By Carlos Tavares
LUANDA, Angola--Noe' (Nkumbe tembe Nowa) waited anxiously at the airport in Luanda scarcely believing that at long last a Portuguese-speaking minister would arrive to help them keep the first Feast in Angola.
Fresh in his mind were two visits by ministers Bill Bentley, Jack Brunet and John Halford. The messages, encouragement and fellowship during those visits strengthened the brethren, giving them a new hope in the chaos, corruption and misery of their everyday lives.
Out of the war and a diaspora (people settled away from homelands) of nearly 20 years, God had called them out of Zaire, Namibia and Botswana--neighboring countries where they had fled as refugees.
We found an open air theater, and the local leaders of the church (Rafael Ukuakukulo, Paulino Kafuka, Abilio Dinis and others) began to get it ready for the Feast. We cleaned it, repaired broken chairs and installed the sound system. For a podium we used a kitchen table perched on an automobile wheel rim and taped the microphone onto an old lampstand.
Messengers spread the news and the attendance grew from 160 to more than 400, despite problems with transportation, which we also had to organize. People came in dilapidated war-tired trucks without seats or cover. They arrived tired, hot and dusty but smiling and singing hymns of praise and joy.
Opening prayers and sermonettes were inspiring and sincere. We used Portuguese hymnals donated by Pasadena, and they sang like only Africans can sing--naturally, melodiously and above all joyously with an underlying rhythm that made the old melodies come alive.
We had six meetings and on the last one more than 400 people enjoyed a beach picnic after services. We performed 12 baptisms and two marriages.
On the third day we prayed for and anointed a woman who had been bedridden for several days, and also prayed for four sick children. With great joy we gave thanks to God when on the last day they joined us at the beach, healthy and happy.
Before giving the local leaders Pastor General Joseph Tkach's letter of welcome into the Worldwide Church of God, I read it to the assembly. They shouted "Amen," and we sang the hymn "God Be With You."
God has called and guided Angolans who have come through the crucible of war, misery and death to be a light to this great country.
Let us have them in our minds and prayers. Let us encourage and support them in their needs. They already have submitted to God's Spirit, they already have the leaders and the willingness to follow Jesus Christ. Let us help them with the "how to" as and when they need it. Let us make them feel part of the body of Christ.
Luanda, Angola ----------- 400
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