They started at about 6:30pm. How to describe the services... well imagine that you can recognize only about 30% of the prayer tunes, another 35% of the prayers sound like a hebrew version of The Lion King, the remaining 35% of the prayers sounded like hebrew black baptist hymns. I am certain that there is no place in the world you can go and participate in services that have this type of ruach. The one thing that stood out for me was Lecha Dodi, it had an African melody, and we all san and danced around them bema. The little kids laughing and participating fully. The other interesting thing that happened throughout Friday services and afterwards was the power kept going on and off. It finally just went out, as we did kiddush and ate dinner in front of the Rabbis house, using only a few flashlights and solar powered lights. As a gift to the community, we sponsored both the Friday night dinner and the Saturday lunch. The people were very grateful and thanked us for doing this for them.
One of the things that has struck me the past few days is the amount of bottled water that everyone drinks. The tap water is not safe to drink. At least in this region, the empties are tossed out as garbage, or even burned. I had a crazy idea, find a way to build a recycling plant for the these bottles. To use this "free natural" resource to create jobs, and produce woven packaging for the indigenous coffee, tea and other industries. Friday night after dinner, I spoke to the Rabbi about the that, he loved the idea on many different levels. Jobs for the wider community, Tikkun Olam, repairing the world and raising the standard of living for the region. While Rabbi Gershom spends his time getting elected to Parliament, I will continue to enlist help, and research the feasibility of this endeavor.
Shabbat morning services were similar to the prior night, we were graced with the first Aliyah as honored guests of the community, and everyone did well. The thing I liked about the service, was that is was all "meat and potatoes." By the standards at home it was a short service, but we did it all. Another thing I want to mention about the services, the congregation has a "mechitzah", women on the left, men on the right. But when it came to the services, the women were full and equal participants in the services, leading the prayers, having aliyot and everything else.
After services was a time for study and meeting before lunch. I traveled around the world, to the middle of Africa and found a meeting!!! The Rabbi led a discussion with about 20-25 men who have either given up, or attempting to give up alcohol and/or drugs. I was able to tell them a little bit about my story, how I was able to stop, and what I continue to do to stay clean. I was also able to relate the parsha of the exodus story to my struggles and enslavement to drugs. My sobriety, as my personal freedom. As I spoke the Rabbi translated for me, it was apparent that this is a problem suffered by many here too. The little wisdom I was able to impart was, first don't think in terms of quitting for good, or for this year, or month, or week, but rather "just for today." The other comment I made was when one of the participants said they were missing someone, who should be in this group, I said in my experience the best way for each of them to help this man, was to take care of themselves, set an example for him to see, so that he wants what they have. By preaching to him, they will likely have little success in helping him. On my to to do list, I want to email some literature and the twelve steps the Rabbi, hoping that this will help.
While I was all serious having this meeting, Sharon and Shoshi led a pillates class for the women of the community. There were about 30 women who participated. They led them in basic moves and the women were laughing at each other as they were on their backs in their skirts doing the moves. Sharon said, "they don't need pillates, their entire life is filled with exercise."
After a group parshat discussion, we had a wonderful lunch. Had a chance to meet and greet members of the community. Was able to take a nice Shabbat nap, then went to a football(soccer) game that took place in honor of the Rabbis campaign. Oh by the way it was Christmas also, other than meeting and greeting the Christians at the game, we never would have known. On the topic of religion, it was also interesting that 5 times a day, we heard the call of the of muezzin. A place where all these faiths live together as neighbors, and friends, pretty neat.
Rest of the day was at rest, went to Havdallah, then Sharon, Shoshi and Joanne talked with Zipporah the Rabbis wife about helping with wedding cake for he wedding on today. They ended up going into Mbale to buy supplies for icing the cake. Upon their return, we ate, chatted and went to bed.
Sharon and Shoshi did decorate the cake, after someone brought the right ingredients. They were very touched by the contributions made by Sharon, Shoshi and Benji in making the cake.
Today was spend packing, getting ready to leave, making the wedding cake and saying bye to our many new friends. Our intent was to stay for the wedding that was to happen at 10:30am, well as its Africa, the ceremony is not taking place until 2:30pm. Unfortunately we needed to leave at 1:00pm to make it to Kampala for the Ndere Dance Troup performance. Well like I said we are on Africa time, so we left at 1:30pm!
Before I continue I wanted to say a special thanks to Rabbi Gershom and Zipporah Sizomu for their and their communities hospitaly. By far they have been the nicest and friendliest people we have encountered on our trip so far.
We are on the road from Mbale to Kampala. We were driven by Isaac and Samson, who were a great help. Got to the hotel Speke Hotel in Kampala, checked in, dropped luggage and headed directly to dinner and and the Ndere Dance Troup.
For anyone who is interested the Troup has a link at www.ndere.com, this troup is comprised of kids from 13-24 who are from all different regions of Uganda. Each brings their regions dialects, languages, customs and dance to share in the commonality of the entire Ugandan culture. It was established 26 years ago and its goal is to bring these kids together, and provide this stage and the revenue generated to further their individual educations, and promote a greater peace through Uganda. Besides the dancing was fabulous!!!
We are back at the hotel, its 12:10am and I am finishing the blog. Tomorrow we fly to Tanzania to begin the Safari portion of our trip. We are tired, excited and very grateful for this opportunity. Will write and post pics as soon as possible.
Joey
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