The Church at Losimongori



A packed house

 On Sunday morning we joined the Maasai for worship in Losimongori at one of the largest Maasai churches in the area. The building was small and very primitive with simple benches on a concrete floor, plank walls and a tin roof. The entire building was only about 20' by 30' in diameter. We walked into the room to find that a group of singers (the choir) had already starting singing. The sound of the music filled the valley and actually served as a “call to worship” because over the next hour or so some 80 people packed out the tiny sanctuary. Each one would walk in, bow for a time of prayer and then join the singing.



The Choir



The music was so moving that we could hardly believe that they were singing without any instruments. Every song was a rhythmic melody where one person would take the lead and sing out a phrase which was then repeated by the others in a very together 5 or 6 part harmony. Along with the singing were motions or dances that seems choreographed and rehearsed but were actually only a part of their longstanding traditional worship. This all went on, song after song, until about 11:10. It was all so moving that I remember thinking how glad I was that they were 8 hours ahead of us because I felt sure that all of the angels were gathered around the Maasai churches to participate in their pure worship. One thing is for sure, these people have been training to worship Jesus for thousands of years and now are excited to be able to direct all this beautiful expression to Him alone.

After the final song, the people filed down front and placed their offerings in a basket and then the pastor preached. The final segment was an altar call where they laid hands on the sick and needy and prayed earnestly for them. Finally, as the people exited the building, they formed a single line that resulted in a circle where each one greeted the others and wished them well before departing. Altogether the service lasted for about 3 hours, the temperature must have been 90 with little ventilation in a packed building on uncomfortable benches, but no one complained.