Year End Musings

Evening and morning comes so naturally that I tend to take it for granted, even in the early morning watches. The house is nearly done but we have already spent the whole week here, adapting well to the overly cold and foggy mornings, the crowing of chickens, and blaring music from our early-rising neighbors. It is only starting to sink in that we finally, by Father's gracious hand, are in our very own house.

Many were the times I would stop to sit and be awed at what Father has allowed me to do. I had two months to learn and design the septic system, engineering and architecture, plumbing, roofing, and reinforcement - before commencing to build it. Time, money, and expertise were all against me. All I had was the desire to wait on God for what He wanted me here for. In a span of two and a half months, while our landlord kept visiting to make sure we were packing to move out of their property by year's end, the work slowly began moving forward. We had sold our car, but the low price we received for it would also include our daily expenses. The Lord knew our efforts to sustain our needs were not enough, and for this I am very thankful for.

A quick short sideline came in by November, which extended our funds, but the Lord moved greatly and honored our small faith by graciously sending unsolicited money to answer for the rest of the build. It was never our practice to ask or solicit money. We make our needs known only to God, and because of this He answers without fail. Each need met down to the last detail.

The past week has already been fruitful despite all the clutter. We have used the living area for prayer, and most of the saints, especially the youth, have visited for extended periods giving us wonderful time for undisturbed fellowship. I invited them for regular prayer, overnight watches,  and prayer study and workshops once we tidy the place up. May the LORD be pleased to bless this desire.

I made a simple wooden sink for the kitchen and waterproofed it using beeswax and turpentine. Simple yet amazing. We also burned the foundations of the house to carbonize the wood and make it unsavory for termites.

The super simple but cozy outhouse or toilet library being varnished by the children.

Friday morning came in and the Father in His perfect will deemed that I injure myself with the grinder. I have handled this machine for years without fail, but on that morning everything went wrong. Wrong hold on the grinder, wrong position, wrong placement of the material; the wood grinder snagged and flew off my hand to cut a 5 inch long, 3 inch wide gash on the side of my right knee which cut up to the bone, bounce off to cut a 3 inch long, 1 inch deep gash on my left ankle and cut my right foot last before settling on the ground before me. I felt only a heavy thud and that was it. Warm blood was running down my leg and pooling under my foot. Everything happened in one quick instant.

Looking back, God's gracious hand was clearly present in this incident. I had perfect peace and presence of mind. I calmly explained to the stunned carpenter who witnessed it, that I needed to lie down and put my feet up, and humbly asked him to pinch my ankle wound close while I pressed on the bigger wound on the right knee, apologizing to him for the trouble. In a matter of minutes all my neighbors were there and a tricycle was already parked out front and waiting. Suddenly I was being carried by 5 men, whom I continually was thanking and apologizing to, while I was holding my right knee wound closed with a shirt.

Two individual Samaritans, became our escorts in the heavy traffic, using their horns to clear our way through to the hospital. I was sitting peacefully on the floor of the tricycle holding both my limbs just smiling. Overwhelmed by the kindness of these strangers who took time to involve themselves. I prayed for the LORD to return their kindness back tenfold by opening their hearts to the gospel one day. There was one bed already waiting for me in the emergency room which was full, and the surgeon was there within 2 minutes.

I was so dearly pleased to see my pastor there, and a beloved youth from the church to accompany my wife, to comfort me. News of the incident spread quickly even while I was still lying in the house injured and when he learned where I was being taken he rode out in a hurry. How blessed it is for brethren to dwell together in much affection. I was worshiping my God on the table while I was being stitched, so filled with joy and gladness. I couldn't contain my tears. It was all over in just a short while, and after my pastor was wheeling me out of the room I took this blessed opportunity to raise my voice and tell everyone in the emergency room, that there is no salvation outside the name of Jesus Christ. It was my first wheelchair ride actually, and as we were waiting for the tests and additional shots I kept myself from boredom by maneuvering my wheelchair around the floor while my companions were keeping me company. My daughter also came to me from work which added to my comfort. As the anesthesia wore off, we headed back home.

I spent the afternoon in pain, the first time since I got sliced. I was calling to the Lord, but He impressed His peace upon me. I understood immediately that I only had to wait on Him, and when evening came, the pain subsided and I was able to sleep.

Job 2:10  ..What? shall we receive only good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil as well? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

I am extremely grateful because for one, I was the one who was injured, not the children. Second, it was merely a wound, no limbs were severed. I only had to heal and not deal with permanent disability. Third, people who weren't supposed to help, did. Fourth, I did not feel pain while being operated on. It was over in an instant. Brethren came to comfort me, in the hospital and when we returned. My family and extended family came together for the very first time. My family was by my side the whole time. God's hand was meant to be clearly evident that day. Too many beautiful details to count. Far outweighing the pain of being cut, which was the only worst thing that happened. God is sovereign indeed. He makes all things beautiful in His time. In showing His hand He has once again strengthened my weak faith. He has given me reason to rejoice and be exceeding glad that I would not have it any other way. I can never out-thank Father. 

Mornings are pleasant here. Such undeserved blessing. It is now the 4th day since the incident. I have nothing but gratitude and praise unto my LORD who has deemed to give this stubborn servant time to rest, and be still. Mark 6:31 .. Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. I have been working tirelessly since August, and have been proud enough to work myself to the point of exhaustion. Father is so kind to me. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.