"Scary" Church | Sam

We had been in Sabana for just over week when Monica, Bethani and I were invited to go to church with Rogelia. I wasn't surprised that we were invited because Monica and I hung out with the family almost every time we had free time. We were told we would leave after dinner, I was quite excited to go to church because church in Dominican is way different than church back home. So when dinner was over the three of us went to go get ready and then quickly rushed down the stairs, said goodbye and left.

The three of us plus Rogelia, Evelian, Rosa and Lisa all walked through the streets till we made it to a small little church in a more quiet part of town. The church looked like every other church we had gone to so far, a small little stage at the front, multiple rows of bench’s and a instrumental section near the front. We were there a bit early so we just hung out with some of the locals and Monica and I attempted to play the drums... that didn't go well. Anyways eventually church began to start so we all took our sit. Somehow me and Monica ended up in the front row together with Bethani, Rosa and Evelin one row behind us and then Rogelia and Lisa on the complete other side near the back. When the music started  Monica and I noticed that one of the guys playing drums (Micheal) was from the school we did construction at so we decided to make faces to him and he would just smile and keep on playing. After singing just a few songs everyone in the church was dancing and clapping and singing as loud as they could. The music was the same music we had been hearing in different church's for the past week so me and Monica attempted to sing along and if we didn't know the words we would just clap and dance. I think that’s why I love church here so much, everyone is just so up beat and happy to be praising God and they don't care who see's. Sadly the music ended so we took our seat and attempted to understand what she (the Pastor) was saying. It wasn't until a few minutes in that I realized she was talking about me and Monica. She kept on pointing to us and saying something and then the whole church would laugh. I don't think it was anything bad I just really wish I knew what she was saying. Eventually the service ended and they started to play another song. I was relieved when the music started again because I just wanted the pastor to stop talking about us. But now I regret even thinking that because the music started off nice and slow but then it just kept getting louder and faster!

About half way through the song Micheal (on the drums) all of a sudden got up stumbled out the door of the church and then fell over! Someone quickly helped him back up but he didn't look like the Micheal who was smiling to us a few minutes ago, his eyes had rolled to the back of his head and he could barely walk. In just a few minutes over five people were having the same thing happen to them. By this point Monica and I were freaking out! We had no idea what was happening, they all looked possessed! The faster the music got the crazier they were. I had some many people running into me and grabbing me! Oh and also at the same time the pastor came up to us and put a hand on Monica and my head and started praying for us during all this craziness! I guess Rogelia could tell we were scared because she came up and started “guarding” us from all the people. At one point me and Monica just looked at each other and booked it to the back where Solomon (Rogelia's brother) was sitting because we were way to scared to be at the front. Monica stayed with Solomon for the rest of the time but I decided to go and see how Bethani was doing. She was perfectly fine, she wasn't scared at all! She told me though that this sometimes happens at her church so it was normal for her. I was still freaking out, I asked her “what the heck is wrong with these people!” and she said that is was the holy spirit in them. I found that hard to believe because when the song finally ended everyone that was “scary” went back to normal just like that. Then they all  came up and shook our hands which was weird because just a few seconds ago I was terrified of them and now they are smiling and shaking my hand.

Finally we left church and began to walk back to the base. I thought a LOT on the walk back, like if that really was the holy spirit why did he make me so scared? And why did everyone go back to normal when the music ended? I don't think the holy spirit has an on and off switch like that. Also the question that kept coming to my mind is why didn't any of that happen to me? Am I less of a christian than them? So the walk back was pretty quiet. When we got back to the base everyone was in bed but Monica and I were still a little freaked out. Luckily Rachael and Erica were still up so we had a talk with them about what happened and what we believe. After that it was like 12:00 and I was still so confused so Rachael let Monica and I sleep in her bed for the night. Yay sleepover!

Anyways, even now I'm still not sure if I'm happy that I went to that church or if I regret it. I guess it was a good experience, it just confused me and I just don't know how to take it yet. (PS thanks Rach for letting us use your bed!)