Worship Two Ways (Sunday 29th, part 2)

We worshiped in two ways on Sunday.

The first way: Sunday morning we drove to the church for worship - yet not a traditional Sunday morning ‘worship service’. We pulled up to the church and parked behind a large bus. Pastor Marica and Pastor Augusto and church members had already picked up 50 kids from the refugee camp the church assists. We could hear their laughter in the sanctuary as we walked through the gates. Much of the team spent the morning singing, playing games, and coloring with the kids. One team member (Kylee) brought a portable photo printer, and she spent the morning taking photos of the kids and giving them photos. Don said that for many mothers, this would be the only photo of they would have of their child.

While all this happened in the sanctuary, other church members prepared a meal for the children. For most of the children, this would be their only meal of the day.

The kids laughed and joked through lunch, some even had second helpings. Then, in a blink, they were on the bus heading back to the camp - to their families and their hammocks.

While Pela Cruz and our team didn’t change their circumstances, for a few hours, these kids got to know a bit of fun. In this way of “loving neighbor” Pela Cruz and our team experienced worship.

The second way:

After a bit of an afternoon rest, most of the team returned to Pela Cruz Methodist in the evening for their worship gathering. We sang together and greeted one another with a holy understanding, even through the language barrier. Towards the end of worship, Pastor Augusto and Pastor Marcia brought out a scented oil that they called an “oil of blessing” - and they invited everyone to come forward to receive some oil in their hands while the pastors prayed for everyone. They invited me to participate in this praying and ‘laying on of hands.’ I give thanks for the opportunity to share in worship with these siblings in this way.

The Holy Spirit truly unites the Body of Christ around the world. Before this trip, many of the team and Pela Cruz members did not know each other - yet in meeting, we sensed the holy connection that we are not strangers at all. Alleluia.