I began to write this on Sunday. Then I suddenly felt rather crumby and the last thing on my mind was blogging. It continued to get worse on Monday and Tuesday. We checked for malaria and I don’t have it so that is good. Though, I still feel like Nephilim are stomping on my gut. Anyway, here are my thoughts on Sunday and then I will write abut Mikumi in another entry.
Blogs really don’t do justice to days like Sunday. It was incredible. One of those days that remind a person why they are where they are. I will remember as much as I can. Sunday we went to another Masaai village deep in the pori. Upon arrival we were greeted by one of the patriarchs of the village. He is a very wealthy and progressive man who could not wait to give us a tour so that he could show off the new well and generator system that delivers clean water to the village and a steady source to the cattle. With only about three hundred people relying on these cattle it is clear that this man is extremely wealthy. Just like in the US, people with excess wealth use part of their money but most simply sits and exists to make a person wealthy. Though, his excess does not look nearly the same as it does in the US. His excess benefits the poor in the area as he is extremely benevolent. He allows neighbor’s cattle to use his water source and he rents out farmer’s land to graze on so that the land is easier to till and replant. It is simply part of this culture that one shares what they have with little hesitation. This is even reflected in the language as Swahili doesn’t have words for ownership. Rather, they speak of being with something. Like Tim is with knife. Pretty neat. This wealth will also make it possible for some of his many children to attend school. It was very cool to see modernization in action as we had the rare opportunity to watch as the thousand or o cattle were brought herded to water. You know, it is wonderful that when the Masaai get new technology it is for life sustaining purposes and not simply to entertain.
I also asked Pr. Hafermann about the relationship that the Maasai have with their cattle. Obviously, they are completely reliant on the animals and are very aware of it as this is often the center of discussion. Our Sunday services often wait for the cattle. And we nearly always literally worship until the cows come home in many villages. The children begin caring for cows at a very young age. We have seen kids as young as five or six taking a small herd of calves from village to watering hole. The cows support them and so they give complete respect to the cows. (Could this be like the United States where paper money supports us so we give our utmost respect to the dollar? I feel the difference is that the Maasai that we have met would never ignore a person or let this get in the way of relationships. Maybe if there was a great crisis, but then the seemingly natural rules of hospitality and care for the other would be flipped so that the other would require that the non-Masaai help her brother in the crisis. In this way it is more respectful. In my short time, I do not sense a great grab for cattle. They are necessary but not at other’s expense. I know there are thieves and such but in day to day life it just seems different. I think greed is at the center of so many problems, but I will save this for another day. Sorry, quick stream of consciousness.) Anyway, I was saying, the respect for the animal is astounding. Every milking cow even has a name. There are a lot of milking cows.
The service was unbelievable. First, as is the norm here, we were welcomed with natural and radical hospitality. I started to think recently that this may be due the fact that we are with Pastor Hafermann and they really like him or that we are American and expect nothing less. Then, something wonderful happened. A woman and her children came from a nearby village to see what Christianity is all about and they too were given special treatment. Of course, they were treated more naturally as it is easier to deal with someone from your own culture but they were still clearly special guests. Again, we were given wonderful chairs and fed. They are so concerned with taking care of us and the other evangelists and pastors who come.
After eating, we waited and got to know each other. As is always the case, discussion turned toward Barack Obama. We often joke that we are not going home if he loses except to rescue our family. Peter is certain that if McCain wins we will return to a post-apocalyptic America. Much like that in Terminator. We all uncomfortably laugh at these half truths. Anyway, we waited for all the people to arrive. Time moves slow here, mostly because people value each other and would rather spend time together than rush to the next appointment. Time is not a commodity. People are really not a commodity.
We gathered in the shade of a tree on a ground gray with drought and the gifts that the cows have given back to the Earth after having been given so much by her. Even the way we sat was humanizing in the act of worship. The places to sit were all facing each other so that we could see each other. This is significant as it emphasizes community and worship as discussion with one another and God. Too often we think that worship is just between us and God. This is certainly a shame which was made so apparent today by the deep contrast to what we are used to. Worship in this setting made us feel so close to our sisters and brothers and to the open Earth upon which we sat. Facing in every direction also made us recognize the other. In every direction we could see curious onlookers watching. The open space left so much room for people to join us. So welcoming. The people are so hungry to hear about a God that welcomes them, washes their dirty feet in hospitality and shows radical love to the other. And they reflect it. This is practical theology. Really really good practical theology.
No comments:
Post a Comment