church under a tree

Yesterday we woke up early and drove in the land cruiser 3 hours to visit a church that was started about a year and a half ago and meets under a tree. I really wasn’t sure what was in store. I figured we would just sit in the back and watch and that Mr. Crum might say a few words. I was wrong. First we stopped by the pastor’s house, his name is Daniel Tuke. We met his family and wife then had chai (tea). I’m about ready to explode because im not that much of a hot tea drinker or that much of a milk drinker and we have already had a lotttt this visit. So that’s what chai is its hot milk tea and sugar. But I sucked it up and drank my way to the bottom (it was actually my favorite cup ive had yet… Rachel thinks that im just starting to like it). Then we all 8 of us piled in to the land cruiser and headed for church. On the way there we saw a woman with 3 of her children walking on their way to church so we slowed down and helped them into the back with Rachel and I and Jennifer Daniel’s wife. Soon we arrived at the tree where they meet we stood around and slowly people from all directions came in on foot. Then we were given our seats. Which were right against the tree and not on the ground where as everyone else sat in the grass. We were given a wooden bench or a large plastic jug or in mine and Rachel’s case a large tin can (good thing I had my tetanus shot just incase). So basically we were sitting in the seats of honor which wasn’t what I had expected. Then they started the first song and it was a little awkward because I had no clue what they were saying, but then I really didn’t care I got into it and realized that these women and children and some men were singing to the same God and it was the most passion filled service I can remember. These women had nothing compared to what we live with in the states yet when they were singing they were loud and so happy to sing to God. They would dance and jump and it didn’t matter who was watching because they weren’t doing it for the people watching they were going it for God. I have to admit I was fighting back the tears because it was so beautiful. One picture that keeps coming to mind is of a young girl who was wearing a orange dress and soccer cleats for shoes and was singing her heart our and dancing, she didn’t care that her shoes were awkward and huge she was totally in the moment. I think sometimes we lose sight of everything we have and what God has blessed us with. And not to sound lame I felt like it brought me back to the heart of worship and I’ll never forget that day under the tree in Kenya surrounded by women singing their hearts our in a language I couldn’t understand and being so joyful and content.