Thoughts in Church when you don’t understand the language...

Sunday, Jan 21, 2018
The little mission church was full.  This is a blessing!  There are children, families and many young people.  The church attracts college students as they live and go to school nearby.
Pablo was preaching today.  He is the Pastor in charge, and comes to cisit or preach about once a month.  Sebastian or an elder preaches on the days he is not here.
There is Praise music, serious and different from that at home.  There is a formality about the music here.  The words and notes are unfamiliar and difficult to sing.  But it is a step forward in making the service more modern, more uplifting.  The hymns are long, with many verses and choruses.  But some of the tunes are familiar!   There is no musical accompaniment.  But with a full church, the singing is louder and more joyful than in days of old.
Pablos sermon was long today....almost an hour.   The “culto” or service was 1 hour 50 minutes.   Wonder how restless people would be at home.  I didnt understand too much today.  He was expressive and people were captivated.  He talked about people following people, and not following God.  About Sunday Christians, professing something on Sunday. And changing their story on Monday.  He stated there are 6000 different churches in Chiapas!  Each believing a little different thing, each convicted in their own way, each  practicing a different manner of worship.
I was distracted, but few of the local worshipers were.  The church is tiny, storefront.  The narrow, rubbly, cobblestone street is just 4 feet from the front door.  There is constant car, truck, and horse traffic.  No one pays attention.  Today there was a parade, a band, on foot and in the back of a pickup truck:  caliope, trombones, drums, etc!  I looked, and smiled.  No one else did...
I love the little church.  It is warm and inviting.  The culture is welcoming.
The service is not necessarily so inspirational, but being here is..
No TV.  No newspapers.  Way fewer responsibilities, obligations, activities.  Time to read, devote,
pray, do a Bible study together.  I am trying to follow the Colossians series that Greg Buel,is doing at home.  I like the theme...learn about and receive Christ, be changed, and then reach out, share, serve.
I am trying to do that!  Grow in the knowledge of Christ and be in service to others.
Have a Blessed Day!
I am having difficutly putting photos in this new version of my Blogger.  Rrrrr.  Paciencia....