God is able...isn't He?

It was never a question of if, only when.

No matter where I go, whether it's a local mission event like our church's Bridging the Gap workday, a mission trip with students within the United States, a medical mission trip to Honduras or even a water well digging mission trip to Malawi, it always happens. At some point in during our ministry, Satan attacks us. It is not always a bold frontal assault. Sometimes it is sneaky and subversive. But no matter the form it takes, the Evil One always looks for an opportunity to discourage the team, divide us or in some other way thwart the purposes of God.

For us, today was that day.

Coming off of two reasonably good days of drilling last week, plus two more days enjoying God's creation, our team was sky high as they made their way to the valley in Chikwawa and the Bodza feeding center. They even found square pipe that would meet the demands of drilling that would replace the original flimsy supplies we started with. Everything (aside from my dental issues and David's GI discomfort, but more on that later) seemed to be going our way.

When we last left the borehole on Friday, we had encountered a rock of some sort at 24' 7". No big deal. We had encountered rocks before and made our way through them. Alas, such as easy remedy was not to be. The team spent most of the day trying to penetrate this layer of rock. Not just any rock, mind you, but granite. Drill bits were mangled beyond usage, as much weight was applied to as small a surface area as possible, all the resources that could be mustered were thrown at - dropped on, actually - this rock. All to no avail.

Eventually, the team decided to see if there was a way around the rock. It turns out that this is not an entire strata of rock, but as best we can tell it is just a single rock, because we were able to find the edge and dig around it. The only issue now is that we have to re-drill from the surface straight down to the new hole we started next to the rock. We will be repeating our efforts from the first two days.

It would be understandable, even reasonable, for the team to be discouraged at this point. Two days of digging all for naught. But this is when God showed up. He has used this opportunity to remind us, ever so gently, that this entire process is about more than a water well. As our team member Richard reminded us, the actual process of digging this well - how we allow God to work through us, use us and how we glorify and reflect Him - matters more to God than if we actually complete the well.

The truth be told, this was never about water. It was never about us. It's all about God revealing Himself and bringing glory to Himself. Now certainly, we want to bring fresh water to this village and this feeding center. But if we do it in our own strength without God getting the glory, then how does that honor God? We know that God is able to complete this well and we pray that He will allow us to be the tools He uses to finish it, but if not...His will be done.

Tonight after dinner the team sat around and discussed the situation and any possible solutions. We spent time in prayer and surrendered ourselves, our abilities and this well to God. We made ourselves available to be used by Him in any way that brings God the most glory...even if that means that somebody else actually ends up finishing the well. We're going to stay and work for the rest of the week and we will use all of our knowledge, resources and strength to get it done, but we are fully trusting God for the outcome.

When we rely on God for the outcome rather than ourselves, it removes all of the pressure from us. We just have to be obedient and do our best. All of the pressure is on God and He can handle it, while we cannot. In this kind of a set up, we can't lose. If we complete the well, God gets the glory. If we don't complete the well, we will still praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and because we know that His will was done.

Please join us in prayer. Pray that we will be obedient. Pray that we will be patient. Ask God to grant us favor to complete the well for His glory and for the benefit and blessing of these precious children.

Now, as for my trip to the dentist, it seems like there was some small food particles that worked their way under the gum and caused some irritation around the last tooth on my lower right set of teeth. (See kids, that why you should always listen to your mom when she tells you to floss after brushing). The way the gum is covering a portion of the top of that tooth, the dentist said it could possibly turn into a recurring problem unless I have the tooth pulled. Now mind you, the dentist office was far more modern and up to date than I had anticipated. The dentist was very friendly and seemed quite skilled and knowledgeable, but this is still Malawi. So, I asked the doctor what would happen if I took some antibiotics, reduced the swelling and took my chances back in the States. He said that was a perfectly fine alternative and that with proper dental care (read: FLOSS DAILY) I might never have another problem. Needless to say, I have a bottle full of antibiotics and I am taking them religiously.

David has also recovered from his GI issues, but I don't think his problems had anything to do with the fried mice we purchased on the road yesterday. He should rejoin us tomorrow at the feeding center.

Thanks again for all of the prayers. We continue to need them daily.

Soli Deo gloria,
Michael