Ordination Service

Lydia getting ready for the Ordination Ceremony!

It was a time of celebrating God and His mighty works!

This panel of men worked together to examine the elder candidates.

After a time of preaching, prayer and song each elder to be ordained was introduced and presented with a gift.

Here are the newly ordained elders of the Presbyterian Church in Bangladesh.  These men make up the first presbytery in Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh custom, men and women sit on separate sides of the room when in large gatherings.

All sit on the floor, except elderly and pregnant women who sit in chairs in the back.

This woman is a sweet sister in the Lord.  She is pregnant due right after me.  It was a joy to be with her for a short time.

What a sight to see!  A church service done in reverence and in the context of another culture.  It was beautiful!

Micah in his Bengali outfit.  This outfit is full of meaning.  

White trousers to symbolize holiness / Dark red tunics – the blood of Christ / Green kamarbands – flourishing spiritual growth / Cream scarf – sanctification / Green Turban – service

Lydia kept the other kids occupied during the service.

They crowded around her so interested in her every move.

She liked the attention, but was overwhelmed at times.  She stayed close to our side.

This is the view of the surrounding property.  It is in a secluded area with many rice fields.

They have built a pavilion and two gazebos.  The trees lining the property are newly planted fruit trees of all types.  These will serve as a cash crop for PCB to help them become financially independent.

We took a tour of the property as the head pastor explained where the building will lay.

It was a something to envision.  Very exciting for all!

The church served a feast!  It was wonderful! 

The children sang and danced praising the Lord!

We witnessed a dedication ceremony for this land and the upcoming facilities.

Each member of our team and the partnership that attended planted a tree the church prepared for us in advance.

It is an honor to be a small part of the Lords work!  Humbling to witness the coming together of this church.

Bangladesh

The Church held their annual Family Camp prior to the Ordination service.

Family Camp is a conference with teaching sessions for the adults as well as the children.

It was two full days of teaching and fellowship.

Micah taught the children during one session.

The man standing with him is translating what Micah says.

The translator works with this group of kids on a regular basis. He and his wife are expecting their second child in December.

It is customary to sit on the floor. Church services are often held on the floor.

Sweet baby!

It is rare to find a baby in a diaper. It was so cute to be able to see their little bums. All of our babies have bulges in their britches.

Family Camp Group Photo!

The three white men are from a church in Florida. Their church has been a huge support to the church in Bangladesh.

Micah spent a good bit of time getting to know this man. It was encouraging for Micah to fellowship with him.

More Jack Fruit.

Boys never grow up. :) Who can reach the highest??

Ahhhh! A rest at last.

Walking around with Lydia we drew a crowd everywhere we went.

It was a great way to meet a lot of people on the streets.

It is Bangladeshi custom to eat with your hands. Micah jumped right in.

These are some of the men that make up the committee that examined each elder candidate. Some are serving in other countries and others are from partner churches in the U.S.

Bangladesh

Bengali folk music!  Loud and lively!

This group performed for the celebration after the ordination service.

Cows!  You can find them just about anywhere in Bangladesh.  

The streets are packed with lots of people.

The weather is really hot!  Many of the plants look starved for water. But these particular flowers were prevalent and beautiful.

Jack Fruit is everywhere!

Rickshaws are a common mode of transportation.

The architecture is all somewhat similar.

Here are some children we saw playing in a man made lake at the National Monument.  They gave us a good show!

This is the National Monument built in memory of their war of independence in 1971.  3 million people died so Bangladesh could gain independence from Pakistan.   

Here are some markets.  Markets line the streets of Dhaka.

The streets of Dhaka in action.

Kids showing off their cool jumps into the lake at the National Monument.

Lydia enjoying Bengali folk music!