We Want a Zinc Roof

The newly planted church in Kangon Biri met to worship under a “green cathedral” – two mango trees whose interlocking branches formed a shade canopy. The chief of Ukuru gave permission for them to build a worship center. Enthusiastically, they set to work molding mud bricks and eventually putting up a structure that could seat 60 people.

With only two months left until rainy season, they decided they wanted a zinc roof over the worship space instead of the usual thatch. But there was no money to buy iron roofing sheets and other materials. Time went by; the rainy season approached; the people prayed; but there was still no money to buy supplies. The mud and straw bricks would dissolve when the rain poured down if there was no roof to protect the structure.

The believers’ faith never wavered. It was their firm conviction, “God will provide, since we are praying.” Then the seasonal downpours began and one side of the wall, which was poorly built, began to melt and cave in.

As the rain continued to pour down on the roofless building, the local missionary made a trip to the city. While there, he reached out to a fellow believer who had been trying for some time to contact him. When they finally met, the businessman handed over a bundle of notes explaining that the Lord had laid on his heart to buy the metal sheets for the roof!

Within three days the weak part of the building was rebuilt and the new roof was in place. The church was the only structure in the village with a shiny metal roof. The faith of the believers had triumphed and was strengthened. They watched and waited to see what God would do and learned that prayer works!

Reflection

Is there a “missing roof” in your life that you have been asking the Lord to provide? Are there situations where you feel vulnerable or threatened by circumstances that you can’t control (like the torrential rain)? What is one step of courage you can take today? Pray and ask God to provide.