Laying a Roof

Alfonzo Byorkis is a brother in the village of 21 de Marzo. He is not only a village neighbor, but also one of Joshua’s closest friends and one of the few very strong believers in the villages. He attends an Assembly of God church, and feels called to be an evangelist. As a father of five, his seven-person family lived in 10’ x 30’ house – one bedroom with two beds for all seven people, a small living room, and a tiny kitchen. Alfonzo saved and saved for years to begin a kitchen expansion that would make a new living room and kitchen area, thus freeing the current living room to be a second bedroom.

This faithful brother knows that God has called him to preach the gospel. However, that calling was quenched for some time when he went to Tijuana for over a year to earn more money to pay off the house expansion. The move was made against the advice of many discerning voices, who rather advised him to wait for the Lord’s provision. After fourteen months, Alfonzo was brought to an awful revelation that he had forsaken his family and was on the brink of forsaking his own soul for the love of money. So, he dropped his work and everything he held dear in Tijuana, and returned to his family.

The battle was very difficult. With his youngest daughter marrying in just a few months after his arrival, Alfonzo took measly-paying jobs in the villages to finish the house expansion and pay for the wedding. For months, the family sacrificed necessities, but was happy to have their father and husband home again. But Alfonzo was distraught. He had sacrificed all he had to return to his family, and it seemed that there was no fruit coming from his obedience. We encouraged him to wait on the Lord.

Joshua saw a desperate need in the villages after the hurricane; so many people needed assistance. He felt the great burden to help people, so we prayed. The government came and brought some assistance, but not much. Not wanting to stir up any false hope of help coming from the states, Joshua quietly contacted churches in the United States with the plight of the villages. When asked which of the specific necessities were most urgent, he could only think of Alfonzo’s family, who were now living in a 10’x20’ home because the expansion was unusable without a roof or floor. There were several churches who took up an offering that week and sent it to us immediately.

Meanwhile, unaware of Joshua’s burden, Alfonzo dropped to his knees on a Sunday night after church, unable to sleep. He began to cry. “Lord,” he prayed, “I have always been grateful for everything you have given me. I have never complained about my leaky roof, or not having gasoline in my cars, or the little money that I bring home from my work. I know that the leaky roof means I have a house, the little gas in my car means that I have a car, and the little money I bring home means that I am still physically able to work. I have never, never asked for anything, Lord, especially not money. But, God, I need money!” Ashamed of his outburst, Alfonzo tried to pray for forgiveness, but he felt overcome with drowsiness, and slipped into bed.

The next morning, Joshua asked Alfonzo to ride with him to the city. They walked to the ATM machine, and Joshua took out the money that the churches had pledged. He put the money in the brother’s hands, and Alfonzo became distraught. “I cannot pay you back for this, Joshua. Better, you keep this money for yourself.” “No,” replied Joshua, “this money was pledged a week ago to you by churches in the United States. It is not my money. It is God’s money.” Alfonzo was puzzled. “But Joshua, I only prayed for this last night!”

What a joy to know that our heavenly Father knows our needs before we even ask of him! The money that was donated was enough to put a roof over the house, put a concrete floor down, and then Alfonzo used the remainder of the money to help another brother in Christ who was staggering financially after the hurricane crisis. Not only did the Lord provide his necessities, but he provided enough to let him bless someone else with his own blessing!