Cultural Experience

Mariama sang (and danced) in a pan-African Christian concert last night (see picture below). The boys and I went to see her, and we had a cultural experience. The concert was to start at 4:00, but knowing how things go, we didn't even get there till 5:15. Mariama said that her group was first, but at 7:00, after all the introductions, multiple sermon-ettes, offering, and prayer time, they announced the line-up. Her group was scheduled last of 8 or 9 groups. So, we left, went to say goodbye to some friends who went to the states, then returned to the concert about 8:30. Mariama's group was on the stage when we got there!

The offering was interesting too. They called people by country of origin to dance their offering down to the basket in front of the stage. There were two white families in the audience, and the other was from Canada. The 'pastor' called for the United States. I wasn't planning to give anything, so I stayed seated. The pastor waited a minute, then called for the United States again. Then, looking directly at me, he said "There isn't anyone from the United States here to support Africa?!" So I gave Chase some money and sent him down to the offering plate.