Rhino Roast

Kick-off Sunday! Right about now millions of people around the US are settling in for an afternoon/evening of good 'ol American football. To be honest, there are a few of us here who can't help but have a twinge of jealousy... especially when I (Devon) think about the Denver/Pittsburg game.

That twinge is short lived, however, in the context of what our mission team experienced today.

For those who have never experienced a worship service in an African village, be assured you are missing one of the treasures of human expression. When the van pulled up to a little tin lined shack in the middle of a barren dusty field, several of us were skeptical. However, as soon as the door of the van was opened the sound of joyful and exuberant singing bursting from the small space settled our hearts. What followed, was a powerful hour and a half of transcendent worship that wasn't perfect, refined, or sophisticated, but instead was pure, passionate, and potent. It is a humbling experience to observe a group of people, who have nothing more than a shanty, focus all of their attention on God's plan for them to witness to their neighbors.

At home we often talk about our global missions while picturing this place. What we fail to realize is that for them, this place is their local mission and they are excited to make a difference in it. Today we learned that they are not the recipients of our benevolence, but instead partners in ministry who can teach us many things about what discipleship means. At the end of the offering the pastor asked the congregation to turn to their neighbor and speak-and they reflected the responsibility of the community so clearly in these words spoken to one another: "Neighbor! You need to work so your hands can be blessed!"

From there the fun continued as we headed over to the Mafikeng Game Reserve just down the street from our host home. The weather is perfect this time of year in South Africa and the animals were out in force. Some of the highlights included two mother rhinos with their newborns and a herd of giraffe that crossed the road right in front of the bus. We also managed to enrage a Wildebeest who charged in zig-zags round the field as we followed.

Tomorrow will be our first day of teaching VBS and spending time with the village kids. We are all looking forward to interacting with such beautiful children, as well as the for the opportunity to tell them how special each of them is in God's eyes!