We share the same Father

 

If you look on the wall behind this group you may be able to see Russian at the top, English at the bottom. This is a normal sight here. Sometimes there is Georgian.

This is no ordinary group of people. The young woman playing the keyboard is Georgian. She translates every Sunday morning, listening to English spoken by the pastor, translating to Georgian. There is also a team of people who take turns translating from English to Russian, and those who need to hear the Word in Russian pick up ear phones that are provided in the back of the room every week. Last week was the first time I witnessed Tika playing the keyboard, while singing in English, Georgian or Russian, and also praying in English then translating her own prayers before standing by the pastor to translate his sermon. Next to her is Hannah who is from India. Kailey is American and also speaks Russian. Bogdan, in black, is a Russian young man. He has gone out of his way to speak to me in English every time he sees me. Sitting behind Bogdan playing the percussion instrument is David. He is also Russian. Last, but not least, is Mik, an American whose parents are Filipino. 

These are not the only nationalities who are represented in this family of believers. Israel, Belarus, Ukraine, England, Lebanon...and the list goes on. What makes it work? We share the same Father.

Anyone else attend church where the Word and songs are communicated in three languages? I am going to miss this sweet taste of what heaven is going to be like!

"After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

" Salvation belongs to our God,

who is seated on the throne,

and to the Lamb!" "

Revelation 7:9-10