First Church service in Kinshasa! We went to the church where Ken's Dad was pastor for a few years. It is The International Protestant Church of Kinshasa. It was an emotional time for Ken on this Father's Day. Lots of folks whose common thread is Christianity and English. Interesting! Folks from Japan, British speaking African countries,and the USA. Had guests stand up and tell who they were. We had met the preacher and his wife here at MPH last week. So he waved a greeting when we walked in. (Larry Streshley's father and Walt Shepard Jr. were also pastors at this church.) We got there as the French church was letting out. They were switching the Hymnals from French to those old Red ones from FUM churches! Felt right at home- just like in Graham,Texas, America!!
The English service can't start until the French service is over. Since they cannot stay in the church to visit they did it outside the windows as we worshipped. The service was not too long as most of you writing me feared. We started around11:30 and were out by 12:45. Most of it was singing and it was wonderful! A youth choir who had the rhythm and the words and a delightful sound. Had boys on an African drum and an electric piano. They were singing as we entered and just great. Prelude was about 20 minutes of singing. One song was "This Little Light of Mine" and it was fantastic!! Six hymns all verses. Scripture reading to tie into each item in the Bulletin. Welcome and Announcements, Worship with Tithes and Offerings, Intercessory Prayer, Scripture reading, and Benediction. Scripture each time! Guest speaker from Kenya with a pretty British lilt to the voice. Postlude was in Lingala with one young lady doing that shrill yell thing they do. I did a recording on my phone but can't figure out how to get it on my computer. A lot of the same worship songs we do in Graham. So much fun. Lots of neat native cloth made into Congolese and American style clothing. Wonderful Sunday at Home in Congo. There is a Congolese Methodist church next door to MPH and we may go for some of the service. They really sing cause we can hear them through the open windows. Thought the bar across the street was still open! Rockin' and a Rollin' those hymns!
Choir on right. Hard pews! Communion cup holes in bar in front of the seats.
Folks visiting after church with Ken. They were so happy to see and welcome us. Fascinated with his being Dad's Murray's son!
Pretty old church. They hope to have a new one by 2015.
After church we needed to stop off at a store. I found Lenox Christmas China! It is a new Congo and yet sadly it isn't . Poverty is all around us. They don't have the idea of save some of your money to get a ride back to work so you can make more, " But Mama, I have to eat."
Sunday night supper was FRIED chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy and Banana cake. It was so good and tasted like chicken in the ole USA! ( Guess it was to make up for the Fish Heads!Chickens are smaller here. Have not been fed the harmone stuff.
A Pastor just brought in his suitcase to store overnight so he does not have to carry it in the morning. He is going up country with a missionary that is here to work on building roads, teach farming and the use of compost and a little religion on the side. Just had to show you the side of his bag!! Maybe he was a trucker in the US in another life! ;)
Funny what we are hearing from folks as I write this blog. Amelia Pool Sudderth gave us a Paul Harvey moment- Her mother had brought out to Congo her little net
Piano Recital dress. Reason unknown. When Betty Lou died, Aunt Sara Pool gave it to Mom and Dad to bury her in. On vacations home from CS, Amelia use to go to the cemetery and keep Betty Lou's grave clean. Now you know the "Rest of the Story."
Thus endeth another day in the life we are living here in Congo. Take care! Love ya, Me
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