"If anyone feels this couple should not be uinted in Holy Matrimony...you can just leave". When I heard this through translation at a Mozambican wedding on Saturday, I couldn't help but be thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a neat cultural experience. There were many aspects of this wedding that were quite a contrast from the Western weddings that I am accustomed to. For instance, the bride is not supposed to smile at all! I sat there for the first ten minutes or so feeling sorry for the poor girl, wondering who was putting her up to this wedding and wishing she would just leave herself if it was such a painful thing! Luckily, it was explained to me that Mozambican weddings are supposed to be somber occasions for the bride because she is leaving her family. I can't imaging having to maintain that look throughout the wedding with my family and friends all smiling and dancing! Another difference was that the bride and groom sit facing the crowd, and even do their vows and everything facing the crowd. I thought that was really neat, because then we all get to see the couple, not just their backs. There was also a fairly long sermon preached before the couple took their vows, which was interesting - the men speaking seemed pretty fired up! We arrived late, so we missed the part of the wedding where they all dance up the aisle to the front of the church...Also, the wedding also goes on for the whole weekend, which is neat. G
etting to the wedding was interesting, too. The roads were sand/dirt and only as wide as the car! It was like driving through a maze. Overall, it was a really cool event to be a part of and I was glad for the opportunity.Sunday, I was blessed to go with a few people to a church a little ways out of the main city. It was really a great experience. This is a picture of me, Aimee, and one of the pastors standing outside of the church. Aimee and I sang a song at the end of the service, which went ok considering I can't sing, haha, but it was fine! It is always exciting to woship with believers from another culture. We sang songs in Shangaan, and they were beautiful. Ireally enjoyed the church and the people.
This week is my fourth week of teaching! It is going SO fast. This week has gone well, although a lot of people at school have been sick. I think there have been at least two people out from my class every day so far. And almost half of those who are in class are coughing and sniffling and falling asleep on their desks. It is so sad. The art teacher was out this week, so I got to do art with the kids, which was a lot of fun. It's also really funny, one of the teachers once mentioned that there was some 'KFV' upstairs for us (Kentucky fried vegetables). Patricia and I laughed about it, and somehow the expression stuck, so every day when it's time to go grab something to eat Patricia or I will go, "Time for KFV!" and then she laughs so hard. It has transferred to other foods as well - today, Patricia had KFB (bread) and I had KFA (an apple). Anyways, the kids are all so cute! They continue to say the funniest things...here are a few examples....
There is only one boy in the class who, from my American point of view, has no accent. But somehow he has taken on an accent when in class! It's hilarious, especially because sometimes he says things in his accent, trying to sound like everyone else, and they will all correct him on how he's saying it! For example: the other day he was saying something was "in his deeesk". Two other kids yell out, "It's not 'deeesk', its DESK!" haha.
Ariel continues to say such funny things. This week, he has taken to answering every instruction or request with "Yes Maaann". And the other day, while everyone was eating quietly, he yells out "I also like beans! They're my FRAVRITE!" And when talking about Mr. Golden he goes, "Draw Mr. Golden with an elephant...(thoughtful pause)...I like elephants...(another thoughtful pause)...I want to EAT elephants!" Haha, I have no idea where these things come from!
Today, I was talking to one little girl who is so little and cute, and very smart. She had a sweatshirt with a dog on it. This is how the conversation went:
me: Alisha! I love your sweatshirt! Do you like dogs?
Alisha: shakes her head no
me: No?! Well, how about cats?
Alisha: (pause)...I like butterflies. And stars and diamonds becasue these are good.
And then of course there is little Monique who is only 4. The other day she blurts out: "I have a BIG dog! It's GIANT! But it's just a little bit small."
Haha, I can only look forward to what the next few weeks will bring! Plenty of laughs, I'm sure. I am looking forward to this weekend, it is a long weekend for a holiday Monday and we are going to South Africa! I am very excited, not only for the break but also to visit some more areas of South Africa. It should be a fun time <3
This week is my fourth week of teaching! It is going SO fast. This week has gone well, although a lot of people at school have been sick. I think there have been at least two people out from my class every day so far. And almost half of those who are in class are coughing and sniffling and falling asleep on their desks. It is so sad. The art teacher was out this week, so I got to do art with the kids, which was a lot of fun. It's also really funny, one of the teachers once mentioned that there was some 'KFV' upstairs for us (Kentucky fried vegetables). Patricia and I laughed about it, and somehow the expression stuck, so every day when it's time to go grab something to eat Patricia or I will go, "Time for KFV!" and then she laughs so hard. It has transferred to other foods as well - today, Patricia had KFB (bread) and I had KFA (an apple). Anyways, the kids are all so cute! They continue to say the funniest things...here are a few examples....
There is only one boy in the class who, from my American point of view, has no accent. But somehow he has taken on an accent when in class! It's hilarious, especially because sometimes he says things in his accent, trying to sound like everyone else, and they will all correct him on how he's saying it! For example: the other day he was saying something was "in his deeesk". Two other kids yell out, "It's not 'deeesk', its DESK!" haha.
Ariel continues to say such funny things. This week, he has taken to answering every instruction or request with "Yes Maaann". And the other day, while everyone was eating quietly, he yells out "I also like beans! They're my FRAVRITE!" And when talking about Mr. Golden he goes, "Draw Mr. Golden with an elephant...(thoughtful pause)...I like elephants...(another thoughtful pause)...I want to EAT elephants!" Haha, I have no idea where these things come from!
Today, I was talking to one little girl who is so little and cute, and very smart. She had a sweatshirt with a dog on it. This is how the conversation went:
me: Alisha! I love your sweatshirt! Do you like dogs?
Alisha: shakes her head no
me: No?! Well, how about cats?
Alisha: (pause)...I like butterflies. And stars and diamonds becasue these are good.
And then of course there is little Monique who is only 4. The other day she blurts out: "I have a BIG dog! It's GIANT! But it's just a little bit small."
Haha, I can only look forward to what the next few weeks will bring! Plenty of laughs, I'm sure. I am looking forward to this weekend, it is a long weekend for a holiday Monday and we are going to South Africa! I am very excited, not only for the break but also to visit some more areas of South Africa. It should be a fun time <3
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