Those Who Will Make a Hole
For months now we have been talking to the Nahuatl about “yehwanti del takoyonaski” or “those who will make a hole.” On the 18th two workers from Living Water arrived in our village with a huge well-drilling rig in the back of their truck. We praised God for their safe arrival and promptly got to work. In the first evening they plowed through 25 feet of dirt like it was nothing. Fast forward two weeks, however, and we still haven’t hit water. Although the hole is now over 80 feet deep, the drill bit has been battling against rock almost the entire time.
Where is the Water?
We’ve been waiting for water for almost three years now, so what’s a few more weeks, right? I find myself on edge, however, as the people continue to ask us if it’s really going to work. They are doubtful that there is water under the ground. After plans changed three or four times, they doubted the workers would even come. During a few days of frustrating work, one village man told us that we weren’t able to get water because we weren’t part of the local religion. Another individual suggested that we should make a sacrifice to the local spirit of the mountain. “Just leave a little money or some gift up there,” he said, “and then you will have permission to get water.” We assured him that our confidence lies in the one true God and that he is the one who will allow us to find water.
God’s Reputation
I’ll be honest. My faith is often weak and sometimes it’s downright pansy-ish. Instead of feeling confident and assured when I say that God will bring the water, I feel scared. I sometimes get confused and feel as though it is my job to defend God’s reputation. What if I say he can do it and he chooses not to? What will the people think then? What if I explain that God made everything in the world—even the stuff under the ground—and we battle endlessly with rock until the machine gives out or we’re forced to give up? Surely, I’d be better off hedging a little in case God has other plans…right?
Not Against Rock
I keep thinking of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, waiting for rain to fall. The prophets called and then shouted, danced and then cut themselves to pieces, but there was no answer. Elijah prayed and then received. Elijah had been given the assurance ahead of time that the Lord would send rain. We have not been promised water from this hole, be we DO have the assurance of knowing and serving the same God who was victorious then. The same God who sent down flames to devour the wet offering…wood, stones, and all…and then poured out water on a dry and desperate land. We know that our battle here is not against rock; it is a battle between the one, true God and the spirits, patrons, and saints the Nahuatl worship. And we do not have to worry about defending God’s honor. He concerns himself with His good name.
