We’ve been to church here in Nicaragua about three times, so I wouldn’t say that we’re experts yet, but there have been some slight differences between church here and church at home that I’ve observed.
This is how church at home usually goes: Sing three or four songs, the pastor gives a message, sing another song, eat donuts, go home. Prayers are sprinkled throughout. Now, there’s nothing wrong with this way of doing church. Before getting here it was the only thing I knew.
But, this is how church in Nicaragua goes: Sing 5 songs (some with motions, some without. All upbeat.) someone reads a Psalm, a toddler sings a solo, sing more songs, our group gets up and sings a song or three (sometimes we mess up the words, but it’s ok), sing a few more songs, the pastor screams a message into the microphone, sing more songs, everyone hugs everyone, go home and eat beans and rice. Also, sometimes the service takes place in the middle of the street and sometimes it’s in the middle of a village in the woods. Stray dogs run in and out of the service. Sometimes it smells like a pig, then you realize that’s because a huge pig is standing ten feet away.
Does that not sound amazing?
What I’m trying to say is, Nicaraguan church is better than any church I’ve experienced. Yes, there are a lot of songs, and the people who sing don’t have to be trained. Sometimes they are completely tone-deaf shouting into the microphone and that’s ok. The worship is authentic and from the heart, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. Yes, it’s long, but I’ll never get tired of sitting through a two-hour sermon in a language that I barely even understand, because the presence of God is so evident in these people.
When you let go of familiarity, you can experience God much more closely. And isn’t intimacy with God all anyone wants in life?
I can’t wait to see what these three months hold.
