The Beginning of Goodbyes

The goodbyes have finally begun. This Sunday was my very last full weekend in the village, meaning my very last church service. I wanted to say a few goodbye words to the community: to the ones that taught me the seemingly mind boggling dance steps and with whom I mumbled my way through two years worth of gospel Thimbukushu songs.

After the two hour service that ended with a group prayer, I went to the front of the church to say my prepared speech in Thimbukushu. At the end of the speech there was the expected cheering and clapping. What was completely unexpected is what came afterwards. The priest and his wife, my friend Getu, instructed me to stay at the front. My dear friend Pakela started singing a song that loosely translates to ‘carry on, we will never forget you’. After one verse a man in the back came in with a lively drum beat then within seconds the whole congregation stood up from the hand-made benches and perfectly started in on the second verse. I awkwardly stood there for 30 seconds until Astrid, a member of my Women’s Group, slowly came up from the back bench to give me the traditional Namibian hug. It starts with a handshake then goes into a double hug, once to the right then once to the left. This prompted others to follow her lead. Before I knew it the entire room was lined up to hug me, all while still singing and dancing.

It only took until the fourth hug before I just started crying. I normally become embarrassed when my emotions get the best of me and when I am crying while no one else is. At this time and place, however, I found my emotions 100% appropriate. While still standing at the front and after hugging close to 75 people, I was able to take in what was really happening. I brought into focus what my last two years had been. Through all the lonely and sometimes difficult times, it was a beautiful thing. The most beautiful thing I have been honored to be a part of. Once they closed the song and I wiped my tears, I wrapped it up with the traditional, ‘ALALALLA’ call of celebration. I have always been to shy to start this call. It has the most contagious effect and right away the rest of the women followed suit in perfect harmony of the painfully high pitched shriek, all powered by the tongue and impossible to not smile while performing.

I say this probably because it is still so fresh in my mind and I am still on a little high from it, but it was one of my most favorite life moments. I hope to always remember this feeling of love from the amazing people of Kayanga.