We have one experience that was quite the highlight of our trip and I have not had a chance to write about it yet...on our last Sunday in California we went to an inner city African American Baptist Church in Modesto. We had really been hoping for an opportunity to visit an African American church but just hadn't had a chance to yet. It was a great experience for everyone...the church had about 150 people in attendance and we were welcomed warmly with lots of hugs and handshaking! Our international family seems to cause a stirring no matter where we go! The service began with several lively songs led by a robed choir and joined by a drummer and organist like nothing you have ever heard, then the children in the church dressed up as influential African American people throughout history to commemorate black history month. Within the first hour of the service a lady gave the announcements and then introduced the first time visitors, our family included, then everyone came to hug us or shake our hand to welcome us! After the choir sang a couple songs the pastor got up and asked us if we would come forward to be prayed for...he felt like there was no "coincidence" that we joined their fellowship that day and he wanted to pray over us as we continued our journey home and wherever the Lord may take us. (We found it very interesting that as first time visitors we were put on the spot more than once during the morning service and yet because of that we felt extremely welcomed...something to consider.)
A visiting pastor gave the sermon with four points that our kids can repeat well since the points were repeated so many times...God's Prenatal Care, Providing Care, Protecting Care, and Preserving Care. The kids all listened intently even though by the time the sermon began we were already two hours into the service! We had walked through the doors of the church a little before 11am and left a little before 2pm!!
The kids all had some insight into this Sunday of new experience...Ann Marie was surprised that there were churches in America like the churches in Sierra Leone, not only in church service but a building full of black people...Ethan was pleased at the warm welcome and lots of handshaking...Tyler couldn't believe he had sat through three hours of church and wasn't bored, not to mention that he remembered what the pastor spoke about...Kailee, Alyssum, and Adams enjoyed their kid's church class and the girls didn't seem to hardly notice that they were in the minority being white (or as they say, "tan"). It truly felt as though we had stepped off the plane into a different country and culture and yet we worshiped together and felt as though we belonged!
What a day it was for everyone with lots of fun conversation to follow for many days!
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