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Published: July 20th 2008
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Ron and Jim on kitchen duty
This didn't happen often. Jeremy, Jordan and Nate were great to do the dishes every evening. I can actually only tell you about our services here in Sweya, but Jim took lots of pictures of their overnight trip to Nyakaliro and Lusalelo.
We arrived at church a little after 10:00, the starting time, but didn't really get into the church and the service started until about 10:15. We began with only about 20 of us, but swelled up to 45 to 50 by 11:30. The service was very well ordered and conducive to worship throughout the whole time of 2 hours and about 20 minutes. We had one long sermon from one of the Bible Institute students on James 2 and 2 small sermons by the song leader on Psalm 51 and the pastor Paulo recapping Imbela's sermon to make sure everyone got the point. The music was great it was so wonderful to see every child, every teen and every adult sing and clap and offer praise and honor to God. It was a bit overwhelming for me to think that we were actually here in Africa worshiping God with these brothers & sisters in Christ. I'm not sure I would like to sit on those wooden benches every week for over 2 hours, but I
Working on the library curtains
Kelsey climbed the tree to take the picture certainly enjoyed doing it today.
Their benediction and then closing was maybe my favorite part. Pastor Paulo gave the benediction and then went and stood at the door to greet all the congregation leaving, but, as each one left, (the men's side first) they stood beside the pastor and then each other until we had shaken hands with everyone including the babies. Then, they sang a couple more choruses before we broke up to visit and talk. It was so great!
Then, they greeted us, but, of course, Chrissy and I had no way to really answer back, but Kara helped translate. One man named James asked if he could take a picture with us all. He then came and thanked us for the gift of the picture because he would be able to remember when we worshiped with them. It was beautiful. One lady, Peter's (who works in the house for Kara) wife tried to teach me how they praise by sort of yelling, but I'm not too good yet. She told me all six of her children's names and wanted to ask how many I had, but couldn't remember the word for children. So, she kept
Ron giving some soccer training
Kelsey, the oldest is a very good soccer player. saying, "no chicken, no chicken". She knew the word children was like chicken, but not that. We finally got it settled after Kelsey Howell came to help us.
The group from Nyakaliro arrived back about 4:30 and most of them hit the showers first thing. They all had a good time and Ella shared at Family devotions how precious it was to be able to go and share with these two churches. They were able to see the homes where the pastors lived as well as the churches. Jim took lots of pictures, so I have picked out some. Notice in one picture that there are people in Mwanza with lots of money.
We are all getting a little sad as our time here is ending soon, but will have a full day tomorrow to enjoy the Howells before we leave for Safari on Tuesday. Great to talk to the congregation through Jeremy Meadows tonight. Pray for Ron & Ella, their travel plans coming home have changed and they are trying to figure out new connections.
Shirley
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