Participant Observation  
 

For eight weeks of my graduate studies, I attended Mountain of Prayers Church, a Congolese church outside of Dallas.  I attended this church as part of my Cultural Anthropology course. 

The assignment involved using a research method called “participant observation,” where I tried to learn as much as I could about the Congolese culture by both observing what I saw and participating in what was going on around me...   

I could hear the singing from the parking lot that day.  I couldn't understand it, though.  The whole service was in French, since that's the language that draws the congregation together.  Members of the congregation come from all over the Democratic Republic Of Congo, and thus speak several languages themselves. 

The church was packed.  An older lady who was called "mother" stood up and walked to the front.  She began singing a cappella in the Lingola language and spontaneously started a dance line.  As she danced around the room, she selectively leaned over and invited people to join her.  When she came near my seat, I held my breath.  Then I felt her hand touch my arm.  I didn't speak a word of French or Lingola, but I knew at that moment I needed to get right up out of my seat.  

Three steps forward...s-w-a-y back.  When you meet in the middle, l-e-a-n forward...  "Hallelujah!"

To my relief, nothing else demanded so much particpation (in the "participant observation") as that day!  (Although I will say that I had great fun dancing around the church, even though I had no idea what anyone was saying or what was going on!  I just watched the person in front of me and tried to imitate!)

When I made my last visit for the bimester, the senior pastor escorted me to his office. He and eight other elders surrounded me.  Before I knew it, nine voices were praying simulataneously.  I don't know what they prayed, but I know they prayed for me, and I know God understands their language!

Just think, because of Bible translation, the promise of Revelation 7:9 will one day be fulfilled.  We will join people from every nation, tribe, and tongue in praising God around His throne.  O, what a day that will be!

December 10, 2004