🌸 Bhitorkormoil Village Blessing Well Dedicated by Isabelle Iyer, in loving memory of her husband, Jayram Shankar Iyer
This year John and I had the privilege of witnessing eight Blessing Wells being inaugurated in the tribal villages of Odisha, India.
Each inauguration is led by Rev. Thabir Bagh, the heart and soul of this mission. Thabir is truly a one-man powerhouse. With deep compassion and a joyful spirit, he knows how to turn a simple well opening into a celebration of life. He makes the children laugh, the elders smile, and the entire village feel honored and seen. Through prayer, dance, and gratitude, he brings everyone together to celebrate the miracle of clean water.
Bhitorkormoil Village
Bhitorkormoil Village was surrounded by towering mountains on every side. Beautiful — but isolating.
Because of the mountains, finding water was extremely difficult. The villagers and wild animals drank from the same muddy pit near the village.
The animals could survive that water.
The people could not.
After drinking the contaminated water, many villagers became sick. Many died. If you look closely, you’ll see very few middle-aged adults in this village. You’ll see fewer children than there should be. Generations were lost to unsafe water.
To make matters worse, children fetching water risked tiger attacks. The “pond” was not truly a pond — just a muddy hole. Even recently, children have been taken while collecting water.
Inauguration Day!
But today, everything has changed.
With the arrival of this Blessing Well, the village says they feel like royalty.
“We feel as if we are wearing a crown,” they shared.“This well is our glory. It has given us honor, health, and prosperity. The donor has made us feel like kings and queens.”
Every home in Bhitorkormoil burns incense in gratitude. They do not have Isabelle’s picture. Many cannot read her name. But they remember her through the well. Every single day.
The donor has made us feel like kings and queens.” Every home in Bhitorkormoil burns incense in gratitude. They do not have Isabelle’s picture. Many cannot read her name. But they remember her through the well. Every single day. They say, “Before, we worshipped the forces of nature. Now, the donor has become our symbol of life.” And then I told them something important. Her name is Isabelle, and she would not want to be worshipped. What she would want… is for you to pay forward her love. To help someone else, just as she helped you. Still, the villagers smiled and said,
“Even if she tells us not to, we will honor and pray for her. To us, her gift is divine.”
And so the legacy of Jayram Shankar Iyer lives on — not just in memory, but in clean water, in safety, and in children who will now grow up.
This is the Butterfly Effect.
One act of love.
An entire village crowned with dignity.
🌍 This trip confirmed what I now know to be true;
Leaving a legacy of love saves lives. What began as a charitable effort has grown into something far greater — a movement dedicated to restoring the heart and soul of humanity.
And if you feel called to be part of it, we would be honored to have you beside us.
Creating Waves of Transformation!
My Cup Overflows With Abundant Blessings!
Rev. Dr. Lori McMacken
Co-Founder, Butterfly Effect Global 🦋
