Stuff

So we've now established that God loves the Africans (see previous "band aid" post), but the question is: does He love us?

We've all been praying for the arrival of our luggage. We had been told not to have our expectations too high, but we prayed fervently. Well, they arrived. Well, almost all of them arrived. But one out of 17 didn't...

As I arrived back to the guest house after my morning classes I hurried to read the labels on the trunks. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had to read twice just to make sure. Then, it dawned on me: "Beth's name is not on one of these trunks." I mean, how can this be, God. Of all the trunks. One our of 17 and it had to be that one? How about the stuffed animals that Beth's daughter and niece had picked out and sent with such love and care to some little orphans in Africa? Or the close that her Mom and sister bought? And all the art supplies she was going to use to do something special with the children down here?

I did think about my personal stuff inside that box too, but only for a second... I felt really sorry for Beth. I thought: you do the statistic calculations on that one -- what are the chances? One in how many thousands or maybe a million? I don't know, but it is a fact now and there is nothing we can do about it.

Amazingly, when Beth arrived, the only thing she mentioned was the things the girls, her Mom and sister had sent. She said the other things "are not a big deal. I went a week without them, I can go another week." Thanks, Beth. She just saved me about an hour of arguing with God tonight. "Come on, Lord. Can't you try to work with us a little bit here? Don't see that these folks have already sacrificed enough? Don't you hold the world in your hands, how come you can't make that little speck of dust in this universe called Beth's trunk get on that Air Chance (I mean Air France) flight?"

Ah, but that is exactly the point, isn't it? The fact that God CAN and DIDN'T do it is exactly the point, isn't it? He must have a reason for it. God is not just a master irritator intent on ruining your mission trip to Africa. And He is definitely not a cosmic kill joy one ready to erase that smile out of your face.

Thanks, Beth, for reminding me of that today. Alright, I have been a little sick the last couple of days, but so has Beth. She stayed at the guest house all afternoon yesterday, trying to rest her weary body. Her cough came back. But today she was back being Beth and feeling a lot better. I know she could have used a little encouragement today, but I am sure she was not waiting for it to come exclusively from her luggage arriving.

I see this kind of attitude prevailing among all of our team members. And I am honored to be a part of this team. I praise God for each one. They all play a very important role. Please, keep praying for each one of us. The enemy is trying to get us out of focus here, but we will not let him, with God's help through your prayers. May we be reminded that in the end it is just stuff, right?

"God owns the trunks in a thousand cargo loads."

Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade

itrindade@woostergrace.org