I still remember vividly. Little Liz was sitting in the living room on the couch sick. She was watching home reno shows like she loved to do. She was a very anxious child who was repulsed by the idea of ever leaving home. But somehow Jesus spoke to her heart. She suddenly had the thought “I’m going to go to Africa and build houses for people. If I can’t bring them all to North America, I’ll bring it to them.”
This was a naive thought in many ways. For one Africa is a huge continent, not to mention the fact that the comforts of North America aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. When this thought came to me I immediately pushed it away because that would mean leaving home. But Jesus planted a seed.
Now, here I am, in Ethiopia. One of the more developed nations in the contient of Africa. But I’m not building houses. There’s construction going on all around me but I’m not a part of it. I get to be a part of something much much bigger.
I get to build homes. Homes in the hearts of thousands of refugees where one day Jesus will get to live.
I don’t get to say the name of Jesus in the refugee camp because that would break off the relations we have in the camp. It can be a real challenge to hold in the words of His love for all those around me but I have to remember my job. I’m not on the moving crew I’m on the building crew. The crew who’s focus is to soften and prepare the hearts of these refugees to become homes. Jesus will do the moving in when it’s time.
That time probably won’t ever be something I get to see. I don’t know when the 1 year old I hold in my arms all day will have his moving day when Jesus enters his heart. I don’t know when the little girl who puts flowers in my hair will be ready to have Jesus live in her heart. I don’t know when the 8 little boys that fight to hold my hand each day will hold tight to Jesus. But I have full faith He’ll make His arrival. Some day.
I get to be a builder of homes. I get to lay the foundations of peace, build with bricks of joy and cement it all together with Jesus love. I get to be a part of building the most important part of their lives. I get to prepare a home for the permanent guest of most high honor. The one that will come into their lives and never leave them. Even when I have to.
I may have been naive in my original thinking. But I was right in some things. I am building. I’m building the place where God’s kingdom will one day flourish. And I’m bringing the greatest comfort I’ve ever known to be with them too. I’m sure Little Liz would never have imagined this would be her life but how humbling it is to be chosen to be one of God’s grand master builders.
