There are some days I would like to cry.

I know the Bible says that God will turn our mourning into dancing, and that He has given us a spirit of joy, but whoever wrote those words never owned a computer, never had to call tech support, and most definitely did not deal with Moldovan internet companies!

Another scripture should be rewritten to say, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from technology….” I am far from an anti-technology guy, with my computers, websites, digital camera, and MP3 player, but those wonderful things will be the death of me yet!

Digital camera? Barely limping along with focusing problems.
Desktop computer? Already burned out two power supplies.
New Apple laptop that I thought would be so reliable? Screen died last night.
Pen and yellow legal pad? Still working, the last time I checked.

Technology is a great blessing to missionaries. We can send photos around the world, create newsletters you can view within seconds, and converse with friends via internet telephone. But there are times that technology can also become a thorn in one’s side! Nothing is simple when repair service is thousands of miles away. I can call on my warranty, but service in Moldova is nonexistent!

A blown laptop screen is just another reminder to me about the location of my dependency. So often the things of this earth let us down, failing us at the most inopportune moments. We tend to think things are permanent, but within a few seconds, tragedy shows up our dependency is misplaced.

We think we can depend on family, then the hospital calls with the word “malignant.”
We make financial plans based on our secure job, and the news hits of the latest downsizing.
We even dream we have reliable friends, yet even the best of friends disappoint us at times.

Psalm 119:91 in the Message reads “…what you say goes, God…as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion….Your Word and truth are dependable as ever.” And Isaiah 26:4 tells us to “…trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

So while I would like to drop-kick my camera and laptop into the next country, I know that I have one thing I can always depend on: the living God! Jesus will never leave us in the lurch, drop our coverage or start repeating, “Sorry, this line is busy.”

When we pray, we can be assured that God hears us.
When we fear, we know our Protector stands guard.
When the world falls apart around us, we can continue to stand firm on the Rock.

Your frustrated but eternally-dependent missionary,

Andy Raatz