Sunday, July 5

Sunday, July 5

Have you ever felt the tears of another? I mean truly felt them, trickling down your throat to form pools in your soul? I would say that most of us have had that sensation at some point, whether it was a moment of complete, heart wrenching grief or a moment of pure joy. If you haven't, then I would dare say that you haven't experienced true community before, the kind of community in which I believe Christ calls us to dwell.

Today was a day of true community. We worshiped, testified, cried, and danced together all in one strange yet magnificent day. We started out by worshiping together at All Saints' Cathedral, an Anglican church, where we were commissioned as an entire team by the Provost of the church. The North American students were humbled and encouraged by the service, especially enjoying the passionate and Spirit-filled worship music, and I was like a kid in a candy shop when I was able to purchase a book of poetry written by the Chief Justice of Uganda, who was on hand to sign it as well. The foreword of the book was written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, so I was sure that it would have a true African spirit in each poem.

After the service we were invited to one of the Ugandan student's home (Inki), where her mother catered a large, elaborate meal for all of us. Prior to lunch, though, we took a tour of Inki's home, which is larger than Nate and I's home and artfully laid out, and played a game of four on the couch, which is fast becoming a favorite of both the North Americans and the Ugandans. Then we enjoyed the feast prepared for us—fish, chicken, beef, beef stir fry, masoke, cooked plantains, fried rice, steamed rice, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, steamed carrots and green beans, fresh bananas, watermelon, pineapple, papaya, chapati, bread, soup...you get the idea.

During lunch, I took a moment to look around, and my heart almost burst at the sight before me. Imagine for a moment tables set up in a u-shape, and like salt and pepper, these tables are dotted with white and black faces. These faces are not only enjoying a meal together, but they are lit up with pure joy—a joy that emanates from one's soul. They are laughing together, taking pictures together (notice not of one another but together), and truly crossing cultural barriers to understand each other. This sight is a dream of mine, a dream that Africans and North Americans would be able to sit down at a table together as equals—understanding that each has something to share and that matters of the soul defy all color barriers, all country barriers. I believe that God was very pleased with our lunch.

And if he was pleased with our lunch, our time after lunch must have been pure gold to him. After a bit of silly songs to lighten up our overloaded stomachs, we sat down to listen to each other's testimonies. We had asked the students on Saturday to write out their testimonies, asking the questions of when did they first respond to the beckoning call of God and how has he continued to work in their lives. I knew right away that this time of testimony would be powerful, as I looked around at all the faces of the students who fidgeted a bit of uncomfortably. I knew a wall was about to come down.

God did not disappoint. You see, it was at this moment when we all were given a chance to feel the tears another. These tears were sometimes tears of joy and praise for the way that God has blessed them, and sometimes they were tears of frustration and grief. Either way, they were shared together. A wall fell with a great, thunderous thud, and a community of united believers was formed. And I believe God was jumping up and down in heaven saying, “Yes! Now that is truly living!”

Then we danced. Actually, in reality it was like four hours later, but time means nothing here. After sharing a prayer of blessing on Inki's mother for her amazing hospitality and spiritual encouragement, we were off to our next stop—a cultural presentation at the Nekura Cultural Center. The presentation was a lively, hilarious, and moving performance of the different dances and songs of the tribes of Uganda. Together with the Ugandan students, for whom this was their first time seeing this presentation as well, the North American students were able to see the beauty and rhythm of African song and dance. Then towards then end of the three hour show, the MC asked us all to the front, where all the guests (it was a highly white-faced crowd from the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia) were greeted. Then he asked us all to join in dance, and together we “got down.” What fun it is to lose all inhibitions and feel the beat of the drums flow through your body. Though the “flow” was no where as beautiful as the Ugandan dancers' it was still filled with joy.

That brings me to my conclusion for the day, which I will end with a few prayer requests. I ask that you pray for Mark (from Alberta, CA) who has been feeling a little rough today. He thought he was dehydrated, but I contend that it was more a lack of sleep. He had a headache for most of the day and a bit of a fever. I am praying that it is something that can be fixed with a good night of sleep. I also ask that you pray for me, as I sprained my ankle in a spirited game of soccer (football) last night. I was accidentally slide tackled from behind and twisted my right ankle. It isn't a devastating sprain, but it is a bit swollen and is limiting my activity level. Finally, I ask that you pray for our team. Please pray that walls will continue to fall. Please pray that Nate and I will grow more united with Lydia from team Uganda, so that we will be able to lead together harmoniously. Please pray that we will be open to the ways God is moving and that despite any theological differences, cultural differences, or ideological differences that we will be able to move together as a unit in God's plan.

Blessings to you all from Uganda, the birthplace of the Nile. May you too experience another's tears.