During this mornings worship at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Kasulu, Tanzania, I was installed as a lay canon. I have to say, I’m deeply humbled and feel very blessed to have this privelege, not only as a lay person, but a foreigner as well. The relationship I have with the Diocese, especially with those at Kasulu Bible College is very special for me. I can’t describe adequately how I feel about our friends here. It’s just a deep love that goes beyond description. Of course, I don’t need, nor do I seek to have titles or special recognition. But this step means so much because in many ways Kasulu has become a second home. I love the people. I love the land. I love the climate! But most of all I love the church and the faithfulness of it’s leaders and people. They struggle so much from day to day with things that Cathy and I so often take for granted in our lives. It is truly that struggle that makes them strong in their faith I believe. I’m simply priveleged to witness it each time I come here.
After the ceremony, Daudi drove Cathy, myself and our good friend Ephriam to a new church on the outskirts of Kasulu, called Eden Church. This is a new church plant that started about 4 months ago by Daudi and others from the Bible College. Today there were about 70 people there. As you can see from the picture this is a “make shift” building with wooden posts to hold up the roof and wood slats erected for sides. The floor is dirt and the roof is tin. Most of the people coming there can’t make it easily to the Cathedral or Murusi Church, which is the next closest one. So Eden church started to meet the needs of the people in this eastern area of Kasulu. Kasulu is growing as more and more people take advantage of the availability of electricity and a growing market of goods from the outside. It was reported to us that they even have ice cream in Kasulu now!
Cathy and I sang two songs at Eden Church. Of course, as many of you know, I don’t really like singing songs for people as much as I like singing with them, so we did “Halleluyah, Your love is amazing” and tough them the english chorus “Halleluyah, Your love make me sing”. They REALLY go into that. The second song we did was “Holy God”. In this case we had them sing the chorus in swahili, which translates “Mtakatifu, Mtakatifu, Mtakatifu Mungu” which means “Holy, Holy, Holy God”. Again, it was wonderful to hear them all chime in on the chorus. In this culture, people just sing all the time. They have wonderful voices and wow, do they know how to use them. The second video is the Eden Church Choir singing acapella. They have a beautiful sound I think.
So now Cathy and I are back in our room at the compound, enjoying a relaxing late afternoon. It’s was a very early day. The first service at the Cathedral was at 6:30 AM. Can you believe I could function or even sing at the hour? But I was too excited to be tired. It’s been a great day that I will remember for a long time.
This evening we will have dinner with Daudi and Olivia at their home. Olivia is a good cook so I know it will be great evening together. So for now, I’ll sign off for the evening and say “The Lord bless you and keep you!” Thanks for stopping by.
Bill