Church Service and Sugar Cane

Today I went to a Baptist church that is not far from icipe with David who works with me. When we arrived, the Kiswahili service was still in progress, so we were escorted to a bible study. They have a lot of bible studies going on: Men’s, Women’s, Couples, Primary, High school, discipleship, new members, and others. David decided we should stay in the same group. We joined a bible study that was in the process of reciting scriptures from memory. David and I listened while they recited Psalm 32 independently. After the study, we went to church.

The beginning of church was all singing while the church filled up. I sang more songs in the first 15 minutes of church than I do in a whole service at home! The church was completely full. I have never seen so many people on a regular church Sunday! After the singing, the pastor went to the front and asked all new visitors to stand. There were probably 15 of us. Then one by one, we were given a microphone and were told to introduce ourselves and where we were from. Standing among all of them, I feel I am the one with an accent. Their vowels are spoken similar to how Spanish vowels are spoken. 

Church was about an hour and a half long. The sermon was about the names of Jehovah. I will have to remember to bring my bible next week. David and I borrowed a bible and we used it often.

After church all visitors were excited to a tent for tea and fried bread. They were both very good. (Maybe I will become a tea drinker while I am here). They told us about services and other activities they have throughout the week and month.

On the walk home from church we passed a couple of sugar cane vendors. At one that wasn't busy, David bought us each a bag of raw sugar cane. The customer chooses the stalk of sugar cane they would like. The person cutting the sugar cane then takes the stalk and cuts off the outer skin. He then chops the cane into chunks and into a bag. You take out a chunk and chew it, eating the juice and sugar, then you spit out the rest. I wonder if they sell sugarcane back home… If so I may get some! It seems to be a popular snack here. So many people were carrying around bags.

 The inside of the church.

 The outside of the church.

 My sugar can being chopped into chunks for me to eat.

 My sugar cane! :)