Worshipping at Ng'on'ghona

In April we went out to visit the church that has been built and the other part that is still being built, at Ng'on'ghona. The building that had previously only had a roof, and some tall sticks to hold it up, now had walls and a cement floor, a small platform (made out of cement) and a little desk at which to stand and speak - a lecturn. The writing on the lecturn says 'Yesu ni Jibu' which means 'Jesus is the answer'.

It was a great morning. (Mchungaji Erasto) Pastor Erasto led the service and did the preaching, though there were others that led the singing and Bible reading and who did the Sunday School preaching - which was going on when we arrived. One seemed to run into the next, and the Sunday school was for adults too. it reminded me of a Bible Study, with teaching, followed by discussion and answers from the floor.

The worship was really good, and even though much was in Ki-swahili we thouroughly enjoyed the praise times. Preaching was translated into English which was understandable - which was great too. During some of the praise they had their offering, during which you were able to walk (or dance) up to the front of the church (whilst praising God) and put your offering into the basket.

A very encouraging thing that Glenn was able to share with the people there that day, was that when we visited with a team from Northern Ireland, about 4 years ago, the church was much smaller, the roof was only about a third or the current size, there were no walls, no floor, and only sticks supporting the roof. However, the most imoprtant difference that he was able to share was that there were no men at that time - it was all women and children - who are important too, but you need men to build a church as well. So for us to return and to see the church packed with men, women and children was very encouraging for us to see. Glenn encouraged the people with this news, that many of them would not have known. Some of the men are from the government university that only opened about 3 years ago. The church has been doing much expanding and building work since then.


This picture was taken from the front of the current church - the one that is competed. It was the one that had previously been a shelter with a few long sticks and a bati roof (tin roof).


I took this picture at the end of the service, after we all left the building. This is the larger church that is being built, and they other will then be used for Sunday School. The vision is big - they plan to pack this big church too!