Although the building itself was a dirt floor with tarps and thatch for walls and tree limbs for support, the presence of the Lord was there in a mighty way! Why? Because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. The church was filled with songs, dancing, and prayers. The people greeted us with hugs, smiles, and showed us we were "most welcome". Each team member even was given a time to share with the congregation what the Lord was doing in his/her life.
There was a feeling of renewal in me to worship in a place that is clearly stripped of the aesthetics that I am used to in America. The fact that the surroundings were raw and natural left me seeing God's beauty with clarity. Even the chicken joined us for the service and came walking down the aisle when the pastor asked if anyone had a praise testimony to share! :)
The pastor spoke in lugandan and was interpreted into English. He used several Scripture passages to illustrate that unless we are broken, like the seal on a water bottle, no one knows what is inside of us. Sometimes it is easy to question why hardships are a common thread in our lives. Yet, I can't deny that the difficulties definitely shape and define who I am. My responsibility is to open my life in a way that shares these experiences with others to the glory of God.
(In the pictures, you can see the church, the house behind it, the vegetation including the large oblong jack fruit, the beautiful children)
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