LETTER DATED 1/20/2002 FROM THE DEMARS
On 1-5-02 we attended an African French service
with our regional leader and his wife, like
I said it was a French service and I didn't
really understand what was being said, however
God was worshiped that day with African music,
African prayers and a African pastor who
preached the Word with authority and zeal.
On 1-12-02 Derrick and I attended another
French African service in another part of
town (Erin was sick that day). To get to
the church building you had to go through
a garbage dump and a small creek, however
the people did not mind the garbage or crossing
the creek for you see to them. It was a small
price to pay to gather together with the
other saints to worship the true and living
God. As the pastor preached a lizard decided
he wanted to meet with us and sun on the
stage where the pulpit was. Oh how we should
also just let the Son shine on us, too. After
the service we ate lunch with a missionary
couple. He proceeded to tell me the taboos
in the church services. The one he mentioned
was, as the offering was be observed, that
you never give with your left hand because
doing so says that you did not want to give
it cheerfully. The first Sunday I had already
put in my left pocket what I purposed to
give that Sunday and at the time the offering
was taken I reached in with my left hand
& put it in, not being aware of way things
are done here. How often do we give with
our LEFT hand, a bad attitude or grudgingly.
May we all learn that God desires to be praised
by His people whether it be African follower
of Christ or American follower of Christ.
May we all allow the Son to shine on us,
but more importantly IN us and may everything
we do or say be given with the right hand.
Today is 1-20-02 and we've already been to
Worship this morning and have already eaten
lunch. May you be blessed by being in the
Lord's house today. We will be traveling
tomorrow to see our house and town that we
will be living in. Pray that God might grant
traveling grace to us. May God bless you
and keep you.
Your fellow laborer of the Gospel,
Guy DeMars