Stevo's Workshop

Me holding Jack fruit

Today is Sunday March 24^th 2013.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the day so far. I woke up and found out that my brother had won his hockey game in Spain, and he scored 4 goals with 3 assists. Nice job Char! I was happy to begin my day with hearing that news. Then I had a quick breakfast with plans to visit Doreen’s church at 9. Because of rain we waited about an hour to leave. As we waited Doreen and Maureen cut a Jack fruit  It was my first time taking it. You eat the parts that surrounds the seed. You almost have to peel it like a giant clump of string cheese. Kayla pointed out that it tastes like bubble gum. It really does. We left shortly after that and made it to church around 10:30 a.m. It was a wonderful experience.

Kayla eating Jackfruit

 Though I do not regularly attend church services, I was excited to see Doreen’s. The church itself was just a building that was probably about 30 x 90 ft. The structure had a tin roof and rough-sawn siding. Inside, there was a small cement stage at the front, and there were probably 8 rows of plastic yard chairs facing that direction. Besides that there was a podium, some speakers, and a keyboard. That is all that was needed for an unbelievably empowering church service.

The presentation of the service was personally inspiring for me. The pastor was energetic, and passionately preached the faith that he loved. With all due respect, the church services that I normally attend can at times be quite boring and rigidly structured. This seemed much less structured, though it felt and appeared to be very meaningful for all those present. The music was amazing (especially for me being a cultural outsider), the messages were clear, and the preachers hearts were into their sermons. It really seemed to be a mix between an intense (but positive) lecture, and a celebration of life. Generally, I have noticed that when people worship here, whether it be at chapel for school or church, you can really feel their dedication to their faiths. It is really amazing and empowering to see.

The one thing that truly made me happy was the relationship between the facility and the activity that took place within it. The churches I have attended in the past reflect huge amounts of money and resources. This place was simple, yet the physical structure was not at all what was important. It was the activity and worshiping that was taking place under the roof. The pastor was also nice enough to have us stand up and introduce ourselves. I sort of had a pre-conceived notion that it would be somewhat awkward attending because we would stand out so much, but that was not at all the case. We felt and were made to feel very comfortable.

Doreen's Church

The pastor told many stories and gave many examples that really encouraged the audience to think about their lives and their situations. One idea he kept stressing was that anything with a beginning has an end. Though he was using this statement in reference to negative situations and conditions improving, it was sentimental to me because I keep thinking about how it feels like this teaching opportunity in Uganda just started, but is already coming to an end. And this was exponentially more sentimental than normal due to the fact that I was at that moment having a great cultural experience that I would soon be apart from.  

Anyway, the point is that those moments and all opportunities do not last forever. But, I feel so lucky to be here and even have the opportunity to share such experiences with so many great people. One thing he did not mention was the fact that even though things come to an end, they still shape the person and have a lasting influence on them in some way. So whether the influential force is negative or positive, it is what the individual does with it that determines its affect. Though I do not immediately know how this journey will affect me in the long term, I know it will be positive because I have shaped it and will always remember and reflect on the amazing time I had here. I wouldn’t trade teaching at Rwentut for anything, and I am thrilled that I still have 6 days left in my classroom.

One final thing I wanted to point out was my personal perceptions of how related this type of sermon was to hip-hop and rap. If you have never rapped, played an instrument, etc, this may be difficult to understand, but to me, the sermon reminded me of rapping. When you freestyle rap, sometimes you are just really feeling it (right Steven?). The words come out smooth, and the presentation takes on its own form as you get more and more into your piece. When the ideas and flow of it all really connect, your body, movements, and overall composure reflects it as well. If those around you are also into it, it motivates you that much more to pick up steam. The pasture was basically on stage letting his flow take it in the direction it was headed, and the crowd was feeling it. Obviously he had a general outline, but the tune in his head just inspired him and consequently inspired his supporters.  It was intense, it was entertaining, and he obviously stood behind his lyrics, or sermon, or however you want to put it. This was just a personal connection I made with the service. 

That's Right

So, that was church. I am excited to attend on Easter Sunday as well. We will be visiting the village and going to King James’ place of worship. Oh, and on our walk home today we found my workshop! Well, that is all for now. Talk soon.

Just hanging with the boys at the workshop.