Grace Kindu Ville Church

This is the second church I've attended since I got over here. First church I went to was a bigger one, it's called "Come and See'. I had to take a taxi there (by bike). That service was in French but I had an interpreter sitting next to me. But today I will write about the second church which is just right outside my house.

Church here is obviously very different from Malaysia BUT we still serve and worship the same God. The service is in Swahili and again thank God for an interpreter, Papa Maxime. He has a BA in English language, hence his fluent English. You can check his out his website here. 

Sing & dance

I was asking Papa Maxime, why offering is collected so many times. Even in the previous church, I think offering was collected 5 - 7 times. He then explained to me, offering is just collected once. Those in between 'Praise & Worship' session are 'extras'. The congregation would walk slowly with some dance move towards the offering basket, and back in the same way. It's quite a scene. Haha.

P & W is like a performance here, different groups of people will sing and dance (i.e Men, women, youth, kids, etc). And if you are happy, to encourage them, you can walk to the front of the stage of drop of offering there. He said, you can even personally put the money in his/her pocket. I saw this happen in the previous church, one man walked up to the pastor and place the money on the pulpit. So not use to it. @@

Another performance. 

Anyways, service starts from 9.30am to 12.30pm, but when I left the church, it was already 1.30pm. 4hours service, I think it's the longest I've even been in. The problem was the bench, that really made my butt hurts a lot. As you can see, it's quite narrow and only 40% of my butt is being supported but I pressed on. =P 

After service, many people walked to me, greet me and started taking photos with me. I felt like a celebrity for a moment. Some wan can speak a little English, said they were glad to see me. Papa Maxime and Ralpha pulled me aside and started explaining some youth programme to me. He said he wants me to train the youth, twice a month, 2 hours each session. 

The main entrance of the Church

I don't know why he thinks I am capable of training others or help impact the lives of the youth but I told him I'm willing to help. He mentioned something that caught my attention, he said, "It's really no point asking for money, as it will be exhausted sooner or later. But training the people here will create a more sustainable change."

This bench is ... really really narrow. 

So is this it?

The instruments, PA, musicians, sound men and others will be featured in another post. It's sick! In a good way! 

Celebrity moment. haha.

Papa Maxime, me and Mr. anonymous 

 I took a video of their P & W, unfortunately I can't upload it here or Facebook. Will try again soon.

GG

After changing the layout of my room, I needed a 3 shelf cupboard to put my files in. I asked Imani if there is any furniture shop around, he said yes. We walked about 10 minutes to the shop where they custom made furniture with only wood, nail and hammer. I showed him the photo I got from Google and asked him whether he could make one. He said yes and he is charging USD50. I told him it's too expensive and we agreed at USD25.

As we walked back home, we passed a gym in a small hut. Actually I've sign up for that gym. Since there was no one there, I thought of taking a photo of it. After taking 3 photos, I heard people shouting from behind. 3 armies were there, 1 jumped out from the window and started walking towards me. He started speaking in French and started scolding me. He kept saying no! no! no! no! He asked me to give him my phone, I told him I will delete the photo, but he said it was too late. I was surprise he could say that line in English.

I had no choice but to give him my phone, behind my mind, I knew I was in deep trouble. Imani started talking to him and the army doesn't look very pleased. After 5 minutes, he smiled and he return me my phone. I told him I was sorry and we quickly walked away. Upon returning my phone, the army told me that I don't have to delete the photos anymore but I've already done it.

So no gym photo today...

Imani later told me no photographs are allowed in the afternoon but I could take photos in the morning or evening. Don't get the logic of it. But as long as you are around the army, DON'T bring out your camera. Lesson learned.