Worldwide Religion

I was able to attend the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints while here in Gulu, Uganda. I have been to many different locations of the same church while in the United States. Services in Pennsylvania, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Washington, North Carolina, Tennessee, and probably other places I just have forgotten. And in each location the service was very similar. The messages were the same, the meetings were the same set up, and even all the music was from the same hymnal. So I felt that regardless of where I was, I would feel comfortable attending a Sunday service and know what to expect.

I was not disappointed being on the other side of the world.

Pouring rain during/after church. Glad we had our ponchos!

Sure, we hear about services being all over the world. And I have even had family members and close friends who have served in the church in different locations around the world (Chile, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Australia, Russia, Portugal, etc.). But it doesn’t quite hit home until you experience something yourself. And although today was my last chance to attend, I almost didn’t go. I am very glad that I did. I was certain that I had been told the service started at 10:30, but I guess it actually started at 10. We were late, but we were able to enjoy most of the main meeting (aka Sacrament meeting). We even sang a song that I knew very well, ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ How nice it felt to be able to sing along to a song that I am so familiar with, surrounded by local Gulu people. Now I wish I had gotten up and attended last week as well.
I guess it just reaffirms that no matter where you are in the world, there are people that worship, pray, believe, sing and love just like yourself. And although the building may be different, the people may not dress the same, we are all still the same. We all feel, heal, and love the same. It's a comforting feeling.