SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE
Pastor Didier asked me to preach at his Church which is known as Church 1. The service began at 10:00 am. The music was outstanding. How I wish I could share it with you. The African culture is different, sometimes at night the last sounds I hear are the beat of drums. I have noted that little children seem to be born with rhythm in their bones. I see them walking around singing and clapping their hands in tune with their song.
The Church had a choir of university students; all had identical blouses or shirts. A girl in the group just started singing about three minutes till 10:00, the group followed her and I can only say it was incredibly beautiful though I understood not a word they sang.
I don’t know exactly when I got to the pulpit, but I am fairly certain that the sermon went for two hours. I have never preached so long, but the people seemed to draw the sermon out of me. Also the sermon was preached by me in English and then Pastor Didier gave it to the Congregation in French and Pastor Mickey in Swahili. After the Service everyone shook hands with one another and visited.
On the way home we did some light shopping in what I would call a bazaar or a flea market. But it was a permanent market. You could tell by looking that some of the items had been on display for some time by dust on them –white clothing was beige. Didier needed some electrical supplies. As he selected and paid for items a small crowd gathered around. It seems that buying is something to draw attention. I assume that not much purchasing takes place with 80% unemployment.
After church it was nap time for about an hour. Didier came to the guest house to try to get some sleep, but his nap was interrupted by someone needing something or another.
We did some electrical work, I ate with Didier: chicken and greens, foo foo and rice. It was all very good. About 7:00 pm I came back to the guest house to read, take my bath and get ready for bed as the generator is turned off at 9:00 pm.
I was up at about 6:30 am on Monday. I think I am becoming adjusted to the African time. My hot water for my Starbucks Via (instant coffee) was delivered by Didier. I felt so rich this morning because I had powdered creamer and sugar from my Meals Ready to Eat. I get a pot (standard coffee pot size)of hot water almost boiling hot; I have learned to not only make the coffee, but also to have enough left over to shave with. Cold water shaving is no fun in my estimation. The last bit of hot water is used to wash my face.
THE PASTOR’S CONFERENCE
Sixteen people attended the first session today. I asked the attendees if any of them owned a Christian book other than their Bible, none did. Thanks to the generosity of some Christian donor and the International Ministry of Desiring God, each one attending now has three books in the French Language. Thanks to the people who donated to my Congo Fund each one attending the Conference gets to share in a common meal at no personal expense. I shared with those at the Conference that the meal was a gift from God, but it was an expression of some American Christian’s love for the leaders of the Church in the Congo.
For lunch we had cooked cassava leaves for greens, foo foo for carbohydrates, and fish for protein. Being a guest and the speaker, I was offered the first place in line for food, but declined. I waited until all had been through the line then I picked up one piece of fish –cooked weight was probably about two ounces. We were out of forks and plates before I got my fish. I knew that for some and maybe most of those attending this would probably be their only meal. After we ate, I took a picture group picture.
My Living Space was Getting Dirty
Filthy is a better word. The dust is blown by the wind all day long. Little children are grey with the dirt after playing outside. Didier keeps his doors and window closed all the time even though they have been cooking with charcoal and the house has that added heat. He does not allow his children to play outside on a windy day.
I told Didier that I need someone to clean the house and that I was willing to pay assuming that one of the ladies in the Church would want to earn some money. I came back to the guest house and here was dear Annie mopping the floor or more accurately using a squeegee on it. She had such a big beautiful smile on her face.
Later we were in the supermarket shopping. I needed toothpaste and deodorant. I told Didier that I wanted to get his wife something for her excellent work of cleaning. He was to pick it out and I would pay. I told him to get something which she would not get for herself. He said, “She would very much like to have deodorant.” I was very surprised. I thought that was a necessity. Needless to say…
THE SECOND CONFERENCE IS NOW OVER.
- Sixteen in attendance
- Chicken, foo foo, fried cabbage, and a coke like drink.
- After an hour and a half, I wanted to stop for a break and they pleaded for 15 more minutes before we break.
- Now off to town and the land of internet.
Pastor Bob, I am so moved by your writings and observations. The things we take for granted, or consider to be necessities, these people do not have--and maybe never will. Yet they're so happy and joyful. What a lesson for us all.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're accomplishing great things just by being there to share the word of God. Thank you for being such a gracious ambassador for the Grizzly Flats Community Church. We are well represented!
God bless you. Stay well and keep posting.