An article I wrote about my trip to Africa in October of 1996

                Called to Bring `Iron' to the World
                          By Alvin Chao
                   (Franconia Alliance Church)

     In a recent Focus on the Family Video lecture series
entitled "That the World May Know", the concept of providing our
culture with "iron technology" was first brought to my attention.
Iron technology was the most superior technology of its day (13th
century BC - King David's era).  In 1 Samuel 27-29 many scholars
believe that David or one of his men learned the art of working
iron when they were with the Philistines.  This new technology
helped them to defeat the worldly Philistines.  In much the same
manner, each of us can bring our own "iron technology" into our
daily struggle against a sinful world.

     This past October I had the opportunity to bring the "iron
technology"(Computers) of our age to missionaries in the West
African mission field.  Let me start off by saying that I have
never felt God's call to full time ministry, but I do feel that
He has called me into a position as a Systems Engineer.  I never
would have thought it possible to relate my career and
educational skills to God's ministry in the mission fields of
Africa.  But as the Lord told us in Isaiah 55:9  "As the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."  The Lord's presence was
evident throughout the many months of planning and preparation
for this trip, from my initial knowledge of the trip to the final
stages of preparation, it was clear to me that this was something
the Lord had planned for me to participate in.

     During the two weeks of this mini work trip led by Keith
Johnson of the Derwood Alliance Church; Keith, Bill Wismer (also
from the Derwood Alliance Church) and myself were able to bring
over 9 personal computer donated by various church members,
business owners, and individuals.  We stopped at two locations in
Burkina Faso and two locations in Cote D'Ivoire. The first
location was Ouagadougou where we left two computers.  Our next
stop in Burkina was the Lycee Maranatha, a National church
sponsored high school in Bobo, Burkina Faso.  We left six
computers here and also held training classes for several of the
national church members.  Our first stop in Cote D'Ivoire was the
International Christian Academy in Buake.  We left 1 computer at
the school and delivered another to one of the missionaries in
Buake.  Our last stop on the trip was in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.
We installed one computer for the Seminary in Abidjan.  During
the two weeks, we also visited the local missionaries in each
town to assist in any computer related troubleshooting and repair
work they might have required.

     All in all, this opportunity to use the skills and talent
the Lord provided me with in my career field for his service was
a life changing experience.  Much as Jesus did when he called his
disciples in Matthew 4:18-20, he calls each one of us today from
whatever walk of life, whichever occupation, and whatever skill
set to serve him with those skills and those he will provide us
with.

Mat 4:18  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw
two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They
were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
Mat 4:19  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you
fishers of men."
Mat 4:20  At once they left their nets and followed him.

     May our response be,  just as was our forefathers in the
faith, to drop everything and

                          GO FOLLOW HIM