Community

In our home church, FWC/ALIVE in Central, SC, there is a sweet time each week when worshipers tarry after the services.  Hugs, vigorous handshakes, slaps on the back, and maybe even a kiss on the cheek are the order of the day, as folks connect and catch up on family news and the weekly activities of one another.  Newcomers are welcomed and introduced around to others.  It's not unusual to see two or three huddled off to the side in prayer, or with heads together in intense communication.  This is a good.  Interest and love is shared; support is lavished.  Community happens.

While in Haiti, we joined 100+ Haitians in Port-au-Prince to worship under a Samaritan's Purse tarp, remnants of the earthquake all around us.  Three flapping walls; the fourth, a stationary barrier,  one of the walls of the rebuilt church which the congregation would soon move back into.  What a day that will be!

The day was breezy and the blue plastic lifted from time to time, letting the refreshing breeze roll over those of us seated close by throughout the extended service.  We hummed along with recognized tunes of the hymns which our brothers and sisters sang with feeling; we stood, smiled and nodded when we were introduced to the congregation; we marveled at the unknown tongue through the energetic sermon and sneaked unobtrusive peeks at the worshipers, our Haitian family, God's family.


After the service was when I noticed it:  people tarrying, the hugging, the slap on the back, the kiss on the cheek.  People were connecting and catching up on family news and what had been happening.  We were welcomed and introduced around to others.  Two or three huddled off to the side in prayer; some heads were together in intense communication.  Interest and love was shared.  Support was lavished.  We were witnessing community.

Whether in a lovely, air conditioned sanctuary or under a tarp, with a breeze providing climate control.  Whether in South Carolina or in Haiti.   Men, women, children - sharing life together. 

Community.