The morning started out with beautiful sounds of Nannies worshiping Jesus at 5 am. Then, we had church from 6:30-11:30 am. The people at the church were very welcoming to this blanc (white) family. Brian did a great preaching the Gospel message.
During church, two sweet little girls that were sitting behind us handed Caleb a bon bon, which is like a Blow Pop to eat. Caleb and I were struck by their generosity. My first though was, "How much did this cost you? You are willing to give up your bon bon for my son?" Caleb loved his bon bon! He had green teeth, tongue and lips to prove it too.
After church, we had a few stops to make before heading back to the orphanage. One stop Brian and Pierre prayed over the Pastor at Pierre's church for healing from a bad shoulder.
The evening ended with another church service and Communion at 4:00 pm at the orphanage. Brian did an excellent job preaching this service, not just because he had more time to prepare, but he brought a message of faith and hope to hurting group of men and women.
At some point this morning during our 5 hour church service, the electricity went out. Now, keep in mind, the only thing that needed electricity was one microphone and keyboard. When, the electricity went out, the church didn't respond. It was like nothing had happened. They kept on singing, praying, waving their hands and worshiping Jesus.
I wonder, what would happen at your church? What if a service in America lasted 5 hours? How many of those people would actually come back the following week? How many people would have gotten up and left because they had to beat the lunch crowd at Lubby's?
How many church members do think would show up if your church met under a metal roof with no walls. Yes, that means no AC or heat either. Are we committed enough to worshiping with our fellow believers under conditions that are not ideal, or are we too comfortable where we are?
How would your congregation respond if the electricity suddenly went out. Could there even be a service? What about the guitars, mics or keyboards? What we would do if the words were not on the screen? Would we even know the words? What would your Pastor do without his Power Point presentation or video? Would he be able to even preach a message with nothing but his voice and Bible?
What would your church do?
As I type this, 8 pm, I hear another prayer service going on by the Nannies. Yes, that is right, another service today! Which leaves me wondering: How committed are you? How committed am I? How many times a day do we worship our Risen Savior like He is our only dependence?
Christy
See the videos from Pierre's church and the orphanage service.
I ask myself those same questions every day when I'm still in my bed at 5:30 and the ladies are praying and singing with Franckis. And again at noon when I finally have a few minutes of quiet, but everyone else is praying and singing in the baby room. And a third time at 8 every night, when I finish in the office or go to the tent and don't spend time in prayer. I have truly been wrestling with these things.
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