I Was a Stranger

among brothers

Scripture Reading: 3rd John

The church sits on a busy boulevard not far from the center of the city. Walled off by stacked and mortared concrete blocks, once painted bright yellow but now faded and dusty, we made an entrance into the courtyard through a steel gate. I slipped off my shoes and placed them among the neatly rowed sandals lining the front stoop and entered.

A red curtain trimmed in gold hung over the front wall, adding color and flair to the modest structure. Tinsel was wound among the metal bars of the trusses which held the tin roof above and the ceiling fans below. The men were seated, mostly on the floor, to my right and the women and children to my left. Emblazoned boldly on the wall behind and above the pulpit was the Pauline declaration, “We Preach Christ and Him Crucified.”

Standing briefly at the back it became immediately clear few congregants were expecting this white man to come through the door. Not unwelcoming, one man rose quickly from one of the few chairs available and insistently offered it to me. Hands of fellowship were extended, smiles were offered. One fellow leaned over from behind me and asked, “Where you from?”

The singing, which had begun before our arrival, was loud, unprofessional, unaccompanied, vibrant, and joyful. Singing - lots of singing. Prayers, long and fervent, sometimes by one man and sometimes by the whole congregation simultaneously, were offered. Testimonies ensued. And then the sermon. An hour and a half which, as best as I could tell, was not an annoyance to anyone young or old.

Then everyone stood. The men lined the right side of the building in two long rows. I joined. The women did the same on the left. After exhortations, scripture readings, and more praying, we made our way in our respective lines to receive the elements of communion. Once having returned to our rows, we joined in the observance.

Having concluded the three-hour service, and being a westerner, I anticipated a mad rush to leave. But no one did. Instead, they mingled, laughed, and talked. Apart from a few words here and there, I understood little of what was said, sung, or preached. It was mostly unknown tongues to me. Still, I felt at home. It was Sunday and though I was a stranger I was among brothers.