December 9

December 9, 2007

This morning we attended Harvest City Church in Ndola. It’s a church of about 300 situated in a movie theater downtown. I know what you’re thinking: Regal, Kerasotes, Lowes. But instead, think large, concrete rectangular cafeteria with a very large white piece of cloth hung on one end wall. That was about it.

But our surroundings didn’t affect the mood of the service! It may have been the most dynamic and heartfelt worship service I’ve ever been privileged to be part of. These African people give praise and thanks to God despite their troubles and problems. I can’t wait to put up some of the video I shot so you can see for yourself.

At the end of the service, we were singing a song that had as its tag, “God you never, ever let me down!” And during this time, anyone who wants to can make their way to the front and dance and sing to the music. The whole place is dancing and swaying and singing anyway, so I guess it’s just a small step for someone to walk a few paces to the front. Anyway, in the middle of this song, with about a dozen or so men and women up front leading and dancing, a young man in his 20s came forward. His legs were obviously much thinner than the rest of his body; they were crooked, and he walked with a pronounced limp. I watched him as he hobbled to the front. As he turned around, he had the most radiant smile, and he began to dance as best he could, and he was singing, “God, you never, ever let me down!” I was moved to tears by his faith and his worship.

As we were driving back to our place this afternoon, we were only a few hundred yards from the cabin when we saw our first giraffe. Or, I should say first two giraffes. They were walking across a clearing towards some trees, and so we stopped to take some pictures and video. The giraffes stopped and looked at us, then continued on. What amazing, lanky creatures! They reminded me of a thirteen year old girl wearing high heeled shoes for the first time.

That’s it for now. I’ll try to blog some more tomorrow.

In His Grip,
Jim