Honored guest and surplices

Last week, I received an invitation to an end-of-semester party for one of the fellowships (small groups). The British influence here cracks me up: the invitation was a photocopied form, addressed to Miss Jessica Hughes, cordially inviting me to the fellowship party, signed by the president and secretary. Such formality! So I donned my Eau d’Mosquito and went.

When I arrived (African time: the invite said 7, I arrived at 7:15, the program schedule said 7:30, everyone else came at 8), I found out that I was one of the guests of honor, and was seated at the head table. They said that they wanted to include me because they enjoy my participation. I think participation is a stretch; I think I just generally just show up, though that seems to be more than enough. I am continually blessed and humbled by my friends here.

For Friday morning’s chapel, I led the intercessions. This means that I was one of the ones who was vested and up front to lead the service. I was just wearing a surplice (the white vestment that the chalice bearers wear on top; makes you look like an angel). In the procession, the leader/celebrant enters last, and leads the recessional, so I was the first one in the procession. So we were lined up at the back, and as the people sitting in the back saw us, I heard murmurs of “Jess-ca looks smart!” so I guess the surplice agrees with me. : )

The service was wonderful; since it was the last student-led weekday service, Rev. Michael had asked us to be creative. Mercy, the service leader, had assigned the student body into groups by region, and asked them to prepare a two-minute chorus to present. The result was such exuberant, joyful praise… we may not have known the languages used, but wow. It was so cool. If we enjoyed it, I think God was just delighted.

Mercy ended with having the international students come up for a chorus – something I didn’t know they were going to do. She led a song in Swahili that had something to do with all the nations represented. Later, my friend Henry told me that I led the intercessions well, but “your voice failed you in Swahili.” I pointed out that my voice was fine, I just don’t know any Swahili.