There it was, the little church on the corner across from the big blue water tower. As our 15 passenger van pulled in, the excitement grew even louder as the 10 of us prepared our hearts for our first month of ministry in Puerto Rico. Our team leaders Lydia and Megan got out first to greet our ministry contact Richard. As we all pilled out of the van Richard started to count each one of us with excitement in his eyes. When he finally got to the 10th person there was a tear falling from his face as he praised God and thanked us for coming. He invited us into the small building of cement as he told us the story of the church and its past history. He talked about how the church was thriving at one point and was now to a few older folk periodically attending church serves. You could tell as he talked that he loved this place, he talked about how the roof was rotting out, and the walls were beginning to crumble. The stage was falling apart and the pews were uncomfortable. My heat began to break for this church as he talked about how no one in the church was willing to help refurbish the building. They said to just let it die. But like Abraham, He had hope even when there seemed to be no reason for it. (Rom. 4:18). Abraham never wavered in believing Gods promise, In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. In return for Richard’s faithfulness, Christ called my team of 10 to serve this man and his church.
The days felt like years as we began to break down the interior part of the building. Crow bars were being used, shovels, screw drivers and hammers. Siding was being torn off the walls, and wooden planks we being tossed every which way. The cement floor was being hammered apart with a pick ax, and the ceiling was being power washed for scraping. This was some of the most physically draining work I have ever done. At times I would find myself not wanting to continue on, I’d catch myself complaining or I’d just flat out have the attitude of “I don’t care anymore”. Though my heart did care my flesh didn’t want to. As the days turned into weeks my heart was slowly starting to soften, the more I chose Christ, and the more I asked the Lord to give me a spirit of joy and serves, the easer work became.
While in the midst of the renovation, the lord spoke to my heart so clearly. As I was swinging that pick ax over and over into the hardened cement beneath my feet, I cried out to the Lord. THIS IS SO HARD I said. He stopped me and asked me to look around the room. In all the weakness from my past, in the height of the heat and adrenaline rushing through my veins, in the realness of truth staring me back in the face, there it was. For the first time I realized the Lord had invited me in to my own self. He showed me how tattered and torn I was on the Inside. He showed my team mates as Angels working alongside my savior within me. And as the weeks went on. I saw my God sweat and labor inside of me. Then when the work was finished and the Lord wiped the sweat from His brow, He said, “This is good”. Christ summoned one of the Angles to bring in a bucket of paint. He then began to paint every corner and craves of me in his blood. When we had finished Painting the church we all stood together and admired the work of the Lord. It was so beautiful, calm, comfortable and welcoming. The Lord used me to help renovate this church but he used the church to help renovate me.
Leaving Vega Baja Is a tough pill to swallow, I will never forget the impression this little church across from the blue water tower had on me. I now know how the Lord labors in my life, and the hard work it takes to break down walls and build them back up on a solid and sure foundation. Christ has a plan for my life and I know that I know the world race is in His perfect plan for me. Christ is willing and ready to renovate your spirit and you’re sole as well. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know Gods will for you, which is good and pleasing to Him. (Rom. 12.2) Ask the Lord to show YOU how he labors in your life. You might be surprised at what you find.
