Last night, after posting to the blog, decided to venture out into this part of the city we're living in. Alone, I was a bit concerned as to how I would fare having no clue how to communicate, and just trying to keep landmarks in mind as I began to wander around. Easy landmark is the condo complex itself - four 6-story buildings of a distinctive coloring. And right next to the Novotel hotel, also a 6-storey facility, large, easy to sport from a distance.
One thing about this area - there's more lights on the street than in many other areas. So, even in dimness, I can at least see what's around me. Yes, people see me as the one who is out of place, and therefore think nothing of approaching and asking for a handout. But like in California, I guess I can easily wave a hand up or shake my head side to side and the person gets the "no" message pretty easily. It doesn't happen in volume, but it does happen.
So I wander about 4-5 blocks, and I then hear those awesome sounds of voices singing in distinctive African language and rhythm. And this time there's drums, too. So I just follow the voices, and as they get louder, I pick up my pace a bit, hoping not to miss more than necessary. Sure enough, I find its a church - Lutheran - and I wander in.
Not only am I the only white person in the church, but I am the only one dressed casually. But it does not seem to matter, as after virtually everyone sneaking a
peak at me, they go back to their worship. I find a seat in a pew near the back of the room, and just absorb it all in. The music and singing is unbelievably up-beat, as they are in full praise and worship. The hand clapping, swaying, foot-stomping, somewhat coordinated - and all done without so much as anyone looking like a worship leader. One song ends, a few moments of catching their breadth, and right into the next song. I sit through three of these songs - long, rhythmic, loud, spiritual, and energetic. Then, a man comes to the center, dressed in just a business suit with tie, and begins to speak in Rwandese.
There's about 40-50 people in the pews; maybe another 30 singers & drummers. All h
ave taken a seat, and the place is stone quiet while the man speaks. After about 10 minutes, he smiles, pauses, and everyone turns around and looks at me simultaneously. The man speaks, in almost perfect English, "welcome sir, to the Lord's house. You are welcome to worship with us."
Everyone is smiling at me. I stand, say "thank you", and wave to all. They clap and laugh!
And then the preaching continues for another 10 minutes or so. Somewhat akin to fire and brimstone, for the preacher is absolutely into it (whatever it is he's saying). Speaking with passion and purpose, he finally gets the Rwandan equivalent to "amen" shouted in unison, and then the singing and drums erupt again. I am standing now, clapping to the music, and starting to "get" the song in its repeated rhythyms (but certainly not any lyrics). I find myself fully embraced in God's arms, knowing I am right where I am meant to be.
The singing and preaching repeat itself again, and I notice on my watch I've been there for almost an hour, so I quietly extract myself to the rear door. One last look back up front, and the preacher is smiling and waving to me. I wave and smile back, mouth a "thank you" and I'm out the door. I walk about a block away and can still clearly hear the sweet, sweet music and worship taking place....
And that is how it is here........churches seemingly everywhere, each with their own demonination, their own "way", but consistent in their commitment to their God, as well as their native ways of experiencing his presence.
I found my way back to the condo complex easily, and was in bed and out by 10pm. Awoke this morning at 5am, to what sounded like shouting at first, and then as something done in unison. I found the window, and spotted the source - its a military training taking place, a group of some 50 men or so, all in boots, fatigue pants, white t-shirts - running in formation, and chanting/yelling as they go, waking up the entire neighborhood if they can, and laughing and loving themselves as they go on their morning run. Like the church experience, this is not the typical USA approach to drills - this is uniquely African, for thier chants/songs are full and deep and LOUD, and there seems to be multiple "leaders" who are screaming out individually when the entire chorus of the troops is not in unison. Yelps and whoops and echo-responses and outright singing - all done at the top of their lungs, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there's at least 5,000 people sleeping at 6am.........AWESOME! A take this one as a real treat, for its so out of place and yet so African in its purity.
One thing about this area - there's more lights on the street than in many other areas. So, even in dimness, I can at least see what's around me. Yes, people see me as the one who is out of place, and therefore think nothing of approaching and asking for a handout. But like in California, I guess I can easily wave a hand up or shake my head side to side and the person gets the "no" message pretty easily. It doesn't happen in volume, but it does happen.
So I wander about 4-5 blocks, and I then hear those awesome sounds of voices singing in distinctive African language and rhythm. And this time there's drums, too. So I just follow the voices, and as they get louder, I pick up my pace a bit, hoping not to miss more than necessary. Sure enough, I find its a church - Lutheran - and I wander in.
Not only am I the only white person in the church, but I am the only one dressed casually. But it does not seem to matter, as after virtually everyone sneaking a
peak at me, they go back to their worship. I find a seat in a pew near the back of the room, and just absorb it all in. The music and singing is unbelievably up-beat, as they are in full praise and worship. The hand clapping, swaying, foot-stomping, somewhat coordinated - and all done without so much as anyone looking like a worship leader. One song ends, a few moments of catching their breadth, and right into the next song. I sit through three of these songs - long, rhythmic, loud, spiritual, and energetic. Then, a man comes to the center, dressed in just a business suit with tie, and begins to speak in Rwandese.There's about 40-50 people in the pews; maybe another 30 singers & drummers. All h
ave taken a seat, and the place is stone quiet while the man speaks. After about 10 minutes, he smiles, pauses, and everyone turns around and looks at me simultaneously. The man speaks, in almost perfect English, "welcome sir, to the Lord's house. You are welcome to worship with us."Everyone is smiling at me. I stand, say "thank you", and wave to all. They clap and laugh!
And then the preaching continues for another 10 minutes or so. Somewhat akin to fire and brimstone, for the preacher is absolutely into it (whatever it is he's saying). Speaking with passion and purpose, he finally gets the Rwandan equivalent to "amen" shouted in unison, and then the singing and drums erupt again. I am standing now, clapping to the music, and starting to "get" the song in its repeated rhythyms (but certainly not any lyrics). I find myself fully embraced in God's arms, knowing I am right where I am meant to be.
The singing and preaching repeat itself again, and I notice on my watch I've been there for almost an hour, so I quietly extract myself to the rear door. One last look back up front, and the preacher is smiling and waving to me. I wave and smile back, mouth a "thank you" and I'm out the door. I walk about a block away and can still clearly hear the sweet, sweet music and worship taking place....
And that is how it is here........churches seemingly everywhere, each with their own demonination, their own "way", but consistent in their commitment to their God, as well as their native ways of experiencing his presence.
I found my way back to the condo complex easily, and was in bed and out by 10pm. Awoke this morning at 5am, to what sounded like shouting at first, and then as something done in unison. I found the window, and spotted the source - its a military training taking place, a group of some 50 men or so, all in boots, fatigue pants, white t-shirts - running in formation, and chanting/yelling as they go, waking up the entire neighborhood if they can, and laughing and loving themselves as they go on their morning run. Like the church experience, this is not the typical USA approach to drills - this is uniquely African, for thier chants/songs are full and deep and LOUD, and there seems to be multiple "leaders" who are screaming out individually when the entire chorus of the troops is not in unison. Yelps and whoops and echo-responses and outright singing - all done at the top of their lungs, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there's at least 5,000 people sleeping at 6am.........AWESOME! A take this one as a real treat, for its so out of place and yet so African in its purity.
3 comments:
Nice venturing out - I hope you get to do more before you leave. Glad to see you found a camera too.
So, do we now give you a case of Fanta along with oreos for Christmas? You're gonna need detoxing when you return!
thanks for taking me on your excursion, Cuz...I could actually picture you in my mind waving and mouthing the "thank you"!...this whole thing must be a trip!!!!!
exactly what I would've done, and in fact DID DO back in the 70's. While exploring Palo Alto once on foot I wandered into an all black church - totally welcomed. Hung around for a bit and soaked it up, then on my merry way. Nowhere near the magnitude of your experience nevertheless, reading your story brought that memory flooding back to me and that was so wonderful. thanks for that.
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