As we approach our church, we are drawn in, through the maze of mud houses towards the sounds of drums and songs - the people of Calvary Worship Centre are beginning their worship, and they’re not afraid to praise God with their whole bodies.
Worship through music is refreshingly African in our church - most everyone dances as they sing, many songs have hand movements or even whole body movements, many different people lead the music and oftentimes whole groups will go to the front of the church to join others in dancing. It is beautifully chaotic and I think God is pleased.
Later on, we move on to testimonies and that is where we have our little Babel moments. Perhaps you remember the Tower of Babel as the time in history when the Bible claims that the diversity of languages began. Well, here in our church and it seems in any village in Uganda, there is always a diversity of languages. One woman may stand to speak and begin in a different dialect, but no worries there is someone in the church who speaks that language - they jump up to translate from Lukonjo to Lubwisi and then the words are translated yet again into English. In a single service this could easily happen several times, or perhaps the speaker himself is using a language different than the local one and he too must be translated twice. Even more entertaining are the times when Pastor Daniel single handledly translates multiple language himself; flying from KiSwahili to Lubwisi and then doubling back to add in English so we aren’t left out.
We in America are so blessed to share a common language - though we would do well to embrace the languages and cultures of the many who come to join us as fellow citizens, we retain the precious gift of universal English.