This weekend one of our TEE (Theological Education by Extension) students had invited us to come to his congregation for the dedication of their new building and to perform baptisms and confirmations. What an honor. Together with fellow missionary Rev. Jacob Gillard, visitor Mike Schaser of Friends Serving Uganda - Aboluganda Mu Kristo, Reverend Charles Bameka, and several of the Bameka family (who are from this village), we traveled to the Kamuli area and to the Ikumbya congregation. We set out early on Sunday morning for the three-and-a-half hour drive and were met with joyous singing and ululating upon arrival.
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Ikumbya CongregationThis church structure is a different style than others I have seen here in Uganda. It's based on the same pole-system, where several poles are erected and a roof is held up - sometimes it's a tarp-covered structure and sometimes the roof is iron sheet. At Ikumbya, they have filled in the wall space between the poles with bricks, up to about 5 feet, which allows some air to pass all the way around, keeping the interior cool but also allowing for a more enclosed area. Anyway, it's a good looking little church and I like that it looks more appropriate to the area and the type and size of construction seen in other local structures.
Pastor Charles did the opening dedication, led the liturgy, preached, and administered Holy Communion. I was asked to Baptize and confirm. So, for the first time in my life I baptized. ;)
Shauen Baptizing with Pastor Charles AssistingAnd baptized. And baptized. There were 23 names on the list for baptism! What a joy, what an honor, what a privilege! What an amazing opportunity to witness God working a miracle right before my eyes, to be a part of His amazing work in water and Word. As I baptized, Pastor Charles translated into the local language. 23 times, for infants, children, and young adults. I got wonderfully wet over the course of the morning. Then, after the baptisms, confirmations! There were 34 on the list to be confirmed! So once again, one by one, these brothers and sisters were confirmed in the faith they received in their baptisms years before and welcomed into the Lutheran Church.
The offerings collected at Ikumbya included maize corn, avocados, and I think even some mangoes, as well as the cash and coins one would usually expect. The fruit and vegetables were sent home with us missionaries as a gift - something that often happens when we visit congregations up-country. After church we were treated to lunch at Pastor Charles' father's home nearby, with chicken, goat, sweet potato, rice, and all kinds of other wonderful food. As honored guests, when a meal is served after church for special events like dedications, we are generally served set apart from the rest of the congregation. This time we had a table set up for us with some chairs and benches, with bottled water available and forks. The food was served at our table family-style. The rest of the congregation sat on the ground nearby and had plates brought to them directly, eating with their hands according to the custom. It does make me feel a bit uncomfortable to be elevated and set at a table while everyone else sits on the ground - to be set apart this way. I'm still learning. Perhaps to refuse the honor would be a greater offense than the lesson it could teach about servant leadership. Perhaps to decline just so I feel more comfortable would cause more problems than its worth. I don't know. Like I said, I'm still learning.
What a great day - Baptisms, confirmations, Holy Communion, and time of fellowship. Praise the Lord for His amazing work at Ikumbya! -Shauen