Congo Trip

From A.J. Parry

July 25 - Tuesday - Lodja

I feel as the trip comes to its final weeks that I should reflect back on that lessons that have been learned and that are being learned. This trip has been filled with delay after delay, disappointment and frustration. It has been said that the problems we have encountered have been the work of Satan. That he is trying to halt the project at Katako Kombe because of the Spiritual harvest that we hope to reap. I have however come to disagree with that idea.

In Scripture, God tested the faith of Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David, and Job. Every event was a test of the person’s character and faith. In each example the person being tested already believed in God and feared him. After the trials their faith was likely increased ten fold as well as their fear of God. As a result God blessed each of them in ways they could not have imagined.

Instead of all the problems we have faced being direct attacks from Satan, I seem them as intentional tests from God.

First, a test of Faith. Choosing ten people willing to spend a summer in a less than third world country plauged with delay and corruption. Needing to raise $4,000+ individually for the trip.

Second, a test of Trust. As obstacles arose which hindered the team and the project, we had to trust God for the outcome. In several instances there was nothing we could do to control or change the circumstances. Only God could enact change.

Third, a test of Courage. When it seemed everything around us was against us, God tested us to see if we would stand up to the challenge or if we would cower and turn the other way.

Fourth, a test of Loss. When one of our own (Doug Lindle) lost his only son in less than 48 hours. When he and another of our team left prematurely. When our sawmill seemed impossible, God was in our midst.

Fifth, a test of Endurance. From the beginning of this race we were surrounded by a cloud of friends supporting us and encouraging us. Once we left the starting line and entered the seclusion of the course we were away from the support of our friends. Soon the steep inclines came, and hidden holes and roots appeared in our path. Some of us tripped and staggered as we ran into these obstructions. But the team was there to help each other along the way. Continually pressing on towards the finish line.

Finally the sixth test, a test of Love. After all the previous tests each of us had two options. The first, curse God for the problems that surrounded us and for not allowing things to run as we had planned. The second, fall more in love with God. Instead of cursing and hating we could dig deeper in God’s love letter to us. As we spent time in God’s letter and in prayer he grew more real to each of us. Through that love relationship the Holy Spirit, the Comforter which Jesus spoke of in John, filled us with that peace that passes all understanding.  The other love which we all experienced is the love of friendship. Only God could have put together such a diverse group of people. But as time went on each person grew in love for each other. In those friendships God was and is honored. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in their midst.” Through our day to day conversations we grow closer to each other and closer to God through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also commanded us to love one another as He loved us, that through our love for each other the world would recognize us as His disciples. Our love for each other grew to a point that our two closest workers, Shako and Leon, felt that love and now are as much a part of this team as I am.

Through all the trials and complications we have been through it was our love for each other and our love for God that held us together as a team. It is also through the support of countless people in America and around the world who lift us up daily and hourly in prayer. Looking back on this trip I have seen how much God has done in the team and myself. If I had the chance to go back to January, when I felt God leading me to join this team, and say no to God, I would turn the chance down. I would do it the same all over again. Even when things get rough there is always peace knowing you are exactly where God wants you to be.