Taking the Light: One Swing at a Time

Lately, I’ve been thinking about a moment I captured on video during a trip to Burkina Faso. I saw a man high up in a massive tree, steadily chopping it down with nothing but an axe.

In the States, we’d bring in heavy equipment and be done in minutes. But in rural Africa, you work with what you have. In this case, it was an axe and determination.

What struck me was his approach. He didn’t try to bring the tree down in one impossible blow. He simply took one swing. Then another. Then another.

The Lesson of the Axe

A giant tree can feel overwhelming if you focus on the whole thing. But when you focus on the next swing, progress begins.

The chips fly, the notch deepens, and eventually the tree falls. It’s slow, but it’s steady. Ecclesiastes 10:10 reminds us that wisdom directs our effort.

At Taking the Light, that’s the mindset we need, a one swing at a time mindset. The needs across Africa and the Andes can feel enormous, but we’re not called to finish everything today. We’re called to be faithful with what’s in front of us.

Getting the Word to Peru

One of the trees we are currently working on is helping lay the groundwork in Peru for Gospel tracts to be distributed through Fellowship Tract League.

That means building relationships, making connections, and working through the details so that when the tracts arrive, they can go exactly where they’re needed most.

It’s not fast work, but it’s important work. Every contact is another step closer to someone hearing the Gospel for the first time. We aren’t just setting up logistics, we are helping carry the light of God’s Word into places it hasn’t reached. (Psalm 119:130)

Equipping the Next Generation

We’re also recording Bible college material for Seminario Bautista Macedonia. This allows us to train pastors and leaders who can’t travel for formal education.

It’s one lesson at a time, but it’s long term impact. This is the whetting of the edge that Solomon talked about, equipping others to serve effectively.

Sending the Signal

This week, Scott Christian has been working on our radio transmitters. It’s detailed, careful work, soldering, testing, and refining.

When done right, those transmitters can carry the Gospel into places we may never physically reach. A few hours of careful work here can mean someone hearing the Gospel in a remote field.

Faithfulness Over Time

The big moments in missions are built on many small, unseen efforts. What looks like a sudden victory is usually the result of steady, faithful work.

We’re grateful for those who stand with us through prayer and support. You’re part of every swing.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

How You Can Help

• Pray for the Logistics: Specifically, pray for the tract shipment to Peru. Ask God to clear the way through customs and provide the right hands to receive the Word.

• Pray for the Students: As we record for Seminario Bautista Macedonia, pray that the teaching would be clear and that the men receiving it would be strengthened in their faith.

• Partner with Us Financially: The cost of shipping, recording, and maintaining radio equipment is ongoing. Your support helps keep the axe moving.