PRAISING GOD WITH PASSION

By Monica Fam
St. Mark Coptic Church, Washington, D.C.
June 2006

This is my first time in Africa, and I believe this has been the best experience of my life. I can tell you many stories of the poverty I’ve seen, the thousands of kids without shoes, the starving mammas and babbas. I can tell you about the billions of kids running after us and wanting to shake our hands like we are some kind of celebrity . . . and starving for our attention. I can even tell you about the horrible living conditions that I’ve witnessed and people happily living in a house that is the size of an average bathroom in America. I can tell you about the hot African sun that has even managed to give us Egyptians a nice red color . . .

But I can seriously tell you one thing: God’s work is truly being done here in this place called Zambia. It is truly an honor to come here to do the work of the Lord and to truly feel his presence while we are preaching to His children. But what has touched my heart more than anything on this trip is the people of Zambia. Where does one begin? The Zambians have truly touched me in a way I will always remember. The people here are just so loving, and so warm and inviting. We walk up to their house and they willingly invite us in. They are always smiling and pay attention when we are speaking. The powerful and mighty way they praise and dance here can truly move mountains. When they sing, it is like they are truly in heaven praising with angels. When they are praising God, they are singing not only with their mouth, but with their hearts and souls. I have never seen people actually smiling while singing. The Zambians can’t help but smile because they sing like they are in the presence of God. They are truly an example to us in so many ways. To pray the liturgy here in Zambia was truly a blessing. They have their own church choir here during the service, and the second I heard them singing and praising God, it moved me so much, it brought tears to my face. I could not stop crying for I truly felt like for a while, I was in heaven praising with the angels. It was absolutely amazing. If only we could sing with half the power these Zambians do, I wonder how much more meaningful our liturgy would mean to us. I wonder how much more we would be excited to wake up every Sunday morning and praise God with as much zeal as I have seen here. It was truly a blessing to be a part of this experience, and I only hope that I learn to praise God with as much power and zeal as these Zambians have taught me. They have really humbled me and I say Amen!