arrive, Austen returned to Piquette’s side and began performing CPR—just like he'd seen on 'Stranger Things.'

Beyond Screen Time
"It was definitely a really proud mom moment," said Christina MacMillan, Austen’s mom. She called her son "brave and courageous," and really, who could argue? This incident serves as a poignant reminder that not all screen time is wasted time. In fact, it underscores the social responsibility filmmakers and showrunners have when depicting real-life skills accurately, like CPR. You never know who's watching and what they might do with that knowledge.

The Universal Language of CPR
While medical experts might still urge formal CPR training, it’s hard to deny the value of accurate portrayal in the media. After all, this isn’t the first time someone has learned a valuable skill from TV. Who knew that the Duffer Brothers, creators of 'Stranger Things,' would inadvertently contribute to saving a life?

The Good News Spreads
Since the news broke, the story has gone viral. The internet is full of praises for young Austen and for the makers of 'Stranger Things' for incorporating a real and useful skill into their storyline. Indeed, this incident has given us a different lens through which to view the effects of TV and movies on our lives.

Reflection
As members of the faith community, we see God's hand in even the smallest miracles—and saving a life is no small feat. Young Austen’s quick thinking and bravery can be seen as an embodiment of the Biblical principle, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). Even in today's tech-savvy world, where kids might seem glued to their screens, God can use even something as secular as a popular TV show to teach life-saving grace.

The story of Austen and Mr. Piquette is not just one of timely intervention but a testament to the interconnected tapestry of life, where each thread can serve a divine purpose. So the next time you find yourself questioning the utility of that Netflix subscription, just remember: sometimes the 'strangest things' can make all the difference.

From Congo to Nevada: Why New Lithium Discovery Can Relieve Modern Slavery

In an age when technology permeates every aspect of life, from smartphones to electric vehicles, the news of a potentially monumental lithium deposit discovered in the McDermitt caldera in Nevada is met with palpable enthusiasm. Early analysis suggests the reserves could be a staggering 40 million metric tons—700% larger than any known reserves on Earth. Geologists are ecstatic, as they should be; this could fundamentally disrupt the global lithium market, affecting everything from pricing to geopolitics.

The prospects extend beyond the balance sheets and into the realm of ethics. For years, tech companies and manufacturers have struggled with a moral conundrum: many of their products are powered by lithium sourced through exploitative labor practices. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo, rich in cobalt—a crucial component of lithium batteries—is notorious for modern-day slavery conditions, including child labor and environmental degradation.

The discovery in Nevada offers a glimmer of hope for establishing a more humane and regulated supply chain. Lithium Americas Corporation, which has surveyed the site, aims to start mining by 2026, promising higher standards for labor and environmental practices.

The Dark Side of Our Digital World: Exploitation in the Congo
It's tempting to view our digital devices as marvels of human ingenuity and a sign that we are progressing into a more civilized society. Yet, this rosy narrative belies a harsh reality: much of the cobalt powering these gadgets is extracted under appalling conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our technological innovations are often gained in-part to barbaric and inhumane practices.

Siddharth Kara, a fellow at Harvard and author of “Cobalt Red: How The Blood of The Congo Powers our Lives,” describes the situation as "modern-day slavery," pointing to dangerous labor conditions, inadequate pay, and a toxic work environment. Notably, cobalt is harmful to touch and inhale, posing serious health risks to the Congolese laborers.

In theory, large industrial mines should not employ artisanal mining methods, involving manual labor under hazardous conditions. However, the law is flouted blatantly, as the reality of grinding poverty coerces people into accepting virtually any form of employment, regardless of the risks involved. An entire population is faced with an impossible choice—work under life-threatening conditions or face starvation.

Addressing the Crisis: A Call for Ethical Responsibility
Kara rightly insists that transitioning to sustainable energy should not come at the expense of vulnerable populations. The newly discovered Nevada deposit offers a pathway towards ethical sourcing, provided it is managed responsibly. With more transparent supply chains, companies will have the luxury of avoiding suppliers linked to human rights abuses.

Reflection
In contemplating this issue, the words of Proverbs 31:8-9 come to mind: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." This scriptural wisdom calls us to engage with the world's injustices actively. It's not enough to express concern; as stewards of the Earth and its resources, we're called to ensure the welfare of all God's children.

Jesus declared, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). In light of the Nevada discovery, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a change. But this should be the beginning of a much broader, long-overdue conversation about the ethical implications of our consumer choices.

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.