Student Reflection on the faith experience at Sivuyile National Baptist - Hannah Motes

Today in the house we all showed up to breakfast showered and dressed. Shocking, as this is not expected of college students on mornings after nights out; this scenario would be non-existent if we were not off to Guguletu for a morning service with the Sivuyile National Baptist Church. Most of us were very concerned over appropriateness of dress, as half of the group is catholic or non-practicing-meaning very casual is usually acceptable attire. So after several outfit changes, we were off to experience township faith. Full members of the church were able to wear a black and white outfit, while the rest of the congregation was in various colours. We arrived early and spread out to better mingle with the congregation. The ladies began singing while beating various percussion instruments: including a cowbell. The world could always use more cowbell (thats for you blue oyster cult.) It was a very happy situation, with as much singing as sermon, and gasp!-dancing.-that's right -these women and men dance to god. One lady even got the spirit, which is more typical in a Pentecostal setting, but apparently happens as some of the ladies next to her know what to do. Everyone was very nice and welcoming, and helped us follow, as the service was in isiXhosa-by the way, the unison clicks were awesome. When we left, all the kids wanted their picture with us; it was really cute, I'm a sucker for kids. The reverend introduced us and we will be staying with members of the church during our township overnight. This just correlates everything I’ve felt so far from South African people; the welcoming and automatic acceptance as a friend/family member is astonishing and fantastic. For the most part, people are not suspicious of motives, and genuinely want to accept you, America could learn something from South Africa. On a side note, it was the first time all trip I really had time to reflect over Emily's suicide and my grandpa's death on Wednesday. That, coupled with the emotion in the church made it a really hard day that I honestly wasn't prepared for. However, for the first time in awhile, I was glad to be in a church and felt something-didn't feel quite as alone or questioning for the first time in years.