Hola todos. This is my first blog since officially launching into the race. My team and another team are spending this month with a YWAM group outside of David, Panama. We are surrounded by mountains, streams, trees, and every other beautiful sight. But I think the most beautiful sight I’ve seen thus far was not when we were traveling through the mountains, looking at waterfalls, or walking downtown in the city. The most beautiful sight I’ve seen was when we were at church.
One week of the race has already changed my views on what church really is or means.
On Friday afternoon, we were told that Saturday we were going to a church in a nearby comarca (Indian reservation/village). We were also told that we would be leading the service. Welcome to the race! I was surprised we were given notice at all, but we were able to create a service, for both adults and children, including worship music and a message.
When we arrived at church, it was not at all what I expected. I had very close minded views of what church was. I pictured a building with a steeple, maybe a cross on the outside, some stained glass, an elegant alter, music equipment, projector screens and pews lining the floor. I soon had a reality check. We arrived at the church and below is what I saw.
Seeing this and the people singing and worshipping, was the most beautiful sight I had seen so far. I realized that “church” is not a building full of beautiful things. It is not a specific place. But rather, it is the place where you and others come together to celebrate and share God. They sat on benches and folding chairs, had a tambourine as music equipment, and just a roof over a slab of concrete. And it was beautiful.
At home, we have these elegant and extravagant churches, but why? Especially when all we need is each other and our own voices.
Sunday we also led a service in a different church. This sight was also completely different.
It became very clear that when we say “church” we think of what I described earlier, however, that is not the case. And I cannot wait to see what other “churches” we go to. I am challenging myself to take a picture of each and every one so that I remember what’s important. It’s not about the building, the location, or the decorations. It’s about who is coming together and that they are coming together for Him.
Xoxo,
Kaitlin
