Village church and Film Festivals
How can you participate in both of these very different things while being a missionary in Africa?? Live on the Africa Mercy Ship, where Starbucks coffee meets fufu, Land Rovers meet unruly moto bikes and air conditioning meets 98 hot and humid degrees Fahrenheit... all in a matter of seconds.
Firstly, last weekend we and about 15 others from the ship were invited to a special church service and ceremony in a village where Mercy Ships once showed the Jesus film. Many of us were invited without ever having met anyone from the church, nor had many of us been there before. Now, when you are invited to church in Africa, be ready for anything... be ready to preach, sing, dance....and when you think it's over, be ready to do it all over again. Bring water, and don't expect to start or finish the service at any particular time. DO, however, expect to be blessed by the many smiling faces, the kids who want to hold your hand, and the amazing ability Africans have to sing their hearts out, keep a beat, and dance like no white person ever could.
The ceremony at the brand new 'Prophetic church of Mercy' included; baptism, ribbon cutting, baby dedication, praying over new church leaders, offering, coca cola communion, a message, plenty of singing, and plenty of prayer. Justin and I were on the schedule to cut the ribbon and give a prayer, dedicating the new church. Here are some pics!
Kim and I in a Mercy Ships Land Rover, on our way!
The new church
Baptism
Singing at the water
Rural Benin
Now, for something completely different... the Africa Mercy held its second annual short Film Festival. All crew were invited to submit films and then come dressed in their best to the big presentation and award night. Justin and I both submitted films, we didn't win anything, but it we had a good time making them. I'd post our videos, but the ship's Internet service doesn't have enough band width to support this kind of down/uploading behavior. You'll have to settle for a few pics of AFM crew dressed in their finest for the big night.
Justin going for the 'George Michael' look... I thought Miami Vice, others thought Brad Pitt. haha
Award ceremony in the mid-ship cafe area
Nice suite Paul!
Pretty girls from USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia
-The End
Firstly, last weekend we and about 15 others from the ship were invited to a special church service and ceremony in a village where Mercy Ships once showed the Jesus film. Many of us were invited without ever having met anyone from the church, nor had many of us been there before. Now, when you are invited to church in Africa, be ready for anything... be ready to preach, sing, dance....and when you think it's over, be ready to do it all over again. Bring water, and don't expect to start or finish the service at any particular time. DO, however, expect to be blessed by the many smiling faces, the kids who want to hold your hand, and the amazing ability Africans have to sing their hearts out, keep a beat, and dance like no white person ever could.
The ceremony at the brand new 'Prophetic church of Mercy' included; baptism, ribbon cutting, baby dedication, praying over new church leaders, offering, coca cola communion, a message, plenty of singing, and plenty of prayer. Justin and I were on the schedule to cut the ribbon and give a prayer, dedicating the new church. Here are some pics!
Kim and I in a Mercy Ships Land Rover, on our way!
The new church
Baptism
Singing at the water
Rural BeninNow, for something completely different... the Africa Mercy held its second annual short Film Festival. All crew were invited to submit films and then come dressed in their best to the big presentation and award night. Justin and I both submitted films, we didn't win anything, but it we had a good time making them. I'd post our videos, but the ship's Internet service doesn't have enough band width to support this kind of down/uploading behavior. You'll have to settle for a few pics of AFM crew dressed in their finest for the big night.
Justin going for the 'George Michael' look... I thought Miami Vice, others thought Brad Pitt. haha
Award ceremony in the mid-ship cafe area
Nice suite Paul!
Pretty girls from USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia-The End
Comments
Thanks for updating on what's going on. I check in often on your blog to see if there's something new!
I was in South Africa last summer and know what you are talking about for an African church service. Def be prepared for anything AND for the service to keep going on. But what a blessing it is, too!
I'm heading off this Fri (12 Jun) with a team from LBC to Jamaica for 10 days - there are 12 of us. I have a Facebook group - join it if you will be praying.
Press on! Keep on serving the Lord!
Bob