Worshiping - Rwandan style

Our church service was definitely a cultural experience for us this morning. We decided to try a Rwandan church that is just up the hill from us (actually it is on the property that FATER is now renting.) It is a “Friends” church (or Quaker) and our worker, Mama Fifi, and the Rossington’s worker go there. Mama Fifi told us it started at 9:00 and went until noon. We decided to show up at 10:00 (politely late, African style) along with ½ the congregation and it went until 12:30. It was a very lively, fun service although we didn’t understand any of the language other than “hallelujah”, “amen”, and “missionary” (they were introducing us). A young man was told to sit next to Mark to translate because he knows English. He is a university student and teaches computer classes part time. He was a little helpful but he didn’t translate everything so Mark said it was a bit scattered.

One thing that didn’t need translating was a skit of the Good Samaritan. It was well done with a predominantly female cast and a modern twist (the Samaritan called for help on her cell phone!). I wondered as I watched it how that story affects the Rwandans after the 1994 genocide and if they would have a problem stopping to help someone of a different group. Since we didn’t understand the language, we didn’t get a feel for how they were presenting it or the application of it.

During the 2 ½ hours that we were there, about 1 hour was talking (sermon, introducing visitors, announcements, etc). The rest was singing – mostly by different choirs. They were all very good and we knew we were in Africa! Not one song was sung standing still and a couple of them had out and out dancing in the aisles and up front. There was a large area between the seats and the platform where the choirs stood and where dancing took place. Everyone looked like they really enjoyed being in church and had a good time. Not at all quiet, stoic or “reverent”.

I would have liked to have understood the sermon. The pastor was animated but not loud and shouting. He often called on someone in the congregation by name and had them stand up and either asked them a question or used them as an example for the sermon. At one point he brought out a large gift bag that obviously had a gift in it. He spent a long time talking about it. We think he was either using it to say that God gives us gifts and we need to receive them and use them or he was saying that if we serve God he will bless us and give us gifts. However, in the end, he gave it to one of the older ladies in the church who was VERY animated and very excited to be the one chosen to receive the gift. She came up to the stage dancing and then opened the gift, which was a piece of African cloth. I’m sure she’ll show up next Sunday with a new dress!

It happened to be a special Sunday for the church as they were recognizing their deacons/deaconesses. They spent a bit of time going over the duties of the deacons/deaconesses and then had them stand and be introduced. There were also several guests from other district churches. We think they were there because of the special recognition part of the service. Also, a couple different men got up and gave testimonies. One was about a car accident he had survived. The other I have no idea what it was about. They packed a lot into the 2 ½ hours actually and it was not at all dull!

After the service we were warmly greeted by several of the congregation (we were the only white folks there and most likely not many white folks ever come to that church). We were then invited to a special reception for all the visitors. We found out that they do this every Sunday but that there were lots of extra guests this particular week. We went into a side room where they had tables and chairs set around. They served us soda (in bottles!) and we had a choice of two different types of bread: one was basically a hot dog bun and the other was a small corn bread loaf. Emily and I each took a different type and then we each shared half with each other. One fellow sat next to Mark and talked with him a lot in Swahili and another fellow sat next to me and tried talking to me in French. I understood most of what he was saying but had a hard time giving him answers. Mark ended up helping me out.

We were pretty tired by the time we got home and got lunch and all. The rest of the day was spent doing emails or things around the house. We were able to call my mom in the hosptal (using Skype) and talk for a minute, although she was very tired. Mark and Emily worked on decorating the tree and they made a cute star for it with wire and aluminum foil.