Day 7 - Waking to Roosters, Attending Church, and Seeing Each Other at Homestays

We began our first morning of homestays quite early, as many of us were awakened at 4 am by a rooster's call not 10 yards outside our window.  Many hosts not only raise chickens but have cows and a variety of crops, such as corn, sunflowers, bananas, sweet potatoes, avocado trees, tomatoes, and onions.  After breakfast, several of us went to church with our host families. I attended with my host, the principal, Madam Rita.  She is Pentecostal and her church had a live band with groups young and old dancing and singing.  I was introduced to the congregation by my host and asked to say a few words. After being introduced, the pastor gave a sermon and an elder volunteered to translate each line of the pastor's just so I could understand. Another group: Roya, Aidan, Liliana, Ella, Amina, and Joshua had exactly the same experience at their church, and joined in the dancing and singing:




In the afternoon, some students were able to wash clothes, while others played soccer, or visited each others' homestays. This evening, they received their school uniforms and will wear tomorrow morning.


                                                     

                                                     

All in all, we are adjusting smoothly to our new homes. Much is new: bucket showers, squatting toilets, and no running water.  Our hosts are so kind and eager to connect with us. This is definitely shaping up to be a profoundly powerful experience of cultural exchange.  Tomorrow, the entire Banjika School will welcome us at 7:45 and after they start their morning classes, we will have a check-in to share our experiences. After lunch, we will have more activities with our host partners and continue this amazing journey.  Stay tuned.

-Joseph M.


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