Every Sunday is different for us. In Lubumbashi, there are
11 Nazarene churches. As we’ve visited each church over the last several
months, we have found they are different…in size, in type of building (from
brick and cement, to sticks and tarps to under trees), and in ratio of adults,
children and youth. But one thing remains the same. Every person that is in
attendance is there to worship God. We attend church to learn and hear what God
has brought to the preacher’s heart to share. And, as a collective body of
believers we come to encourage one another, hold each other accountable and be
a part of each other’s lives.
“Finally,
brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one
another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be
with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:10-12
When we arrive at church each week, we are always warmly
greeted with “Bonjour Baba” and “Jambo Mama”. Men and Women sit on opposite
sides of the church and children usually sit in the back. However, our family
is usually always seated together at the front of the church. Church begins
with Sunday school, where every person in the congregation engages with the teacher
to learn about a particular passage of scripture. Prayers are lifted, in
unison, for members of the congregation, the community, the city and the
International Church of the Nazarene. For me, Jill, this has become one of my
most treasured aspects of church. Together, as the Body the Christ, in French,
Swahili and English, we lift our voices in praise and requests to God. With
loud voices, claps of praise and beats of the drums we sing together in Swahili
“Hakuna Rafiki Kama Jesu” (There’s no friend like Jesus), “Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe”
(There is no God like You) to begin the next portion of our service. Each
church has different choirs made of children, youth, and adults who sing and
dance in each service. Through these times, our hearts are filled with joy and
love for our Savior and our brothers and sisters here in the Congo. After
another person shares a message from the Lord, the service concludes. The
congregation leaves one at a time shaking each person’s hand who left before
them as they leave. It ends as a circle of church member’s being blessed by the
Pastor to leave.
Praise the Lord for the Church in the DRC! We are blessed to
be a part of it.
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