Heart of Worship

One of the hardest, yet most joyous things Audrey and I have the opportunity to do every week is to visit varying local churches in the bush.  It is exciting to get to see firsthand what God is doing among His people in different denominations and cultures.  However, at the same time it can be hard to feel a part of a worship service at times that is so different culturally (as well as in a different language) where many times you are left wondering exactly what has been said. 

Yet, at the same time I have learned definitively, that you do not need to know what is being said, or even understand completely what is going on, to join alongside fellow believers to worship the One who has created and redeemed us all.  It has been a delight to stand alongside our fellow Maasai brothers and sisters in Christ and see the depth and beauty of their hearts as they worship God. 

It is also hard culturally because we are expected (as missionaries and pastors) to often sit at the front of the church, give a greeting, a brief word (or a longer sermon), and are wanted to sometimes take over the rest of the service.  That can be a struggle because they want to honor you and your position as "missionaries" but at the same time, you are trying to empower these very pastors to see value in themselves, and what God is showing them, to share among their congregation and culture.  I worry sometimes that this may be a result of laziness on their part, or even perhaps feeling unequipped or inadequate, but we are slowly and steadily trying to encourage these pastors and affirm them in their identity in Christ and as leaders in the community. 

To see our Maasai church introduction click here!

Please pray for us as we rejoice with our brothers and sisters as we worship in our new home and cross-cultural context.  Pray also for us, as we struggle to feel a part of the church as a whole here and for our praying for our dear brothers and sisters in leadership roles in the church here as they grow in Christ and their roles as leaders of the church.