Less than a year after becoming aware of the global water crisis, Harry Ford was standing in the hot and humid Amazon rainforest. He made the decision to join Water Mission on a vision trip to see its safe water work in Peru after learning about the ministry through attending Pro Athletes Outreach’s MLB Increase Conference. Ford, a 22-year-old premier prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, felt a pull on his heart when he heard that the global water crisis leaves 2 billion people worldwide without access to safe water.
“It blew my mind to hear that many people were suffering,” Ford said. “It lit my heart on fire, and I wanted to be part of what Water Mission was doing to address it.”
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The Water Mission team in Peru. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
It was this passion that led Ford to travel with Water Mission staff and partners to Peru, where 57% of the population lives without access to safe water. The group visited several remote communities located deep in the Amazon rainforest, where safe water is extremely scarce. Ford met with Water Mission’s country program staff in Peru, learned about the organization’s community development work in the region, and visited with residents who have benefited from those projects.
“It was not like anywhere I had ever been before,” Ford said, recalling the poverty and living conditions in the area. “I was constantly asking myself, ‘Is this real life?’”
Ford had been moved by what he learned about the global water crisis at the Increase Conference, but seeing the devastation of its effects firsthand had a profound impact on his heart.
“These are real people,” Ford said. “You meet them and hear their stories and realize they’re just like you and me.”
As difficult as it was to see and hear about suffering, hope shined through. Ford and the group met with a woman who detailed her struggles before Water Mission implemented a safe water project in her community.
“When her kids got sick from drinking unsafe water, she had to spend a lot of her money and time traveling several hours by boat to get medicine for her children,” Ford recalled. “But now, she has safe water directly connected to her home. She’s saving so much time and money and has a newfound freedom in her life. That was so beautiful to see.”
The Water Mission team in Peru. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
Returning home from Peru, Ford continued to feel God’s call to help those impacted by the global water crisis. Alongside other professional athletes, Ford now serves as a brand ambassador for Water Mission, using his platform and standing as a professional athlete to tell others about their safe water and Living Water work around the world.
“I really just want to use my talent to serve the Lord,” Ford said. “I love Water Mission’s purpose, and I love that they are also spreading the Gospel.”
Ford has started the 2025 season with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Raniers, and this year will be a special one. For every home run Ford hits, he will give a gift that provides two people with Water Mission’s life-saving safe water solutions. Ford is choosing to use these personal accomplishments to give back to a cause close to his heart, all in the name of Jesus.
“I’m just trying to find ways to incorporate what God loves into baseball,” Ford said. “It will be honoring to the Lord. My ultimate goal is to honor the Lord with this campaign.”
Ford understands the position that God has put him in to serve others. He considers it a blessing to serve the Kingdom through playing the game he loves. Not to mention, there’s the added motivation of knowing every home run he hits is providing people in need with the life-changing gift of safe water.
“The better I play, the more people will hear about the work and how important it is,” he said. “Hopefully, they’re moved the same way that I was.”
To learn more about Ford’s season-long campaign or join him in support, follow his Instagram.
If you are interested in learning more about Water Mission, visit their website at watermission.org.
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