Church

Yesterday we added to the growing list of churches we've been to in the Musoma area:
Pentecostal Assembly of God
Mennonite (2 different ones)
Moravian
Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa
Seventh Day Adventist
Africa Inland Church of Tanzania
Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania
Anglican Church of Tanzania

This list will continue to grow as we visit other churches. Most churches are surprisingly grateful for a visit, and it's a wonderful opportunity to share about the Bible translation work we're doing in the area. We are also continually reminded of the importance of unity in the church. Our work activities, which are focused on the Bible rather than a particular denomination, seem to promote the concept and fact that there is only ONE body of Christ and we are all a part of that same body (check out I Corinthians 12).

We've mentioned before that church services in Tanzania are always an interesting adventure; one that is rarely, if ever, brief. Some of the questions we might ask ourselves in the morning before heading off to church are:
Will it be less than three hours this week?
Will they have a sound system? (I hope not.)
Will it be working? (I hope not.)
During introductions, how should I introduce myself?
How hot will it be?
Will we have to sit in the front again?
Will anyone give chickens or produce in the offering to be auctioned off at the end of the service?
What is the appropriate amount to put in the offering?
Will the choir do most of the singing, or will we get to sing too?
Should I put on my dancing shoes or should I load up on caffeine beforehand?

The two things that never seem to vary between churches are: 1) filing out of the church at the end of the service and shaking everyone's hand, and 2) ANNOUNCEMENTS. It wouldn't be a true Tanzanian church service without announcement time. Announcements are very important and can sometimes take 45 minutes.

"Bwana ni mwema" ("The Lord is good")
Andrew