For New Year's Eve, Bekki and I were fortunate to join a missionary, Bette, at a church service at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Monrovia. It started at 9 pm and was similar to our church services, with some liturgy, bible readings, and hymns. They use the old red hymnals. They are very animated and sing very loudly. They also have a responsive saying that goes:
leader: God is good.
congregation: All the time.
Leader: all the time.
Congregation: God is good.
The Liberians don't usually request things in their prayers. They usually thank God for various things. There was about 1.5 hrs of testimonials, where people got up and talked about what they were thankful for. It was things like good health, just being able to cross the street safely, finding a job, finding the church. They were all dresssed up in colorful clothes, and the women wore wrappings on their hair. Some of the men referred to God as "She"! We didn't think it was appropriate to take photos, so I'm sorry but we don't have any.
At midnight, they all shook hands, and then we made a procession outside into a field, with candles. We all stood in a circle around the Pastor and prayed and sang. This was the one time in the year that they make prayer requests. We wrote our requests on pieces of paper and they piled them up in the middle of the circles, with candles surrounding them. Then they started the papers on fire. My request was for the success of the Kuwaa Mission. I thank you all for praying for our health and safety, and I ask you to also pray for our success.
Happy New Year to you all.
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Cindy and Bekki, see Ellen's trip to Bella Yella on the gov. website: http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1417
ReplyDeleteWe will continue to pray for your mission and helath! Thanks for keeping in touch!
Janelle and Eb
Keep on keeping on, good friends! Your being there has already made a difference. Thank you. You are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI just got the information about your blog. Awesome!! We're going to try to get it connected to our web site if possible. I so admire both you and Bekki and it is wonderful to see the pictures. You're in my prayers and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSandy Creamer
Hi Cindy & Bekki: We just got your blogspot information. Amazing! You must be on your way now since it has been awhile since you have posted. Thank you for all you are doing. I'm praying with you. Blessings, Janice Garing
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