An unexpected sermon...

Sunday - November 3, 2013

It was a little different from my typical Sunday morning.  There was no catechism before church and no Sunday School and Bible Class to prepare for (something I am still working to get put in place here in Africa...).  I wasn't even going to be doing the liturgy for the service.  All I had to do was preach ... I thought.  Instead it was Jeremiah who was doing the preaching, and it was a sermon in action.

Church was set for 10:30am.  Jeremiah picked me up and we were the first ones there at about 10:15am. We sat in the sacristy or office (a small wooden addition to the side of the church) and prepared for the service.  A trickle of people began to arrive and take their places, singing a hymn before the service started. There were only a handful of people in church but they could sure sing.  Several children also made their presence known with a cry or a squeal from time to time.  "The wonderful sound of a growing church" one of my professors used to say.  May the Lord bless this small congregation with more voices to sing His praises both from within its walls and without!

The current church still used for worship and in which our seminar will be held the next two days.

After church I visited with some of the members, and then was invited to Pastor Jeremiah's house for a "snack."  Pastor Jeremiah, his son Elisha and I sat out in the yard under a tree visiting about the sad state of the world here in Tanzania, in the US, and throughout the world.  While we talked Elisha's wife brought out our "snack" which consisted of a Coke, rice, beef stew, and spinich on the side.  Yes, a snack.  You should see what supper consists of!  During this time we heard a bit of thunder in the background, and then we heard the rain.  At first it was distant, but it moved in quickly, sending us picking up newspapers and phone and dashing for the house before we were drenched.  It didn't last long and not much came down, but the city of Arusha itself and the areas to the west received a lot.  An answer to the prayers offered to our God for the Masaai congregations!

The "new" church is still under construction, with prayers to have it in use by this time next year.

This picture is from the inside looking back to the entry door of the church.

After the rain passed we made our way to the hospital to visit Pastor Jeremiah's mother in law.  She has diabetes and has been hospitalized several time for complications resulting from the diabetes.  She has several sores on her feet and legs.  She is improving, and Lord willing, will be able to return home again soon.  When we arrived at the hospital, Jeremiah's sister met us, who had also come to visit.  His daughter was already in the room keeping her grandmother company.  We visited for a while with her and her family and I was asked to offer a word of prayer.  On our way out Pastor Jeremiah took the time to visit with several other sick people who were there.  People he didn't even know.  What a witness.  

It was an opportunity I get at home but don't get very often overseas.  As a pastor, it's easy to fall into the mindset that sick calls are part of "the job."  As lay people we may think that it isn't part of my job at all. Many people feel very uncomfortable around hospitals or even visiting the sick at home.  But visiting the sick is not a burden and it's not a job.  It is a precious joy and privilege given to Christians as part of our calling (both as pastor and lay member).  This is especially true of those within our fellowship and church.  May we all be ready and willing to bring a word of comfort to those who are sick or in need!  

Thank you Jeremiah for the a timely sermon on this Sunday, through a wonderful Christian example. 

"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"  Matthew 25:34-40