Praise and Thanksgivings, Always

One of the songs that we've heard many times in South Africa is called Jarole (I am probably spelling it wrong). It is sung by adults in churches and kids in schools. The English translation goes something like this:

Always, Always, Always
Always we pray
Always we give
Always we praise the Lord
Always, Always, Always

The lyrics are simple and it's a pretty fun song, especially when it is sung with kids along with a dance.

We worshipped with the Xhosa's in church for the second time yesterday in the Masi township. For those not familiar with the terminology, a township is a settlement designated by the government for the poor to build their shacks. The closest description I have is a shanty town but even this description does not accurately describe the extreme poverty.

I was sitting in the back of the church trying to take it all in. A mother was sitting in the front of the church with her daughter, probably about 2 years old. A quick glance into this girl's eyes and belly suggested to me that she has some sort of liver disease, probably quite advance with the yellowing of her eye whites (jaundice for those in the medical field). This girl roamed around the church during service, dancing along with the songs. And she is such a cute girl, everyone couldn't help but pick her up or pat her head. When the song Jarole was sung yesterday, I was struck by how her mother praised with all her heart and soul.

I got to thinking, how would I respond in her shoes...she's got a sick daughter, living in a shack with no electricity, running water, or sewage, surrounded by poverty, unemployment, crime, drugs, and HIV. If I were asked to pick a place to represent hopelessness and despair, Masi is it. Yet these things did not stop that mother from praising and giving thanks.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Jesus said that we are guaranteed trials and moments of crisis. Anyone can trust and persevere when things are going well, but an untried faith is weak. I think a tried faith strengthens the bond between God and us. We should take comfort in the fact that God is in control and at work in our lives in times of crisis.

But I often wonder, when that moment comes, would my faith would be strong enough to overcome the doubts and anxieties and still giving thanks and praise to the Lord? It took me a trip like this half way around the world to realize that this mother has it; my life has definitely been blessed and enriched to see that kind of faith lived out and demonstrated.