March 1, 2008 – 23:49 (GMT +5:30) – Bapatla, Andrha Pradesh India
Tonight half way through my sermon, a guy sitting near the front simply erupted, he was furious about something he started pushing people and yelling and hitting. I had no idea what was going on, to tell you the truth I thought that he had mental problems. Before the sermon he had refused to sit down until I came over to take a picture with him. Plus he was being a bit wild with his singing. I found out after the service that he didn’t have mental problems, or not permanent ones anyway, but he was intoxicated. Apparently one of the kids sitting in the back had thrown a stone at him at which point he turned around and yelled something to the effect, “I am sitting here trying to listen quietly to the sermon. Why would you thrown stones at me?” This is just one of the reason I really hope that I can learn the language, there are so many times when I just don’t know what is going on. Also the children before the service kept asking me, “What is your name?” even though they knew the answer. I am pretty sure it was one of the few English phrases that they knew. That and “Hi.” They also knew the word, “bye.” Although I don’t think they really knew what it meant, since they repeated it as often as the word, “Hi,” while waving fiercely at me.
The basic conception behind these church services at night, is pretty much the same picture you get of American southern revival tent meetings. You hook up the lights and the microphone, turn the speakers up and start singing, you keep singing till a larger crowd has gathered, you pray, have a sermon, pray, benediction, sing, then the congregation lines up to ask you to pray for any special concerns they have. Even though we have churches in these villages, we have the meetings outside. That way people passing by might stop and listen, and people from other denominations, will come. If you have the service in the church only our own members will come.
I have to say I never thought my affinity for staying up late would aide me in my work for God, but here am I praying with people till 12:00 or 1:00 at night. Once again the Lord proves His far superior wisdom.
Last night it was a power failure that interrupted me half way through the sermon. I hope this isn’t going to be a common trend, a different interruption every night. With two days and two church service into a total of 16 services, If I have 14 more things to see before we are done, I really will have seen it all.
I hope the rest of your services are shall we say less problematic,
– Matt