Zulu Hymns

I had the opportunity to spend time with a church in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal where they have a dual language service in both Zulu and English. I recorded a few of the Zulu songs that were sung while I was there. Zulu has sounds that are not present in English that sound like clicks. You can catch a few of those in some of the songs. You might also be able to recognize an old familiar hymn or two in there as well.

Venda Song

Here is a brief recording of one of the songs sung at the Venda services I mentioned in a previous post. It wasn't recorded with the best of equipment (being out in a rural area with no electricity), and I tried to clean up the audio as best as I could. This recording does not do the song service justice, but I hope it gives you at least a taste.



I think you can probably pick out the woman I was talking about. I don't know her name, but I absolutely love her enthusiasm!

Memories of My Grandmother

I attended a Venda-speaking church in Limpopo Province this past Sunday. They had a dual-language service, with translation into English or Venda (depending on the speaker), but the songs were completely in Venda. The song books they used simply had the lyrics to the songs with English translations under them. They were truly beautiful songs, and I gained an appreciation for the beauty of Venda that morning.

Sitting behind me a few rows back was one woman who belted out the songs as loudly as she could with great zeal and enthusiasm. I could not help but be comforted by that.

My Grandmother Faye would always sing loudly in church. When I say loud, I mean loud. I remember as child whenever we would visit my grandparents, I was always so embarrassed by my grandmother. You could always hear her. Sometimes she was louder than the whole rest of the congregation combined! On long notes, her voice would ebb and rise and grow louder still until you wondered whether she was still singing, or whether she had started screaming (or at least that was what I wondered back then).

Later, I had come to be more tolerant of my grandmother's exuberance. In fact, I came to not be embarrassed by it, but proud of it, inspired by it. She didn't have the same self-doubt I had. I'm always so self-conscious about what others may think of me, that I sometimes shy away from doing what I want to do. My grandmother sang her heart out.

Now that she's gone, that is one of the memories of her that still sticks in my mind more clearly than most all others.

As I listened to this Venda woman belting out songs in a completely foreign language on a continent on the other side of the world, I was brought back to memories of my Grandmother Faye. I couldn't help but smile, and sing along with the Venda as best I could manage (but still not so loud).

The Churches of Panera

A couple Sunday mornings ago, I sat in a Panera Bread enjoying a breakfast before church services. On either side of where I sat, Bible study groups were gathered at opposite sides of the store. I marveled at the interesting scene before me. In my head I named the two groups, and then an entire dialogue developed in my head.

Rightside Panera Bread Church

Do not be swayed by the larger more diverse group on the left side of Panera Bread, dear children. For did not Jesus say in Matthew chapter 25 that he shall separate the goats to the left, and they shall be cast from his presence into eternal punishment? Assuredly, only the Rightside Panera Bread Church is the true church. Be not deceived!

Leftside Panera Bread Church

At one point, there was only one church at Panera Bread. We preferred the left side of the building because of the superior lighting in the morning. We also desired to spread butter and various jams and jellies on our breads. For the bread of Panera Bread is a good bread, but is in need of condiments to make it palatable.

Rightside Panera Bread Church

If the bread of Panera Bread was meant to have additional condiments, would not the bakers have made it thus? Truly, to add beyond what the baker intended is an abomination to the bread of Panera Bread which is already a superior bread in need of no additions.

Leftside Panera Bread Church

Your religion is a bland and undesirable religion! Next you will be telling us we cannot add cream and/or sweeteners to our morning coffees.

Rightside Panera Bread Church

You dare add your own variations to the coffee which was brewed to be a sufficient coffee for all who may partake? Heathens! Sinners!

Leftside Panera Bread Church

Miscreants! Pharisees!

Disclaimer: Not intended as a statement concerning all churches.