Week 5...Check

This week I...

• Taught a lesson entitled "Think Right, Do Right, Feel Right" to my Junior Boys and Junior Girls dorm groups.  Taking the Genesis story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, we discussed the relationship between our minds (thinking), our bodies (doing) and our hearts (feeling).  We dissected the story together and brought out points about how, in most times, bad, evil or disobedient actions begin with a thought.  Here is where rationalization usually becomes the culprit.  Following the thought, comes the action.  If we have convinced ourselves that something is okay to do, then we will do it.  The problem, however, lies in the emotions or feelings which follow.  Just as Adam and Eve felt guilt and shame following their disobedient actions, our disobedience results in the same ending emotions.  Conclusion---be very careful and even picky what you allow to keep your attention and your company because it only takes the planting of a thought.
•  Did a lesson on female infanticide with my Senior Girls dorm group.  This was definitely a powerful discussion and caused me to leave that night with many thoughts and questions on my heart and mind.  God made both the man and the woman and said they were both good, but somewhere in history, somewhere down the line of creation, the woman became so devalued and even viewed as burdensome or worthless.  Female infanticide is a very relevant issue in India today and listening to these young girls discuss how those who participate in such an act are not just the uneducated and impoverished, but rather (and often times more so) the educated and well-off women population, truly made me stop and think.  "What do you say to that statistic?" questions one of the girls.  I respond, "we, as women, must look at ourselves.  If we cannot even value ourselves, then how will anyone else?  It begins with us."  From the "mean-girl" problem found amongst young girls (and sadly, sometimes even the older ones) to the self-devaluing beauty competition enforced by society and supported by women (whether consciously or unconsciously), the change, the fight against such a belittling and apathetic system toward women begins with us women.  I left this meeting with a stronger desire to move in the direction of teen girls/young women in reference to the focus of my MDiv/MSW ministry/profession.
•  fell under the attack of...dun dun dun (descending sound for dramatic effect)..."Traveller's Sickness."  For the sake of this being a public page, I will save you from the sharing of any details, but know that in addition to this very uncomfortable period of time, my toilet stopped functioning.  I will now end here and let your mind fill in the rest (hey, this is part of the experience as well, and I did not want to leave out any important details;).  

• helped with leading praise and worship on Sunday which is made up of and led by the church's young adults.  On the Saturday before service we prepare by choosing songs and practicing them.  However, such a practice is more than just that, more than just a practice.  Before any singing begins, before any song is selected, we pray as a group.  We give testimonies about how God has blessed us this week; prayer requests, sharing issues or difficulties we are having; and then a Bible lesson.  Praise and worship--not about a performance, not about perfect notes, but about our Lord and Savior.  I am so glad I was able to join in this portion of the service because it reminded me of the purpose and point of praise and worship, holding each member who desired to be a part of this special time of the service accountable for what they were doing.  Why are you leading, singing or participating in praise and worship? 

• took my first tourist trip.  I went to the city of Madurai by car which was an eight-hour ride (No "RITCS Anxiety" here...lol).  I witnessed some of India's countryside, its highways and most importantly, bathroom stops.  Details such as these are what make travelling interesting and unforgettable. 

Madurai is referred by some as the "Athens of the East" because of its rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor.  Famous for its world-acclaimed Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, I just had to go and witness this historical site for myself.  Taking off my shoes before entering the temple as required (and dismissing the smell of animal droppings and any disturbing thoughts of what my feet could possibly be touching to the back of my mind), I was able to appreciatively walk the floors of this mentioned-as-early-as 7th-century temple.  As a Hindu temple dedicated to the gods Shiva and Parvati, it housed many candle and flower altars, "Nandi" bull statues, and temple priests, as well as statues of Shiva and Parvati, to name just a few.  To walk along the floors of history, while witnessing the many devoted Hindus who came to worship and give thanks to their gods, it was quite an experience.