GREETINGS
I’m a Filipino and I’m only exposed to
Filipino’s culture in greetings, none else. Shaking of hands is typical among
opposite genders; and hugging and kissing on the cheeks especially between
ladies is customary. But when we arrived here in the division, something was peculiar!
As Ate Maya and I were walking while enjoying
the stunning scenes of the place, she didn't recognize the Pastor whom they
worked before from afar. But as we get closer, there it was! Their verbal greetings
in African were recorded in my ears but the manifestation astonished my eyes – a hug for a hug! I took a deep breath...Then he came to me and did the same. I really wish I
knew what would happen ahead of time, but it was so sudden that I can’t help
myself from hugging back. Culture shock! I later
learned that this is part of African culture; but I appreciate this earnest welcome. And to think that it was the first time that I've been introduced to him; how much more then if we would be working with this Pastor. I'm in the grounds of culture adaptation! Moreover, this same Pastor baptized me with a Kenyan name: ATIENO, being born during the night. What could be yours?
WORSHIP
SERVICES
 |
| with the Salibio and Caballero couples |
It was an amazing and interesting first Sabbath experience at Maxwell Academy. It was a convocation of different nationalities from students to instructors to visitors - mostly Africans, some Americans, and of course, we represent the FIlipinos. It was a blessing meeting another Filipino couple: Mr. Roy Salibio, Maxwell Academy's Treasurer; and Mrs. Evelyn Salibio, Maxwell Academy's Music Teacher; and a new friend, Daniel Hill from Tennessee, also a missionary and the general manager for 2CBN here in Nairobi.
 |
| with Daniel Hill |
In the Philippines, worship starts at 8:30 am and usually ends at most 12 nn (at least for the hour of worship). But worship here started at 10:00 am and ended around 1:30 pm. I thought only Filipinos practice Filipino time! It was a school church so it followed the American standard of worship though in an African setting. I'm not used to attending church at this time. Later, I was informed that this is way better than in churches which observes purely African standard (looking forward to such). Why? Because “THERE’S NO HURRY IN AFRICA!” - will I still be in culture shock then? Hmm..I've got to find it out myself too. Anyway, since there’s no hurry, they can start late and end up late – they can last seating in the pews and listen to a sermon without minding their stomachs complaining. I thought this is interesting and it implies something: they desire more for real spiritual food over the physical ones. What a contrast! How I pray that all Filipinos would have the same attitude towards worship – not really starting late but craving more to listen to real meat sermons without being disturbed over the stomach’s craving for lunch!
FOOD AND DIET
We arrived here when it is the season of
apple-mango fruits – really sweet! They do have bananas, which are very common
in the Philippines, and the ones I truly love; and it’s my first time to eat plums
here! They have grapes, chico, pineapple, oranges, papaya, avocado, apple, watermelon,
and a lot more. They have whole wheat bread, brown rice, variety of nuts, some
vegetables and other healthy products and goods to choose from. Hence, it’s not
that hard to live here as a vegan except that you have to economize since they
are quite expensive.
In this section, let me share you another
culture shock experience.
 |
[Some of the foods we ate : from top, left to right]
baked monggo & red beans patties,
wheat banana cake topped with sunflower seeds,
chapati (African specialty) , & baked sukuma wiki
with sunflower seeds and olive oil
|
We were invited for dinner in an African
friend’s house. She fetched us in the house and we arrived to their place
around two hours earlier. Unexpectedly, we still need to prepare the food. So I
willingly offered to cook some; Ate Maya cooked and helped out too. Beforehand,
I was informed what usually happens in this gathering so I felt somehow
terrified! Now, everything is set, all are facing the table with abundant food.
How can I be like Daniel in this situation? Not to say no because of the
abominable foods but because of temperance. Everybody has to eat! So, I got
some from the food that I cooked and from the “less evil” one. But one of the
African Pastors said that it is his privilege to serve food on my plate since
it is my first time to be in their company. Ohhh nooo! This is really real and
happening! Then I started reasoning out but everybody agreed to the Pastor. I
was thinking, this can’t really be! He served the food which I didn’t have on
my plate: it was too much and it’s getting late at night. I had no choice but
to stay smiling while seeing it being served on my plate. And another friend
said that I should eat the “chapati” she cooked, which I was also trying to
avoid because of the oil in it.
Friends, in African culture, you have to finish all in your plate and even expect up to "three helpings" - thanks God I only have two this time. After all, I ate everything and they were so pleased. Praise God, He works things for good! This can be another culture shock experience for me; but at the same time, the inception of friendships.
Friends, in African culture, you have to finish all in your plate and even expect up to "three helpings" - thanks God I only have two this time. After all, I ate everything and they were so pleased. Praise God, He works things for good! This can be another culture shock experience for me; but at the same time, the inception of friendships.
