Welcome to Church

I grew up non-denominational, now am a member of an Assemblies of God church in the States, and a member of an Anglican church in Tanzania. I've also regularly attended a Presbyterian church in the past.

Why does this matter? Well, the denominations don't so much, the unity of the body of Christ does. Worshiping in various denominational arenas has broadened my views and love of the body of Christ in many of its shapes and forms.

This is my church here in Tanzania:

The setting itself is nice: small congregation, no "vyombo" (burst-your-eardrums-speakers), lovely breeze, and greenery all around.

The pastor, Mchungaji Nashon, works at our SIL office, in the operations department. He is a soft spoken and delightful preacher who consistently preaches on active participation in our faith and salvation whilst balancing that with the fact that it is only by God's strength and grace that we are able to do that.

After every service we file out together, singing a song, and shaking each others' hands as we form a circle and pray together to close the service.

I really love my Musoma church.

Tanzania in Dallas

I had the opportunity to attend a Swahili speaking church yesterday! No, it is not the one pictured above, but I like that picture. It was encouraging to have proof that I can still speak and understand Swahili. I’ve been working on Hebrew while in the States, but thankfully Swahili hasn’t gone anywhere.

So many things about being in that congregation made me feel like I was back in Tanzania.

• The service did not start on time, but much closer than in Tanznia.
• In Tanzania speakers and a piano are called “vyombo” and it is very important to be able to project the voice of the church as far as you can with “vyombo”. This is one way that they advertise their location and service. Surprisingly, the loudness factor is still employed here in Dallas.
• In the course of meeting women from the congregation several gave me the “I’m so sorry for you look” when they found out that I am not married. One woman was kind enough to offer to find me a husband from her language group, who happen to be located near Musoma. This kind of thing also happens regularly in Tanzania.
• I got to stand in front of the congregation and introduce myself and tell them what I do and where I live. I have done this so many times in Tanzanian churches that I went on auto-pilot and was able to give them my tried and true intro-to-me spiel.
• There was such beautiful African fabric and outfits. Tanzanian women REALLY know how to dress.

The main difference that I noticed?

• I didn’t see a single woman openly nursing even once during the service.

I noticed on additional similarity : the manner and topic of preaching.

It was a guest preacher from Kenya that spoke, and I was reminded of how sermons in Tanzania can often be from a very legalistic viewpoint. The sermon was about how to be “perfect” in order to please God. I kept wanting to hear him mention grace and the blood of Jesus that washes away our sins and justifies us, but instead we were encouraged to be just, upright, and perfect in and of ourselves, so that God will accept us.

I have rarely heard grace taught in Tanzania. I feel more strongly than ever the need to be in relationship with Tanzanians when I return so that I can talk about grace with them. Even if they have gone to church every Sunday of their lives, they may never have come to an understanding of God’s AMAZING grace.

The classes that I am taking are gearing me up and motivating me in the work that I will do when I return. The church service yesterday has motivated me in the relationships that I will have when I return.

Praise God for preparing me!!!