Help Us Get Clean Water for Our Family

Dear friends, family, and kind strangers,

My name is Jen Josi, and I'm writing today with a heavy heart but a lot of hope. It's not easy to ask for help, but after months of struggling with unsafe water in our new home and exhausting all other options, I'm reaching out with the hope that our story might touch someone who can help.

Our Journey:

At the beginning of 2024, we were told that our landlords would be moving back into the home we were renting, leaving us with just a few months to find a new place to live. With no savings and living paycheck to paycheck, we trusted that God would guide us to where we were meant to be. That led us to our first home in Lakeland—a place we thought we could finally settle and build our future.

We scraped together every last bit we had, even dipping into our 401ks, and by God's grace, we were able to purchase a house on a 1-acre lot. However, shortly after moving in, we discovered that our water was unsafe. The previous owners had "shocked" the system with bleach to pass the inspection, but the truth is, the water was contaminated with rust, residue, and harmful debris.

The Struggles:

• We’re spending money every week to keep water coolers and bottles filled for drinking and cooking.

• Our dishwasher leaves rust on our dishes, and our washing machine clogs with residue, ruining our clothes.

• We have grease build-up in the kitchen sink, and our kids’ shower started leaking due to deteriorating pipes.

• And to make matters worse, we live in front of a cow pasture, so you can imagine where all this contaminated water ends up.

Still, we trusted that this was where God had planted us, and we pushed through, trying to make the best of a tough situation.

A Ray of Hope:

In December, after speaking with an acquaintance, her husband asked, “How’s your water?” I broke down in tears as I shared our struggles. He told me that he and his wife owned a water treatment company and wanted to help us. We were overjoyed and thought this was the answer to our prayers.

They came out, assessed the situation, and after discussing our finances (which weren’t great after buying the house), they promised to work with us—no credit check, just an agreement with a handshake. We paid over $2,500 to purchase the equipment and started the process, but then delays began.

The Setbacks:

• Equipment delays due to California fires.

• Wrong equipment sent.

• Health issues that put things on hold.

• And now, after months of ghosting, we’re at a standstill, with no resolution in sight.

In May, we heard from them again, but now, even that communication has stopped.

Where We Are Now:

It's June, and we’re exhausted. Heartbroken. With my car accident in February, I owe $12,000 on top of a new car payment, and we have no more options.

Why We Need Help:

We just want our family to live in a home with clean, safe water. I’m humbly asking for help, whether it’s a donation, sharing our story, or just sending us some positive thoughts. Any amount will help us get closer to fixing this issue that’s become a daily struggle for us.

If you can donate, it would mean the world to us. If you can’t, sharing our story with your circle may be the key to getting us the help we need.

Thank you so much for reading our story. We appreciate every single person who takes the time to listen. Your support means more than words can express.

With gratitude and hope,

Jen Josi & Family