Ongwediva

Last Friday, some of my colleagues surprised me and took me over to one of the teacher’s bar.  Most of the bars here, are small open concrete buildings, with only a table and a small counter to sit at.  But they are everywhere and enjoyed by many.  This enjoyment dwindles to excess and it is a huge problem for Namibian’s who spend much of their pay in the bars.  However, the teachers at Eloolo are good people and thought that I should have a welcoming party.  We sat, joked, and discussed while having some beers and cool drinks.  There was even a bit of roasted chicken and meat, which they eat to the bone, and even the bone sometimes. 

After the bar, I headed over to Ongwediwa.  My principal lives in this nice small town, which is seen as one of the nicer communities within the region.  Upon entering, I could tell that there was more money here. Most houses (almost all are one story) have a gate and even a small back yard of sand and fruit trees.  I felt very lucky to be here and in such good company, as my principal and his family were extremely friendly and generous.

So I spent the weekend relaxing, playing with his children (two girls seven and two.  They also have two other girls who are seventeen and thirteen. They help with the household chores, and return get a place to sleep and get to go to school. Another four year-old boy is also fostered there) being waited on constantly.  They aimed to stuff me.  A compliment here is to be fat and they tried their hardest to make me so in just a couple of days.  Huge bowls of buttered porridge, roasted meat, and traditional maize milk were always at the ready.

On Sunday I attended church.  It was a a Lutheran service, but unlike any I have ever attended.  The closest comparison that I can make was that it was part Luthrran, Evangelical, and Baptist all in one.  The Namibian Christian’s and Lutherans, at least at this church, celebrate jubilantly, when they praise God.  Instead of the solemn (by no means is that negative and yes, I know Lutheran churches do have fun too) services of some Lutheran American churches, this church had a celebration.  The preacher yelled, screamed, cried, laughed, and made sounds that I didn’t know humans could make.  Members danced, made congo-lines, sang, and moved around in any way possible.  This three hour experience was breathtaking.  It was so different than what I know church to be like. 

I applaud these members, because of how devoted they are to their religion.  They truly love being Christian and worship in a fantastic and happy way.  When they walk away, I can see that they get the same meditative calming out of the service, just as many do in America.  It really did put a smile on my face just to see how much their religion meant to them.  Yet, at the same time, this powerful religion can mask their interpretation of the world.  In discussing religion with a few members, many accepted other practices, but only if they believed in Jesus.  That doesn’t seem to include some religions I know.  If a person did follow something other than Christianity, than they were in the wrong, leaning on the immoral side.  I listened intently and was reminded again about how religion can be a brilliantly good thing, but also mask and dictate life.

I know there are some services like this in America and that many of my experiences here can relate to others elsewhere. Also, there are many things I don’t have to the ability to say, because of my constraints with connectivity and time, but I hope you all understand that I take a careful approach when I do get a chance to blog.  If I ever leave something out, stop short, or offend, I apologize, it is not my intention to do so. I merely try to report what I see and giving some interpretation of it in the short time that I can.

English: Biodiversity. Took the learners on a walk today, describing biodiversity.  History; working into collaboration and resistance on European colonialism. 

By the way, I am taking pictures and will post them when I get back.  I can’t get them up here, but I think you will really enjoy them.  Thanks and hope all is well.