PART 3: The rebuilding

Ephesians 2:1-2 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  

 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, 

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Throughout the New Testament there is the unavoidable instruction to those who follow Jesus Christ, that we should also grow more in being like Jesus. 

(1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 2:21, John 13:13-17, Eph 4:22-24, John 14:15, Titus 3:1-8, Phil 2:5, 1 John 3:2,  Gal 2:20, Rom 8:2-8, Luke 6:46, 1 Cor 5:17, Rom 12:1-2, Rom 6:4,11, John 3:30, John 15:12, Hebrews 5:8, John 1:14, Phil 2:5-8, John 15:13).

 There are circumstances and seasons, when this is much harder. Today I want to share with you the situation of some guys, who have become dear and very precious friends. They are being the fragrence of Christ, (like Christ) to those devastated by the recent fire and prolonged battle in Eastern Ukraine.

There  is a village or settlement in the East called "Sirotino". Amidst the many residential properties is a "house of prayer". A small spiritual centre, which shares the gospel of hope to many, and until recently was a centre for humanitarian aid (clothes/ food/ counselling/ spiritual help), and the home of two displaced families already impacted by the war. I say until recently because the October fires resulted in the building looking like this....

 

What does it mean to follow in the path of Christ in such a situation ?

It means that love not retribution is the propellant of life, asking "what can we do for our God in such a place?"

 A small team is assembled, the best of men. They do not presume to be the best builders (though they are gifted and resourceful), but humbly fit in with what is desperately needed to be done - and take pride in doing a good job well, to serve people in great need. There are times when conversation, theory or even neat theology is not enough... something needs to get started, when no one has the will, appetite or emotional resource. 

 

Although they live in a different region, like Christ they go to the mess not away from it. The hard work starts. The clearup begins. It is thirsty work among the dust, rubble and stench of the embers. This is true religion, amongst the mess, where hands blister and the smell of brokenness fills every lung and every breath.

 

 

Thank God that we have such a Saviour who came into our mess, a "man of sorrows" (Isa 53:3) who feels and breathes our pain, is "acquainted with grief", and came to sacrifice himself in totallity, to make a way forwards for all men, women boys and girls who will trust in him for salvation.  Thank God for our Saviour who repays us not as we ought to be, but makes a way to deal with our sin, sorrow and pain, in such a way that we can minister to others in pain. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Cor 1:3-4).

 Ambitiously the team set a target to clean-up then rebuild the roof structure in two days. They pray... and commit each step to God as they have done so along each step of the way, and over the weekend they are praising God for every batton, joist and bolt... There is progress, there is a way ahead, clearly visable above the burnt out rooftops. It is only the begining, but our God is is with us. We can do all things through the one who strengthens us. We look to him to provide and help us accomplish what is so desperately needed.

• Praise God for the team rebuilding the "house of prayer" at Sorotino.

• Resources (building materials and finance) are to put it politely "Slim". Pray that God would provide the materials needed for the rebulding of this precious hub of hope in the name of Christ. 

(NB. Pray this prayer with caution, knowing that the answer to it may already be deep in the recesses of our own pockets.)

•  This is only the beginning. We are praying hard that we may be able to help more in what has become an urgent and strategic need before our eyes. People are coming to Christ, where will they go to church unless we repair and build? People are seeking Christ. Existing gospel churches are rammed full of searching people, how will those not near to a church hear, unless new strategically placed churches are built.
  
•  This incident has highlighted the need for a humanitarian aid "hub", a proper provision / facility for displaced families and those in crisis need. Pray that we can help our precious brothers and church family in this, and that soon such a provision with our help could be achieved for the glory of Christ. 
  

Thank God for those who like Christ (in obedience) ... go to the need and not away from it. Ask God that He would make us more like Christ.