We piled into the back of a pickup truck with about 20 other
people to head to Prayer Mountain. The journey was only about 30 minutes, but
it was a little bit like a rodeo: standing up holding onto the truck swaying
back and forth down a bumpy dusty road. We arrived with what we called a ‘spray
tan’ from the red African dirt.
We followed the chain of people up the trail about 20
minutes to the top of Prayer Mountain. Straight up. Hundreds of people traveled
from eight different arc diocese churches to hike up here. This is the tallest
peak in the surrounding area that overlooked an amazing panoramic of valleys
full of banana trees and villages.
Everyone flocked here once a week for worship, prayer, Bible
study, preaching, healings and deliverance. A simple metal roof and tarps were
up for shade from the hot sun. This was a church gathering of the purest form. The
journey was difficult to get here for many of them, so those that were here
were longing for time in the Presence of God. They expected God to show up and
move and do miraculous things and He always does on Prayer Mountain.
Worship in Africa is my favorite. Dancing unashamed before
the King of Kings, harmonious voices of all ages rejoicing. By dancing I mean
jumping for the Lord, making a giant cloud of dust that brings glory to God.
You can hear it all throughout the surrounding valleys. Offerings are given in
the midst of worship. You give what you can, including your songs of praise,
dancing before the lord, tomatoes, beans, ground nuts, bananas and yes money
too. The produce is purchased by those that have money and given to the
offering in exchange.
I
(Beth) had the privilege of sharing the word of God with
this group and for the first time in my life I was no longer intimidated by
speaking to a mass of people. As I
spoke in the middle of them, I was excited to share about Jesus to people that
were thirsty and hungry to hear. Simply teaching them what God has taught me
throughout my journey walking with the Lord. I think this is how God intended
church to be. Surrounded by His beautiful creation outdoor’s.
