(the following submitted by Judy)
Even though I had seen the pictures from Gethsemane’s 2007 team visit and heard the stories, our welcome in Pommern today overwhelmed me, overwhelmed all of us. After 45 miles of joggling in our bus with Pastor Sagga and Pastor Jenero calling ahead on their cell phones, we were suddenly greeted by the throng of singing and dancing Pommern residents. We hopped off the bus and joined them, swaying our way into the village and into the church with kangas strewn before as we entered the church. Clay, Denny and the pastors headed to the left while Ruth and I were guided to the right to rooms off the altar area where we all received beautiful new clothes, the men blue embroidered shirts and Ruth and I both blouses and skirts also beautifully embroidered.
What followed was a greeting ceremony filled with song and dance, introductions of evangelists and church leaders, and the mutual sharing of the welcome cake. Both the Pommern adult choir and the Pommern young people’s choir sang Asante Jesu—Thank you, Jesus, with drums and dancing, filling the air with joy beyond telling. We also had our first introduction to the other Americans with whom we will share the guest house, five Global Volunteer workers midway through their three week visit. Then, once again we were surrounded as we were escorted with singing and dancing to the guest house. The rest of the day we were bountifully fed, given the needed rest time, and surrounded with people eager to share stories and ask questions. And now we make use of the end of the three hours of electricity that we will have each day. Tomorrow we are off to the preaching point villages, ready and eager to learn and to share greetings from all of you.
Visiting the Pommern Preaching Points – Friday, June 25
(the following submitted by Clay)
About 15 scholarship students accompanied us as we started the day’s trip with a visit to two preaching points, where we were greeted with singing and dancing followed by introductions to the leadership at each of these small churches. One of the preaching points has an entirely new church building since the Gethsemane team visited in 2007, partially funded by our annual Bega Kwa Bega partnership contribution to Pommern.
Next we headed along back roads on our way to a tree farm that the Pommern church is starting. A year or two ago, Gethsemane provided Pommern with $300 to buy 150 acres of land for the tree farm. As we rode in a light rain through the higher elevations south of Pommern, the road got progressively worse. One could call it a cow trail, but that would be insulting to cows.
Finally we encountered a small stream, with no bridge, followed immediately by a steep hill. The bus was able to go up the hill just a few feet before it stopped. The bus and a full load of passengers was not going to make it up the hill, so our driver backed down and stopped with the rear wheels of the bus right at the stream. Then we all climbed out and watched as the driver floored it, students pushed, and the bus roared up the hill without us. It was about a quarter mile walk to the top of the hill, and we were cold, wet, and winded when we completed the climb. The next time we come to Pommern in the winter, we will bring warmer clothes.
Shortly after that, the “road” ended and we were driving cross country in knee high prairie grass, until we came to a stop in the middle of nowhere. We got out and walked a couple hundred yards to find the 7 acres of six inch high pine seedlings hidden in the grass. They say it will take only 10 years for the trees to grow to a size where they can be harvested for $20 each. We are guessing it will take longer than that, but it looks like an interesting economic opportunity.
In the afternoon, we visited two more preaching points, including one that is setup as a prison ministry. Three or four congregation members minister to the prisoners, who are serving one to three year sentences in a low security environment. The warden took us on a tour of the grounds to show us how their tree farm was progressing. The warden laughed as Denny almost took a photo where photography was forbidden.
Visit to Pommern Secondary School – Saturday, June 26
(the following submitted by Judy)
While it was disappointing to us to find that the students were on a month vacation between their semesters (remember—it’s winter here), we were able to meet 20 of our scholarship students, and I had the opportunity to speak at length with one student. I’m returning with letters that I hope will be the first in a long line of exchanges between Gethsemane and Pommern students.
We also met the school board and many teachers, and we had an extended meeting with Headmaster Shadrack Nyaulingo and Assistant Headmaster Ngedeharan. It would be hard for our students to imagine a Pommern classroom or a computer lab with no Internet, but we are even more convinced of the power of education to help a village move forward. I wish we could share the joy and thanks we received from the scholarship students you support. Know that your partnership is amazingly important!
Sunday Worship at Pommern – Sunday, June 27
(the following submitted by Ruth)
We were wondering if dancing should be required of the Gethsemane choir. The color, movement and joi d’vive was amazing!
Upon reaching Pommern, we were informed that WE would be doing the sermon. After some panic, each of us planned a small segment. Our main theme was John 13:34-35. Look it up! After much praying we succeeded in delivering our heart messages and the gifts for the parish, pastors and evangelists. God was most definitely present! They really are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need their prayers as much as they need ours.
A special gift of 8 scholarships was presented in honor of the miraculous recovery of Gethsemane’s Kindergartner, surprising all but Clay.
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