To Bring You Up to Speed...

This past Sunday, I ended up going to church with some members of my class and my instructor. I think we were missing what has become our home and needed to go back. Both my Mama and Papa were at church on this day. When Mama saw that I had come to church, she was elated! I was too. I can’t lie; I’m really glad that we had the opportunity to go back to church. There is something about the JL Zwane community that has captured my heart. There were plenty of hugs to go around and so much love in the room that it’s hard to describe. I don’t really remember what the service was about to tell you the truth, even though some of it was translated from Xhosa. I do remember some bits from the HIV/AIDS portion; it was shocking to say the least. A woman had come to tell about another woman who had recently died from AIDS. She hadn’t told her parents that she was HIV positive until it was too late to get her treatment. Her family was ashamed, completely ashamed that she was infected. It seemed as though her mother really didn’t support her during her last days. She wasn’t allowed to leave the house for fear of others in the community would “find out.” I think it was like a status position thing. (That’s my best guess). When she finally died, the mother held the funeral on a Thursday morning. From what I was told by my Mama, funerals are never held on any other day of the week but Saturday. This way, people from all over the community would be able to come and pay his or her respects. The mother was too ashamed and did not allow this; she even went as far as to have the funeral service as short as possible. This just goes to show you just how strong some of the stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS are here in Gugulethu and South Africa. It was even more difficult to hear because the presenter spoke in Xhosa. So when the shocking parts of the story were told, I could hear the gasps before her words were translated into English. You’d think it would have prepared me for bad news. But no, I don’t think anything can prepare a person to hear a story as sad as that.

There was also another part of the service that was pretty stellar. I’m not completely sure of the structure of a church service so I was kind of confused when it was happening. The reverend let the congregation know that it was time for prayer. So I think to myself… “All right, bow my head and listen.” I did, and at first nothing happened. So I thought it was silent prayer time. Then I hear a woman praying quietly out loud in Xhosa. I couldn’t help but think it rood until I figured out that she was praying for the entire congregation and the guests at the service that say. Seriously, her voice grew louder and louder as the prayer went on and then grew softer to the voice level she started at. Now, I don’t really know how prayers are supposed to go. I’m thinking that it really doesn’t matter. But golly gee, was it amazing to listen to… especially because you could feel her passion travel throughout the room. Awesome. The service ended, and it was time for last goodbyes. I really won’t be going back to this church on Sunday. I’m sad to realize this but having this experience will be enough.

On Monday, it was back to class on the University of Cape Town campus. I was looking forward to this discussion today. We talked about the social change model of leadership and how its characteristics can be applied to both Minnesota and South Africa. Don’t you love when class time goes by fast because you are that engaged? Like I’ve said before, this class has helped me realize how much I love learning again. The characteristic that we had was “congruence.” We defined it as “making sure that your core values are in-sync with your actions and that you are aware of the process.” Since this topic was much more theoretical, my partner and I had a hard time picking out things to talk about. After some thought, we realized that one aspect that South Africans in Gugulethu are congruent on is community and relationships. People value just calling for no reason or sitting down to a meal for hours on end. I know that sitting at a restaurant for a long time really bugs me. Then again, I have that American mentality. Here, it’s great that you have that much time because you can really catch up with people or simply just enjoy one another’s company. Think about it. Do you think that you are congruent with what you consider to value the most? Honestly, I know I am with some things. But I look forward to being more congruent with things I claim to value when I get home in a couple of days.

The rest of the day was spent shopping at Greenmarket square. I was a decent bargainer and got some great items to bring home. A bunch of people decided to get tattoos, which was pretty fun to watch. I was told to get one too, but there’s no way that I would; I hate needles too much! Tuesday also consisted of watching people get tattoos. The sound is actually quite relaxing. I was falling asleep listening to it.

This is my instructor, Aaron. Yes, there are Iron Maiden posters in the background. It was taken at the tattoo parlor where he got a sweet tattoo. I can't even put into words how grateful I am for the day he came into my leadership class this past spring. If he hadn't, I would have never had this opportunity.

Some of us tried to go to a Jewish Holocaust museum that was in town but it was closed. However, on the way we ran into a botanical garden so we walked through that. It was simply lovely.

So there you have it! I am all caught up. I am somewhat relieved but wish I had more answers. I wish I could comprehend everything I’ve seen. I wish had some remarkable thing to say. Then again, I came here to learn. And I’m still in that process. Leadership. It’s all about the process.

Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it! :)