October 10, 2021
THE GIFTS WE BRING
Reverend David Fisher
Volunteer, Colorado
"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:4-6a
I didn’t know what we were going to do. In the hurry of getting everything loaded in the morning before setting out for well installation, we had forgotten a key tool – the hacksaw! The hacksaw is used to custom cut the plastic pipes that are assembled for the well. We had left ours at the storage facility and now we were at the first installation site with nothing to use. The call went out to the villagers to see if there was a hacksaw we could borrow. People quickly left to make the search, but it was soon apparent that this was going to take some time. My partner Richard said he knew how we could cut the pipes and keep the work going. All he needed was a piece of plastic strap. I looked at Richard and asked, “How?” Richard said, “I’ll show you,” and then proceeded to cut our first pipe by rubbing the piece of strapping on the pipe and using friction. It worked, but it took a long time. Finally, a hacksaw from the village appeared that we could use for the day – a bicycle wheel rim cut in half with a blade inserted to make a bow saw. We used that for the rest of the day and returned it to the village the next day.
I am amazed at the resourcefulness and ingenuity of our African partners and American volunteers in the field. They often have to improvise when pipes and pieces don’t quite fit or tools break. I have said often that they can do anything with nothing and make it work!
When I think of everyone involved in this mission to bring clean, protected drinking water to rural African villages I am reminded of the passage from Romans 12. Each of us has different gifts, skills, abilities and experiences; just like a body with its members. We can all help in our own way under the Lord’s guidance to make good things happen for God’s glory. A wonderful, beautiful thing has happened for 35 years in rural Africa because African and American Christians have come together to use their gifts, skills, and resources so that clean, protected water has come to villages. My prayer is that it will continue and expand for years to come!
Application Question: If we fail to surrender our burdens to Christ, do we think we can find rest (life)?
Prayer: Lord, lead and guide me today to do the things you want me to for your kingdom and your glory. Amen.
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