30 Thursday Nov 2017
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There were many wonderful things that our group got to experience during the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Namibia. One of the neat things was to experience the election of a new LWF president. The new president would end up being the Rev. Dr. Musa Panti Filibus. He’s the archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Our group got to meet him. He’s extremely down to earth and approachable – which is good news as far as I’m concerned.
17 Friday Nov 2017
Posted in Travel
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There was one more song and dance group to hear and watch. Again, they were fun to watch.
One of the neat things that we heard in the last video and in this video is something that is hard to describe and put into words. It’s the unique ability that the women have to make a special sound. It’s only the women.
Enjoy!
16 Thursday Nov 2017
Posted in Travel
15 Wednesday Nov 2017
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The celebration continued, and we heard more choirs. The neat thing about these choirs is the pure joy that they obviously have. You can see it in their dancing and hear it in their singing. Makes you want to dance along.
14 Tuesday Nov 2017
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After jumping around during the celebration, we got to start hearing some of the choirs from around Namibia and surrounding countries who came to this celebration to share their joy and talents with those gathered.
Let’s just say it was a fun time.
13 Monday Nov 2017
Posted in Travel
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During the celebration after the LWF 500th Anniversary of the Reformation worship, we got to experience a wide variety of entertainment.
One of the most unusual groups, were these guys.
These guys were fun to watch. I’d show you the video, but apparently WordPress isn’t feeling up to allowing me to upload it.
So instead, you’ll have to live with my description of what happened. So, there’s one of the guys who is using a mic and he’s singing/chanting. He’s getting a beat going and in turn each of the guys takes a turn walking out to the middle of the open space, while another guy jumps over the first guy. Yes, I mean that literally. Some of the guys walk ducking their heads slightly, but others don’t even do that. These are not short guys either – each one was over six-foot easily. These guys were getting some serious height.
Pretty amazing. I think this qualifies under the idea of “Don’t try this at home, kids.”
10 Friday Nov 2017
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After the Reformation service concluded, it was time for celebration!
And boy, did we celebrate. There was an array of choirs and dancers and musical talent.
I think my favorite part of this was watching the boy dance – he was into it!
08 Wednesday Nov 2017
07 Tuesday Nov 2017
As the LWF Assembly Reformation service progressed, we came to Communion.
The question was – how do you get communion to 10,000 people? Sounds like a logistical nightmare if you ask me.
Yet, it worked. It helps that there were so many clergy who were willing and able to help out.
In all, Communion lasted about 30 minutes. Not bad really. And everyone received the sacrament.
03 Friday Nov 2017
When we entered the stadium for worship during the LWF Assembly, we saw many things. I want to highlight two in particular.
The first is the banner.
We were commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Luther’s face of course shows up. Along with the Luther rose. I think the most interesting thing is that the banner is surrounded by faces of people who are far different from the German peasants that Luther knew. It was amazing to see how Luther’s ideas spread far and wide – continuing to this day.
The other part of the banner to highlight is the theme message that salvation, human beings, and creation are not for sale. This is a counter cultural message even today and in many places in the world.
My only criticism of the banner is that I wish it weren’t in ALL CAPS. That actually makes it harder to read.
The second piece of messaging was the worship booklet.
The booklet was actually really well done and had worship for all the days of the assembly. The worship was great each day. Lots of various cultures and languages used. The music itself was well done. Again, the only criticism is the use of ALL CAPS. It takes away from the rest of the booklet, but only a little bit.
I want to invite us to pray together this Lent.
What do I see in the world?
God is good all the time
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