In the waning light of a Sunday evening, I found myself sitting high up in an open air stadium with my teammate Heather. Hundreds of people sat in chairs and on bleachers in Beira, Mozambique. The church service was just about to start with worship. On the horizon dark clouds hovered, waiting. As the first notes of music hit the air, the sky opened up. Large raindrops fell. People scattered and ran for shelter. Under overhangs and plastic chairs we hid as best we could. I expected people to head home and the service to be canceled. within five minutes I was drenched and ready to go home. After the worst of the deluge was over I ran to find our ride home. I ran across the stadium, dodging puddles, and searching for the woman who had driven Heather and I to the church service. What I found instead surprised me.
I had come expecting to see 5-6,000 worshipping and attending a large, powerful church service. Yet here in the midst of a thunderstorm at an outdoor service hundreds of people worked to move the entire service inside in twenty minutes. The instruments, speakers, cords, sound board, and chairs were transported to a nearby building quickly and efficiently. Sound checks happened. Chairs were set up. With joy and laughter, the congregation unbidden by the pastor or leaders worked together to save the service and equipment.
I expected people to complain about the rain. Mozambicans hate being in rain. But they didn't complain even when they were drenched. They laughed and joked about the rain. They were unfazed. The pastor spoke of how even a thunderstorm could not stop them from praising God and being united as one congregation. They worshipped loudly for half an hour and praised God for the rain. I admired them for their joy despite the cramped quarters. I was content to worship and remain in the dry, warm building.
After half an hour of worshipping, the pastor approached the front of the podium. He told the church they were not going to back down from a storm. God meant for them to worship in the stadium and worship Him they would. Here we go again! Everything and everyone moved out in orderly fashion. They were not going to be defeated by a storm. Once again they set everything up and the service continued without a hitch. I admired them in joy and defiance even in the midst of storm far beyond their control. They came together as one. They shattered my expectations and showed me how much I took for granted. I expect to go to church and not get soaked in a storm, not have to move everything not once but twice, and remain joyful because I am comfortable. I left that service with a new perspective on church.
