tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841978446659266602.post1467164180026432891..comments2023-08-09T05:32:11.156-05:00Comments on Swim Mike Swim: Teaching in Waku Kungo, Angola, part 3 –Mike Solberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618373994958589549noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841978446659266602.post-29887887874477287932011-08-15T14:09:59.063-05:002011-08-15T14:09:59.063-05:00Hi Karen. Well, this is just my speculation, but ...Hi Karen. Well, this is just my speculation, but I would say that the the plethora of young people is due to four things: demographics, social attraction, family dynamics, and the hope of the Christian faith.<br /><br />Demographics: I think I mentioned in one of the reports that Angola is a young country. Half the population is under age 18! So there are just lots of young people in general, and thus lots of young people in church.<br /><br />Social attraction: in Angola, the church just doesn't have the "competition" it has in the U.S. and other more economically developed countries. Young people don't have 5000 options of what to outside their school hours, nor have the money to do other things. Church is a way for them to be together in a somewhat, but not overly, organized environment.<br /><br />Family dynamics: divorce is still rare in Angola, and very rare outside the capital, Luanda. We taught about 50 kids, and I don't think a single one of them had divorced parents. I think it is safe to say that kids with both parents in the home are more likely to participate in church. Plus, kids don't "grow up" (a misnomer for sure) as quickly as they do here. They are more likely to do what their parents say/expect of them when it comes to things like church.<br /><br />Hope: the church in Angola (at least I.E.C.A., the congregational church) offers a wonderful message of hope to young people, the hope of being loved by God even in the midst of difficulty, and the hope that following a healthy life, a "godly" life, will improve your life practically, and make you better able to contribute to the up building of society. The worship service each week certainly embodies the hope of the gospel, especially in its music, and I think that message really, although somewhat unconsciously, gets through to young people. Besides, the worship service on Sunday is often the "best show in town," and so it is just interesting enough to keep people coming.<br /><br />At least that's how I see it. I am not sure what the Angolans would say. I think they might emphasize the family thing more than I do?<br /><br />I hope you are well, Karen! Istanbul still?<br /><br />Peace, MikeMike Solberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618373994958589549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841978446659266602.post-12829254794698902922011-08-07T01:45:36.169-05:002011-08-07T01:45:36.169-05:00Mike, this was a fascinating report. What do you ...Mike, this was a fascinating report. What do you think compels so many young people to attend church in Angola, when churches in developed countries have such a hard time attracting them? I hope you share your photos and video on your web site in addition to with your congregation.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12855990208488482147noreply@blogger.com