Colon Reflection

The church at Colon is full of lively christians. We arrived at Colon at 3:34 in the afternoon on Sunday.

The church building is no larger than our Richmond Hill office, but the building itself is much older. The building has a large worship hall, a side hall with tables laid out like a cafeteria, a room for babies and their parents, and a common meeting room with two bedrooms on the side. It's a decent looking church, with traditional furnitures that makes it look like a typical house in China.

People started filling in at around 4pm. Since we arrived early, we became the greeters at the door. Brothers and sisters are caught by surprise, some not knowing that the STM team would be here already, and some didn't know we're here.

That was a great chance to know each of the brothers and sisters in the church. As they walk by and go toward the worship hall, our friend who has been chatting with us would let us know each of them a bit more.

Worship at 4:30 soon started. We sat at the front rows.

The pianist dressed in her finest dress, and music from an old, a little slightly out of tune piano fills the hall.

We sang our hymns, and the air conditioning unit starts to have its effect on each of us. We are in a comfortable place, enjoying the company of the Lord.

We had a good worship. Rev. Lau delivered his powerful message. Simon shared his experience as a leader in church. I'm delighted to see my companions serving the Lord, sharing and praising with the local church.

Immediate after service we were having a prayer meeting. I sat beside brothers and sisters a bit younger than me. I was delighted to see them open their arms and welcomed me. I hesitated a bit, but sat in the middle of them and started listening to their needs. They are very willing to share. We continued our sharing during dinner, but it didn't last long, because their fellowship soon followed.

People are not as cautionary during the day compared to night time. By night the black heavy gate is closed, and only a crack would open on the wooden door to peek at the person who's eagerly waiting outside. The atmosphere in the house is warm and welcoming, as if the Lord is with us. Praise him! We all sang fervantly as we were led by Fenny.

God himself filled the room. Everyone had a chance to share and we all listened. We listened as if we are old friends, but haven't seen each other for a long long time. We are all interested in what each other have to say.

Rev. Lau shared a little using the scripture from Romans and Frederick followed up. It filled each of us with delight, as if we haven't had heard wisdom for a long time.

It wasn't much of an idea to tell everyone share a bit. But I can see how Jesus turned a room filled with people into a house of our Heavenly Father. I would think such an approach (going around the table sharing) is not effective, but the Holy Spirit has proved me wrong.
At the end, we all stood up and sang. Some cried, some closed their eyes and prayed, some smiled and all our troubles have melted away.

One of them asked me at the very end whether I would come again.

And here is our picture.