Today Mike was given the privilege and honour to preach at the church that we have been attending for the last month. It was a first for him to preach through not one, but two translators. English to French to Fon. For those of you who know Mike's sermons...in English alone it would have only been a 15 minute sermon...however with the two translations, it was 45 minutes...He did discover some things just cannot be translated like the words "warm fuzzy feeling of young love..." Both translators just looked at him and smiled...Fon is a much more conceptual language and often two words in English became 30 words in Fon. He preached about God's love and how we are to love one another (1 Cor. 13)...even our enemies...those we have difficulties with...a challenge for all of us.
During Mike's message, this little guy decided he was going to go through one of our gals purses. He found the sunglasses and had more fun taking them on and off. I guess even in foreign lands all kids get bored with the sermons!
Once again after the service, the church served us drinks. These two little boys decided to follow us into the back room and finish off all the drink we could not. The one to the left is on his 3rd bottle, while the one on the right is on his second! 
This is Mike with the pastor of the church. After the service he asked Mike to preach again next Sunday and the sister church to this one.
I have really come to appreciate and love the African worship services. They are very simple, not seeking perfection, but seeking to worship God. Prayers are said out loud...communally, dancing and clapping are equally part of the worship service. Musical instruments are a couple of African drums and a large gourd with beads. It is very "freeing". Granted they take 3-4 offerings in a service and the pastor can take up to 15 minutes asking specifically for a certain amount of money to meet a specific need in the church. He will continue to ask and wait until the need is met. No one is offended...no one walks out...people don't stop coming...it is just part of the culture. I look forward to worshipping in eternity with our African family!
During Mike's message, this little guy decided he was going to go through one of our gals purses. He found the sunglasses and had more fun taking them on and off. I guess even in foreign lands all kids get bored with the sermons! Once again after the service, the church served us drinks. These two little boys decided to follow us into the back room and finish off all the drink we could not. The one to the left is on his 3rd bottle, while the one on the right is on his second! This is Mike with the pastor of the church. After the service he asked Mike to preach again next Sunday and the sister church to this one.I have really come to appreciate and love the African worship services. They are very simple, not seeking perfection, but seeking to worship God. Prayers are said out loud...communally, dancing and clapping are equally part of the worship service. Musical instruments are a couple of African drums and a large gourd with beads. It is very "freeing". Granted they take 3-4 offerings in a service and the pastor can take up to 15 minutes asking specifically for a certain amount of money to meet a specific need in the church. He will continue to ask and wait until the need is met. No one is offended...no one walks out...people don't stop coming...it is just part of the culture. I look forward to worshipping in eternity with our African family! 
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