When we were in Romania we went to church with our host family. They went to a Baptist church, a very common denomination in the country. We were still out of sorts when we went because it was right when we arrived, we basically went straight to church. As is common in any church in Romania, the women and men sit separately, men on one side, women on the other. For some reason the wife of our host family, Florica, brought me over so we two gals sat with all the men. I've been to many a church service, spanning countless denominations and persuasions. I've seen all sorts of healings, speaking in tongues, rituals, kneeling, liturgy, song singing, incense and the like. Nothing surprises me but every so often I get to see something that really moves me in a new way. The church building wasn't huge, inside it had maybe 70 people at service that day. At the beginning all the young kids went up to the front and each child, individually in front of everyone said a prayer. It was cute, there was some chuckling doubtlessly at the simple notions held in a child's prayer. Nothing exceptional. The kids got ushered out to Sunday school or the equivalent. Then, and this is what got me, every single person in the room prayed out loud one at a time! What?!?! Speaking four Romanian words meant that I didn't understand the exact words, but it was clear that there were earnest prayers of thanks, supplication and joy. Some people cried, some were really quiet and almost unintelligible. Some were boisterous like a mountain preacher. So many different prayers.
One at a time. Out loud. Everyone.
I still think about that time. I think about every single person no matter where they were at that moment, talking to their creator in such a public way.
This is Elin, he's one of the host family's sons. This is before church. You can see his Bible, his Tony the Tiger dress shirt and his smile. He was hilarious and playful. We really enjoyed getting to spend time with him during the week.
2 comments:
Florica knew you would be more comfortable sitting next to me and that you would also be more comfortable not being the only woman on the man's side. Very kind of her. And yeah, it was very moving. I remember the women's prayers feeling the most earnest...
mmm...i have experience that and it is phenomenal. i feel like, for a moment, i am in heaven, and we are hearing the voice of God. the bible says that His voice is like "the sound of many waters" and that's what corporate prayer sounds like to me. i don't fully understand it, but it reminds me that God is near...
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