Baby Dedication
My new favorite way to start my day is to write a post about what happened the day before and with several new experiences this past week I have had something new to write every day this week. It has made for a full week. I am surprised that after almost 7 months here I am still experiencing new things...
When my host mama said we would be gathering with her family to pray for the new baby in the family I didn't expect the production that occurred. I was a little confused when she said she was worried about the event. I thought she was just worried about having such a large crowd, but what I didn't know what that it would be a whole event.
At 12:00 I went downstairs and they were making pizzas. My mama had me try one of the roll-ups they had made. Then around 2:00 they started collecting all the chairs in the house and I knew it was going to be a big deal. With all the commotion I figured it was better if I got out of the way so I went over to Kara's for a shower. While I was gone they transformed the living room into a small chapel with chairs in rows facing the table. Around 4:00 everyone began to arrive and my mama called me down. At 4:30 the service began. The pastor stood and led us in prayer and then gave the number for the first song. You should know that here in Mada certain people have been designated in their churches to lead worship. This means from wherever they are sitting they start the songs accapella. It's interesting because one else every tries to start the song, that person always does the job. Our neighbor is that person in his church and so someone called his name telling the group that he would be starting the songs and during the rest of the service he started each song after the pastor gave the number.
I was pleased that I recognized all the hymns we sang and as I shared a hymnal with the lady next to me I was able to pronounce each of the words. Unfortunately, I wasn't good at remembering them in English, so I just enjoyed the sweet music as I focused on singing each word.
After a few songs the pastor had the group turn to a verse in Luke. I didn't know I was suppose to bring my Bible so I didn't have my Malagasy to English translation. I caught a few words, but didn't know the whole of the text. As the pastor spoke I got the idea he was comparing the new baby to when Gabriel told Mary she would have a new son. I could be totally off on that though.
After about a half hour the service was over and the grandfather of the group stood to give a word. While glasses were passed around for juice each person in the room was introduced. There were about 30 of us. Next homemade juice was served (which is amazingly fresh) and then plates full of appetizers was given to each person. Each plate contained a piece of meet and pepper pizza, two samosas, a baked meet roll-up and two pieces of cake bread.
After we had our fill they brought out the cake, as specialty of my host mamas. I was a little nervous because instead of frosting on some of their cakes they use colored butter, but this one had the most amazing whipped cream frosting. Needless to say I was pretty full from all the snacks.
As the party wound down I noticed guests giving the baby's mama envelops with money as they left. So, it is safe to assume this service was like a shower would be in the States. All in all, it is one more new experience as I continue to get to know the people and culture of those who live here.
When my host mama said we would be gathering with her family to pray for the new baby in the family I didn't expect the production that occurred. I was a little confused when she said she was worried about the event. I thought she was just worried about having such a large crowd, but what I didn't know what that it would be a whole event.
At 12:00 I went downstairs and they were making pizzas. My mama had me try one of the roll-ups they had made. Then around 2:00 they started collecting all the chairs in the house and I knew it was going to be a big deal. With all the commotion I figured it was better if I got out of the way so I went over to Kara's for a shower. While I was gone they transformed the living room into a small chapel with chairs in rows facing the table. Around 4:00 everyone began to arrive and my mama called me down. At 4:30 the service began. The pastor stood and led us in prayer and then gave the number for the first song. You should know that here in Mada certain people have been designated in their churches to lead worship. This means from wherever they are sitting they start the songs accapella. It's interesting because one else every tries to start the song, that person always does the job. Our neighbor is that person in his church and so someone called his name telling the group that he would be starting the songs and during the rest of the service he started each song after the pastor gave the number.
I was pleased that I recognized all the hymns we sang and as I shared a hymnal with the lady next to me I was able to pronounce each of the words. Unfortunately, I wasn't good at remembering them in English, so I just enjoyed the sweet music as I focused on singing each word.
After a few songs the pastor had the group turn to a verse in Luke. I didn't know I was suppose to bring my Bible so I didn't have my Malagasy to English translation. I caught a few words, but didn't know the whole of the text. As the pastor spoke I got the idea he was comparing the new baby to when Gabriel told Mary she would have a new son. I could be totally off on that though.
After about a half hour the service was over and the grandfather of the group stood to give a word. While glasses were passed around for juice each person in the room was introduced. There were about 30 of us. Next homemade juice was served (which is amazingly fresh) and then plates full of appetizers was given to each person. Each plate contained a piece of meet and pepper pizza, two samosas, a baked meet roll-up and two pieces of cake bread.
After we had our fill they brought out the cake, as specialty of my host mamas. I was a little nervous because instead of frosting on some of their cakes they use colored butter, but this one had the most amazing whipped cream frosting. Needless to say I was pretty full from all the snacks.
As the party wound down I noticed guests giving the baby's mama envelops with money as they left. So, it is safe to assume this service was like a shower would be in the States. All in all, it is one more new experience as I continue to get to know the people and culture of those who live here.
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