time today. I couldn't believe how close they were. We
visited three altogether and it took less than an hour. The
first, the Yamayalo, was just up the hill from our campus,
and you could even see our buildings from them. The
Villages consist of large family groups, with about 10
huts a piece. Most everybody was off tending their
gardens when we were there, so we got to play tourists and
took pictures of ourselves with their huts, dogs, chickens
and pigs. There were some people still there, but most of
them were playing cards (a form of gambling) so we weren't
allowed to socialize with or take pictures of them. The
reason being, the people know that gambling is "wrong" but
it doesn't stop them from doing it; however, they feel
very uncomfortable when we acknowledge it (by sitting with
them or taking their picture) - us being "good bena"
Plus, New Tribes doesn't want itself (by means of us) to
be associated with something that the Bena people think to
be wrong or impolite.
That is also why us girls must wear long skirts, must not
look in the eye, take pictures of, or talk to the Bena
men, or walk alone with any guy (including our own - the
guys in the training program with us). The restrictions
are pretty rigerous for us girls, especially for me who
makes it a point to always look people in the eyes, but if
it helps keep us Christians in good standing with the
nationals, then it is just that much easier to share the
Love of Jesus with them. Indeed, it would be very hard to
share His love while we are simultaneously disrespecting
them in some way.
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