Celebrating Paseka

We invite you to share the following story with your congregation. It should take no more than 2 minutes to read aloud. You might also wish to include the story in your church newsletter.

Paseka (Easter) is always a big deal in Botswana. People do not travel to their homes, but travel to the headquarters of their churches. I (Glyn Jones), went to the Tabernacle Christian Church in Bobonong, Botswana with a newly arrived mission worker. This was his introduction to Botswana. We travelled about 6 hours north on Good Friday and had worship in a partially completed home of the Bishop with an old army tent pitched over a future living and dining room. A welcoming worship time started in the late afternoon for a couple of hours. Things really started at about 10 pm when we began worship with preaching and singing followed by praying and dancing (I admitted defeat at about 3am).

On Saturday afternoon there was a choir concert which was also a fundraiser where people can pay to get a particular song sung or a specifi c choir to sing it.

Worship began again at midnight of Saturday night when there was more singing and preaching with everyone being invited to contribute. Later we participated in a dramatic recreation of the Easter morning events. Several of us went out to be the angels at the tomb while the women came out singing. When they arrived they asked about the body and were told that Jesus was not there. Then together we all sang our way back to the church. Things wrapped up by about 7am. Breakfast was served and people travelled back to their homes tired but renewed by God’s Spirit.

Susan and Glyn are using their training and experience in ministry and Bible teaching to serve the AICs in offering Bible teaching and leadership development. (Adapted from the Allison-Jones’ May 2006 prayer letter) This story is part of Equipping #69 September 2006.