Dear Friends in Mission,

Tambourines rattling, three girls, perhaps 7 years old, scampered over the cleanly swept sand floor to the front of the church along with the rest of their singing group. I was dismayed to see that one of the girls was barefoot. Could she have no shoes to wear to church? Her clothes though nice and clean, were well worn and miss-matched. We were at the annual "Thanksgiving service" for the Baptist church in Selembao, on the outskirts of Kinshasa.

This singing group, who called themselves "Charite" (love), organized themselves in a semi-circle at the front, the 3 young girls in the middle. Most were adult women but their "director" looked to be no older than 13, and their drummer was a boy of perhaps 10. He struck a rapid beat and the rest of the group began a rhythmic swaying back and forth. They sang a song about giving generously, full of rhythm and soul. The 3 girls danced in the middle of the semicircle, in perfect unison with the drumbeats, shaking their tambourines joyously. During the song, each of the three dancing girls took her turn center-stage striking a series of unique dance steps forward, shaking her tambourine and pretending to be placing her offering in the basket, a plastic waste basket placed conspicuously on a stool be-decked with a lace cloth. Each never missed a beat. Meanwhile the women in the back of the church joined in with their own rattles, "instruments" of praise they never fail to bring to church to accompany their singing. I'm sure a member of the group composed the song. As they took their seats, amidst enthusiastic applause, I couldn't help wondering about the barefoot child.

The Thanksgiving service, or "Matondo", is an hours long festival of music, praise, and giving. This particular service got underway almost two hours late, due to an exquisite morning rain that began at dawn. Still, it didn't dampen spirits, and when the rain stopped, the church filled, and the service began. The music in a Congolese church service is like none other. Women consistently keep time with their rattles from where ever they are seated. Dozens of singing groups participate. The pastor preached an inspired sermon about giving back to God from what God has given to us. I had to concentrate on the Lingala to understand the sermon, but I couldn't forget that barefoot girl.

The pastor reminded the worshipers that this year's "matondo" offering was for the mission work of the church. They hoped this year to purchase musical instruments and speakers for the praise and worship group. The instruments currently in use were rented ones.

When offering time came deacons arranged two plastic wastebaskets on a front table. The celebration of giving began with joyous music and the beat of a drum. The women danced forward first, from the back of the church. As they placed their gifts in the baskets, their joy and smiles were infectious. Even the old men could not resist bobbing their heads and tapping their feet. Then, various singing groups from the church danced forward in turn, sometimes lead by a young child. A black board was placed at the front of the church with a list of the order in which the various groups should advance. Record was kept of which group gave how much, and deacons feverishly counted the offerings as soon as they are given in order that a report could be made of how much was given before the end of the service. The competition between groups is a wind that helps fan the flame of generosity!

Then, I spotted my little barefooted girl friend shuffling up the aisle, clapping and singing. As she came by me, I saw that she WAS wearing shoes this time. In one glance I realized that her barefoot dancing act had been well calculated. She probably even had to get permission from her mother. Her shoes were fancy: gold colored slip-ons, with rhinestone buckles and high heels; perfect, I'm sure she thought for going to church. However, she could hardly walk in them, and could NEVER have danced with them on.

At the end of the service, with the offerings gathered in and counted, the people gave thanks to God for the gifts for His work, asking Him to bless and multiply them. I wish every American Baptist could experience a "matondo" service in Congo, with or without gold slippers on.

As ABC churches are winding up the giving of their World Mission Offering, here in Congo we are receiving exciting reports about how God is stirring churches and individuals to give 36%, 100%, even 1000% more than ever before in order that God's mission through International Ministries can not only be maintained, but grow. Wow! Did you dance in the aisles too? We are! As missionaries, whose support depends on the offerings received through the WMO, we say a heart-felt thank you. We realize how tough it is to give over and above. But God's economy is different, as we were blessed to experience so poignantly at Selembao. As God's people give, God blesses and His word continues to Go Global - bringing great Glory to His name.

Thank you, and God bless you. Your partnership with us is real and precious.

Katherine Niles - in Congo