The Reverend Has Landed!

Hi folks,

It's me, calling from Mbame, at last! It's been quite something, these past few days - so much so that I hardly know where to start.

I'll begin at Glasgow Airport. The flight from Glasgow left an hour late. Although frustrating, this was good training for what lay ahead in Africa. After only two days I am now well acquainted with 'Africa time', which is sort of short-hand for 'when anyone turns up.' None of us (Damien, Emily and me) slept on the overnight leg to Jo'burg, and arrived there on Saturday morning rather exhausted. However, the rain was chucking down so we all felt strangely at home. A cup of tea was quickly located (well three, actually) and we all felt much better. The flight to Mbame promised better things as we moved into lovely blue skies. We came off the plane at Chileka airport to be greeted by warm sunshine, (very warm sunshine - my new pale blue clerical shirt quickly became mostly dark blue) the Mbame twinning committee and a delegation from the Women's Guild. We were greeted like royalty and the courtseying of the women was something I quickly had to adjust to.

We then moved on to Mbame Church for the proper welcome! This was a very moving and quite wonderful event. As we arrived a choir sang us a welcome song and then broke into loud whooping and cheering and clapping! We were then ushered into the church as the choir came in behind us, still singing songs of welcome. I was seated between two elders, on the platform. There were speeches, prayers, and several choirs, as the whole congregation welcomed us in their unique way. They made us feel so welcome, and so special - it was very moving and very humbling. I was then asked to say a few words, with the congregation encouraging me by breaking into applause every so often! It was just great to have such a discerning audience!

Eventually we tore ourselves away and I was taken to the Fisherman's Rest. Damien and Emily saw me to my accommodation and then went to stay with their friends. Before that I was introduced to Rory and Charlotte, the managers of the FR, who kindly invited me for tea. Splendid!

So far so good - except for one thing: the heat was really getting to me and making me very uncomfortable. Charlotte found a big fan for my room and I felt a bit better after that. My dear wife managed to phone me later, and she helped to allay all my fears by reminding me that we were both safe in God's plan - the fab wee wife that she is! After prayer I went to bed and as I drifted off to sleep I thanked God for an amazing first day in Africa.

It seems hardly possible, but Sunday was even more amazing! In the morning we all went to Ntakataka Prayer House (a church) where I had been asked to preach. Preaching there was a great privilege and one of the most special moments in my life. Again we were welcomed outside by a choir, and the singing in the service was so uplifting - everyone sings, and sings as if they really believe! The choirs at Ntakataka were tremendous and the children's choir was an absolute delight. My sermon was welcomed with great attentiveness. Before the service I met the Rev Joe Namaundi, minister of Mbame, and he lead the service. I was asked to open in prayer and he translated for the congregation. The Amens! were loud and full of conviction. I had taken some sermon ideas with me, but the Lord gave me my subject just as I went to bed on Saturday evening, and gave me the words as I preached with a freedom I have rarely experienced. As on Saturday, the congregation broke into spontaneous applause, during the sermon, to show their approval of my message and their love for this minister they had hitherto never met. Unbelievable! Well, lunch, then tea, were provided for us, in different homes, and on each occasion the welcome was the same - we were made to feel that they were honoured to have us; in actual fact, the privilege was all ours, all mine.

Later, as I said my thanks to the Lord for seeing me through a long day, I felt awed at all that had happened; awed at the way we had been received; awed at the way the Lord had answered each and every one of my prayers of the previous evening - prayers for a cool day, prayers for a word to bring to the people of Ntakataka, prayers for the faith and energy I needed to fulfill the callings of my first Sunday with the good people of Mbame. He didn't let me down!