Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
“Jesus Jesus Jesus my Savior-I love Jesus oh yes I do do do-”
The fun African song can be heard throughout the village of Bweya. We have had an amazing day of worship, evangelism and song. We joined with Gaba Community Church members to canvas Bweya Village in hopes of bringing them to the temporary church site. Pastor Robert has acquired a unique building once used to house chickens as his place of worship. He will use this facility until his church is built on the 3 acres of land. This church will be called Bweya Community Church. We started out the morning with a light drizzle. The team shared a common burden as we prepared for our day. We are towards the end of our trip and our senses are high. We have seen God do some amazing things this week and I think we all feel as if our work is not yet done. We are on our way to the church site and have just finished praying together in the van.
When we arrived at the church we could hear the distinct African drum beat. People old and young had already started to gather to see and hear what was happening. There were people inside already singing praises and there were many outside looking in the windows. They waited with anticipation to see what would take place. We began singing praise songs with the group. We were in a chicken coop just in case you all have forgotten The walls are concrete and the floor is sand. But I will tell you with great assurance that we were standing on holy ground. It seems fitting that Jesus was born in a manger and we were worshipping in a chicken coop. So much for those large church budgets that we tend to worry with. The voices were raised and people were clapping and praising God. We finished singing and were partnered with our African friends to go door to door within the village. I use the word door very lightly as doors are a luxury and you will see very few, mostly fabric hanging over an opening. We were talking with the village people as our Ugandan friends translated. Many of the people did not know about the church but were willing to come. Some are born again Christians and others have never heard of Jesus. The hospitality of this culture and their willingness to listen is amazing. Americans tend to run from any oncoming strangers that may be associated with a church and how many of us have not answered our door when we thought they were knocking?
At the end of our time we all gathered back at the church to pass out the mosquito nets. The music started back up and so did the dancing. A large group of children gathered and to watch them dance freely was so exciting. We sang praise music and then ended our time with prayers. It was so fulfilling to see the beginning of the plans that had been placed on Sarah’s heart a year ago. God has taken this work and multiplied it. We all left with new relationships and a renewed energy about our calling to these people.
We left there with lifted spirits and made our way to Bweya Children’s Home. This is a nice facility that houses about 80 children. We passed out the remaining cloth dolls and the sunglasses donated from Salem Baptist Christian School. The kids loved the glasses and had a fun time looking at one another with them on. They couldn’t see themselves so they depended on the responses of their friends. I wondered how it must feel to not have a mirror to see what they looked like. We are Christ’s reflection to others and often times the only example that some people will ever see. Let’s hope our reflection is honoring of the one we claim to serve.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is work within us. To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21
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