One of my favorite things about Africa is that the culture changes every few miles. Tribes have different traditions, languages, religions, and norms. When the French colonized Côte d’Ivoire, a national language entered the scene. Within these new political borders, only the educated learned French. Those who seek out higher education may even learn English.
I say all of this to give you some context into the language climate here in Korhogo. With so many swirling around, imagine how hard it would be to manage a church congregation. In the two Sundays we have been in town, we have experienced church in 3 languages. Often, churches have split services in different languages such as Jula, Chabata, and French. If you happen to attend church with us, you will hear our hosts whispering English translations for us as well.
Imagine sitting in a church service for a few hours when you can’t understand a single word. If Meme and Pepe* aren’t sitting near us to translate, we sit and read our bibles or journal until it is time to worship.
Worship has become the most beautiful thing to me. The music is always so joyful and free. We get to dance and sing to words we don’t even know. We twirl our little friend, Joy*, around and clap to the beat of their music.
On the World Race, teams are often asked to sing in church services. We sing simple, repetitive songs that people can dance to and enjoy, even if they don’t know what we are singing. The Africans laugh at our lack of rhythm and silly dance moves.
I love Sundays here so much, because it gives me a clear picture of heaven. Scripture says every tribe, tongue, and nation will be represented in the kingdom of heaven. We will be unified together in worship of our King at the end of the age.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands […] and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God”
Revelation 7:9-11
I am honored to experience this a little bit early. Every Sunday here, we make joyful noises to the Lord and I think he delights in hearing us as one.
*Name has been changed.
