我們與短宣隊前往巴西，在亞馬遜叢林裡幫忙建造一間教堂。我們在已經打好的地基上，像組裝巨型樂高積木一樣，組裝起教堂的各個部分：支撐柱、混凝土牆、窗戶、屋頂上的鋼梁和瓦片，然後粉刷牆壁。

因為那時是季風季節，所以有些人擔心我們會受大雨影響而不能及時完工。但感謝上帝的恩典，大雨遲遲沒有到來。在一些當地人的援助下，我們克服了各種阻礙，以破紀錄的超短時間完成建築工程。

當尼希米與一群以色列人從被擄之地歸回，要重建耶路撒冷的城牆時，他們面臨了許多攔阻。敵人發現他們正在修造城牆就非常憤怒，對他們譏笑羞辱（尼希米記4章1-3節）。但尼希米向上帝禱告，並與他的族人一起努力，繼續「修造城牆，整個城牆就連接起來，到一半高，因為百姓一心做工」（6節，和合本修訂版）。當仇敵威脅要攻擊他們時，以色列人向上帝禱告，他們還一手做工，一手拿兵器（7-23節）。最後，他們只用了52天就重建了城牆。

有時我們會肩負艱鉅的任務，執行的過程中會遇到攔阻，而我們與主內弟兄姐妹也可能會失去盼望。然而，若我們倚靠上帝的幫助，危機能轉變成得勝的契機。讓我們相信上帝能延遲暴雨，並倚靠祂去克服萬難。

During a trip to Brazil with a short-term missions team, we helped construct a church building in the Amazon jungle. On the foundation, already laid, we assembled the various parts of the church like a giant LEGO set: supporting columns, concrete walls, windows, steel beams for the roof, and tiles on the roof. Then we painted the walls.

Some people were concerned because they wondered if we could build the church in time during monsoon season. But by God’s grace, the intense rain held off. With help from a few locals and despite various obstacles, we got the job done in record time.

When Nehemiah and the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, they faced many obstacles. When their enemies found out what they were doing, they were furious and insulted them (Nehemiah 4:1-3). But Nehemiah prayed and the people persevered together: “We rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (v. 6). When their foes threatened to attack, the Israelites prayed and kept guard as they worked (vv. 7-23). They rebuilt the wall in fifty-two days.

Sometimes we’re faced with a daunting task. Obstacles appear in our way, and we and our brothers and sisters in Christ can lose hope. But times like this can be a triumphant moment with God’s help. Trust Him to hold off the rainstorms and look to Him to overcome.