After breakfast everyone fills the van to make our way to church together. There’s no way to sufficiently explain a worship service in Burundi. It begins at 9:00am with the announcement that we don’t have much time today because we must leave by 12:00pm to go our mission points. Three hours?! Are you kidding me?
There’s some singing, introductions, some more singing by the men’s choir, announcements, more singing by the ladies’ choir, more singing by the children’s choir, and then a little singing for everyone. Then comes the offering. They have a wooden basket for guests and a separate wooden basket for members which began to overflow during, you guessed it, another song for offering. One woman placed a live chicken next to the offering box because she didn’t have any money. A live chicken! This is so cool!
Finally, the pastor of the church asked Dan to share and then Tricia presented the evange-cube. Then they asked all those who were sick or physically in pain to come forward. The altar immediately was lined with over 40 people kneeling in prayer. And I was asked to pray for healing and strength for these who were struggling. To my knowledge, no blind man regained his sight nor lame man the use of his legs, but I was blessed by just having the opportunity to speak God’s love and grace over these who were so desperate for the Lord’s touch.
Following the worship service, I, along with my American friends, was ushered to the back of the church where we were invited to sit down for lunch. This is indeed a special privilege. On the way to the luncheon, we passed by a concrete pit with four steps leading down into it. I learned that this was the baptistery and that it gets used twice each year, on Christmas and Easter.
Lunch was uneventful because I decided a couple of years ago that I would not eat local food that was not either thoroughly cooked or fruits that were peeled. I do not want to get sick.
After the meal and a 45 minute drive, I was dropped off at my mission site where I would spend the week sharing the gospel with my translator, Ruben. I met the new pastor, stood on the plot of dirt where the church structure would one day be, prayed for God’s blessing and then began the walk along the paved road to share the good news.
I’ve heard others tell how they have some amazing, in depth conversations with the people they meet and I wonder how that’s possible. Whenever I begin to talk with one or two people along the street, it’s not long until a larger crowd of 30, 40 or even 50 people begin to crowd around to see and hear. That’s not to say I’m disappointed with this. It’s incredible to hear 30-40 people praying the sinner’s prayer together and committing the lives to Christ.
Back at the hotel, we gathered to discuss the day’s events and to spend more time with our African ministry partners. To hear them laugh and sing makes my heart melt.
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