Two weeks ago, Beth and I awoke at dawn to the crowing of a rooster. We pulled the mosquito nets off and joined in the praise, singing and praying to begin our first Lord's Day in Africa. Following breakfast of eggs, toast, and bananas, we headed to Gaba Community Church for worship "African-style". The church is situated on Lake Victoria and is also the home of Africa Renewal Ministries, a partnering ministry with Joni and Friends.
For me, this morning held additional excited anticipation. My dear friends, Sylvia, Nicholas, and Nancy Joy were meeting us. I had not seen Sylvia and Nicholas since their departure from Wheaton in January 2009, and had not yet greeted their 7 month old daughter. If one picture is worth a thousand words, this photo Beth took should speak volumes of the joy at our reunion.
Lively rhythms and praise in both English and Luganda filled the sanctuary. We sang one song that proclaimed, "Jesus is better than all the things you cry about". An elderly woman whose hands had been burned told of the goodness of the Lord. The passionate preaching reminded us to follow Christ's model of submission to the Father's will in full obedience, even in the midst of suffering. Little did we know how God would weave this theme throughout our time in Kampala.
As I stood worshipping with Sylvia to my left and Beth to my right, I thought "Am I really in Africa?" The sights and sounds told me that God had indeed brought us there. But the joy was so great, I thought perhaps it was heaven.
Your reunion with your dear friends was certainly a touching moment, especially with your being able to renew your friendship in their country. I am reminded of another (future) day when all of God's people are going to be united, not only with loved ones and heroes of the faith who have preceded us to the "father's house," but with our LORD Christ HIMSELF, where we'll be gathered together forever. Truly, that will be a moment that will be filled "with joy unspeakable and full of glory" because we'll all be HOME with no further separations, no more trials of our faith, no pain, no heartaches, none of the misunderstandings that we experience here. In the words of the song, "It Will Be Worth It ALL." What a day of rejoicing that will be!Until then, such times of renewed fellowship are like "days of heaven on earth" (Deut.11:21).
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