The Lord is Our
Help
Thank
God! After many twists and turns, our church¡¦s application to the City of
Richmond¡¦s Urban Development Department for a building permit was finally
approved and issued last Tuesday. I¡¦m sure everyone in the Council of Elders
and Deacons and the Church-Building Committee agree that these past few weeks
had been a stressful and trying time because we encountered so many
difficulties and obstacles while handling the affairs of church building. Yet
whenever we joined together in praying, God listened to our prayers and
eventually helped us to resolve these problems. I would like to share here two
incidents worthy of thanksgiving, so that everyone will comprehend the
spiritual battle underlying the building of our church, and thereby encourage
more brothers and sisters to be of one mind in keeping vigilance and praying
for the church.
During
the last meeting of elders and deacons, we discussed the issue of acquiring
insurance for the construction. Received quotes indicated that two insurers
were interested in proving coverage for the job at comparable premiums, but
without earthquake insurance. Another company could offer earthquake insurance,
but had the additional requirement that we hire qualified security personnel to
guard the site to minimize the risk of theft or burglary. The elders and
deacons all affirmed that earthquakes should be covered under the construction
policy. But if the protection included earthquakes, we would have to pay the
extra wages of security guards, thereby increasing our building budget. When
this matter was discussed, I requested that the elders and deacons all join
together in prayer and put it into the hands of God for His resolution. After
the prayer we continued with discussion of other concerns. Less than a week
later, the brother in charge was able to obtain for the church another quote
for a policy that is co-insured by two large companies. No only are they
willing to provide earthquake insurance, the security guard requirement is also
waived, and the stated premium is around two hundred dollars less per month
than the three previous quotes! Do you all reckon that God listens to prayers?
Is He together with us?
The
other matter is the process of applying for a building permit from the City¡¦s
Urban Development Department. Late last year, our church submitted blue prints
and the application for a building permit to said department through our
architect. According to him, the application was not problematic. During the
intervening months, the Church-Building Committee concentrated its efforts on
the various components for establishment of a sewer connection, in order to
facilitate rezoning approval from the relevant sections of the two levels of
provincial and municipal governments. As well, the Committee put its mind to
negotiations with the building contractor in hopes of controlling and
tightening costs so that the construction budget could be held within
$2,000,000. Around three weeks ago, we finally received our rezoning approval.
When we followed up with the Urban Development Department regarding the
building permit, we discovered that the review process on our application had
in fact not concluded. Despite contacting and conferring with a number of
different bureaucrats on many occasions, we found myriad roadblocks that even
strained our relationship with our architect. At the same time, the contractor
indicated that if we further delayed execution of the main contract with them,
it would be difficult for them to guarantee that the construction cost would
not escalate. At noon last Monday, the Building Committee convened an emergency
meeting to discuss the handling of the current impasse and to pray ardently.
Unexpectedly, early Tuesday morning the officer in charge at the Urban
Development Department called to inform us that the building permit was
actually approved. That of course also slackened the tension between ourselves
and our working partners. Do you all reckon that God listens to prayers? Does
He understand our needs?
I
believe that the process of building an assembly hall is the same as the
process of establishing a God-worshipping person. To be meaningful, we must be
people of prayer building this temple of prayer. Therefore, I hope that
everyone will be faithful to your duty as priests, diligently attend the
church¡¦s prayer meetings, petition in unity with your brothers and sisters, and
rely whole-heartedly upon the Lord.
¡§You who fear
Him, trust in the Lord - He is their help and shield.¡¨ (Psalm 115:11)
By: Daniel To