There is a reason why I avoid African church harambees. This is the one day people spend money with reckless abandon, all in the name of building the church. The real danger begins when the livestock, foodstuffs, and other items donated by members who could not contribute cash are brought forward to be auctioned off and converted into money.

To make matters worse, this program is usually run by the funniest, most convincing people in the church. These are individuals blessed with a supernatural gift of persuasion. They can make you buy the most unnecessary item imaginable and somehow leave you feeling as though you have personally handed your money to God Himself. Before you know it, your wallet is lighter, your pockets are empty, and you are still nodding in agreement with everything they are saying.

I say this with complete confidence because I am currently walking home from our annual church fundraiser. Accompanying me on this journey are two live chickens, one black and one red, both purchased after a passionate sermon disguised as an auction. Somewhere between the bidding and the endless encouragement to support God’s work, I was reminded that God does not need food but a place to stay. The next thing I knew, I was the proud owner of two confused chickens that are now equally confused about why they are heading home with me.

I already know this is going to be a very long walk home. Every few steps, one chicken tries to change direction while the other seems determined to announce my financial decisions to the entire village. Still, despite the unexpected responsibility of transporting livestock, I can at least comfort myself with the knowledge that I have played my part in building the house of the Lord. Whether the Lord needed those chickens more than I did, however, remains a question for another day.