I sat in a church that was new to me, in a country that was new to me, listening to people speak and sing and pray in a language that was new to me. And it was warm. Very warm. Unfortunately, I had chosen to sit in the middle of the room, far from the many floor fans along the sides.

I couldn’t help but compare it to my home church. We started with singing just as we did at my home church. Some hymns, some choruses. But here, the music was louder and longer, people clapped and danced. Like my home church, there were testimonies, prayers, Scripture readings, and a sermon. It was familiar, yet different.

I sat in a sea of strangers yet felt strangely at home. Because of the saving grace of Jesus, we were connected as brothers and sisters in Christ. We shared the same heavenly Father! In this new place with new people and a new language, I found family.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27

Most in the church spoke multiple languages. Having just recently arrived in the country, I had learned only one word: salamat which means “thank you.” As people prayed, as the pastor preached, as people sang in their own language, I understood almost nothing, except for salamat. This one word popped up over and over again! With my brothers and sisters in Christ, I gratefully joined with them in saying salamat to Jesus!

Salamat Jesus for bringing me to this church where people can freely and openly praise you!

Salamat Jesus for the beautiful language that people all around me are singing in and praying in and speaking in!

Salamat Jesus for welcoming me into your family made up of people from every nation, from this nation!