When the church bell rings

"Make a joyful noise to The Lord, all the Earth! Serve The Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that The Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For The Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100

It's 11 o clock. The church bell rings. It echoes off the rock walls of the church and into the tiny mountain village. One by one they come. From around the side of the primary school and from the sides of the church. Rising from the valleys they pour into their holy meeting place. Women dressed in their finest garments, hand sewn and beautiful. Their head coverings matching their flowing skirts and completed with a smile. The men come dressed in their finest suits, each looking sharp and well put together prepared to worship.

At the right time the sturdy rock church erupts in praise. The singing of the congregation bellows out the stained glass windows and into the village houses whose occupants are dancing in between church pews. One strong voice begins the song and soon the whole church is singing and dancing and praising. I can't help but smile and dance even though I don't understand Sesotho praise songs.

Groups of women dance their way to the front and drop their coins in the plate. Five, six more women join in dance while dropping their money joyfully at the front. I can almost smell the dirt and sweat off the coins knowing these people worked the field or made bread or sewed garments to earn it. But yet the joy on their faces and the thankfulness in song and dance show how happy they are to present their finest to God. Forty-five minutes later offering is still going. Men and women haven't ceased to stop singing or dancing and the joy is still overflowing into my own heart.

And I think, "this is church!" And all of a sudden I have a tangible picture of what it means to "serve The Lord with gladness!" And I wait in anticipation to here the church bell ring once more.

Don't forget to remove your sandals

"Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:15 

God promises to always be with us, but every now and then He reveals his presence a little more vividly than we were expecting. Walking into the Disability Center in Olivenhoutbosh, South Africa I didn't expect to step into a holy moment. Had I only had a clue about the presence of God, the commander of the LORD's army, in that place I would have removed the sandals from my feet. My eyes and my heart were opened through every child and adult I came into contact with in that special place. At the end of three weeks I looked back and realized that each person I met pointed me to the image of a divine God. Each personality was a characteristic of Christ that I was able to experience in a real and tangible way.

Meet "Cookie"

Cookie is an adventurer. He doesn't walk but scoots faster than anyone in the Southern Hemisphere. Cookie wants to see, and climb, and do, and move. He often would climb me (rather impressively) just to see out the window and stick his fingers through it. He tells big stories that I don't understand because of language barriers, but they were my favorite to listen to anyway. Cookie is made in the image of God. God himself is an adventurer, beckoning us all on a wild journey with him. He wants us to look out the window and see his creation and feel the wind in our hair. I see God in Cookie.

Meet Dinah

Dinah is the founder of the Disability Center. In fact, her story is rather incredible and I wouldn't do it justice typing it here. But one thing I can tell you about Dinah is that she is a fierce protector.  She saw a need in her community to provide a safe place for children (and adults) with disabilities to go to know they are loved and cared for. She sacrificed everything she had to open up the center. She walks by faith day in and day out to ensure that the children have food to eat, a place to rest, and that everyone who walks through those gates are loved and cherished no matter their disability or past. Dinah is made in the image of God. God is the ultimate protector. I see God in Dinah.

Meet Mama Maureen

Maureen cooks the meals for everyone at the Disability Center. She is one of those people who is this strong pillar in the middle of the storm. She stirs the pot of pup and sits down again to crochet until the meal is complete. I never once heard anything negative come from Mama. She doesn't say much, but when she does you listen. She is full of wisdom and compassion. Maureen is made in the image of God. He provides food to his children and wisdom to those who ask.  I see God in Mama Maureen.

Meet "Iron Grip"

Iron Grip lovingly throws his arm around your neck in one of the tightest embraces possible for a friendly hug (hence the nickname Iron Grip). He is 18 and strong. He doesn't speak or interact in what the rest of the world might consider a normal fashion. But he communicates through points, and grunts, and hugs, and laughter. He has the playfulness of a child. Grab a ball and kick it in his general direction and he becomes South Africa's next big soccer star. He laughs deep, and loud and makes you feel joyful and playful and fun. Iron Grip is made in the image of God. God is so incredibly playful which is one of the best ways that I am able to connect with him. I see God in Iron Grip.

Meet Cecilia

Cecilia is one of the most loving and understanding people I have ever met. Her tiny frame envelopes you in a hug that makes you feel loved, and cherished, and adored. Her kisses on the cheek make you feel as though nothing is wrong in the world. She has a zeal to learn and understand. She asks questions and seeks answers. She doesn't care what your past is but accepts you where you are at. She is gentle and patient. When she first taught me how to sew, she practically had to hand over hand my entire project with me. However, she never grew weary or impatient with me. She continued to push me on towards excellence. Cecilia is made in the image of God. God is more patient than I can even imagine being. I see God in Cecilia.

And the list goes on and on. I could list every adult and child I came into contact with and tell you how aspects of their character clearly pointed to the character of Christ. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to experience more of him, through the beautiful people at a disability center in a squatter camp in South Africa. Just like with Joshua, God revealed himself to me way more vividly and expressively than I ever imagined.

The Disability Center became my holy ground to experience the presence of the Lord in a very real and tangible way.. What is your holy ground? Don't forget to remove your sandals.