This morning we went to a church service at the fishing village. The roads were sandy and the housing was scant. Some homes actually had thatched walls. Upon our arrival we could hear singing coming from within an unfinished concrete structure. Some of the walls were only a few feet tall, there were openings where windows and doors would eventually go and there was a sand floor. Many of the local people welcomed us in. I was one of the few coming in towards the rear and had my eye on a seat in the back. Just like in an American church, the front rows fill up last. One of the local women took my hand and led me to a chair up front. I was right next to the young men who were playing drums and the young girls playing gourds and the singing was exuberant. To say that this church was interactive was an understatement. There were dances at the front with just the women in the church. When they finished, just the men came up. After the men were done, the children came to the front and danced.
The preaching was done by what I would consider the senior pastor, then by another preacher and yet a third. As they all spoke, another gentleman would translate. The third preacher was very evangelical and impassioned in his sermon telling us that God has a plan for all of us. That the challenges we face are put there by God to direct us and make us stronger. God's eye is upon us each and every day bringing us to where He wants us to be. The preacher made a point to each of us visiting, that a year ago we had no idea that we would be sitting in an African church service today, but God knew.
This church has a vision. That vision is for this building to be completed including a second floor for a school for the children and church services on the first floor. They acknowledge that the children will attend the school and then bring their parents in to the church.
I don't foresee Dr. Baker and Dr. Robbins incorporating some the preaching techniques used today, but God's word always comes through with conviction and truth. No matter where you are.
Donna
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hey mom i hope your having a great time! your blos have been great and very detailed we can really tell its going great! you are already missed! vicksur was great escept for the hail storm, and when i listened to your voicmail i got a little teary eyed. but im okay now that i have read your blogs! challenger was great the kids really enjoyed it...we met mark and whindles dad and hes kinda weird but thats okay they really loved the pictures and picture frame and really missed you!! we got many pictures and had a good time! oh and after challenger i was able to go run in the track meet in hallsville it was a great experience and i did quiet well! im sure i could do better with a little bit more training for the events but other wise i did awesome. i got 1st on the 400m hurdles, 3rd on the 4X1 relay and 4th on the 100m dash! giving me to medals!!! i wsa really pumped and cnt wait to get my uniform and start going to other meets! i lvove and miss you so much!!! tell everyone i said hello! take lots of pictures and have fun! love, courtney
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