Would you like to have more clapping and dancing in worship? Well in Africa, just start the music and the worship begins. This morning Lionel (our driver) and Innocent (our houseboy) and I went to worship at the church where Innocent is on the worship team. Bruce made it in from Kenya around 10:30 so he was able to experience the 2nd service but i was blessed to be
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| The very accomplished Worship Director of the team! |
there for the English service at 1st service. You might say they were a little like our 8:15 and then 11:00 just double the decibels for both and you "hear" the picture.
The worship was so real and genuine. We were there early (for practice for Innocent) so we had the privilege of watching 10-12 men walk up and down the rows and all over the church... praying for the service before it began. One of the pastors was on his knees and then on his face crying out to the Lord. The team sang all the time while people were coming in and then would begin each song singing briefly (like an intro) and then we would all join in. The worship leader, a young woman, gifted musically and spiritually, led us all to a place that prepared our hearts for worship and to hear the Word. The team led worship for 45 minutes. And then the pastor spoke on The Power of the Word and why people aren't healed through the power of the Word when we pray. He preached a 12 point sermon for an hour....Honestly.. i could have listened to even more. I"m going to write up the points.. so if you would like them let me know.
(Oh, no.. i can't... i got my notes out and I can't read them...sorry)
Bruce arrived right after the first service... Ushers were stationed in the aisles--helping people find seats. They gave us bottles of water...and in the first service... the pastor pointed out that there was a shining light visiting for the first time. Of course, i was the only white person at the 1st service and Bruce added to that number for the 2nd service. We felt very loved, embraced and a part of the family there. We left after Innocent was done leading worship during the 2nd service since it was all in Kinyrwandan. But i still, several hours later know and feel that we were in the presence of the Lord this morning. And the clapping and the dancing in worship were amazing. Those pictures will stay with me a long time. They even did the Rwandan dance with one of the songs... everyone in the church. It was so beautiful and graceful..... Noah Slippy once asked me what language will we speak in heaven?..... And after today i was just thinking how beautiful it will be with billions of people worshipping the Father in their own tongues.. Wow!! That might be richer than the streets of gold!
The church is in the middle of a building project. Begun in 2006... yes, 6 years ago... but now have some more money so they will continue... I wonder if we would have that kind of patience? The picture of their plan looked liked the Barclay building with a porch!
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| Their Vision |
But church today was at the Rainbow Hotel.. where they have been meeting. I hope these pictures will give you a glimpse of the morning. I wish i had pictures of all the people there.. but I didn't take those.
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| The Rainbow Hotel |
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| The inside sanctuary |
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The Pastors and Elders Prayer Walking
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| The beginning of practice. |
Note the white baskets...
Those are offering baskets... Do you think
ours might be too small?
I'm just saying'......
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The Worship Team---Innocent 2nd from the left
I don't remember all the points of the sermon this morning but one thing he said really resonated. He said when we pray for healing for someone we always look for the improvements..... so that we can say.. look, see God is working. But what we should be saying is 'I BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL HEAL' and then when we see the results (the improvements) we know it is because of what Jesus saw in all of those that came to him for healing...in faith- they believed!
I couldn't help think of Trey and how we as a community of believers have been praying for him.. Do we really believe that God will heal him? Do we all believe? Are we coming pure in heart and soul and mind?
We've been praying for complete healing for Trey in Sun. School for a long time. We have prayed those prayers--believing! And today was another day to call upon the Lord for that healing for Trey. The pastor's last comment was to not be lukewarm... "be Hot for God"! It all made sense put together in his sermon.. even thought it might not make sense here....but the take away was strong.
Do we believe that God will do what He says He will do and are we living the life worthy of the calling he has called us to? Do we really believe in the Power of the Word? If we do... we will be Hot for God.. not cold or lukewarm! Sorry this is so long and that I can't say this the way the pastor did.. but it has left a deep impression on me and how I approach praying for healing for others. Let's keep praying together for Trey and others! For healing and complete restoration- --There is Power in the Word! Have a great week! Be Hot for God!
love
margie
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