Monday, October 10th:
We were woken up at 4 A.M. this morning with the sounds of talking and laughter in the backyard. I grabbed the gear and we headed outside. It was completely dark with the only light coming from the fire that was started to cook food and to make coffee.

This morning was a special morning. Every Monday, the women in the village take turns going to each other’s home for prayer. This morning, the women gathered at Abu’s home. Abby’s sister Marta, her female nieces and her female cousins worked on preparing the food and coffee. There are no indoor kitchens in the village of Areka.

I asked Abby what time the women show up for prayer. She said her mother told her that the women arrive when the birds begin to sing.

As the birds began to sing, just as Abby said, the women began to arrive. 

Below, hear a binaural audio recording of the pastor praying with women during the women’s weekly prayer followed by women singing. Wear headphones

For anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing: see sign language interpretation of women in prayer in video below. No Sound only sign interpretation.

Hearing the birds in Abu’s backyard made me think about Abby’s love for birds.

Below, hear immersive audio recording of the birds singing in Abu’s backyard. Wear headphones

For anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing: Below: see sign language interpretation of the birds singing in Abu’s backyard. No Sound only sign interpretation.