I received an update from a young missionary couple, I’ll call them Bill and Betty. Betty is the daughter of a couple who served with us in The Navigators a few years ago. Betty and Bill are serving as missionaries in West Africa, in medical and software ministries. They have a toddler, whom I’ll call Caleb, who keeps them on their toes. They are among the most cheerful people I have ever known. They act like every day is a party…

They act like every day is a party, but it’s not. In a recent newsletter, they shared how difficult everyday life sometimes is. I include all of that section of their letter. Think of them and other missionaries the next time you turn on the lights because you still have electricity, get gas, or grab some cash from an ATM. By the way, they are in a fairly large country with a decent economy. It’s just not the US.

We want to close by sharing something to bring you encouragement, though it may not seem like it! I (Bill) had a trying time one morning and I want to bring you along the journey with me. Here is a fictional conversation to demonstrate the day between my “adversary” and me.

Me: We’ve been having power issues for the past week. Today is really at a critical point. But the power is finally here!

Adversary: Yeah, but the phase you’re on is now gone.

Me: Okay, I’ll switch to phase 2. That one’s working and when I last looked, the voltage was great!

Adversary: Yeah, but now the voltage is low, flipping your stabilizer on and off, causing the lights to flicker, the UPS [uninterruptible power supply] to not know what it’s doing, and the internet router to keep restarting.

Me: Fine, let’s switch to the third phase which also has great voltage!

Adversary: Yeah, but that switch is burned and needs to be fixed.

Me: Didn’t I call the electrician about that?

Adversary: Yeah, he came yesterday, but couldn’t get a new switch in the market because there were protests downtown. He said he’d try today, but his schedule was already packed, so he probably won’t come.

Me: Well, let me go turn the generator on, then. I hate to do it when there IS power, but I’ll do what I’ve got to do. (turns on the generator and it dies).

Adversary: Oh yeah, that propane bottle is empty.

Me: No worries, I’ve got three others I can use!

Adversary: Actually all four are empty.

Me: What?! How did that happen? We were just using one this morning! Well, whatever, we’ll go get them filled.

Betty returns an hour and a half later from the propane refill station with four full bottles. In the meantime, Caleb made friends with the guys running the shop, had a meltdown about not having his sippy cup, and learned the British English word “spanner” for the wrench the shopkeeper gave him to play with.

Me: Cool, here we go. (generator doesn’t start)

Adversary: Oh yeah, you need to change the oil on that before it’ll start.

Me: I don’t have a ton of time, so let me call the generator guy to see if he can come and do it.

Adversary: Well, he just left town and won’t be back until tomorrow.

Me: Fine, I’ll go get the oil after lunch and fix it myself.

Adversary: Don’t forget your meeting soon…

How would you respond in a situation like this? If I’m not careful, I end up getting mad, very similar to Jonah when the vine above his head died. As I went through this scenario, God reminded me that redundancies, planning, and whatever else I can think of won’t protect me from these situations. God tailor-makes trials like this because He’s working in my life to remove the stubbornness, pride, and anger I have when things don’t go my way. He’s in control, and He knows exactly what I need. What I ended up doing after this situation was smiling and talking with God. “God, this actually somewhat funny—I can’t make this stuff up! Thanks for today, and for being in control. I’ll keep working to fix it, and submit my plans to you! You are great, holy, and amazing!”

While Bill went off to his meeting, the saga continued from Betty’s perspective:

Betty: We really need to get the generator going as soon as we can. Our batteries are still fine and our fridge is still cold, but our new neighbor’s barely-full fridge is probably already warm, and our shared water tanks are almost empty. What a way to say, “Welcome to the compound!”

Bill: While I’m on this phone call, can you run to town to pick up some 10W-40 oil, please? I’ll also need some petrol or kerosine to clean the filter. Now that we’re on propane, I gave our last jerry can of petrol to another missionary for their gas-powered generator.

Betty: In order to just buy a small amount of petrol, especially without an approved jerry can, I’ll have to go to one of the black market guys on the corner. And we’re all out of cash, so I’ll have to stop at the bank before I can go there.

(Puts Caleb down for a nap, then drives to the main branch of our bank and finds out that all five ATMs are out of cash—the third time this has happened this month. Goes to a different bank’s ATM and finds out the withdrawal limit for non-bank customers is the equivalent of about $3. Then waits in a very long line of cars at two different fuel stations before finding a place that has the particular oil in stock. Thankfully, they accept a debit card. Goes to three different roundabouts/corners where black market fuel is sold before finding someone with fuel to sell. Pays nearly double the standard price per liter for a small reused water bottle full of petrol)

When I return, Caleb is still asleep and Bill’s already got the generator apart and ready for the oil change. He does the repair and it starts right up. We then string several extension cords between an outlet in our home and our neighbor’s fridge so we can finally get power and we’re finally able to pump water up to the tanks!

On days like this, I often find myself saying, “God, but I had plans for today! And those plans didn’t include this!” I had planned to use that precious naptime to write this newsletter, but instead drove around town trying to find cash and petrol. But I’m slowly learning to count life’s little activities, big toddler meltdowns, short times of peace and quiet, and long, hot afternoons as sacred and given to me by a loving Father. The words of one of my favorite hymns, “Day by Day” have been dear to me recently:

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest

I can’t add anything to that. Thank you, Bill and Betty, for sharing your challenges and Spirit-filled responses with us.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.18, ESV)

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4.11 – 13, ESV)