Persecution And Making My Own Faith

So it is Sunday afternoon and I just finished another wonderful meal courtesy of Mama Cook. With all these wonderful meals... I am sure to come back home either heavier than what I am or just the same! I think all my "bulking up" before I came was pointless because everything here is pretty much the same. I have become familiar though, in asking if a certain food item is "African Good" or "Home Good"... Unfortunately, it's been alot of Africa Good.

Rewind to Saturday.... I said I was going for a walk and I did. I found myself wondering down Kisinja Road (which is the road we live on) by myself. And yes, Grandpa... To wonder around Jinja alone DURING THE DAY is completely ok. Being a female though, I did find my trek alone slightly awkward as I recieved many hoots and hollars, kisses blown in my direction, winks and "Hey Girl..." comments. The people here are very vocal and that is ok... I don't think they would ever touch me or grab me or whatever without my permission... It is just different having them be so forward! I couldn't get as close to the water as I had hoped because it looked like alot of fisheries were taking place so I kept my distance and ended up coming straight back to the compound after only being gone for about 45 minutes.

Saturday afternoon, I went for lunch with one of the ladies to Ozzies and we went shopping around. We ended up going to the grocery store only to get caught in a major rain storm so by the time we got back to Amani, Tracey and I were soaking wet and all the mamas had a good laugh at us. It was pretty funny though. On the way home, we ended up walking and no one offered us a ride yet on the way into town... we couldn't get the Boda drivers to leave us alone! Too funny!

Saturday night we ended up having the power out nearly the entire night so it was another good time for reflection. I'm learning alot about myself and I am seeing who I want to be.

Sunday morning we went to church with Danyne and Siouxanne and Danyne's girls. I think I found the church I want to attend while I am here. There was lots of music and it was really upbeat and more.... young... I suppose would be the word. It seemed like Pastor Terry was speaking right to me when he was talking about persecution and following Jesus despite social norms. He was talking about when he was younger and he drank and did drugs and partied and was always the life of any gathering. He decided to give all that up to follow Jesus and claims he is much happier with his life despite the constant teasing he first recieved. He was saying that all his "friends" kept asking why he thought he was better than them and if he thought he was going to keep up his new lifestyle. He replied to his friends... "I'm not better than you... I'm just better off now"....

Now, don't get me wrong... I honestly do not think I could ever fully give up my Lethbridge Lifestyle and I know my friends are not the type to shun me for trying to do better... And I know I will never be a Nun or anything... But maybe getting home and finding a church I love and forgetting my binge drinking and constant partying isn't such a bad thing? I don't ever feel like I have done wrong or that I am headed down the wrong path but I do feel like something is missing. And seeing the faith these people have in Jesus and in themselves when they literally have nothing... it brings hope. I have "Faith" written in Kanji on my ankle but really, what faith do I have right now? I will openly and proudly say that I have prayed every single night that I have been here. I have been trying to understand some of the "Jesus Crazy" people's point of views. It is all a learning experience for me and it is nothing that I thought it would be.

Needless to say, Church was an excellent thing today. We came home, had some beans and rice and now I am writing my thoughts and feelings for everyone to see.

A new week starts tomorrow and I am determined to learn more about Africa and its people.

Nwagala Nyo

(I Love You So Much)

xo*