Sunday is church-time

Most people in Arusha go to church on sundays. At the lokal church, Kimandolu Lutheran Church, there are three services every sunday. Simply because the church isn't big enough for everybody, and that's a big church. It's impressing, especially when you concider that the first service starts at 7 in the morning! Here is the opposite problem from Norway, where there are too little people at church on sundays. Most churches have choirs, and Kimandolu church has a volleyball field, where the local CHRISC team is training.

Last sunday, we went to the lutheran church. It is more lively than the Norwegian Church, but the way they do the service is pretty much the same. They sing psalms, pray together, one of the priests holds a speech. Yes, there are two priests. One thing that was a bit strange for us norwegians, was the offerings. There was three rounds of offerings, for different purpouses. At the third round, those who wanted could give even more, and everybody clapped for those who gave more. Even those who couldn't contribute with money could give something else. Tomatoes, chickens or other goods will be sold at the service. It is not unusual that people pay heavy overprice for a chicken at church.

Today we've been to a charismatic church, called Winners Chapel. The service started at nine, so we had to get up at 7.30. On a sunday! The service was very different from the lutheran church. People danced while they were singing, and the music was really loud. I regret that I didn't bring ear plugs. It's not possible to describe the atmosphere by words. I was very amazed by the preachers. They simply didn't run out of voice. And what an energy! For two and a half hour they talked, screamed and yelled in nigerian-english and swahili until their napkins were wet from sweat. Afterwards they danced, waving their napkins. Everybody danced. I liked the singing and dancing. It makes me smile. However, the service lasted for four hours, so I was quite exhausted afterwards. Luckily we were allowed to sit during the speech.

On our way back from church, we met people coming from church, and people going to church. It seems like there are services the whole day.

Winners chapel