The Dedication

The inauguration or dedication of anything is an important event in the lives of the Bolivians. Whether it be the water wells, a home, or a church, a celebration is in order. Having the WoodyNook group participate in this cultural event was important, especially since these believers were dedicating the church to God. In North America we may have a different view of the church building than they do here. Here it is considered the house of God and they would like it to be a ‘good’ house, something worthy of God. Although we consider our multi-purpose building to be a place where we will be doing God’s work, they do not see it as such. Therefore, our foreman, José, worked without pay for two weeks on the church – because it is God’s house.

Before we started building the church the congregation talked about associating with a denomination. There are two different types of Assemblies of God denominations in this area but the people were quite adamant that this would be a church for the community – every one is welcome. Therefore, the total service was organized by the members of the church rather than by a visiting pastor. Throughout the service it was emphasized that this is was a church for the community since only community people participated in the majority of the ceremony. The only pastor was the person who actually blessed and dedicated the church.

Showing their appreciation to the ‘grupo’ was essential and was illustrated by their being asked to cut the ribbon to the main entrance of the church. Teodoro and his father, Tomas, cut the ribbon the entrance walkway and Jake and Marg cut the ribbon for the back entrance door. At one time they also wanted to cut ribbons to the prayer room and the storage room but that didn’t happen.

During this time the community also expressed its thankfulness to the drupo by giving them gifts. All received a friendship bracelet made by one of the women in the community, the women received traditional blankets, and the men received traditional women necklaces with Patajú on the ends. In return, the group gave the church a set of drums.

Following the inauguration service, a feast was held and the guests of honor (the grupo and Jake and Marg) were fed in the building in which we had eaten during the week. The rest of the people gathered outside and found a place to eat – some in the church, some on the ground, and others on pieces of wood.

Then came the time for the first church service. This was led by a pastor from Yapacani and his youth group. One of our young men, Geraldo, attends that church while going to school in Yapacani. Geraldo plays the zampoña ( pan flute) and that was one of the highlights of the evening. Music filled the air and all the people were clapping and singing praises. The night ended early because the group from Yapacani had to return to the city for worship the next morning. We trust that they made it – their one vehicle broke down on the way to Patujusal and their bus didn’t sound too reliable.