It's not the place, it's the people

"It's not the place, it's the people" - this is a term used by my good friend who runs a wonderful place that fills hundreds of peoples lives with music. The phrase came back to me on Sunday in Tondo and I found myself nodding in agreement in the middle of what some would describe as a peculiar scene!

Piping hot atmosphere, children, teens and adults filling the rooms.... and no electric! No fans, no lights, no sound system. It wasn't really a big deal, but just quite funny to be part of. A  Pastor trying to preach while his power point came on and off along with an unreliable mic. A member handing out ripped up pieces of card board for the congregation to fan themselves with. Children becoming extremely hot in classrooms and as a result the behaviour was shall we say interesting! :) Cooks trying to cook and repair a generator that was noisy and kept running out of gas! Not your typical church gathering!

But, it was such a blessed day! People led into praise their Savior by one of the youth bands. The heart of worship was so present. Kids church teachers and volunteers under the age of 17 leading classes of children.Ladies preparing to serve through the feeding ministry. Hearts touched. Lives being changed in Jesus name. A group of people coming with willing hearts to minister to their God and serve others.

There were a group of children and parents from another area further away from the main dump we are based at who gave all they had just to be there. The vehicle we borrow to transport them could not be used. They sacrificed the little they had to afford public transport to get to church.

Beautiful.    

    

Sometimes it's important not to look past the small things. The gems that come from watching people with loving hearts serve others. The blessing of being part of one big family.  When Gods children gather, it's more than a "church service". It's royalty meeting to worship their Abba daddy, the King of Kings.

Yep, the people are dressed in what some would call rags. Yep, we are based on a dump site in a building that is falling to bits. But you know it's Gods princes and princesses meeting together.... and that's special.

It's SO not the place.... it's the people :)


"He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes- with the princes of His people" Psalm 113:7

(this is one of the verses we got right at the start when we started working with the people on the dump site community... love it... love it.... love it!! :)