Sharing Our Home In Him; 8821.8 Miles From Home: Dreaming the Impossible Dream

Those of you who know my Malaria prescription is supposed to give me hallucinations and bad dreams...No, that was not what my title was describing.

I can easily say that I have wanted to come on a mission trip to Africa since I was in about 4th grade. It was because of a WELS Connection (These are videos our synod does that keep our congregations in the loop with activities, events, programs that are going on in the synod, both in America and around the world.) video that I had seen of an African church worshiping, equipped with all the drums and singing and dancing. I was hooked. Even in high school when my choir would do African songs with drums and actions (a very American version :)) I would get goosebumps. I have always loved it. Needless to say, today...my dream was fulfilled and I was overwhelmed at my love of Culture, the Word, the unity of Religion miles away from home.

When many people think of African they think of what they see on TV...poor, dusty, and dirty. What I have already learned even in these first couple days is that it is all relative. To them, we are rich. We drive in with cars, we have clean clothes, and bluntly...we are white. However, the point comes in saying that although they think we are rich. They do not consider themselves poor. They are happy as can be with what they have. That is such an incredible atmosphere to be around. Not with everyone wanting more, demanding more, they are content having their ladies day of washing clothes in the river, talking away with their friends. It's amazing.

The church service was incredible. It was all in Chichewa. Definitely interesting to sit in a three hour service not knowing what was being said. However, we were able to pick up some melodies and did recognize the song, "What a Friend we have in Jesus". Our field manager also went with us and was able to describe when some things were happening. They had told us before we went that the service would be long, people walk in and out, people walk around, very laid back, but by the end the service would be packed, and it was. They also mentioned that on any given Sunday there could be baptisms, new memberships, etc. We were lucky that we got to witness everything. Baptism is such a moving thing to me. Which I probably get from my mom because she tears up every time there is a baptism. Granted, she is not the only one. It is touching to be able to be able to be a part of something that that little child will keep with them for the rest of their life. We were also able to see a new member be installed which was very similar to ours at home. From what I could understand at least.

Communion. My dad was my Catechism teacher so I have to acknowledge him in this statement, but communion is described as exactly what it sounds like, "Common Union". This takes on a whole different meaning when you are in a new culture, new church, new language, new continent, new clothing, new everything. Nonetheless, the word "common" is still present. The passage from 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 comes to my mind, "just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body." We still share the commonality that we are one body in Christ and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We have that union in him and although our clothes and culture and customs and skin color may be different, we share that communion with them. It was such a blessing to be able to partake in communion with them today in their church and it is something I will never forget.

Alright my favorite part. Like I said, they do not have a lot of money. This being said, their social gatherings consist of singing. Considering this is the reason I was drawn to Africa I was not surprised that I loved the service. I had goosebumps the first time they sang. They had 3 different choirs who we are told practice often, they sing every week, and sing many many songs. They sang such beautiful harmony and danced like they were loving every second of it. The age range varies as well. There was a youth choir who sang at the beginning, and afterwards was the women's choir. They had a variety of ages probably spanning from 20s to 50s. They all are so animated and do actions and are so beautifully loud.

Videos do not upload well from here, the connection takes too long. But I will try to get it uploaded when I get home.

Writing about it gives zero justice. But take my word that it was incredible....I'm pretty sure I've said that word about 5 times.

Those who have Facebook, I have uploaded the video to my page.