As much as I hate being told about someone who is a better person than myself in every way (a valid reason to question their existence in the first place I'm sure) I went to church with AM and our host father. The service started at the ungodly hour of 7am on Sunday morning.
For many years I have only been to church on Christmas day, almost to justify celebrating it. Apart from that any other references to church in the UK will be based on what I remember from being a child, so bear with me.
Rundu churches are unlike our traditional bell tower, graveyard and gargoyle covered ones in England. They range from the type you see on the Simpsons to a basic, rectangular mud hut. Ours was like the former. On arrival it was full - people were on time! A peculiar occurrence what with 'African time'. The majority of the service was prayer and hymns. As with most things here they were performed with pride and volume. Everyone, bar me, sang all the hymns loudly, in tune and often with several harmonies. Even Oh When the Saints sounded great. Being a reserved nation our songs are often quietly groaned.
There was much more standing in the service here allowing my height to add to my colour in making my religious/cultural ignorance more than apparent. When not standing we knelt. The pews were just as wooden and uncomfortable as home but with no cushion on offer - I was praying to stand again.
On the more positive side there were no crying babies or toddlers running riot. The Lord's prayer was followed by showing one another 'the sign of peace'. We shook hands with all within arms reach whilst singing about God's blessings. However, as in England there were call and reply prayers that never fail to lack enthusiasm,
All in all it was a pleasant experience but it still remains that Church is not my thing regardless of the side of the hemisphere I am on.
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