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Having a church home to gather in is cause for great celebration for believers in South Asia. The people in this village are meeting for the first time in their new church building.
Having their own church building gives these believers the freedom to worship the Savior without restraint. It also increases the respect that their community has for Christianity.
Music and dancing are integral parts of the dedication festivities. These young believers dressed in the colorful costumes of their tribe and performed a cultural dance.
Church leaders and other special guests were welcomed with joy for the dedication service.
The front porch of the church building temporarily functioned as a stage for the leaders and GFA-supported missionaries to address the crowd of believers.
The believers were very attentive to the ceremony.
When it was time to cut the ribbon across the doorway of the new church, one of the special guests was ready with the scissors!
The crowd rushed into the new sanctuary, eager to see the inside of their new home.
The congregation has grown so much that it was already looking like the building might not be big enough to hold them all! But by God's grace, He provided enough shelter for His children.
After the dedication service, the congregation had a time of fellowship together.
Some of the believers had worked all morning to prepare a tasty meal for the special event.
A banana leaf supplied the serving dish for the rice.
The celebration is only beginning as the believers settle into their new home. They will rejoice and worship the Lord with liberty for years to come in this humble little sanctuary.
date posted 09/15/2009