So today was Sunday, church day! Henry came by my gate around 8:30, and we headed off to St. Andrew’s church. When were first got there, we were the only ones of the group that was supposed to go. Shortly after Alex came in, followed by Ronnie, Jacob and Ambrose. It was a fairly old school style of church, with lots of hymns and readings, but the guest speaker who came to preach was not only powerful BUT funny!
I got to sit between Jacob and Henry, and just to get to sit with Jacob during the service was strangely remarkable. He showed me different things in the Hymnal and I helped him to find books of the bible while the preacher was speaking. He watched as I took notes, and would read them back to me, and make comments. I know that it doesn’t sound like much, but it truly was an indescribable feeling that I had being there with him. Not only that, but the preacher talked about exactly what I needed to hear, encouraging us to help others not only when times are good, but also when times are bad. He talked about the importance of partnering with people, and trusting in ourselves, in the others in our lives, and of course God.
After church the rest of the boys came out of hiding (this church was set up with many pillars all over the place, and depending on where you sit, you can’t really see much else in the church). I also got to meet a man named John, who runs a boarding school/school for orphans, etc.
I had promised Jacob that we would go back to my place to get my camera battery charger (he has been working on making a music video so he’s been using my camera a lot). We decided to take a boda boda (motorcycle) but I realized that I only had 5000 shillings, and it only cost 1,500 shillings (for 2 of us, which if you ask the locals, is still a lot of money). Anyways, he took me to my place, and after Jacob bartered with him for quite some time, he agreed to also take us to town (so that Jacob could pick up meat for lunch), wait for us, and then also drive us to the boys place PLUS give us 1,000 shillings back. Yep, I’m travelling with Jacob for here on out. Lol.
Anyways, the rest of the day was rather uneventful. We hung out, played some football (soccer), ate posho and meat with a really good sauce (made by Ambrose) and Moses showed me how he washed his clothes. Picture basins of water, a bar of soap, and the grass as your drying rack, and you have got yourself an African washing machine (plus yourself of course). When he asked how we wash clothes in Canada, and I said that we open a machine, throw our clothes in, add some soap and hit a button he seemed rather impressed and a little shocked.
I also got to help the boys who are in P7 (last year of primary school, who if you’ll remember have school on Sunday’s as well) with some studying for a text they had today. It was a good refresher from photosynthesis, to the 3 types of worms (segmented, flat and circular (even I am remembering! Lol) and castration.
My favourite moment of the day was when I was leaving with Alex to go into town to by some things. Mike (who is the quieter one of the boys and doesn’t speak a lot of English) called out after us and whatever he said contained the work Mama. I asked Alex what he had said, and he said something along the lines of “She is our mama, make sure to take care of her/look out for her”. You cannot even imagine what those words did to my heart. At times I wonder if I am more of a nuisance to them, or that they see me as someone with money, but in the end of the day, that is all. In that moment I felt at home. Like I finally knew where I belonged. I don’t know what this means the next couple of months look like, but I know this is where I need to be.
Pray:
-the boys continue to feel comfortable with me
-I understand what God has called me here to do
I just cried. what an amazing moment. love and prayers.
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