Last night after worship I got to go with some of the Iban pastors to a nearby longhouse for a baby dedication. One of the church elders has a new grandson. The whole service was in Iban. They began by singing hymns, one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard was hearing the familiar songs sung in a strange tongue. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but their love for the Lord is obvious. After a sermon in Iban, which I’m sure was excellent although I couldn’t comprehend a word, our hosts served us food. Some of my pastor friends teased me because I was taking so long to finish eating. They jokingly told me I couldn’t leave until I finished. Laughing, I pretended to set my plate down, declaring that I didn’t want to leave.

We accomplished a lot on the church today. The sky is a deeper blue here than at home. At first I thought it was just my imagination, but it is. Midway through the day there was a thunderous crash as one of the scaffoldings collapsed. Thank the Lord no one was hurt, though now they will have to rebuild it.

Last night we learned that enough money had been raised to buy plastic chairs for the churches. It amazes me. Here are these people in the middle of the jungle, praising the Lord because they have plastic chairs to sit in, while in America we get stressed out because the pews are the wrong color. I was talking with some of my Iban friends and one of them made a comment about how wealthy Americans are. I remember choking on the words as I fumbled to put into words what was in my heart. “No, no. You are far richer.”

“America is very rich,” they persisted.

“You are rich because you are content with what you have. You have a kind of wealth that few people in America have.” I think they understood. I know my perspective will never be the same. And I thank the Lord for that.