Poverty is never easy to witness first hand

This is the poorest Church in one of the poorest areas I've witnessed in many years of visiting Africa.
Their building used to be on airport land, with permission. They knew they had to move at some stage but were given 3 days notice to leave or else their building would be demolished. So, corrugated iron, roof trusses, windows and all, they dismantled their building and reassembled it in this poor neighbourhood a few years ago. The floor is bare earth. I asked where the baptistry was. "We have a large lake (Victoria!) just down the road."
The pastor's house is ... very basic. It's in the foreground of the next picture with the church behind.
They'd like to rebuild, including the pastor's house (next picture is what they'd like to 'renovate' for him), but not any time soon.
I was reluctant to take close ups - I didn't want to be intrusive, but I couldn't resist this child playing immediately outside the church with a toy made up of a plastic lid and a stick.
The pastor's ducks didn't mind a close up, though!
The children's clothes in church were threadbare and holey.
Well, I had the privilege of preaching in this situation today. The people were warm and, as always, passionate in their worship.
If I am allowed to find fault it would be the sound level - and not just in this church  They put me next to the speakers. 2 hours of distorted music at maximum volume was tough! Just as well I anticipated this by leaving my hearing aids in my room.
The sound system's level indicator regularly hit red...
The pastor was generous in his thanks at the end of the 3 hour service, so I hope I was of some encouragement to them as they face the challenge of simply living, as well as sharing God's love with their community.
When it came to the collection I was told that it didn't include me. I insisted and emptied my pockets - what else could I do? I felt very uncomfortable when the biggest club sandwich I've ever seen arrived for lunch...





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