Thank you for sharing, Cecille.
Lorna and I also attended a Baptist church here in Pearland, TX yesterday. We enjoyed being with each member of this 99% African American congregation. They got the Christian spirit and response, the rhythm, warmth and the soul in just about everything they did during sharing and worship. Indeed, there never was a dull moment!
During his message, the pastor greeted us and thought we were Chinese, which I corrected rather lovingly, , hehe. I think, we will get more involved with this church because Lorna really enjoys being with the members. It is still a very small church that needs all the help it can get. Also, the closest UMC is still quite far from where we are and we couldn't find the two we tried to find that morning.
Here's a link to a few photos I took with my Motorola Droid cell phone:
http://glenlorn2.multiply.com/photos/album/69/GlenLorn_Visit_w_Tabernacle_Baptist_Church_Pearland_TXContinue to be led by the Holy Spirit doing God's work . . .
Blessings,
glenn/lorna
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On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 12:58 AM, Romarico Lijauco wrote:
The worship service was indeed an experience. It was a Baptist church. It was in another slum area. God took me out of my box to experience a different way of worshiping Him. Although we cannot understand what they are singing, we can feel God's presence in the place. Indeed, God was glorified yesterday! The Pastor is associated with Campus Crusade ministry. He used to live an affluent life as a dentist but life was meaningless until he started to serve. The church grounds used to be a brewery. The building made of wood with dirt floor, tin roof and the natural air for air conditioning. Fresh air mixed with some not so pleasant smell every now and then. But God reminded me the smell is like the smell of my sins in God's perspective. My experience in public health nursing came back. You can tell by looking into the people's eyes and bulging bellies what poor health condition they have. A former drunkard came forward during the altar call and accepted Christ. Our group sang "The Sanctuary" during the service. Bana Ichifuwe! Praise the Lord! ( in our language.)
We did our first "Seeing the Light" ministry after church expecting 1,500 children but 2,500 came. More children than parents. Young children attending their infant or toddler sibling. We wonder where are the parents. Are they working on a Sunday trying to scrape off a minimum wage? Are they orphans? One girl with AIDS said her parents both died of AIDS. Susie Jennings presented the Gospel using the salvation bracelet with beads of different color: black for sin, red for the blood of Jesus, blue for baptism, white for purity, green for growth and yellow for the gold streets of heaven. The children accepted Christ! We gave each a bracelet and told them they belong to Jesus and remember Jesus loves them.
A pastor establishing the AWANA program was there. Fifteen pastors have been trained. He hopes to train 6 more pastors on the AWANA program and for each Pastor to train 5 more pastors after the completion of the program. AWANA is about discipling children to grow in Christ.
Today is Safari day, a day to enjoy The Creator and His creation. This is the time when the animals are migrating. It is winter in Kenya. Weather is great like our Spring weather! God is good all the time! Thank God for the sunshine! Asanti Bana! (Praise the Lord!). They have clay soil. It would have been so slippery and muddy had it been raining yesterday. The road to the slums are not paved. What a bumpy ride! Our driver said he was giving us a back massage.
This is all for now. I will keep you all posted every chance I get.
In His service,
Cecille
