Day 47

Sunday July, 8, 2008

Church

We got the team up a little late and then we walked to Beza International church. Beza loosely might be translated as “grace.” The service was very good. They sang for about 45 minutes and then had a very good sermon. We then took the group on an immersion experience. We gave them each a bur (about $.10) and then got them to get on the van-taxis to get back to our hotel. It was fun.

We all had pizza for lunch, and then the three pastors went to Getahun’s church. We got there after the singing had begun and they ushered us on the stage. The place they meet is a historic building. It was the first movie theater in Ethiopia. When the people saw the first images on the screen they thought they were spirits and they called it the “Devil’s House.” Now they call it God’s House.

There were 450 people at the church and they were involved in the worship. The singing was great. Then several people spoke, we didn’t know what they said, and then they introduced us. We each gave greetings and then some more people spoke and then I was introduced to preach. It was interesting that the same topic had been preached on at Beza and my text had been used as an illustration. His sermon ended up with a Mercedes.  It was kind of a yuppie crowd. My sermon ended in with the disciples dripping wet in boats on the still sea with a disappointed Jesus. Do we follow Jesus only when the storms go away or do we have faith and not fear? The more struggling congregation at Getahun’s church could not buy a Mercedes if they all bought it together.

After I preached I was given warm applause and encouragement. The service continued, but again we didn’t know what was going on. Eventually Getahun said that the van was coming to get us and that we should go back because we would not know what was going on and they have a service praying fort he sick that last another hour. It was very “Rock Star” like, to come to the service late and leave early.

We got back and then started to walk to dinner because we could not find the bus driver. After about half of the journey the bus came by to get us and then drove us the rest of the way. We went to the first restaurant, but it was closed. Then we discovered that we were going to a different place so we were glad we had the bus.

We ate at a very nice Italian restaurant that had beautiful art all through the building. Back to the hotel, a short meeting, some games and then bed.

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