Advent is a journey that takes us closer to our destination of Heaven. Thanks for staying with me on this “Advent Adventure.”
During those first weeks at Advance Base, the staff were expecting us to be able to purchase some food supplies from locals, but we were so far from the beaten path that not even the Indians knew where to find us gringos. To further complicate matters, a heavy storm, called a norte, arrived, stayed for about a week, and kept the supply planes from flying into our tiny airstrip. Then, the one bull that the staff had planned on butchering ran off into the mountains. The upshot was we had no fresh meat or eggs or vegetables. Thankfully, Linda and I had ordered a block of cheese and jars of peanut butter for our non-priority bag, so we had some protein to sustain us as we worked to build our new home.
Remembering my ability in carpentry class, I wondered how our 12’x13’ champa would turn out. Thankfully, Linda did much better than I with manual skills. We soon had the four corner posts set in the ground, built rough pole frames for our beds and a table. We dug a latrine and made a mud stove. The only mishap was when Linda managed to machete her finger. With a large sheet of vinyl for a roof, we were soon comfortable. It’s hard to believe the entire area was dense jungle just two weeks earlier!
For three years, Jesus had no place to call home as he travelled with his disciples. I’m certain the carpenter’s son would have done a far better job than Linda and I in constructing a place, but Jesus never settled in one spot long enough. In Matthew 8:20, he said, “The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests to live in. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head.”
Yet this same Jesus has promised to go ahead of us and prepare a home for us in heaven. It won’t be made of flimsy poles and vinyl but will last forever.
Look around your home today. Take a few moments to thank God for solid walls, for a leak-proof roof, and a soft bed to lie on.
