Before progress could be made, the poorly-constructed "ring-to" beams had to be demolished. This had been one of the main hindrances to the work. Lawrence states, "Parts of the walls and windows that had not been done are also going up. Praise the Lord. The happy end is in sight."
Meanwhile, firewood has been gathered to begin firing the bricks. The stack has been covered with cow dung to contain and distribute the heat.
The firing begins.
Suddenly, disaster hits! Yes, we are "tried by fire" indeed. Some weakness in the design or method has been revealed. As the dear brother puts it, "Ah, the fight is still going on. Part of the burnt bricks collapse. Even when the road seems to reach the end, the fight is hot. We must keep looking to the Lord till the end."
Lawrence in the fight. Blow by blow, the work will go on.
The fires are lighted again.
And the burning out begins as the fire does its work. Are we letting the trials in our lives perfect and purify us?
As dusk falls, Alvin is at it.
Isn't it a privilege to be part of the Lord's building? Not only in these temporal endeavors, but much more as we are made a "habitation of God" by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. With Job of old can we say, "He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold"?
This morning's update from brother Lawrence states:
We praise God for blessings on the building work so far. The "ring-to" is now half way repaired. We demolished the bad one and also the partitioning of the building. By Saturday, I am told the "ring-to" will be complete. The roofing of the building will be the next undertaking. Please, pray for this other part. The bricks are about ready now. God worked a wonder by stopping the stack from tumbling down. Praise the Lord.
Yes, thank the Lord for grace and courage to keep pressing on. It is time to count our blessings.
