Living Water Community sprang to life in 1975, during those heady years when the winds of the charismatic renewal had newly swept through the Trinidad Church.

That kiss of life caused a successful businesswoman to experience the transforming love of God, and a cloistered Dominican nun discerned that the Lord would ask her to walk a different path in the coming years.

When Rhonda Maingot and Rose Jackman met, they realised that God intended to use them jointly to accomplish a special purpose that He had yet to reveal.

Rhonda Maingot (left) and Rose Jackman Noel Norton photo

Rose, then Sr Assumpta of Rosary Monastery, obtained a dispensation from Archbishop Anthony Pantin to leave the monastery while retaining her vows.

Rhonda gave up her business, and together they rented a tiny apartment in Maraval.

There, they prayed together and began weekly prayer meetings, inviting neighbours, family and friends.

They began taking soup and sandwiches to the burgeoning population of street-dwellers and soon others, attracted by their way of life, joined in their vision of living a life in the Spirit.

Now, Living Water Community has the full recognition of the Vatican, erected as a Public Association of Christ's Faithful. More than 700 covenant members in Trinidad, Saba – LWC's first mission – and Barbados serve in and support the Community's various social and pastoral ministries.

Missions have also been sent to St Eustatius , St Maarten and Russia , while a missionary outreach has recently begun in the Grenadines .

The Household Community comprising 20 persons live together full-time throughout the various territories. They are consecrated persons, who profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Thirty-six others choose to live consecrated lives outside of the Household community, while staying faithful to the spirit and charism of the Community.

From the source of the willing hearts of two women, eager to fulfill the holy will of God, Living Water has flowed throughout the Caribbean to Russia , the US , UK and into countless hearts.

1975

Rhonda's healing; answering the call. Rhonda meets Rose; Rose leaves convent.

1976

Wednesday night prayer meetings; feeding of poor families begins.

1977

Rhonda & Rose move to Lynch Drive, Maraval; community begins. Feeding of the poor on the streets.

1978

“Gifts of the Spirit Seminar”. Prayer meetings expand. Women's meetings begin. First “Life in the Spirit” seminar (LISS). Meetings & Youth meetings begin.

1979

* Prayer meetings move to Archbishop's House.

* Prayer meetings and retreats begin in schools.

1980

* Ministries expand; hospital ministry begins.

* First pilgrimage to Holy Land .

* Covenant Community inaugurated. Archbishop Anthony Pantin is chief celebrant at Mass at Holy Name Chapel.

1981

* Community purchases 109 Frederick Street ; renovations begin on the Centre.

* Living Water Community Centre opens (June 2).

* Coblentz Household community begins.

* Bookshop and coffee shop open: evangelisation, retreats, LISS, prayer and counselling services offered.

* Street ministry and hospital ministry begin.

* Weekly Mass at the Centre, Blessed Sacrament adoration begins.

1982

* Intercessors Ministry; “Let's Do Something” project, which gives birth to some of the social ministries.

* Household members Mike and Jason enter seminary.

1983

* Cancer hospice opens.

* Duncan Street Caring Centre opened.

* Community appointed Secretariat for Pope John Paul II's February 1985 visit.

1985

Holy Father, Pope John Paul II visits Trinidad ; Rhonda meets him for the first time.

1986

*New Life Ministries opened.

*Msgr Michael de Verteuil's diaconate ordination.

*Rhonda awarded Hummingbird Medal – Gold.

*Msgr Michael de Verteuil's priestly ordination.

1987

* Rhonda named “ Express Individual of the Year”.

* Nazareth community, San Fernando opened.

* Third floor added to Centre; further renovations at 109 Frederick Street . *Promise from God to provide a sign: $10,000 donation. Operations move to Pembroke Street to facilitate renovations.

* Marian House opens.

1988

*Friends of Living Water in Miami established.

* Formation Household begins.

* First mission – Saba , Netherlands Antilles .

* Fountain of Hope opens.

1989

* Saba covenant community formed.

* Halfway House opens.

* Rose awarded Hummingbird Medal – Gold

1990

*Fr Jason Gordon's diaconate ordination.

* Mission to St Maarten.

1991

* Fr Jason Gordon's priestly ordination.

* Rhonda begins working with asylum seekers and refugees on behalf of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

1992

Mission to Moscow, Russia begins.

1993

Television ministry, Trinity Television Network, begins.

1994

Russia mission expands to village of Seminovsky .

1996

107 Frederick Street purchased.

1997

* Construction at 107 begins.

* Living Water Community receives “Merit of Service Award” from City of Port of Spain.

1998

* Rhonda receives “Merit of Service Award” from the City of Port of Spain ; appointed Honorary Liaison to UNHCR.

* Fr Christopher Lumsden's diaconate ordination.

* Radio ministry begins with Holy Mass noonday broadcast.

1999

* Fr Christopher Lumsden's priestly ordination.

* Friends of LWC, London , formed; fundraising.

* Rhonda and Rose meet Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

* Jubilee door opened.

2000

* Jubilee celebrations and observances. Community celebrates 20 th Anniversary as a covenant community; receives Papal Blessing from Pope John Paul II.

2001

TTN evolves into Trinity Communications Network (TCN); live television and radio programming.

* Fr Roger Paponette's diaconate ordination; priestly ordination.

2002

Mission to Barbados.

2003

Barbados covenant community formed.

2004

Internet Radio launched.

2005

Mission outreach to Bequia.

Living Water Community's 30 th Anniversary celebrations.