Pentecostal Preaching

Saturday, September 15th, 2007 – Sunday, September 16th, 2007
This weekend was a busy one. Friday after class was spent hanging out at a café in downtown Kampala at which I had a chocolate shake which tasted like chocolate milk. It was good, but it definitely wasn’t an American shake.
Saturday morning a bunch of us were driven all over Kampala to see different sites. Grace, a 20 year old Ugandan man, showed us the houses that he has helped to build. The first one he had been working on for three years and the second one had taken 10 years to build. You see, they don’t save up money and then build the house. Instead, they wait till they have some money, then they build until they don’t have anymore money for building, then when they get more money, they build more. The houses were simple; made of brick with dirt floors. The houses that he helps build are for children; usually orphans. The children who live in those houses range from 12 to 17. They all live together, grow food together, work together, and study together. There are about two adults who help take care of them. This very young man called Grace financially supports all of this, supports his own family, and puts himself through school. This is no small feat. He needs much help. Consequently, many of us want to help him financially so he can get through school and we want to sponsor some of his kids (they’re not his children, but ones that he helps). I was very impressed with him because he has done so much and yet he is so young! One the way to those houses we had another fun experience on the muddy roads in a matatu. We got stuck once and many people stopped to help us out. Gotta love the rural roads around here.
After we saw those places, we went to Grace’s family’s house and watched a video that past students had taken while they were there. Then they turned on music and started dancing. They encouraged us to dance as well. So we did. Really, all you need to do is shake your booty and they say that you’re good at dancing, so that’s what we did. Shook our booties and moved our arms. Some of those little kids were actually good at dancing though. There were so many kids! When I asked Grace’s mother where to use the restroom, she talked to me along the way about needing sponsors for her children. It’s so hard when people put you on the spot like that because you want to help, but it feels awkward when people ask you to your face. I guess it is completely different than those commercials on TV from like World Vision or something which you can just ignore. But at the same time, we are students who aren’t loaded (in fact, we are in major debt), so we can only help so many people. I would like to personally sponsor ONE child, but I am still trying to figure out who I should sponsor. Probably one of Grace’s kids.
After we visited at that house, we saw the Boys and Girls Brigade which is a musical group. They play brass instruments and drums. It was interesting. They each gave us necklaces. Then we finally saw the Mengo Boys which was the whole purpose for the day. Unfortunately, we were not able to spend much time there because we had to be back for dinner. Kate passed out gifts that were from the students that came last semester and they were very grateful. There was candy, musical instruments, soccer gear, and many other things. The Mengo boys are also a musical group, but we were unable to listen to them because many of them were at a meeting. So we left with promises of return.
On Sunday I went to Jordan House Pentecostal Church which is at the orphanage we went to. As we were nearing the church we could hear the wonderful beat of the drums and the voices of the people loud and clear. I could feel my pulse quicken and I knew I was at a true African church. It was so cool. When we entered we saw that the drums were the only instruments used. There was a song leader, but the song leader changed constantly throughout the singing. They sang for at least an hour, maybe more. Fortunately, they sang English songs as well as Lugandan songs. Then Caitlin, Camille, Anna, Kate, and I were introduced to the people. We had to sing a song. We sang ‘Every Move I Make’ with hand motions. They loved it and they thanked us for singing. There was a translator for whenever they spoke or prayed, so that was nice for us. The preacher preached with fervor and was definitely yelling and waving his hands around. At that point I really felt like I was in a Pentecostal/African church. Even the translator followed the preacher around and mimicked his every move and tone of voice. It was rather entertaining. The message was about Jesus’ ability to help and heal people. As I listened to the preaching, a baby girl was set on my lap and I tried to entertain her because usually babies cry when I hold them. Fortunately, this one seemed to like me. But it was only a few minutes before she was drooling, pulling my hair, and making loud noises. Oh, and wiggling. Finally, she spit up and a girl took her from me. She was adorable.
After the service we were invited to lunch, so we once again took part in a wonderful Ugandan meal. They said it would be a small meal, but here a small meal or a snack is not small. So of course I was stuffed afterwards. We were able to talk to the couple who started Jordan House and they were very gracious. Whenever a woman or child came in to give us water or food, he or she would kneel as they handed us the items. It is customary and respectful. I am doing my economics paper about the Jordan House, so I will return many times to interview them.
Later that evening we went to the Nisley’s for dinner and made pizza and cookies. I made the cookies and I have to admit that they were very good. Of course, I’m not the one who made the recipe, but we’ll ignore that fact. I had our field assistant come as well (Josephats) and I taught him Rummikub. After visiting at the Nisley’s Caitlin, Sarah, Josephats, and I had gelato at the Italian market. This was Josephats’ first time having it and he said it was ok. It was interesting because Josephats said that ice cream is considered more of a woman’s dessert. Also, Ugandans usually don’t eat dessert, but instead, eat fruit. Josephats invited us to come to his house and he will teach us how to make a certain type of fish I think it was some kind of perch), chapati (probably our favorite Ugandan food. It’s kind of like pita bread, only better), and matoke.
There are many questions that I have been wrestling about when it comes to poverty because of the living conditions we have seen around here. Why are some people blessed with so much while so many people have so little? At the same time, I am learning that it is ok that I live like I do because that is my culture and I was born into it. It is not evil. It is only when how we live negatively effects other people that we have to rethink how we live. Also, we need to always help others. Another question I have asked is why do we think we have to have so much? Here, so many people only have a couple pairs of clothes, some food, a small roof over their heads, a couple chairs, and that’s about it. But not everyone here lives like that. That is one misconception about Africa. Not everyone is dirt poor and living in dire conditions. But a large percentage is. But the amazing thing is that so many of them are so happy and they don’t know any different from what they have. These are only a few things that run through my head. Fortunately, I have many people I can talk to about this while I’m here and it helps a lot.
Well, that’s all for now folks. Talk to you again soon.
Leilani