Thanksgiving!

This Sunday I experienced something new! I learnt that the event of Thanksgiving is very important in Cameroon, and I participated in the celebration in church. The people in church, divided in groups, had saved money for a long time. And on Sunday they brought an envelope with these money to the pastor. The money is going to be used in the work of the church. Actually the gifts given this day, stand for more than half of the income of the year!

When they delivered the envelope, they walked from outside church, on a passage through the people seated in church, to the altar where the pastor was standing. They brought a dish with the envelope with the money, and the dish was decorated with leaves from plants, flowers and some also with vegetables. The money is given to thank God for all He has given and done. While they brought their gifts to the pastor, they danced and sang of joy, giving thanks to God. It was really beautiful to watch! The missionaries (including us) were also one group, so then I participated trying to dance through the church together with the other Norwegians, bringing our envelope. I also joined when the youth choir I'm singing in, Gospel Singers, danced through church, bringing their gifts.

It was both fun to join and touching to see how much money people gave (the numbers of the contribution of each group were actually published on power point in church, so everybody could read...). I also think it was nice seeing some people who danced, waving with leaves in their hands. Here you can look at some pictures, but I recommend you to read more and look at pictures on this link to Familien Bischlers blog. 

People bringing their dish with the envelope

People dancing while bringing their contribution

The choir; Gospel Singers, singing at Thanksgiving