Worship in a Dry Land

Have you noticed that life is never boring in Tanzania? But sometimes we really wouldn't mind a small portion of boring. Last week we decided to go to the “Massai cafe” and enjoy a bite of lunch out, and give Joy a break. We enjoyed the time out, but it came at a price. Jacob got food poisoning. Two days later his fever was hitting temperatures up to 104 degree Fahrenheit and his vomiting was also weakening him. So when the first day of the week came, Joy stayed home with him to monitor his condition. Since Julia was still away on her visit to the states, Luke, Lindsey and I headed off in the morning to pick up a translator. We picked up Ahimidiwe and his wife and continued our journey eastward.

When we first arrived here in Tanzania, we had been shown the little building used by the King’ori congregation, but had never worshiped with the saints there. So this Sunday we drove about 1 hour on pavement, then began winding our way among and over rocks out in the dry bush country. I had my GPS plugged into the 12 volt socket and it was tracking our route, so I would be able to retrace our path in the future. We could feel the temperature rising as the early morning cool faded, and with the windows down the dust began to swirl about us. Leaving the portals raised was not an option if we desired any air to breath. This area has suffered so much over the past few months from such a lack of rain, that brother Ahimidiwe had been here some weeks previous bringing some flour to aid those who had no benefit of a harvest.

Before long we stopped under the speckled shade of a tree, got our Bibles, and began to greet the few brethren. After the traditional greetings and handshaking we filed into the building and took a place on the crude wooden benches. After singing some Swahili songs, it was time for me to give the Bible class lesson. We discussed the importance of authority, beginning with our earliest exposure as children to parental authority and moved to more significant religious authority.

During the worship period, I continued with the theme of authority and stressed our need to show our respect for such by submissive obedience. During the Lord’s supper, I could not help but notice how the juice seemed more like water than juice. Later, during our return journey, brother Ahimidiwe remarked about the watered down grape juice. Following the service, the church assembled at my request to take a photo.

I hope this experience I share will be of some encouragement to you. Maybe you will not be so concerned about the thermostat setting where you worship, or the thin pad upon the pew. Hopefully we all can count our blessings and appreciate the conveniences we so often take for granted.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are fellow-workers for Christ.

In Christ’s service,
George

P.S. Thanks to so many for your prayers. Jacob is now on the mend, though he did loose 10 pounds.

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