Restorer God

Somewhere in the village of Badiéré, a woman prays to God with a cry for help. She prays that God will remember the situation of her village, the suffering of her family, and their need for clean water. 

Somewhere in the state of Ohio, a family prays for God to show them how they can serve his kingdom around the world. They pray that he will reveal to them how they can help ease the pain of a hurting and broken world in the name of Jesus. 

Today those two prayers collided. And God provided his answer through one event. 

The women of the church in Badiéré met under the shade of a tree, and just when you thought one more person couldn't fit, one more squeezed in. They left a small opening in the middle of them, just for dancing. They took turns leading songs of worship and adoration while a man patted out the rhythm of their dancing feet with a djembe. It was as if each woman wanted a chance to lead her favorite song, and then the rest joyfully joined in as if to say, yes, we like this one too! With sweat dripping and dust flying, the women sang their hearts out to God. 

Because God had heard their prayer. He was bringing clean water to their village. 

The men gathered around the well to watch as the pump and pipes were installed. The finishing touches were made as a plaque was placed that listed the date, location, and the name of one special family in Ohio who had sponsored the well. 

As the dedication was made and speeches were given and the handle was pumped and pure water came out, one village member gave a public testimony. "This well has happened today because of faith." 

It would be impossible for anyone present to miss the fact that faith in Christ was the reason for the well. With the loud worshipful singing of the women, the presentation of a Bible story through children's ministry, and the gospel message given by our team...there was not a single person present who didn't hear about Jesus this day. Our work was absolutely saturated in him and his message. 

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen."

(1 Peter 5:10-11)

Today, in the village of Badiéré, God answered the prayers of two different people who live across the ocean from each other, and he did it in one word. 

Restoration. 

After a little while of suffering from lack of clean water, God restored life and health rough the gift of drinkable water. After a little while of suffering because of wondering if God hears prayers, God restored hope through an answered prayer. After a little while of suffering from feeling abandoned, God restored a sense of meaning and love. After a little while of suffering, God restored...

It gives me hope, too. It assures me that God sees us and hears our prayers. It gives me confidence that God will restore us, too, after our periods of suffering. It reminds me that our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present...from Ohio to Badiéré to the ends of the earth. It gives a rhythm to my feet and an adoration song to my heart. It makes the suffering seem sweet as we await year faithful promise of restoration. 

It also makes me hear my prayers with the ears of heaven, and somewhere in the distance, I hear another prayer being prayed from afar. Though our prayers aren't connected now, one day they will be. Maybe their prayer will be the answer to mine, or maybe my prayer will be the answer to theirs, or maybe God will connect the two in a way that neither of us ever never dreamed possible. 

That's the beautiful work of our Restorer God.