Nuts and Bolts: A Missionary Story

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Psalm 127:1 (NKJV)

Jacques, a native of Ivory Coast, Africa, and pastor/evangelist to more than twenty village churches, had been praying and seeking God's direction on having a church building built right in his own village. That prayer of over two years is now a reality. The church site is only 1000 feet from his own home! The Chief of this village, an unbeliever, gave Jacques this piece of property some time ago for a church but kept telling him that he would never live to see a church built because no white man would ever come and do such a thing for his people. The only white men they had ever known had only come to murder, rape and steal from them. In fact, until this team actually arrived there had been NO white man even permitted in their village for almost fifty years because of what had happened to their people. Only God can make the way for something like this.

In February 2010, after a very long and bumpy ride in a stripped down van, the team, comprised of nine people from three states, arrived and were greeted by a host of National believers cheering, singing, clapping, smiling, jumping up and down, raising their hands high in the air rejoicing that their prayers were answered. All the unbelief of those who doubted was put to death as they saw with their eyes a team of white Americans walking in their village, greeting their Chief and coming to build them a Church of their own!

After all the ceremonial greetings were completed, the team walked through the building site and all they saw was a cleared piece of ground, a few rows of cement blocks started (and a very large pile of ones to lay, with an African making each block by hand), some very large piles of steel rod, steel angle iron, sheets of metal and thousands of nuts and bolts. One of the member's comments was this would be overwhelming if I didn't know that God was in charge! After days and days of bending rod, and hours upon hours of welding, the first steel post were ready. Then came the steel trusses, and finally the day to begin erecting this building. There were no cranes to hoist trusses, no boom truck to help lift, only one extension ladder and the safe and secure hands of God to safely hold the guys as they welded each beam in place and drove each bolt to hold the next piece of steel. It was an amazing sight to behold and to realize the truth of Psalm 127:1. Each evening team members would sit around the table at night and reflect on the miracles of the day and praise the Lord for His provision and protection. Keep in mind that the heat was excruciating and they were at the mercy of the country power being provided each day that would allow two welders to operate. Like clockwork, the power would come on as they took their first few bites of breakfast and would go off each night as they prayed for their evening meal. The generator they had for back up only had to be used to provide lights at night, fans to move air, and for refrigeration to keep the food from spoiling. The Lord is awesome!

During the planning phase of this building, it had been estimated one thousand nuts and bolts would be adequate to secure the roof. When the final stages of the building came, it was discovered the nuts and bolts to secure the roof to the trusses had different threads. Jacques gathered the bolts and spent a day and a half round trip to return to the village with the new bolts. During the time Jacques was gone, they also discovered the estimate of nuts and bolts would not be sufficient. Because there was no way to contact Jacques, the team decided to place a bolt in every other hole of the lower section of the roof and allow the villagers to complete it when the remainder could be obtained. Jacques returned with the bolts and the work continued. The holes were drilled into the steel roof for each bolt. One by one, the bolts were inserted and secured. As the end was near and the last bolts were retrieved, every hole was filled. There was not one hole empty and not one extra bolt remaining!

None of this could have happened without God leading and directing each step. The team God assembled and the prayers and gifts of faithful people - God takes it all and accomplishes His plan! How Incredible - How Marvelous - How Awesome is He! When the team prepared to leave after almost four weeks of manual labor, the Chief of the Village told them he welcomed their return, and said he is not a believer.yet.

We have so many comforts and conveniences in America. It is so good to hear a story like this to be reminded of the love of God for His children everywhere, and His provision, right down to the nuts and bolts.

Lord, thank you for the provision and protection you generously offer us every day. Help us to count our blessings. Thank you for this miracle of nuts and bolts, and for Jacques and his ministry in Ivory Coast. We give You praise!

Janet Stutzman