Easter Celebration!

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.   But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.        1 Corinthians 15:19-20

  To gather together with fellow saints  and celebrate the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ and all that He did for us so many years ago is a blessing.  Each year they designate one church in the area and churches from the surrounding villages gather there for a weekend of celebration and fellowship.  10 of the 12 area churches were represented with at least 500 people, not including people from the local village that came to see what the conference was all about!

   Those churches from far away rented a bus to bring them in or they rode bicycles for a few hours to reach the host village.  Each church brought their own food to cook and they are assigned the home of one church member where they could cook their food between services.  Many slept there as well as at a neighbor’s home.  The host church helped with housing, bedding (reed mats), and feeding the pastors and elders.  They have a big job in hosting hundreds of visitors.  Having visitors is always considered a blessing in this culture.

   Each church brought choirs that had specially prepared songs and poems.    

Several pastors took turns preaching throughout the weekend. Each day was full with three long services.  Sunday was special with the opportunity to partake in communion. It is often the only time during the year that many have this opportunity. Because of limited cups for the Lord’s supper, they took communion in shifts.  While one group is in the church building partaking in the Lord’s supper, the rest were outside listening to choirs and singing until their turn came.

  In this particular village, they have built their church on a large rock.  The rock became the bleachers for all to see the stage below. 

  We were blessed to have visitors with us Easter weekend from Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and Mbeya.

  Praise the Lord for no rain until Sunday night. It is rainy season and often services are cut short as rains come and everyone runs for cover. This weekend was great weather. Only the final service Sunday evening was cancelled because of rain, but that was okay since they had gone overtime with the Lord’s supper that afternoon.

The various churches started their journey home Monday morning.