Sunday in Konsango

The village of Konsango is about half Christian and half Muslim. About 50 years ago a Malian couple started the church in Konsango -- the woman of the couple (in her 90s) joined our American group to visit the village -- they remember her quite fondly, with lots of love. She had acted as the village's midwife as well during her "tenure" in the town.

In any event, we were invited to join in the church services on Sunday morning. About half of us attended, the other half doing some more fence-building. It was such an uplifting experience for me, personally. The church itself is quite humble (actually, there are two buildings -- the original church and the new one -- they stand next to one another and the preacher and his family live across the "street"). This is the "new" church:

We arrived early and were able to also see inside the old church. It had a beautiful mud altar, on which was a Bible printed in Dogon.


After visiting the preacher at his home we again headed to church. We were instructed to sit in the front, behind the altar (a place of honor -- the men of the congregation sit here). The young women sit in the front to the preacher's right and form the "choir". The young men with instruments sit to the preacher's left. The young children sit in the front rows to the preacher's left (often accompanied by one of the fathers to "keep them in line"!). The rest of the people (women and children) fill in the other rows. The pews are simple mud seats, and, particularly with the children, there is ALWAYS room to scrunch one more in.

I was truly moved by the service -- I always enjoy the worship, fellowship, and learning at a church service or even a meeting for Bible study or with a group of Christian friends, but this was something else again. To be in a room with sisters and brothers in Christ, although we could not speak directly to one another without interpretation, was something. It was a blessing to be there and share the morning with these people.

The worship service was sung in Dogon. We were able to sing along to the tunes of "Amazing Grace" and "Jesus Loves Me". They asked us to sing for them as well. Two offering plates are passsed -- one goes to the district church and one for the local church. The sermon was on the topic of love for your neighbors -- helping them when needed, celebrating with them.

Having lunch served to us soon afterwards gave me a chance to sit back and reflect on the fact that we are all God's children and He does love us, near and far.

And lunch was good -- cous cous with vegetables in a peanut sauce. As it was Sunday, work was limited, so we took a tour of the village. "Supper" the sheep had been butchered earlier that morning (dad took photos when I was unable to continue observing!). I chose to not share those here......We were able to see a plot of land the village has given Anna where she will build her own house (the one we use is an abandoned one that is loaned by the relatives of the previous owners -- or something like that!). We saw the progress that had been made on the wall since we'd been there Saturday, saw the area where the weavers set up their looms, the blacksmith hut, and a field where they were setting up for a soccer match that afternoon for our entertainment.

I'll stop here as it's about time to get my girls and start our afternoon run-around. More on the tool demonstration, soccer match, etc. soon!