If you ask any of the kids to share a highlight of the trip to Namibia, I think all would talk about the Sunday morning worship in the squatter’s camp of Katutura. In one of the poorest sections of Windhoek, hundreds of makeshift homes have been built as families have migrated to the city for work. The conveniences we take for granted in our neighborhoods are unknown in this one. Only recently have a few concrete block buildings been erected. Most live in “houses” that have been constructed with tin, scrap lumber, and anything else that can provide shelter. In this place of poverty we discovered joy, hospitality, and worship.
As twenty Americans joined about sixty Namibians in a room smaller than many American bedrooms, we received a little understanding of these words of Jesus: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” It was not that we stood the whole time of singing; it was not that we participated in the Lord’s Supper with brothers and sisters of a different race; it was not that we heard new songs in a language we did not understand… I think this had to do with spirit and truth. We knew the Holy Spirit was present. We knew Jesus, the Truth, was being praised. And we saw young and old putting their whole hearts into worship. These people were not going through the motions. Even if there had been a clock on the wall, no one would have been looking at it. Instead of thinking about a Sunday meal, it seemed that we were receiving food from Heaven.
There was one lady who helped lead songs that caught most of our attention. She had a beautiful voice and sang with great energy, but what we noticed were her eyes and her expression. It seemed that she actually saw the One she was worshiping. Her face glowed as she expressed gratitude to the One who has saved her. I think something was awakened in us as we worshiped God that Sunday morning.
I am sure the church we visited is not perfect. I know being in a different culture brings a special excitement. I imagine there are many factors that make this time so memorable, but I do believe God was teaching us. We experienced heartfelt worship in an unknown corner of the world that must touch His heart. We saw people in a packed room with no air conditioning give themselves totally to praise. I’ve encouraged many athletes over the years to “give it all” when they play. We saw our brothers and sisters “give it all” as they thanked God. Most of us were convicted. One of our host missionaries said she believed the worship leaders in Heaven will be from Africa. Maybe this is true, but what about me? I don’t aspire to be a worship leader in Heaven, but I do want to be a “true worshiper.”
“Father, let me be the kind of worshiper you seek. Lord, if there are things that keep me from true worship, please take them away. Lord, may my love for You increase and may I see You more clearly. All who see You clearly will worship You for You are worthy to be praised. Lord, let there be less of me and more of You. Let me not care what people think; may I be consumed by You. Fill me with Your Spirit, Lord, and may I worship in spirit and in truth. Amen.”
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” Hebrews 12:28