We’re having a heat wave in Chicago.  It’s hot and sticky and there is no relief except escape to air conditioning and avoid the outdoors.  Every time I’m outside, I think of Pastor Joseph in Haiti, and the hours he spends standing in a suit in heat much worse than this every Sunday.

Remember Pastor Joseph?  He tore down his church’s transitional structure to make way for their permanent building.

But then a few delays held up the release of some critical building supplies.  And though it seems we finally have everything we need to begin construction, it’s been several weeks since he blessed another congregation with his own temporary building.  And that means this pastor, and his congregation, have been meeting in the open air.  In the heat.  In the sun.  For hours upon hours every single weekend.

I can’t stop apologizing for the delays, regardless of the fact they are out of my control or his.  In a nation like Haiti, a bad infrastructure means these bumps in the road can take weeks.  Or months.

I apologize again.

He emails me and says:

“Don’t be sorry.  It’s the work of our father, and we need to remember that Heaven has its own schedule and things will happen when they should.”

As they wait, he tells me they can’t help but praise God’s glorious name and enjoy the experience as they wait.

How does he sign off?

“Ye hoooooooooo!  Be blessed my brother.”

Ye hoooooooooo?

If your pastor tore down your church and asked your congregation to meet for the next several weeks, or maybe months, in 100+ degree heat, would you not only do it – but do it with joy and thanksgiving?

As I make my way into our air-conditioned worship center this weekend, I have high hopes that I’ll celebrating the release of our container filled with the building supplies we need to get started on several dozen church buildings to serve congregations like the one led by Pastor Joseph.

But, if our supplies are still held up, I’ve been challenged by Pastor Joseph’s response to adversity.  I need to be praising God for his timing and provision instead of being focused on my own agenda – even if it’s a good one.

When you face a trial, whether large or small, is your first response to complain?  To ask for relief?  Or is it to shout out praises to our Father that end with ““Ye hoooooooooo!”

Be blessed, my brothers.

Tags: Building, Church Reconstruction, HA02, Haiti