A week ago I went to church for the first time in Haiti. It was such an amazing experience. I want to tell you all about what I saw and felt at church in Haiti and my church in America.
At my church, kids have their own service split by age. The atmosphere is catered to them, with everyone working to make sure that they have fun while at church. In Haiti, the kids are right next to us (read: sitting on top of us) and listening to the exact same songs and message.
At my church, service is an hour including sometimes a game, music, and the sermon. People start to get antsy to leave (and sometimes do) around 45 min after their butts hit the seats. In Haiti, service ran a little over two hours. People came in when they could and everyone stayed for the entire time. Only the children began to get antsy after over an hour and a half of sitting nicely.
At my church, the building is quite an expensive endeavor. The pottery barn catalog threw up in there to make it feel homey. The AC is blasting so everyone is comfortable and kept awake. In Haiti, the building has beautiful architecture and the doors are kept open for air flow (read: there’s no AC and lots of sweat). The doors being open allow for God to flow out and people to flow in.
At my church I wear jeans and a t-shirt each week. This is mostly due to the fact that I serve in children’s church first. But almost everyone is dressed comfortably as if it were their own home. In Haiti, women and men wear their Sunday best. Men are in black slacks and shines shoes while women where nice dresses and beautifully adorned hats.
At my church everyone speaks the language and still don’t always understand. In Haiti, we did not speak the language at all, but what I did understand was love. The people showed us so much love and showed God so much love.
At my church, music is huge. There is a full band and professional singers. In Haiti, the music was amazing. There were drums playing while one of our translators sang (in creole) and had one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard! His backup singers were angelic.
At my church, prayers are said at the beginning and end of the sermon by the church leader or pastor. In Haiti, prayer was weaved throughout the service and was partially pastor-led and part individual. The people were given intentional time to say their own prayer.
At my church AND in Haiti I felt God surrounding us. I felt him on my heart and in my mind. He was with me so clearly in both buildings!
I am excited to get to return to church tomorrow and hear and feel God without needing to “understand” the language.
of two Sundays
A week ago I went to church for the first time in Haiti. It was such an amazing experience. I want to tell you all about what I saw and felt at church in Haiti and my church in America.
At my church, kids have their own service split by age. The atmosphere is catered to them, with everyone working to make sure that they have fun while at church. In Haiti, the kids are right next to us (read: sitting on top of us) and listening to the exact same songs and message.
At my church, service is an hour including sometimes a game, music, and the sermon. People start to get antsy to leave (and sometimes do) around 45 min after their butts hit the seats. In Haiti, service ran a little over two hours. People came in when they could and everyone stayed for the entire time. Only the children began to get antsy after over an hour and a half of sitting nicely.
At my church, the building is quite an expensive endeavor. The pottery barn catalog threw up in there to make it feel homey. The AC is blasting so everyone is comfortable and kept awake. In Haiti, the building has beautiful architecture and the doors are kept open for air flow (read: there’s no AC and lots of sweat). The doors being open allow for God to flow out and people to flow in.
At my church I wear jeans and a t-shirt each week. This is mostly due to the fact that I serve in children’s church first. But almost everyone is dressed comfortably as if it were their own home. In Haiti, women and men wear their Sunday best. Men are in black slacks and shines shoes while women where nice dresses and beautifully adorned hats.
At my church everyone speaks the language and still don’t always understand. In Haiti, we did not speak the language at all, but what I did understand was love. The people showed us so much love and showed God so much love.
At my church, music is huge. There is a full band and professional singers. In Haiti, the music was amazing. There were drums playing while one of our translators sang (in creole) and had one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard! His backup singers were angelic.
At my church, prayers are said at the beginning and end of the sermon by the church leader or pastor. In Haiti, prayer was weaved throughout the service and was partially pastor-led and part individual. The people were given intentional time to say their own prayer.
At my church AND in Haiti I felt God surrounding us. I felt him on my heart and in my mind. He was with me so clearly in both buildings!
I am excited to get to return to church tomorrow and hear and feel God without needing to “understand” the language.
