We had breakfast this morning at the Le Grand Cafe, a little French cafe not too far from this mission. I was able to have a cup of Lipton Tea with hot milk and sugar cubes. We sat in the air conditioning and enjoyed being cold and drinking a hot drink. I also ate a great croissant and had some vanilla yogurt.
Then we went to a Grace Brethren Church in Cite de la Piax, which means City of Peace. It is about 30 minutes from the mission station. We arrived at 9:30 and hardly anyone was there. When we asked what time the service started, they told us 9:00 am. This is Africa (TIA) - nothing here starts on time. They went and got padded seats for us and seated us on the platform next to the pastor. They finally started church about 9:59 - it was still 9 o'clock - not late yet!
During the service they welcomed a new member who had moved from out of town. They read his letter of transfer from the Grace Brethren Church that he had previously attended. Next they had a baby dedication for a tiny newborn who was 3 weeks old. The baby was wearing a long sleeved knitted outfit and hat and was wrapped in 3 blankets. It was probably 85 degrees and I wondered how they thought the baby might be cold. Similar to our practice in the States, the pastor asked the parents to answer some questions during the dedication. Will you bring up this child in the church? Will the true God be the only God for this child? When this child becomes sick, will you take them to a witch doctor? Okay, not exactly like in the states.
Then they took about 15 minutes to deal with a disicipline problem in the church. A woman had been confronted last Sunday about an affair that she had committed. The pastor was informing the congregation that she had confessed to the deacons and asked for forgiveness during the week. He asked the congregation to raise their hands if they were willing to forgive her and welcome her back into the fellowship of the church. They all raised their hands. It was a really neat picture of how church discipline is supposed to work.
Finally we got around to the sermon - almost an hour after church had started. He preached about God being able to rescue his Children from our troubles and making sure that we didn't have any sin in our lives that would our prayers from reaching God. I spent most of the sermon time trying to bite my lip so I wouldn't cry. I was so humbled when I thought about the "troubles" that I ask God to rescue me from. And how I really had no idea what trouble was...my kids have more than enough food to eat everyday...I have a husband...we have running water and shelter...we are healthy. We are blessed beyond what could ever dream. I don't really know how to deal with some of the life that I see here. It doesn't make sense that they have to deal with such poverty and death and sickness. I am thankful more today for what God has given me. And also thankful that in his wisdom that He has chosen to bless me - even though I don't deserve it.
We came home and had a great lunch - tacos! Complete with homemade tortillas, guacamole, rice and homemade salsa with cillantro. I thought I was at Chipolte for a minute!
The rest of the day will be light. I am hoping to connect with the church on skype in a few minutes. Then we will relax and hang out. Tomorrow will start more work as we have about 400 more packages to assemble and about 1000 more pictures to take.
Thanks for your prayers. I am so blessed to be able to experience this wonderful place for the second time.
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