Revisiting

This morning we revisited a CONASPEH church--a rare treat given the number of potential CONASPEH churches we could visit (6,000). I was excited about returning to this church. Patrick and I had first visited the congregation the Sunday before Christmas. At that time, I had gone there needing a spiritual jolt to shake me out of my holiday blues, and this unique church, settled on the outskirts of City Solei magically did the trick. I was curious if I would find it equally enchanting today.

I needn't have wondered.

We found the simple rectangular building constructed out of wooden poles and tin sitting surrounded by a bright green pasture. Its neighbors were two donkeys munching happily on the lush grasses, baby goats calling out for their momma, and a cow in the corner sleepily blinking its big brown eyes in the morning sun.

Patrick and I both smiled walking back into the familiar simple church. Wooden pews lined with women, men and children filled the space, silk flowers that hung from the beams added a colorful backdrop, a breeze blew in the opening left between panels of tin keeping off the shaded space cool despite the direct sun overhead.

Since today we had Mr. Solomon with us, I was able to weazle out of sitting in our designated seat of honor in front of the congregation. Patrick looked at me with envy as I nestled myself in the back of the church with other women holding small children. Sitting in the congregation has been something I've wanted to do from the beginning... partly because I am not a fan of the all-eyes-on-me feeling of the hot seat, and mostly because I'd rather feel part of a community than an observer from the side lines (or the front). The women whose space I invaded seemed happy to welcome me. They delighted in Solomon's chubby cheeks and I celebrated their own infant's cute smiles, deep dimples and special sunday dresses.

The children's section also sat in the back of the church, and all children aged 2 and above sat together. I watched one mother drop her little boy off. He was quite upset with the separation (although mom sat only a few pews in front of him). But the children in the pews, no bigger or older than he, wrapped their tiny arms around him, patted him on the back, pulled him into hugs comforting him and reassuring him that it was going to be ok. Sure enough, he was quickly smiling and swaying back and forth to the music with the other children who sang the hymns with the fervor of youth.

As the service commenced, the space we shared was soon filled with song. The only accompaniment to the upraised voices was a drum. This church serves a community where people live hand to mouth, where jobs are scarce, where most share a small space called home with more family than there is room for, where women have to carry water from a community source to do cleaning or to cook, where children play in the dirt or only dream of going to school, where hunger is an entity known all too well and medical care a resource not known well enough. Yet despite the misery, the spirit that rose from this community was palpable. Surrounded by song, I was moved. We all were. Swaying with the community to the rhythm of song as voices and hands lifted, I was amazed at the force the came from a people who deserve to be too tired to stand.

I also appreciated the fact we'd been there before, thus making our presence today not such a novelty or a distraction. Most of recognized us and greeted us. The familiarity eliminated the usual few suspicious glances and our own discomfort of having to prove ourselves time and time again.

Patrick gave a sermon about love... a message that seemed to fit my recognized affections for this congregation. He was met by an vigorous chorus of "amen's" by the people who seemed happy to see he was quick to come back.

After church while Patrick entertained the children of the church with his antics, I offered a small consultation time as a way of advertising CONASPEH's medical outreach as well as providing some on-site services to the people there. The leaders of the church had selected a few of the more needy congregants to participate in order to avoid a mob seen with the whole church. I was impressed how organized they were, how controlled the time felt.

And the series of complaints and worries I fielded are those that are common here due to life stlyle, food, hard work and lack of resources. Head aches, stomach aches, back aches, knee aches, fevers, weakness, dizziness. I found folks who deserved referral to the CONASPEH clinic or another for closer follow up. In general it was a perfect end to a great morning of worship and service.

So as I look to the week ahead, I hope the energy of the service fuels our days, the warmth of new familiarity validates our time here, the recognition of the needs of our brothers and sisters energizes our efforts, and the gifts of spirit from our new friends enlightens the journey.