We often neglect the importance of the ceremony in our culture. Processions, formal wear, and lofty language don't resonate with us anymore. Haitians, on the other hand, love ceremony and formality. It made an impression on Zach. On April 10 Zach attended the dedication of the new Siloye Christian Reformed Church building. The Siloye church was destroyed in the earthquake while its pastor (Eli Mettalus) was putting the finishing touches on the new building of another CRC of Haiti congregation being constructed in central Haiti. When SONBEAM International, the West Michigan charity that has funded the construction of five churches in the CRC of Haiti, heard about the loss of the Siloye church, it immediately wanted to fund its rebuilding. The new church was completed in January, 2011.When Zach arrived at the church, he realized that although sporting a dress shirt and tie, he was quite under dressed for the occasion. All the pastors and attenders were in their full regalia. All the formality was quite appropriate, however. It was a time to formally recognize the grace God had given the congregation which had endured so much since the earthquake. Zach preached a message on the final chapter of Ecclesiastes where the author states that respect for God and obedience to his commandments is the whole duty of human kind. At the end of the service, the congregation treated all in attendance to a meal of rice, beans and chicken (considered to be a very rich meal in Haitian culture). Please see a picture of some ladies and their children who attended the dedication service.
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