Just Back From South Africa
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Thu, 03/05/2009 - 23:58.
I just finished another trip to South Africa and had a wonderful time. Africa is an amazing place, and South Africa is really spectacular to me. I envision that I will be going there at least once a year for the rest of my life. People often ask me why I fly 18 hours one way to Africa. For many, the trip alone is enough to discourage. Many Americans suffer from stereotypes about Africa based upon what they have seen in movies. Africa is one of, if not the most beautiful continent in the world with many varied people and places. I decided to list out six reasons that I go to Africa and shall go for the rest of my life
1) The people – I love to meet the people who have extended such hospitality to me that it is amazing. I have included a picture of Pastors Carl and Joan Hendricks of Crystal Ministries International who Joyce and I consider close friends. I was at their church and they invite me every year and they invited Joyce last year to speak at their Women’s Conference. I have many friends in Africa – meet several of them below in the pictures.
2) The Cross Cultural experience – I love to get outside of American culture and see what other people of the world are thinking and feeling. There are differences in perspective and thinking and I learn so much from African people. In truth, I go to listen and to learn. It is amazing how much we think that we know until we sit down and respectfully listen to a person from another culture.
3) God’s hand all over the globe – I love to see how God’s hand is moving among other people and languages around the world. It is amazing to be with Christians who sometimes do not speak the same language and do not have the same background and yet we all praise God together. The God over Memphis is the same God over Johannesburg and people all over the world are praising God. It is a great feeling to join in with people all over the world who are praising the Lord.
4) People are people -- I learn that even though we have differences, people are people and we have so much in common. I have learned that we all laugh at the same things and cry over the same things. They have drugs, divorces, crime, incest, and murder in Africa and we have it in the United States. They also have fun, laughter, celebration, and joy in Africa just as we do in the United States. We are all members of the same human family. We have more in common than we have in difference.
5) I love to preach and communicate God’s word – I preach the same sermons over there as I preach here. They respond favorably to my preaching and teaching just as they seem to respond favorably here. I do not lower the intellectual content – I challenge them just as I challenge Americans. And the amazing part is that they still invite me back. They asked me to come back next year.
6) Seeing people get saved and helped is a joy regardless to where it happens in the world. It gives me great joy to see people’s lives turned around by the gospel. To see people come up the aisle and ask, “What must I do to be saved?” is a joy in every language. I see it in America and I see it in Africa. It touches my heart every time.
God is truly amazing. Take a look at the pictures below. Watch the video and you will catch a glimpse of dancing in worship. Not all services are like this, but some of them are. If I had more rhythm, I would have gotten out there and danced with them (ha-ha). I will next year.
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Thu, 03/05/2009 - 23:58.
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Its is worth spending money to travel in a place which really give you a nice memories to be remebered with. Meeting new people and some tourist attractions is one pof a kind adventure, the fun that u had is really meant to be cheerished. Anyway along with the adventure, if you want to have a long term investment you can try the Ibonds.IBonds are a new series of Treasury bonds that are backed by Treasury guarantee to never lose money. However, you won't be able to withdraw if you're staring down the barrel of needing no fax payday loans. You can't withdraw the interest for the first year at all, and then the first five years carry penalties for withdrawal. They stop accruing interest after thirty. They are geared towards being a solid long term investment. You also cannot buy it for anyone other than yourself, so you can't have your children's Ibonds
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Thanks for sharing the video Pastor. The praise was free from what I saw. People really are no different no matter where. We do the same things in slightly different ways. It was refreshing to watch.We plan to travel to Africa one day and you and First Lady Joyce will further guide us even in that. Thanks-again.
Pastor, I share your sentiments and desire in wanting to know and exeprience worship in other countries. I travel quite frequently internationally for my job. I try to make it a point to experience worship in every country. Like you said, it's usually very familiar once you get the gist of it. Same God....different location. Thanks for your leadership and the challenges you place before us to be better.
I thank you for all you do to make our worship experience educational, and exciting. This is my first time blogging, so forgive my mistakes. I love the video and blog on your trip to Africa. I'm just learning how to go online and use e-mail, etc.
Pastor,As I read about your travels and experiences in Africa, I think you would also enjoy the people, sights, and sounds of Cuba. Have you ever considered traveling there?
I would love to go to Cuba myself. I think it would be a good opportunity to do missions work and evangelize. Politically, I don't know if that's possible. I hear the population there is largely Africans. The Africans love Castro. He's done a lot for them.
Pastor Frank,Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Your love for travel in S/A is no suprise to us. We enjoyed our trip there as well. My wife and I plan to go within the next two years. It's a trip one has to experience. The worship is so filled with energy. It's almost like " They like to never stop praising Him"
Hi Pastor Frank,I am so glad you and Lady Joyce had a wonderful time on the trip. I agree whole heartedly with all 6 reasons you listed for going to South Africa. I can't wait to save up enough money to pay cash for my trip! I get excited just thinking about the day I make the trip. I know I will probably be overwhelmed with joy. It is amazing that the 5 minute video clip they seemed to have not gotten tired of dancing and praising the Lord! I am sure the service continued on beyond what is int he video clip. I am glad you and Lady Joyce are back and can't wait until you bring the word Sunday. I am just happy and excited!
Pastor Frank,I am glad you had I great time in Africa. I tell my husband all the time that I would love to go to Africa and get to see other things outside of the US. He was in the military so he have traveled many places and he tells my children and I how wonderful it is to travel. Maybe one day I will get to go and see other places. I am glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing your experience with us.