I left Nairobi exactly a week ago and today I had the honor of going to church for the first time in Chad. My options were few as there is only one Protestant and one Catholic church in Goz Beida -but in some ways that is already more than I expected. I went to the Protestant service which was to start at 8 and there was an added perk in that my colleague was to be the speaker. Due to this he went on before me. I was dropped by our driver just after 8 and saw that no one was going in the building so I just waiting for the appropriate cues to know when to enter (as I don’t speak French and couldn’t ask what was going on). As the service started there were only about 10 or 15 of us but it didn’t take long for the church to fill up. By the time we finished 2 hours later more than 200 people had come to worship.
Though I didn’t understand the words I was able to follow much of the service as it was familiar enough. I could read from my neighbors’ hymn book and struggle through the French pronunciations. I was able to figure out what scriptures were being read and follow in my own Bible, imagining what the message could be about. Today we read text from 1 Kings 11:1-9, then Deuteronomy 8:11-14,17 and finally Ecclesiastes 12:1. Near the end of the service there seemed to be announcement and then people started introducing themselves randomly. I gathered they were the visitors so I stood up as well and introduced myself, partly in French and partly in English – it worked, I communicated, even if very poorly.
There were 2 highlights for me that were very inspirational. First, the worship was amazing, there were a few basic drums and some other basic sound making devices but mostly it was acapella. Their voices rang out in joy and confidence and I knew even though we didn’t share the same language we shared the same great and loving God, the same Christ that I believe in with all my heart.
What was really special is in the middle of the service a group of people from all around the church came to the front and sang a few songs. I could not tell what was going on or why this was different but clearly the dynamics changed when this group started singing. They were more energetic (both in their song and in their dance) and the congregation responded to them much more. I quickly recognized one of the singers was from our staff and enjoyed all the more. Later I found out this was a special part of every service where people from one of the many tribes are asked each week to share a few songs in their local language. This week it was people from the tribe of Kim and it was extraordinary. I only regret that I didn’t have my camera so I can’t share it with you any other way.
The other highlight for me was at the end of the service when we left the building.
Starting with the one that shared the main message (also from our staff) each person
walked out of the church and lined up outside, creating a large circle. Each of us walked around the circle shaking the hands of each and every person that was ahead of them. When we had greeted everyone in front of us we joined the circle to then shake the hands of those that were coming behind us. I literally got to greet each of the 200+ people who had been in the service which means I was able to shake their hand, say a simple greeting and look into their eyes. I can’t explain well why this was so special but somehow I felt I was finally seeing Chad as I looked into the eyes and the faces of each consecutive person.
I guess after living the past week in compounds (first in N’djamena, then Abéché and now here in Goz Beida) which are pretty fortified and seemingly ‘cut off’ from the rest of the world and community it was refreshing and meaningful to finally interact with and see at close range the people of Chad. The people I have come to serve. I know as I get more time here and have opportunities to go visit our projects I will have more interaction with our beneficiaries but for the time being this was a nice change and made for a special Sunday.
Though I didn’t understand the words I was able to follow much of the service as it was familiar enough. I could read from my neighbors’ hymn book and struggle through the French pronunciations. I was able to figure out what scriptures were being read and follow in my own Bible, imagining what the message could be about. Today we read text from 1 Kings 11:1-9, then Deuteronomy 8:11-14,17 and finally Ecclesiastes 12:1. Near the end of the service there seemed to be announcement and then people started introducing themselves randomly. I gathered they were the visitors so I stood up as well and introduced myself, partly in French and partly in English – it worked, I communicated, even if very poorly. There were 2 highlights for me that were very inspirational. First, the worship was amazing, there were a few basic drums and some other basic sound making devices but mostly it was acapella. Their voices rang out in joy and confidence and I knew even though we didn’t share the same language we shared the same great and loving God, the same Christ that I believe in with all my heart.
What was really special is in the middle of the service a group of people from all around the church came to the front and sang a few songs. I could not tell what was going on or why this was different but clearly the dynamics changed when this group started singing. They were more energetic (both in their song and in their dance) and the congregation responded to them much more. I quickly recognized one of the singers was from our staff and enjoyed all the more. Later I found out this was a special part of every service where people from one of the many tribes are asked each week to share a few songs in their local language. This week it was people from the tribe of Kim and it was extraordinary. I only regret that I didn’t have my camera so I can’t share it with you any other way.
The other highlight for me was at the end of the service when we left the building.
Starting with the one that shared the main message (also from our staff) each person
walked out of the church and lined up outside, creating a large circle. Each of us walked around the circle shaking the hands of each and every person that was ahead of them. When we had greeted everyone in front of us we joined the circle to then shake the hands of those that were coming behind us. I literally got to greet each of the 200+ people who had been in the service which means I was able to shake their hand, say a simple greeting and look into their eyes. I can’t explain well why this was so special but somehow I felt I was finally seeing Chad as I looked into the eyes and the faces of each consecutive person. I guess after living the past week in compounds (first in N’djamena, then Abéché and now here in Goz Beida) which are pretty fortified and seemingly ‘cut off’ from the rest of the world and community it was refreshing and meaningful to finally interact with and see at close range the people of Chad. The people I have come to serve. I know as I get more time here and have opportunities to go visit our projects I will have more interaction with our beneficiaries but for the time being this was a nice change and made for a special Sunday.
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