I’ve written before about friends who serve as missionaries in a large west-African country. Their stories are always reminders about how relatively easy life is here in the US. The other day this was part of their report:

Our microwave stopped working last month, but a local guy was able to repair it for less than $20. The oven is still on the fritz after losing a battle with nearly 400V that came through the socket sometime in 2023 and it now only has two modes: off or 500+°, so slow-cooking the Christmas ham was out of the question. The clothes dryer gave up the ghost, but at least it’s dry season and we can hang things up on the line outside. We really hope it can be repaired, since it’s an old Maytag that was brought over on a shipping container by a former missionary in years gone by and we cannot find a tumble dryer in the appliance store here.

…and then three homes started having issues with electricity. One evening after the kids were in bed and I was planning to sit down to a movie with a friend, I was instead running back and forth between houses trying to figure out what was going on, sort out the two power lines we have coming into the compound, each with three phases that were all having wildly different voltages that was causing each electrical panel to freak out… all for different reasons. Trying to reassure a compound full of multicultural guests, exhausted from taking care of littles all day, and the electrician who wired up this whole compound not answering his phone, I was just about burst into tears when another missionary drove up and volunteered to help. It took nearly three days, several visits from two electricians, calling the local power supply company, rewiring electrical panels, repairing stabilizers, changing out components, and digging, cementing, and wiring a new electrical pole, but we got it all sorted out and everyone now has somewhat consistent power at somewhat normal voltages that won’t fry electronics or kitchen appliances.

Wow. And my “major” problem is I’m having trouble keeping my printers connected to the network. And here’s another lesson. Yesterday we learned “no electricians, no AI.” Guess what? No electricians, no missionary work. All kinds of work is important.

And give thanks for your home’s steady power running quietly in the background 24/7.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.16 – 18, ESV)

Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? (Job 38.35, 36, ESV)