Culture R Us

We have been learning so much about cultural differences over the last 3 weeks - it is amazing to see how much our home culture is a part of who we are!   I find it fascinating, because you really can't see it until you are removed from it. 
For example, at our morning worship, we have been singing many new songs that I am not familiar with.  Then, a few days ago, we sang several hymns that have been special to me for years, and I was just flooded with so many emotions...and it was comforting.  It was quite tangible, and I realized how much I missed them and the way I am used to worshiping.  Another example is that we in the West tend to be very direct and, hence, we phrase so many things in the first person. (How many of us have had papers returned to us in school with notes from the teacher saying not to start so many sentences with "I?")  Our group here has had various people come to speak - some Americans, Australians, Kenyans, etc.  A Kenyan was teaching us on Thursday and Friday, and he kept saying "Are we together?" in order to see if we were following him.  What would Americans say?  Are YOU with ME?  It is a different mindset.  So, Africans and people in many parts of the world find Americans and others in the West to be very forward and sometimes rude.  Of course, there are 2 sides to the coin, but we are just learning the differences that are present - not judging them.  Those differences have broken many relationships, ruined business deals, and strained political situations...they are important to be aware of.  Are we together?  ;)


On Thursday, we visited a mosque.  There is a huge M^slim influence in Africa.  Many of the  patients in our hospital that come down from the north will be M^slim too - they tend to come to where we will be working because they feel that they are treated well there.  So which language do we learn first?  Two languages in two years?  I took French for several years and now could really only intelligently ask you what time it is.   Hmmmm....

Front of the mosque

Inside prayer room

 On Friday night, we had "Fun Night," which was a talent show, of sorts. :)  It was lots of fun to laugh, and the electricity didn't go off--bonus!!  Rick did an ABO Superlatives powerpoint, which won him Second Place and another Snickers bar, which he shared with his advisor and progeny. ;)

Rick sharing his ABO Superlatives!

Ted learning a new dance..

 Saturday was a regular "class" day, and in the afternoon we enjoyed "home visits."  Ours turned out to be visiting a "pre-wedding" party.  We had been told that this is typically an opportunity to sign up to bring various foods and drinks to the actual wedding.  However, when we got there, we think we understood that the wedding had already occurred and that this was an opportunity to contribute to the dowry.   (Yes, that is still the custom here.)  There was a whole program with an emcee, the choir, the pastor, and a giant feast.  Before we ate, the emcee announced that the ladies would be served first.  Rick commented that that was very unusual in the African culture, which is true.  So, the girls and I went through the line and received huge portions of rice, beans, broth, and coleslaw in plastic bowls.  When we got back to our seats, we found that Rick and Ted had been served at their seats on china bowls with everything we had PLUS potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and chicken.  Haha!  I didn't anticipate that, but I suppose it all made sense then - culturally speaking. 

                   Us in the food line: I wish you could see the HUGE pots of food behind us-it took 2 men to carry each one.

They brought hot water out for us to clean our hands. Isn't her outfit beautiful?!

Left: woman food.  Right: man food.

Rick returning from giving our contribution to the dowry.  They also asked him to open the event in prayer. (Must be the gray hair....)

A few in our group as we returned from the wedding party, under the Scott sign (where we are staying).

 Well, I know it is time for bed, because the dogs in the distance are starting to get riled up - every night between 10 and 11pm, it sounds like a dog brawl.  Dogs here aren't kept as pets, but there are a lot of wild dogs hanging around, so I wonder if they are fighting for a place to sleep!

Good night!

Love,
Sarah
John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”