The Shack

Two women edged their way along the small alleyway, carefully avoiding the puddles and stepping over laundry bowls. They turned sideways to squeeze through the last narrow opening before reaching the door of the shack in Block 37, Welfareville. Soon they had joined the group inside and were enthusiastically clapping their hands in time with the music. Mike had arrived earlier and was sitting in the corner strumming his guitar, adding rhythm, while his smiling wife led the singing.

After the first song Lisa and her husband, Art, changed the song-sheet that was pegged onto a stick hanging from a nail. The door opened again. "Pasok! Pasok!" ("Come in") An old man stood in the doorway for a while before being coaxed to enter. He smiled at Lisa. "I have a bouquet of flowers for you!" he said offering her a bunch of malunggay leaves (used to cook with meat). Lisa took the bunch gratefully and put them to one side. The next song was a rousing one and Art stood beside his wife jumping up and down as he clapped and sang. His face shone with joy.

After the singing, Art invited everyone to sit down and open the Word of God. He gave a short message followed by a time of discussion. Everyone listened intently as each in turn shared their interpretation of the text and how they felt God wanted them to apply it to their lives. There were hoots of laughter and there were tears of sadness as people shared some of the highs and lows of their experiences.

"This is the first time I have done this so please forgive me if I do it wrong." Lisa put the tray of small plastic cups down beside the bread on the shelf as she turned to pick up her Bible. "Ok lang!" everyone seemed to reply at once. They smiled at her as she read the Bible and began to explain the meaning of the Lord's Supper and why they were starting to celebrate this today. She turned to pick up the tray. "The bread comes first; the bread comes first!" Art whispered as he leaned over to pick up the bread. "Let me cut it before you do that," Mike called out as he reached for a knife to divide the small loaf. He began to cut the loaf while all 14 members of the group watched his every move. The children seated on the floor moved closer, then stood up for a better look.

After about two hours, the last song was sung and the group dispersed with words of encouragement and promises to pray for each other. "The neighbours often say we must be drunk or just crazy," Art said once, "....but we don't care! We are just worshipping the Lord in our home."

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