The Lord’s Day, in Patate

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Yesterday there was a wedding at the camp and what we thought was the praise team may have actually been the wedding party winding down last night. Either way, they serenaded Larry, Josh, Chase, and me along with Jeremy and Jackie, who’s room is right next to ours late into the night. The mattress I flipped up against the windows helped to keep most of the exterior light from shining down on me and Chase. I found the outdoor light switch about 6:30 this morning, so if there’s light shining on us tonight, that will be confirmation of our angelic personalities. At breakfast we discovered that apparently the band drowned out the barking dogs over near the ladies cabin, which is across the soccer field. I share all this not so much as a complaint, but as humor. 

Breakfast was scrambled eggs, a cheese pastry, fruit, and pineapple juice. We loaded the bus in our Sunday best to go worship with Eternal Word Baptist Church. Chris, our missionary, is one of the four pastors or elders of the church. They have a rotation for preaching and meet throughout the week in various small groups for discipleship. As a new church, they have yet to formalize church membership but that is soon on the horizon. 

The church sits in a one room building with tile floor and plaster or sheetrock walls. Actually, there is another room, the restroom, which is accessed by a door midway down the sanctuary and on the left. If you know anything about the layout of FBC Senoia, then you’ll know we all felt right at home. After greeting everyone and finding our seats in the white plastic chairs, the service started with the reading of Psalm 107. Next we sang three songs. I’ve often thought worshipping God in a different language is a glimpse of what heaven will be, a peak behind the curtain to reveal the glory of God. I may not understand all the words, but I understand the message: Jesus is King! 

After music, I was graciously asked to preach. The sermon came from Exodus 3 where God reveals his name, I AM, to Moses. After the sermon Hannah shared her testimony. She talked about how Christ saved her one Christmas Eve Service in which she wasn’t allowed to partake in the Lord’s Supper. Then Marti shared her testimony, which includes understanding that simply following the rules isn’t what a relationship with Christ is all about. Larry also told his story of growing up knowing about God but not knowing God until he was an adult. 

I forgot something…As worship started, the kids gathered into a side area (same room just off to the side) where they were taught I’m in the Lord’s Army. They learned this song while the rest of the church worshipped together. They were noisy just like kids are supposed be, and I loved it. There is something special about all generations worshipping together, again, a glimpse of what heaven must be. To finish the worship service, they sang and danced to the motions. It was a fitting conclusion to the service. 

We got back on the bus and traveled for about an hour to lunch. Fried yucca, plantain ball soup, rosemary chicken -or- beef burrito, and pumpkin bread. Another hour trip and we were back to the camp. Part of the group walked down to the river and bridge, but they’ll have to tell that story as I was checking my eyelids for cracks. 

Early Sunday evening we gathered to go separate and organize VBS materials, eat supper, and rehearse for Day 1 of VBS. We practiced our songs (in Spanish) and the motions. Bob, Jackie, Chase, and Hannah finalized a plan for recreation. Jeremy is telling the story of King David’s anointing while me, Larry, and Josh act it out. Larry is Jesse, Josh is David, and I am Samuel. Vickie, Julie, and Marti have paper hearts to be decorated and remind the kids of the heart of King David. Liz, Marilyn, and Amie are floating around tomorrow to fill in where needed. We will have some different jobs each day. 

Walking back to the dorms, we stopped to look at a few stars that we can’t see back home in Georgia. The most significant constellation is the Southern Cross. It’s just another reminder that we serve a magnificent God. I pray for good rest, because tomorrow we begin Vacation Bible School, at a local school. I may never march in the infantry, shoot the artillery, ride in the cavalry, zoom over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s army. YES SIR!