Church Fashion

Yesterday, we went with Solomon, who works at the research center, to his church service-there are many Christian denominations here, and this one was called the International Family Church.  I wish I had some pictures to show for it, but of course I assumed it would be quite disrespectful to pull out my camera in the middle of the service.  We drove up to a big circus tent set up just off the same red dirt road that the research center is located on, and Solomon set us up with a young man named Emmanuel to be our translator because Solomon had a leading role in the bible study, which was the first aspect of the worship service.  Since it was conducted in the regional dialect, it was helpful to have Emmanuel lean over frequently and explain what was just said.  We looked at about three different Bible verses, all relating to building strong foundations as Christians, and even tried our hand at answering some of the questions posed to the group by Solomon, even though I think that when Emmanuel repeated our answers in the regional dialect he made them sound a lot better than they actually were!  We were not expecting to be asked to participate in that part, but we were happy to feel included!  After bible study, the main service began, and it there is no other word to describe it but FUN.  Everyone sang the songs loudly and with passion, and each one had a different clapping pattern to go along with it.  Eventually people started to dance around in the aisles and in the front, some dancing solo and some forming circles and groups.  I wish I had known the songs, because they were all very catchy and I would have loved to sing along.  It was interesting to hear the sermon as well, since each line said in English by the main speaker was repeated in the regional dialect by a translator standing to the side.  Between the songs and prayers and sermons and announcements, this part of the service took us all the way up until about 11:30, and we had started bible study at 8:30-much longer than any mass I have been to at home!  However, I barely noticed the long amount of time passing, as everything that was happening in the service was so fascinating and different from home.  They even had a point at the end of the service when they asked anyone worshiping with them for the first time, so of course we stood up and got a round of applause and many kind smiles and a few welcoming handshakes.  I can’t stress enough how kind everyone here has been to us; it has made me feel so welcome and comfortable.  I especially love when I suddenly catch young kids peering at us on the street or in the mall or at church, because they stare in such a curious and apprehensive way, but will eagerly wave and smile as soon as you offer them the same.  It always brightens my day to see the kids eagerly jump up and down with excitement as soon as we wave or smile at them.  Even stopping at the roadside stands to buy water or food reminds me that a smile is a universal language, and kind words exchanged are always appreciated. 

Last night, we watched a show on TV called “Ghana’s Most Beautiful”, which is like Ghana’s version of America’s Next Top Model, with a few key exceptions.  For one thing, these women look like real women you could see walking down the street, not the stick-thin girls on ANTM.  The tone of this show also seems much more positive, focusing on the women and the things they believe in, not the drama and conflict between them.  I could definitely get used to this show, and will root for the woman on it who is from Dodowa!

One last thing: going to church also gave us the perfect opportunity to scope out all of the different styles and patterns of women’s clothes, since we are starting to think about what types of clothes we want to have made here.  I can’t wait to have some new outfits!