"What Else Can I Say?"

Sunday, June 19, 2011

"What Else Can I Say?"

Today we worshiped in the church at Gambidi. It is the church that Bishop Muriuki grew up in as a child and youth.  We arrived at a little before 10:00 am and were greeted by 60 to 70 children.  Once we got out of the vehicle and shared some introductions we were observers of the youth brigade as they marched and sang all over the church yard singing and marching to one song after another some 50 voices strong.  It was something to behold!  They could really sing and the volume was almost deafening.  We then shared in Sunday School as we introduced ourselves and improvised a lesson for the day.  It was most fun and the children and youth were most responsive.  Following Sunday School we prepared for worship with a spot of tea.  They are so very colonial.  After tea we entered for worship to a packed house with people seated outside with a speaker situated on the porch.  There must have been 3 to 400 people of all ages.  Children were everywhere.  I can't really find the words to describe worship on this day.  Suffice it to say I have never been a part of a worship like it in 55 years of living.  The Holy Spirit was present in a way I have never experienced it.  The music was indescribeable and all ages participated in the service as readers, sharing prayers, singing, and amening.  I preached with an interpreter who was the woman pastor of the church named Florence.  They praised God and amened to the point I found myself swept up in the flow and rhythm of their worship in a way I have never experienced.  Preaching today was exciting as they were so responsive.  Their was a healing service after the sermon as part of the invitation that I am still pondering and reflecting upon.  I was there and a part of it and I it just doesn't seem like it happened.  I am still trying to sort out the experience.  I will have to get back to you on this one.  Worship ended over 3 hours after we began and it all seemed very short.  I don't really know how to explain it except to say it was so spirit led!  After worship we ate and fellowshipped with the pastor and leadership of the church and as always they were most gracious.  We returned to our hotel after 3:30 pm.  What a morning and afternoon!

At 5:30 pm we loaded up and headed for the orphanage. Once there we were greeted by 30 or so of the residents.   Their were several of them at a soccer tournament.  They sang for us with a joy that was beyond words.  Then several of them shared their stories. As they shared how God had found them and saved their lives their was not one of us who were not moved to tears.  As you can imagine with my background at the Methodist Children's Home this was a most difficult experience for me.  As I heard their stories I was taken back to my days as a Chaplain there and it was very close to home for me.  I knew these stories and the truth and the power of them.  I held it together till we got to the van and then I just began to weep.  I will never forget their singing and those stories of horror, hope, and redemption.  The church literally has saved their lives from the streets of Meru.  They have no families.  The Home is the only family they will ever know!  Oh yes, I know this story!

The suffering here is present in so many different ways and yet even in the midst of the suffering there is such hope and God is so very present.  They don't hide their suffering here.  They live it in the open and it is very different.  I remember why I love this place and these people. It seems that because their suffering is so very present that their joy and thankfulness for what they do have is so heartfelt because they know the difference!  I am emotionally drained.  It has been one of those days here.  Tomorrow is a little lighter and then early Tuesday we leave for Nairobi and our flight home.  Tomorrow evening I will try to sum it all up.  Right now I am just somewhat overwhelmed with so very much.  Pray for the people here.  Pray for the church here.  Pray for the orphanage here.  With so much suffering evident here I am really not sure how we cannot be involved as we have been.  I give God thanks for each of you!  I give God thanks for a church that is willing to engage the suffering of the world instead of pretending it doesn't exist or that in someway it shouldn't involve us.  God is making a difference here and we are a part of it!  That is how it should be!  Afterall, we are the body of Christ!  What else can I say?!

I will see you on the road,

Travis

Romans 8:28