Just Say Yes

There were signs, but I didn’t see them. In Chimbula village, I came forward twice to be the spokesperson of our group—at the bonfire bible study, and the community meeting at the church about the school they wanted to build. Also, when singing songs around the bonfire, we tried out our first form of African dance, various shuffle and arm movements set to song.

We all thought Reverand Phiri (pronounced Peer-y) had given me away. Two of his youths, as he called them, had gotten married earlier in the day, and he invited the three YAVs to attend the reception. The event took place in the meeting hall of a primary school. The room was packed with rows and rows of plastic white lawn chairs for the guests to sit in. In the front there was a stage set with a long, gorgeously decorated table with seats for over twenty people. The white tablecloth was offset by draped purple ribbon which would match the wedding party’s outfits. In front of the stage was a similarly decorated table with displays of purple and white cakes. To the left and right side were special tables set for the bride and groom’s families respectively.

We sat in front behind some women from Mtendere’s CCAP church. The music was blasting Afro-techno and while we waited the forty-five minutes or so for the event to begin, guests couldn’t contain themselves and would come up to the front to dance. Most dancing consisted of turning your back to the audience and doing a little “shake shake shake…shake shake shake…” as the song would say. Everyone was an incredible dancer. Even a particular boy I can’t forget, maybe six years old, dressed to the nine in a tan suit, just shaking it!

As the hall was filling up, Reverand Phiri asked if he could have a word outside (with the loud music and all). My jaw dropped when he made his request. Would I be the Guest of Honor? I only had to make a speech about love and marriage and I would even get served my food first. I asked him if there was a more suitable person for the job, but I already knew I would say yes.

No is a beautiful word. It should be used for safety, security, self-care and rest, but in this instance and in others I faced thus far in Zambia and many more to come I assume, YES, and an all-out, put-your-back-into-it YEAHHHHHHH seemed the only appropriate answer.

                                          The wedding party in their second outfit

                                          The emcee and I during my speech

The hall flooded with people and I watched the bridal party enter down the center aisle, couple by couple, in choreographed dance for what seemed like an hour. The bridal party even had a costume change. If people really appreciated their dancing they would come up and shove money down their shirt. We learned later that this money was to help them cover the costs of wardrobe and such for being in the wedding. Finally when all were seated, the speeches began. After the fathers said their piece, the emcee invited the Guest of Honor to make some remarks. I thought I had done my part as I expressed sincere gratitude for the role and told all that on a wedding day we are reminded that God is love. I got some ahhhs for that one. Phew. I had done it. I handed back the microphone, but to my surprise the master of ceremonies quickly sputtered out, “In our culture, one can’t leave the stage without offering a dance.”

A dance.

Me.

In front of 200 Zambians…

…

BRING IT!!!!!

I shrugged my shoulders. Strutted over to Devin. Threw off my white sweater. Took my position. And I worked it. I twerked it. I shook it.  And the crowd lost it!

A traditional Zambian bride cannot smile during the ceremony to show her sadness at leaving her own family. Devin and Becca told me that the bride could hide her beaming at the oddness of what she was seeing before her at that moment. I call that a win.

When I returned to my seat, Becca remarked that it was a good thing I was chosen because I am such an extravert.  I was struck by her words because I’ve always identified myself as an introvert—slightly self-conscious, deep down wanting to give people what they want. Luckily, my personality makes me love, I mean LOVE, to just say yes. To just say yes and get lost in the music. To just say yes and dance your butt off. To just say yes and enjoy the ride. I think I found my motto for the year. Who knows what else they will ask me to do? I wonder what my answer will be?

Note: If you haven’t see the video evidence yet, check my facebook!