Sunday @ Sakpa...

This morning, I woke up early feeling actually really good.  We were headed to Sakpa church for Sunday morning services there.

 

First, I got dressed here at the mission house and had some coffee.

 

Then, our team had some time of prayer and singing.

 

Next, we went to a local café and had breakfast.  Much to my surprise, the place had something that absolutely made my month.

 

Can you guess what it is?

 

Here are your options:

 

(1)     Air Conditioning

(2)     Free Wireless Internet Access

(3)     Awesome food

(4)     All of the above.

 

Did you guess?

 

As they say here… “oh la la…. ooh-shooh” – Number FOUR, baby.  All of the above. 

 

I was able to cool off in the A/C.  Even though I was ready and sweaty to preach – an already warm day only insulated by the pastor’s coat, dress shirt, tie, and long pants I was wearing.

 

I was able to download e-mails, check facebook, check the weather, and send a few notes.

 

I got some more to eat and it was a great vanilla cream torte.  Yowzers.

 

Okay, so then we made the 25-minute drive to Sakpa.

 

Pastor Tizokoe was out in the front to meet us, and several of the deacons were with him.  They ushered us into a side room to talk and pray.  And to feed us ANOTHER BREAKFAST!  Hot omelettes, bread, and fruit.

 

And I have to say, yet again, a phrase that has become all too familiar to the Underwood family and to readers of our blog…

 

“Man, these bananas are good!”

 

I took lots of pictures of the pastor, the building, the surrounding area, the many groups of kids who were waiting there.  The previous pastor died tragically several years ago, but his wife still faithfully attends the church and is somewhat of a matriarch or grandmother to the rest of the church family.  She was thrilled to see her picture after I got a snapshot on the digital camera.  Thank you, Meijer store, for a wonderful camera that works well even in Africa.  No, they didn’t give it to me for free, but the pics we’ve got here are priceless…

 

At around 9:30am, worship service started. 

 

Pastor Tizokoe welcomed everyone and set the tone for our morning.  Two choirs sang, both with drums and rhythm and people of ALL ages.  They had a battery-powered electric guitar.  They had drums.  They had sweet voices.  They had hymnals.  They had great smiles. 

 

I hope they didn’t mind me holding up my “recording device” and getting the sounds of many songs and things they said.

 

Pastor read the Scripture.  Deacons took the offering.  Tradition here is to walk forward and place your offering gift in the basket with your right hand. 

 

Barb Wooler translated for me as I preached from Matthew 4:18-22.  I’d speak a few words in English, and then she would repeat them in Sangho language.  Every once in a while, I’d sneak in a Sangho phrase just to play with them.  “Mingi, Mingi” means “many many.”  “Balao” means “Hello.”  I told a story about shopping at the African market yesterday, and that was probably their favorite part of the message.  At least they laughed and nodded a lot.  I was told that my humor would not be able to translate to them, but apparently that notion was quelled for a brief moment of speaker-relating-with-audience-bliss.

 

The message was 45-50 minutes, and we had a great time.  I was sweaty because of the heat was good.  Nice – I just found out that I’m missing a team meeting. 

 

I love you guys, and thanks for reading…

 

In Christ,

Gary U