My team and I had our first church service in Africa on Sunday. Sunday is our rest day for the week, so there were two options. We could go to the service in the morning in a different town and also go to the service in Oceanview in the evening, or only go to the service in Oceanview. The rest of my team chose to stay home in the morning, but I went to church with our contact. The minute I stepped inside was the first time since we got here that I had the thought “I’m definitely in Africa again.”
There really is nothing like church in Africa. It is usually loud, more interactive, longer worship, longer teaching, and overall it just pushes the boundaries of how we do church in America. Four years ago was the first time I felt the push of those boundaries when I was in Africa the first time. Nothing can really prepare you for the experience. I remember being challenged and encouraged and a little bit weirded out. But soon enough that experience became second nature and it gave my heart a place that felt free and at home.
So, I knew what to expect but I’m not sure my team did. As expected, church was loud and charismatic. The pastor is dynamic and has an amazing gift of preaching. He spoke with a passion and a conviction that I don’t frequently see. He spoke of life and revival in the township of Oceanview. It is a new church plant so a few of the kinks are still being worked out, but overall I was simply brought back to that place where my heart feels free and I’m overwhelmed with joy.
If you know me, you know my heart is not rooted in Africa. When I left here the last two times my opinion was “see ya never, Africa. I’ll be okay if I never come back.” Yet here I am. South Africa is different. This place where we get to live is thrumming with life and an expectancy for the Lord to show up. I’m so excited to partner with God in these next few months here. And I’m beginning to believe that it wouldn’t be so bad to come back to South Africa again.
P.S. oh yeah, I’m Passport leading again in South Africa.
Much Love,
A
