Yesterday while we were in church, a choir came from an area near Congo to join in our worship. The music was so similar to that of my childhood, and I again noticed that they seem to have multiple levels of harmony.
This is so gorgeous to me. When we as a congregation sang the Christmas carol, "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful", to my delight the choir sang with us on the choruses. We were singing along and the choir joined in adding a new, previously unfamiliar harmonies. They did not change our song, but filled it with depth, texture and a richer beauty. I find the same to be so true in our lives here. The Rwandans with whom we live have supplemented, enriched, blended and “harmonized” with our lives, taking what we have in common and adding to it a more resonant meaning. They have allowed their children to hug us, they have helped us carry our loads, and they are anxious to please us with the right kind of fruit from the market. Their way is so willing and free, and each time it reminds me of their harmony with us. No language is necessary - they simply bathe each interaction with deeper meaning. And I love the Rwandans for it.
Mimi
