We were told when we asked about Sunday morning service that they now have two services, one a bit more traditional and the second one more upbeat and youthful. The first one was supposed to start at 7:30 with music starting at 7:15. The actual service is to begin by 7:30 am.
We had our breakfast at 7 am, and walked over just after 7:30. We were told that the early service would be full, but there was a lot of room at 7:40 when we entered the church. A small music group was singing with piano and drums and gradually over the next half hour, the seats filled up completely. North American studies show that once you reach 75% - 80% of seating capacity in your attendance, that is where it will plateau. Not in Africa! People were sitting very close together, almost on top of each other. We had 6 mzungos on one bench, most other benches had 8-11 people, depending on the number of adults! There was a lot of music, most of it about 10 decibels higher than comfortable. In fact, I think there was just one setting on the sound board – “Blast em”!
At one point, Dr. Chirangi (Chief Medical Officer at KMT Shirati Hospital) stood up and introduced us visitors as a CACHA Team working at Bishop Kisare Technical and Open School and invited us to the front. As Chef de Maison, Terry introduced the Team individually, gave greetings from Shantz Mennonite church to the congregation, and then we sang a verse of “Amazing Grace” and the “Doxology”.
The message was about giving and it was quite the pulpit thumping, high decibel, pressured sermon, but one of the key tenets was a challenge to everyone to self evaluate. We were told that the next time we sat down for a meal, or some other event where we had something to gain, we should ask ourselves: “What have I contributed to this in order for me to benefit? Am I just riding along not contributing?” Probably a bit of a poke at the African culture of women doing most of the work, but also good for all of us to think about.
The service ended right around 9:30 allowing for all of us to exit before the next service began at 9:45 am ish. We headed back to our rooms to rest a bit before heading over to the Leprosy clinic to serve the lunch that we were sponsoring and had paid the Clinic caregivers to prepare.
The lunch was great, with white cooked rice, cooked goat, beans in sauce, cooked coleslaw, watermelon, and bananas for dessert. We were joined by Agutu, the Hospital Secretary, Staff of the Leper clinic, Glen Brubacher from Friends of Shirati (US Shirati support charity) and former Shirati hospital surgeon and medical officer, and Dr. Chirangi. Chirangi was welcomed with a lot of cheering, shouting, and clapping. Apparently he and Vi, his wife, have taken a personal interest in the residents of the clinic, even to the point of providing food and funds from their personal account when things were tight.
Agutu and Glen shared some of the history of the Leprosy Mission, right from the early days when there was a small community of 500 residents near the lake. Now there are only a dozen or so residents, and they will be cared for by the hospital until they pass. Vi Chirangi has helped them to plant some gardens, along with banana trees which the fitter ones can help care for and harvest. When the hospital put in four water ground spigots to sell fresh clean water to villagers, one was installed in the Leprosy Clinic area to give them something to be responsible for and to raise funds for their care and feeding. (Suggested by Terry in 2015 and regularly brought up and pressed for until it has come to fruition!!)
A spokeswoman from the group thanked us for coming all the way from Canada and sharing with them even though we have come from so far away. She mentioned that their families lived much closer but have never come by to see them. She then promised that they would pray for us and asked us to pray for them.
Terry closed the time of fellowship with a thank you to the patients for always being so friendly when he comes through their area on his way to the hospital for visiting friends or playing ping pong. He mentioned how their friendliness has helped him realize that they need contact from others just like anyone else stuck in a hospital would appreciate visits.
Some of the group also do some small crafts and we purchased a number of their colorful hot pads made from sisal and looking very beautiful. The opportunity to serve this meal was both exciting and humbling for the whole team and we agreed that we would like to give some of our cash left over at the end of the Project to them.
After the lunch the team headed back to the Guesthouse for resting and naps because at 4:30, six Piki Piki’s had been reserved to take us up Mount Oboke to see the view and wait for the sunset over Lake Victoria. We stayed on the hill for around two hours, talking, singing with the drivers, and taking photos. The sunset was phenomenal, and some great shots were taken. (see below) Then back to the Guesthouse for supper and a leisurely evening.
We had our breakfast at 7 am, and walked over just after 7:30. We were told that the early service would be full, but there was a lot of room at 7:40 when we entered the church. A small music group was singing with piano and drums and gradually over the next half hour, the seats filled up completely. North American studies show that once you reach 75% - 80% of seating capacity in your attendance, that is where it will plateau. Not in Africa! People were sitting very close together, almost on top of each other. We had 6 mzungos on one bench, most other benches had 8-11 people, depending on the number of adults! There was a lot of music, most of it about 10 decibels higher than comfortable. In fact, I think there was just one setting on the sound board – “Blast em”!
At one point, Dr. Chirangi (Chief Medical Officer at KMT Shirati Hospital) stood up and introduced us visitors as a CACHA Team working at Bishop Kisare Technical and Open School and invited us to the front. As Chef de Maison, Terry introduced the Team individually, gave greetings from Shantz Mennonite church to the congregation, and then we sang a verse of “Amazing Grace” and the “Doxology”.
The message was about giving and it was quite the pulpit thumping, high decibel, pressured sermon, but one of the key tenets was a challenge to everyone to self evaluate. We were told that the next time we sat down for a meal, or some other event where we had something to gain, we should ask ourselves: “What have I contributed to this in order for me to benefit? Am I just riding along not contributing?” Probably a bit of a poke at the African culture of women doing most of the work, but also good for all of us to think about.
The service ended right around 9:30 allowing for all of us to exit before the next service began at 9:45 am ish. We headed back to our rooms to rest a bit before heading over to the Leprosy clinic to serve the lunch that we were sponsoring and had paid the Clinic caregivers to prepare.
The lunch was great, with white cooked rice, cooked goat, beans in sauce, cooked coleslaw, watermelon, and bananas for dessert. We were joined by Agutu, the Hospital Secretary, Staff of the Leper clinic, Glen Brubacher from Friends of Shirati (US Shirati support charity) and former Shirati hospital surgeon and medical officer, and Dr. Chirangi. Chirangi was welcomed with a lot of cheering, shouting, and clapping. Apparently he and Vi, his wife, have taken a personal interest in the residents of the clinic, even to the point of providing food and funds from their personal account when things were tight.
Agutu and Glen shared some of the history of the Leprosy Mission, right from the early days when there was a small community of 500 residents near the lake. Now there are only a dozen or so residents, and they will be cared for by the hospital until they pass. Vi Chirangi has helped them to plant some gardens, along with banana trees which the fitter ones can help care for and harvest. When the hospital put in four water ground spigots to sell fresh clean water to villagers, one was installed in the Leprosy Clinic area to give them something to be responsible for and to raise funds for their care and feeding. (Suggested by Terry in 2015 and regularly brought up and pressed for until it has come to fruition!!)
A spokeswoman from the group thanked us for coming all the way from Canada and sharing with them even though we have come from so far away. She mentioned that their families lived much closer but have never come by to see them. She then promised that they would pray for us and asked us to pray for them.
Terry closed the time of fellowship with a thank you to the patients for always being so friendly when he comes through their area on his way to the hospital for visiting friends or playing ping pong. He mentioned how their friendliness has helped him realize that they need contact from others just like anyone else stuck in a hospital would appreciate visits.
Some of the group also do some small crafts and we purchased a number of their colorful hot pads made from sisal and looking very beautiful. The opportunity to serve this meal was both exciting and humbling for the whole team and we agreed that we would like to give some of our cash left over at the end of the Project to them.
After the lunch the team headed back to the Guesthouse for resting and naps because at 4:30, six Piki Piki’s had been reserved to take us up Mount Oboke to see the view and wait for the sunset over Lake Victoria. We stayed on the hill for around two hours, talking, singing with the drivers, and taking photos. The sunset was phenomenal, and some great shots were taken. (see below) Then back to the Guesthouse for supper and a leisurely evening.
Piki Piki s on top of Oboke The Team with drivers -Jane Terry, Steven, and Jane
It's a struggle! What a view Sun setting into Lake Victoria
Tammy and Corliss Doug and Corliss Jack the Ripped!?