Sundays are my hardest days each week on the race so far. And that’s because I miss my church back home. I love the people. Love going to church and worshipping together in that community. I love the teaching and Gospel being preached week after week unashamedly. Because of my love for Harvest, it’s hard to want to go to other churches, especially ones where I don’t know any of the songs or can understand the message given.
Today, I found my attitude for Sundays being challenged as I was sitting in another church service. This week, we attended a church that was having it’s first church service. The church was a branch of one that already was in existence on the other side of town, but an expansion was needed.
We showed up a little late, but hey, this is Africa so time is irrelevant. We arrived to a canopy tent comprised of sticks a little thinner than a tree trunk holding up tattered pieces of tarp held together by string. The tent was full, but yet they had saved us seats up front out of the sun. I know it’s a way of showing hospitality, but I can’t help but feeling embarrassed a little by the grand gestures and royal treatment we get so often as we are here serving. Seems so backwards if you ask me.
We went to our seats and the service continued like any other service. At the end of the service, they took a free will offering. People started singing and as I looked back, there was a line of people carrying chairs and rugs and money. They were all singing and had these huge grins on their faces, so excited and filled with joy to give to the church and the Lord. I started to tear up as they were giving what they had, which for so many is everything and such a sacrifice. But it didn’t matter. They believed in what the Lord was doing there and wanted to be a part of the building of the church building and getting things started.
I got a glimpse of one of the pastors at one point during this time. He had the biggest grin on his face and at was jumping around with joy for what the Lord was doing. Ahhh. It was just so exciting to be able to witness.
It was incredible to see. Reminded me a lot the hearts I see in my church back home. And there was a comfort to that. To see the Church in action. That people believe in the Church and what God is doing all over the world. At least here in Chokwe, Africa, too.
The church was connected to a church in Texas. It brought perspective to me as my church back home has churches that are being planted in Liberia. So to see the excitement the people have for a church being built in their community, with support and prayers from a church in the United States, was a gift. I got a glimpse of what it looks like for people in Liberia when a Harvest church gets planted in their community.
And then there was a celebration. Mozambicans know how to celebrate. They brought out the cake. There was a bottle of pop for everyone. There were platters of biscuits [crackers] being passed around. And rolls of bread from the bakery too. They were celebrating what the Lord was doing and praying with faith at what He was going to continue to do.
As we were driving back from church, Sybil told us the story of one of the pastors from the church. Her mother had died in war so someone took her in and raised her. She then was part of the first youth club that Sybil had started. Because someone cared for her and then was given the opportunity to hear the Truth, she is now a pastor. God cares for the orphans. And you never know what future a child will have.
And that’s just one story. One of so many. Not only here in Mozambique. But all over the world. The Lord is great and mighty. He has a plan and purpose for each person. And He will build His Church until He comes again. And the enemy can’t thwart His plans no matter how hard he tries.
