We can’t believe how the week has flown by!
IPMB’s Sunday services are scheduled around Sunday School for adults and children at 10:00 a.m. and worship at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Kye, Rev. Andrew and I taught the three adult classes and other members of the team taught the children and teens.
I actually find it easier to teach with an interpreter than I do without an interpreter – how weird is that? When I speak by myself I feel the need to fill the empty spaces with more words, and am thinking while I’m talking. With an interpreter, I can speak in short sentences and while they are being interpreted I have the luxury of thinking of my next sentence without talking at the same time! The team reported that in all three classes the adults were very engaged, responding to questions and participating in the discussion. The people of IPMB love the Bible, and some were moved to tears as they took their turn reading.
The regular adult classes at IPMB are 1) Reform Doctrines; 2) Formation of the Canon and how to study the Bible; 3) Church History. The church is blessed to have three pastors – one with a degree in Church History. The expectation is that one works through the three classes, and then takes the knowledge acquired and uses it to study topics and books of the Bible in their weekly small groups that meet in the evenings in peoples’ homes. I think this is a great way of systematically developing a group of spiritually competent learners.
The pastors met with the Session while we waited for lunch to be served. We were introduced to all of their (six) session members, and the moderator of the Deacons, and we were given an opportunity to discuss the possibility of future partnership with the three congregations. One important point was that all of us felt that doing mission in partnership with an indigenous congregation was far superior to trying to send missionaries out to learn a culture, followed by a team to “deliver” a service. Money is spent more sensibly, projects are more relevant and the relationships formed are deeper.
The church prepared a great potluck lunch for us and then we went to our host homes to pack for our departure on Monday. We then spent the night with Pastor Robson and Juliane Gomes at their home so we could be picked up in a van for the airport.
Evening worship was a special time. The praise band from Binnerri led the praise songs in English and Portuguese, and then Pastor Kye preached a wonderfully powerful sermon on Hebrews 12:1-3. Once again, I was privileged to administer the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
After worship, the church presented us with gifts that they had made. One of their members is an accomplished artist, and she designed special photo frames with our names and photographs of us engaged in mission tasks from the week. They are very sweet mementoes.
The mission team had purchased gifts with a Texas/Oklahoma flavor for our hosts: a bottle of BBQ sauce, a box of pecan pralines, a Southern Living BBQ cookbook and a regulation football!After exchanging gifts, the American team lined up near the door to say goodbye to the congregation with hugs and tears all around. SO many people said, “Next year in America!”
Back to Robson’s and Juliane’s home for a late meal of pizza and then the team de-briefed on the mission experience outside under the stars. After we had a chance to share our impressions, Rev. Kye performed a gracious and powerful service of foot-washing.
Did we change the world? Not that you could see with your eyes. Did we change anyone’s life?Absolutely ~ especially our own.
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