Worship at a House Church/Company

Our Internet Access has been limited. Here is another update from our first week.

3-4-06 Our first Saturday Morning – Worship at a House Church/Company

We arrived at our site in the morning fully prepared to have church service with the locals. When we arrived, we saw that our tent was still sitting in a heap from the wind storm the night before and there was no one around. Our translator contacted the Pastor and we were told that the Pastor had “cancelled” church so that he could visit various homes and encourage people to come out to the meeting in the evening.

We were asked if we would mind visiting one of the “companies”. In Andhra Pradesh, there are about 9 SDA churches, but over 40 companies, organized groups that meet each week in someone’s home.

We readily agreed. Twenty minutes later after passing a few agricultural pastures, we turned off onto another dirt road. This area was a bit more rural than our site at Allwyn Colony. We passed many make-shift houses made of wooden planks, plastic or thatched grass. Some were mere tents without doors. We stopped in front of a cement house surrounded by a small dirt courtyard. A few well kept animal stalls were right next to the house along with a latrine. A woman standing in the doorway bowed her head as a greeting and welcomed us in.

The moment I saw her, I had great admiration and affection for her. She had such courage and strength in her eyes. She was humble, but I could tell, very wise and very strong.

After seating us in 3 plastic chairs that were brought out to an otherwise empty room, our hostess, Nimeela, quickly left. Our translator explained that everyone in the neighborhood was gathering water. Today the water was delivered to the village. If they did not collect it at this time, they would have to wait 2 or more days till the water was again delivered. About a half hour later, Nimeela returned with several vessels of water and a small child (not more than 4 or 5 years old) also helped her.

Soon after other members began to arrive, about 15 in all, and also some children. Everyone took off their shoes at the door and sat down on the floor on which a piece of blue plastic tarp had been laid. Everyone greeted us warmly and respectfully. Church began with Mom giving a health lecture on the importance of cleanliness. I told the children the story of Samuel and how it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still be called of God. Dad preached a wonderful sermon on the three angles message and encouraged them to keep strong their faith.

After church, we fellowshipped with them and took some pics. Everyone wanted special prayer, even the children. They lined up and waited patiently as Dad prayed. As soon as he had concluded praying for one, another came and asked for prayer. Prayer is taken very seriously in India. The people crave it. Everywhere where we go, we are asked to pray. And each person, wants their own prayer. Several times we thought we were doing “for the group” praying, but soon as we were done, another and then another also wanted prayer. Some even wanted to pay! Of course we refused any money. But it was amazing to see how something so simple, something we so often take for granted, is so valued. I knew things like water and good food were valued, I didn’t expect prayer to be such a commodity.

As we were leaving, I hugged and embraced my new friend Nimeela. Although we didn’t speak the same language, a bond greater than words was created. I look forward to seeing her again-- even if we have to wait till the world made new.