Oh My GOD

Ok...so in an attempt to be a good hostess and try to honor the interests of my guests we went to a church in a small village near the mountain. The Pastor know ahead of time that we were coming but I was in no way prepared for the spectacle....and the spectacle, was us. I think they were holding the service until we got there....we were paraded into the Pastor's office...welcomed and then ushered into the church. I'd liken that part of the exerience to walking in a bikini in a crowded shopping mall. The kids are so lucky because they could bury their faces and growl...which is sort of what I felt like doing too. I think basically our presence was similar to an alien showing up at Starbucks and calmly ordering a Frappicino. Mouths were agape. THEN they asked us to say a few words....so imagine being so far out of your comfort zone and then adding public speaking....to people that can't understand a word you say. I tried my level best to pepper my words with the Swahili I know.....ug...
The "ugs" were just beginning I am afraid to say....the service lasted 3 HOURS.....UUUUUUGGGGGGGG. Nell and Pearl kept looking at me imploringly. I finally just started to join them in their impatience and simply told them to pray for it to be over. FINALLY it was over....but I succeeded in "outchurching" Shawna....she made me promise to never go to church again while we are here...done.
Afterwards the pastor invited us into his office and asked me point blank what I could do for them??!! Wait a minute...where is the Christian spirit of welcoming?? I was floored and answered something to the effect that I was pretty sure I was adding to the economy of Marangue....all I could come up with?
So now I have decompressed....in a way glad I went for the truely alien experience....but glad it is over too. Thank God.
Peace,
Sarah