In the four Sundays we were in Kazungula, we got to experience three different kinds of services.
The first two Sundays, we stayed at Pastor John’s house and fellowshipped with those who came to join us. Our friend Franz was always there and a few other people would join as well. We would start worship around 9:30 or 10. Sometimes we’d sing along to some songs, other times we would listen to Pastor John preach, as well as join in the topic if we had something to share. On those Sundays, since we were already home, we would get lunch ready soon and get to enjoy our friends’ company for a bit longer.
The 3rd Sunday in the country, we experienced a more traditional church setting. In the little village of Lesoma, where we had been evangelizing the week before, we joined St. John’s Apostolic Mission Church. The building was a small structure made of reed mats propped against poles, a tin roof, dirt floor swept clean, a few chairs, and wooden benches (one of which folded under us when we sat down). It was the kind of church that had lots of little traditions that I would have loved to ask about: candles burning in the front with a few sticks of incense, uniforms of white robes with blue sashes, little scepters the elders carried around, a time where they drank water they had prayed healing over for those who drank it, lots of clapping and chanting-like songs.
They welcomed us with open arms and asked one of us to speak for a few minutes. Amy shared a beautiful and simple message that we pray planted seeds of the Gospel.
The last Sunday here, we went to a more Pentecostal type church called Apostolic Faith Mission. It was a loud church filled with lots of singing, dancing, music, and praying in the Spirit. A quote from the one pastor: “Our church is a church of noise!”
The worship band sang and played beautifully together. Pastor Unkabetse delivered a powerful message about the bountiful harvest and what we are doing about it. We took communion with them, which was very special since I haven’t taken communion in a church since we left.
I loved being here and experiencing so many different cultures within one country. I learned so much from these genuine people.
