The Church in Africa... (Willie)

For many of us, when we hear about Africa, especially about the Church in Africa, we’ve had romanticized views of things: Small, simple buildings filled with loud, sincere believers singing in seven-part harmony as lions and elephants join together outside in making a joyful noise for their Creator. It’s pretty neat to see how some of that is actually rooted in truth (not the animals, though…). But one thing I’ve come to understand very quickly here is that, contrary to my beliefs coming in, the Church in Africa has not attained perfection. As it turns out, even in Africa the Church is made up of human beings, with human imperfections, and the enemy of our souls is up to the same shenanigans in Kenya that he’s up to in The Dalles.

One of the churches attended by some of the Gateway Team

That might sound like a downer, but the reality is that I’ve found myself bonding very strongly with some of the missionaries and other brethren because of the shared challenges that we face. And as I’ve seen problems in the Church here, it’s given me new perspective and insight into what’s going on at home. Far from being a bitter disappointment, coming to know the African Church has been inspiring and invigorating.

Post church fellowshipping...outside in Africa!

There are some quirky moments. While our cores are the same, our expressions of faith sometimes differ by quite a bit. This last Sunday, different Africa Inland Churches (AIC) had come together. For the offering, each congregation had their own offering basket, one church coming forward at a time to give their offerings. Garth, Marie, and I were appointed our own basket and several times were directed forward to drop our offerings in as everyone else watched. Once they announced the amount Garth had dropped in. At this same service, the pastor serving as emcee suddenly announced that there was another visiting choir, all the way from the U.S., called “William’s Band.” I actually had to ask Dan the Man if he was talking about us. While Dan ran out to the van to fetch the guitar, Marie and I stalled by introducing ourselves and then sang “In the Light” for the group. At home, this would seem like a performance and I would strongly resist doing it. But Linda has explained to us that this is a big way to identify with our brethren, and to express our love in Jesus.

Jackson & Grace the hosts of Scott & Sydney

So sometimes there are awkward moments. The cultural differences can often begin to wear on me and others. But ultimately it has been extremely refreshing to see just how much God has answered Jesus’ prayer for His followers in John 17 – because of His Holy Spirit, we really are one in Him. It’s a unity that goes beyond what we could consciously commit ourselves too; it’s a oneness that just IS because of Him. He’s a Great God, eh?

Asante sana for your prayers, and see you in a week or so!

Willie