How far is it to heaven? I don’t know for sure, but I got quite a bit closer today.

It’s quite ironic actually that most of the people I have met here in the Philippines believe that we Americans live in heaven. A man told us that he had visited our country regularly….in his dreams.

We were invited by one of our employees, Roy, to speak at a new church he was helping start. So Sunday morning we set out to church. Wow. This was my first trip into the barrios of Davao City. The living conditions I witnessed are beyond description. We were carried down a narrow alley with shanties and houses so close that the little taxi barely fit. Children and adults stopped to stare into the can as it was obvious we were not one of the locals. When we finally reached the end of the road and the little community that was established there. I was rushed with so many thoughts and emotions. I truthfully struggled to act without reaction.

Roy began to introduce us and much to my delight, it was the curiosity of the children that began to break the ice. Most of them had never seen an American. They had never had their pictures taken much less look into the little screen and see themselves. I was mauled by children wanting to have their pictures taken so they could look at themselves.

As we began to worship with these wonderful people, I was amazed at their sincerity. They welcomed the two Americans , the two Reverends. ( Dennis is a real Reverend. I am simply a follower of Jesus and a student of the Word) The children would reach out for our hands and bow to touch their foreheads to the back of our hands. This is a sign of respect and honor given to a Priest. They were seeking a blessing from a messenger of God. These two strangers who came to visit were being treated with the highest honor they could give.

They asked Dennis what he thought would make a good name for their new church. We had learned that there were many religious sections of people there. Baptists, Methodists, Catholic and others to be sure. But they came together and sought our prayers and our blessings as two people who had come all the way from heaven to visit and worship with them. Dennis suggested ” United Church” as they were truly united. Not the United Methodists, or the United Presbyterians or the United Church of God, but just the United Church. People who are United together to worship and serve the or Lord.

We sang and prayed, reading ( or trying to read) new words hand written on yellow poster paper that was pinned to bamboo poles. I was awed at the vigor and honesty of their praise. They didn’t know the words and they didn’t know much scripture. The elders back at the 92nd Baptist church would have been appalled that one of the verses in the song was written ” all hell King Jesus” instead of ” All Hail”, but I am sure that Jesus smiled and knew exactly what they meant. The band was a beat up guitar and the the microphone crackled and strained to raise the level of their leaders voices to not much more than a good holler. They didn’t care, they sang!

And when they sang, oh what praise was lifted to the Heavens ! When Pastor Nick prayed, He moved me to tears. I couldn’t understand a word he said. He was probably praying in a Tagalog, their native language. Maybe he was praying in the spirit. I don’t know for sure but I can guarantee you that God heard and God understood. I also guarantee you that God acted acted. I saw it. I felt it. I was a part of it.

These people were reaching to God with everything they had. They were searching for any and every sign that a better life was in front of them. They clapped and cheered and yelled at the top of their voices at the mention of heaven or of Jesus.

There are no cafeterias or Outback Steakhouse’s to go to after service , so no need to rush the worship to beat the crowd. No one sat in the crowd boo hooing the big screens’ casting an image of the Pastor as showboat Christianity. No big hats, shiny shoes , fancy ties or laughing at the person beside them for messing up the words to Amazing Grace. There was just sincere praise, sincere longing and a sincere desire to know the Heart of God. I have never seen such hope , such desire, such praise. I will never worship the Lord the same again.

This is not a criticism or critique of the American church. This is a sharing of the difference in a people with little material or earthly possessions and a people with everything. These people believe that two American reverends had indeed come from Heaven to help them learn how to build a church. I now recognize all I take for granted. I recognize how the many blessings I have can distract me from praising God like I should.

No doubt that this American “reverend” , learned much more than he imparted. I am changed by the heart of worship. I have been closer to heaven. Half way around the world and a LOT closer to heaven.