Wait, do I use English (United Kingdom) , English (United States) or my home language?

My country was once a British colony. And so up until Independence in 1962, the language, education system and paperwork all had a leaning towards British systems. Fast forward to the 1980s, HIV and AIDS became a big issue and our biggest funders are from the USA. This now means that our systems and paperwork is going American. This doesn't mean that the British pulled out completely. They too fund some projects here and there and in fact a lot of out historical maps and artifacts are in some Office in the UK.

Now comes my confusion, do I use English (UK) or English (USA)? On the other hand we (like any other former colony) want to promote use of our own language. In other words, in school I had to learn English (UK), at work I have to use a combination of the two because reports are to both UK and USA, while I want to retain my identity as an African and therefore speak at least one or two African Languages. It is quite interesting though that some non-Africans think that Africa has one language. It never ceases to amuse me when I watch a film set in South Africa and the characters are speaking Swahili which is not spoken in South Africa but rather in East Africa.

I read so many Mills and Boon novels written in Britain while growing up. And now watch so many Sitcoms from the USA. But I work in a not for profit organisation whose biggest clientele prefers to speak a local language. So I ask myself, how do I organise myself while reporting or how to I ensure that I am communicating the right thing when my brain is unsure.

I once wrote an article and asked a intern from Canada to help me edit it. He sent it back with several grammatical corrections. I gave the same piece to a friend in Britain and she thought it was near perfect. So, was one being honest and another being polite? Or is my English learning more towards UK than USA?

Phew!!! Just thinking about it makes my brain feel drained.

Christianity at a Party?

You know, if you are at a party where alcohol is on the menu and you want to disband the group of people you are standing with (especially if you just met them), just ask them whether they are Christian. Even the heaviest of them is likely to run for cover. Now I'm not saying Christians don't drink alcohol, nor am I saying that Christianity and parties don't mix. I'm just saying that many times people get uncomfortable when you bring up the topic of religion and they have had more than enough glasses of wine or bottles of beer. I can't help but mention by the way, that I just don't get the drinking beer with a straw thing. What is that?

As a Christian, my opinions are biased towards Christianity so I can't really say much about the other religions. Anyway, I read somewhere that Jesus brought the Church into the world, but we are not to bring the world into the Church. Many times I try to look at situations by comparing them to this saying. For example, Jesus turned water into wine but we are not to drink wine until we are wasted because Jesus okayed wine. However, I don't think that discussing the bible or Christianity during a party is wrong. Although going on and on about it and making a nuisance of yourself would make any topic wrong.

Life in the world has changed so much in that we have a generation of people who think Christianity is for the old and infirm. In other words when you talk about it, you kill the mood of the party. But then again, looking at the other side, some Christians do come off as self righteous and condemning.

As a Christian, a consumer of alcohol, a party goer as well as a firm believer of actions speaking louder than words, I think Christianity is okay at a party. Just keep it free of judgement, keep it interesting, clean and know your audience. Enjoy the party and let everyone else enjoy it too.Bless