Hinduism and Hugs

I've been coughing and sneezing so much lately. I thought I had caught a cold yesterday, but today I realize, I'm allergic to the dust on most of the books and walls here. I found out that I'm also allergic to my sheets, so I took them off before I slept. It's much better now. I slept much better last night. 8 hours!

Sleep comes easier than I thought it would. Since I'm a light sleeper, you'd think I'd be up all night with the noises outside my walls. The 4-6th grade boys who live in my dorm complex shout, laugh and pound about like elephants. Wild dogs bark, growl and fight outside noisily from dark until about 3 a.m. A Hindu call to worship, an Indain singing voice on a loud speaker, wakes me up every morning at about 5 a.m. It sounds so eery and demonic, it disturbs me and I can't get back to sleep. I'm so thankful that our God is more powerful than any false one, and much more powerful than the evil one himself. I put my ipod in my ears to drown out the Hindu singing and pray for a few more hours of sleep until I have to get up at 7:30. I haven't been able to sleep past 6 yet, but it's ok. Birds start chirping and keep me company at about 6:30, and I enjoy getting dressed early and going out to the gardens outside.

I haven't been hugged by anyone since my parents and boyfriend hugged me goodbye. Aaron was the last person I hugged, really, the last person I touched, minus the cordial hand-shakes I've politely received. I'm very concerned about being culturally appropriate, so I know that it's not permissible to touch a man. But even with women, I'm not sure yet, is it alright to hug the women I've become friends with? Is it acceptable to ask a girl for a hug goodnight? Is it alright to hug a student goodbye after we've had a conversation in her dorm at night? I've never gone a couple of days with out a hug, and I'm learning that even though physical touch isn't one of my main love languages, I do need it. It's one of the ways I feel love.

I love my students!

It's beautiful here! I love my kids, and the teachers. praise him!

This school is much more overtly faith-based than i thought! They have a morning assembly each day, in which there is a devotional. We pray, and the kids pray out loud too. They are very mature kids, especially for 10 year olds. They welcomed me and introduced me in the assembly, and one of the girls prayed for me. It was so powerful and encouraging.

My luggage got lost in Singapore, and I still don't have it. I might get it on Thursday, but there's no guarantee. One of the things I miss, that I packed in my checked luggage, is my American snacks. I'm learning a lot about myself...All of the "stuff" I use, and consume, to get me through each day. The Father is gracious in revealing things to me. Even though i dont have the familiarity of the food I packed, my stomach is doing OK with the spicy food. I like it so far.

I observed my class today for the first time! It turns out that Standard 6 is equivalent to 5th Grade, which is my favorite age! It was a total surprise to get 10 and 11 year olds! I love lvoe love love them already. i have 22 kids from all over the world. Most speak 2 or 3 languages. It's amazing! One of them lived in Calcutta for 10 years, so i want to talk with her about that city soon. And the American kids in my class feel really excited about me being there. There are only 2 of us, on staff, from America, so they told me I'm a piece of "home" for them. It's awesome!

I got to play the piano for a bunch of them during our hour-and-fifteen minute lunch break (really long break!). I played a few faith based songs from the piano books the school owns. Connecting with them through song, while they sang along with me, was so good for my soul. I'm falling in love with these kids so much and its only my first day with them! It was so fun!

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent which last for 46 days. Ending on Easter Day, Lent is a tradition with the themes of repentence, worship and self sacrifice practiced in the Roman Catholic and some Christian churches. Catholics traditionally observe Ash Wednesday by going to a liturgical service and putting ashes on their foreheads, in the shape of a cross. This symbolizes repentence for sins, and remembers Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. Similarly, Christians can also receive ashes on their foreheads if they are saved and baptized. From this day on until Easter Sunday, people observe Lent by giving up something they enjoy, whether it be a pleasure or a sin. For Christians, this is optional, and it is my first time observing Lent.

Lent is not meant to be a time where religious people show their own willpower by using their own strength to give up something. It is a time to notice something that has become pervasive, or overabundant in your life, and sacrifice your indulgence in that thing in worship to God. This has a lot to do with humility, in fact. Instead of the pride that many people associate with Lent, thinking "I can do with out this, I'm so good. Look at me," I believe God's heart in this time is to teach us more about dependence on Him and His strength in our hearts.

I decided with God last night to give up red meat for Lent, during this 46 day time-span. You see, steak is my favorite food, in fact, I've eaten a steak dinner 3 times in the last week. I eat red meat approximately every other day, and I notice it has become a staple in my mealtimes. With the motive of worshipping God, I am going to forego all red meat (burgers, pot roast, steak, pork...) for the next 46 days. When I crave my meat that I enjoy so much, I will intentionally turn my heart toward God in humility, worship and admiration. He is really all I need. My deep joy comes from Him alone. I look forward to this journey with God.