Hi there. June is over, i can't believe it. My mom and aunt were able to visit for a bit in June which was a huge blessing. We traveled around a bit, showed them what all was going on here, went to the Taj Mahal etc.
Also during june we had our ELT training. 99 students from all over the country came to the base for leadership training. it has been great, lots of good biblical/practical teaching. The program ends today and by sunday they will be traveling home.
Also I will be leaving the country for a bit next saturday. Because of my visa I am required to leave the country every 2 months. it seems far, but i will actually reach there quicker than it took me to reach Nepal last February (last February involved a 30+ hour train ride). I have a friend that has been working there for a few years so it will be good to see the work going on there.
Pray for me for safe, uneventful travels!
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Slums and Surfing
The term slum here means something vastly different than the way we use it in the states. What we call a slum in the US is called “middle class” here. Here a slum is a conglomeration of mud/dung brick shanties all shimmied adjacent to one another in an effort to share walls. There is no water or electricity and all the sewage runs through the streets. Children when fully clothed are still nearly naked, all of which have no hope for an education (yet). The average salary: 1-2 dollars per 12-14 hour work day. This is a slum.
Today I went surfing. We are a few hundred miles from the coast, but one of the local resorts has recently opened a “surf simulator,” where they make a wave that you can legitimately surf on. Today was 106 degrees (that is considered “cool” for this time of year) so my So-Cal born roommate and I drove out there to pay a visit to the “Flow-Rider.”
As you reach the peak of the wave you can feel the rush of dropping in, but you can also see the slum 200 feet from you. As we enjoyed the cool water and the fun of surfing, a few hundred feet from us were people that were only worried about feeding their children for another day. We spent roughly $10 for an afternoon of surfing- but that is an entire weeks pay for them.
I have hesitated for sometime to post something like this, because I don’t have a solution. However this illustrates my greatest struggle here thus far. The inequality is horrifying. On the way to my apartment you will pass a Mercedes dealership. The Mercedes sign happens to serve as the corner post for a small tea stall. This tea stall is across the street from a very large slum- literally in the shadow of a billboard advertising “Luxury Villas.”
So what do we do? Is it wrong to drive a Mercedes, or live in a luxury villa? Or in my case is it wrong to spend $10 to surf for the afternoon? Is it wrong to give your children a good education, to have insurance, or proper medical care? Is it wrong to have running water and electricity?
See the thing is most of us are willing to draw a line somewhere, but it is conveniently in a place we haven’t yet crossed (and as we near it, it often suddenly moves). The truth is none of the previously mentioned luxuries are sinful or wrong. However the lawfulness of something has little bearing on its profitability.
I am filthy rich. I have an apartment. I have water. I have electricity. I have a motorcycle. I have insurance. I have an education. There is an inequality that frankly even in my most valiant efforts will never be surmounted.
This is my struggle. Please pray for me. I don’t think God made me to simply surf and enjoy life, but I also can not say that he is leading me to live in utter poverty simply because others do. Pray that he leads in a way that I am able to best serve, love and represent him to the world.
Thanks,
r
Today I went surfing. We are a few hundred miles from the coast, but one of the local resorts has recently opened a “surf simulator,” where they make a wave that you can legitimately surf on. Today was 106 degrees (that is considered “cool” for this time of year) so my So-Cal born roommate and I drove out there to pay a visit to the “Flow-Rider.”
As you reach the peak of the wave you can feel the rush of dropping in, but you can also see the slum 200 feet from you. As we enjoyed the cool water and the fun of surfing, a few hundred feet from us were people that were only worried about feeding their children for another day. We spent roughly $10 for an afternoon of surfing- but that is an entire weeks pay for them.
I have hesitated for sometime to post something like this, because I don’t have a solution. However this illustrates my greatest struggle here thus far. The inequality is horrifying. On the way to my apartment you will pass a Mercedes dealership. The Mercedes sign happens to serve as the corner post for a small tea stall. This tea stall is across the street from a very large slum- literally in the shadow of a billboard advertising “Luxury Villas.”
So what do we do? Is it wrong to drive a Mercedes, or live in a luxury villa? Or in my case is it wrong to spend $10 to surf for the afternoon? Is it wrong to give your children a good education, to have insurance, or proper medical care? Is it wrong to have running water and electricity?
See the thing is most of us are willing to draw a line somewhere, but it is conveniently in a place we haven’t yet crossed (and as we near it, it often suddenly moves). The truth is none of the previously mentioned luxuries are sinful or wrong. However the lawfulness of something has little bearing on its profitability.
I am filthy rich. I have an apartment. I have water. I have electricity. I have a motorcycle. I have insurance. I have an education. There is an inequality that frankly even in my most valiant efforts will never be surmounted.
This is my struggle. Please pray for me. I don’t think God made me to simply surf and enjoy life, but I also can not say that he is leading me to live in utter poverty simply because others do. Pray that he leads in a way that I am able to best serve, love and represent him to the world.
Thanks,
r
Thursday, February 04, 2010
the train ride
I had a great blog entry that got deleted. So im going to try to remember, and write it again.
I took a 30+ hour train ride across the country. It was wonderful. Below my bed there was a Punjabi Sikh man. I could tell he was a Sikh because of the meticulous way he wrapped his turban so as to accentuate the prominent bulge of hair that had never been cut. He wore a solid metal silver bracelet to maintain balance and harmony. His graying beard was very long but tied up under his chin in the traditional Sikh way. He shared that he also carried the religious knife, and wore the religious underwear. In reference to said underwear he explained, “I wear the brief kind, not the French kind so if I take pant off now- no problem.” Thankfully he didn’t elaborate.
He was a very kind man, always making sure I was safe and as comfortable as possible. He was very moral, as most Sikhs are, and extraordinarily sincere in his pursuits. The snapshot of his life that I saw on the train was easily more moral than the average Christian’s. At one point I looked at him and was stunned by the fact that same “kind” man would one day look in the face of God in complete horror as he is told that he had never been known by God. So I asked the father for an opportunity to share
About halfway through our journey as I began to mix my rice and curry by hand he said to me “you have a very good opportunity!” I paused and asked him what he was referring to and he explained that he was going to spend the next hour giving me a class on Sikhism. I realized this was an answer to my previous prayer and indulged him. He began like this “6 day creation is bullsh*t. The bible is bullsh*t.” This led into an hour log tirade of head bobbing and hardly intelligible logic.
He continued at breakneck speed for the entirety of the conversation. I noticed he was slightly dehydrated because as he spoke small beads of foamy spit would form on his lower lip until large enough to be launched by the next aspirated syllable. From time to time I would interject loaded questions (i.e. in reference to the statement “everything must be proved scientifically” I asked “can you prove history, math, or even that statement scientifically”) but it was clear he was only waiting for his next moment to begin talking, as his responses rarely had any relevance to my questions.
Eventually I remembered his unhindered candor at the offset of our conversation and thought I would return the favor. So mimicking his boldness and illogical and non-linear progression of thought I gave the good news. I just said it. I didn’t lead into it. I didn’t butter him up for it- I just said it. From my perspective it couldn’t have been more ineffective, however that’s not my role.
The entire conversation reminded me of Psalm 114 and Christ’ allusion to in when he said “they have ears that do not hear, and eyes that do not see.” That Punjabi man had become as lifeless as the idol he worshipped, so much that the words of life (john 6) were anything but intelligible to him. I’m going to do the best dang job that I can- but the Lord changes hearts.
I took a 30+ hour train ride across the country. It was wonderful. Below my bed there was a Punjabi Sikh man. I could tell he was a Sikh because of the meticulous way he wrapped his turban so as to accentuate the prominent bulge of hair that had never been cut. He wore a solid metal silver bracelet to maintain balance and harmony. His graying beard was very long but tied up under his chin in the traditional Sikh way. He shared that he also carried the religious knife, and wore the religious underwear. In reference to said underwear he explained, “I wear the brief kind, not the French kind so if I take pant off now- no problem.” Thankfully he didn’t elaborate.
He was a very kind man, always making sure I was safe and as comfortable as possible. He was very moral, as most Sikhs are, and extraordinarily sincere in his pursuits. The snapshot of his life that I saw on the train was easily more moral than the average Christian’s. At one point I looked at him and was stunned by the fact that same “kind” man would one day look in the face of God in complete horror as he is told that he had never been known by God. So I asked the father for an opportunity to share
About halfway through our journey as I began to mix my rice and curry by hand he said to me “you have a very good opportunity!” I paused and asked him what he was referring to and he explained that he was going to spend the next hour giving me a class on Sikhism. I realized this was an answer to my previous prayer and indulged him. He began like this “6 day creation is bullsh*t. The bible is bullsh*t.” This led into an hour log tirade of head bobbing and hardly intelligible logic.
He continued at breakneck speed for the entirety of the conversation. I noticed he was slightly dehydrated because as he spoke small beads of foamy spit would form on his lower lip until large enough to be launched by the next aspirated syllable. From time to time I would interject loaded questions (i.e. in reference to the statement “everything must be proved scientifically” I asked “can you prove history, math, or even that statement scientifically”) but it was clear he was only waiting for his next moment to begin talking, as his responses rarely had any relevance to my questions.
Eventually I remembered his unhindered candor at the offset of our conversation and thought I would return the favor. So mimicking his boldness and illogical and non-linear progression of thought I gave the good news. I just said it. I didn’t lead into it. I didn’t butter him up for it- I just said it. From my perspective it couldn’t have been more ineffective, however that’s not my role.
The entire conversation reminded me of Psalm 114 and Christ’ allusion to in when he said “they have ears that do not hear, and eyes that do not see.” That Punjabi man had become as lifeless as the idol he worshipped, so much that the words of life (john 6) were anything but intelligible to him. I’m going to do the best dang job that I can- but the Lord changes hearts.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A cow and a bicycle.
How much is your daughter worth? Now I'm single so i know the question isn't nearly as potent for me, but nevertheless it still strikes a nerve. One of the leaders here gave me a biography of a lady named Phoolan Devi- the Al Capone of the 80's here. I will spare you the details, but when she was 11 she was sold for a cow and a bicycle to a 31 year old man as his wife. The journalist writing the book asked her mother the question that comes to everyone's mind "why?" Her mother could only say one line "it is a scary thing what poverty will make you do." See at the time they were in the middle of a land dispute which as farmers was their only source of income. They were hungry, and had no food for their daughter or themselves. Their rational was, sure this man will abuse her, but is that worse than starving to death? They couldn't provide for their daughter, and this man said he would at least feed her.
Can you imagine asking yourself that question? "which is better for my daughter? To give her to a man that will molest her? or let her starve to death?" I cant.
Now for the sake of honesty and clarity, this although much more common here than in the west is not something that everyone goes through. Not every villager is faced with these issues, but many are. I want you to have an accurate picture rather than simply a dramatic one.
Can you imagine asking yourself that question? "which is better for my daughter? To give her to a man that will molest her? or let her starve to death?" I cant.
Now for the sake of honesty and clarity, this although much more common here than in the west is not something that everyone goes through. Not every villager is faced with these issues, but many are. I want you to have an accurate picture rather than simply a dramatic one.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Instant
Yesterday was christmas for me. My wonderful family sent me a HUGE box of happiness. Things like Mac & Cheese, toilet paper, theology books, Starbucks, and a 'fresh' pair of rainbows. Honestly I don't think there could have been a better care package. They really do know me.
This morning my roommate was looking at everything and he didn't know what any of it was. So I said um, this is a bag of beef jerkey you open the bag and eat it (beef is his favorite so its ok). This is instant grits you just add water. This is instant coffee, you just add water. He looked at me totally confused and said "What does 'instant' mean?" He is very good at english but the idea of instant is completely unheard of here. So I said i would show him.
I boiled some water and added it to instant grits and in about 10 seconds we had breakfast. He was shocked. He said thats food?!?! Already?!?!? Its like magic!! Then I said "do you want a cup of coffee?" and I poured the rest of the boiling water into a cup of instant starbucks (which is actually really good- try it). He laughed and laughed saying "here 1 meal takes one hour to prepare!" Then he said something very interesting he said "no wonder it is so difficult for foreigners to come to my india."
I think he really hit on something there. See I don't care if I have to wait for the bus, or wait at the market or the bazaar or whatever. But because I come from an instant culture it is hard for me to some days to not understand this culture to the extent that i want to. See the first few months I learned a lot of simple things. Don't shake with your left hand, bobbing you head means yes, drive on the left side etc. Those are easy lessons that can be learned instantly. However really understanding and becoming like this culture takes much much longer. Thinking like them, laughing like them, reasoning like them that doesn't happen by "just adding water." It takes time, it takes relationships, and it takes abiding in Christ. These are the things I want to learn/become and often i want it instantly.
A few months ago I was in Philly with my friend Phil. We went to the Art museum. He is very gifted with art (his cd ghosts of the great highway is one of the best i have heard in 2009). Now part of the time i walked around the Museum and said "oh that picture is nice that one is nice" based only on my appreciation of the aesthetics. However when he walked with me he would give me the background behind each painting. Once he explained to me that some of the artists were actually communicating a very strong message (often a very rebellious message) some of the paintings I didn't enjoy previously became remarkably beautiful because I knew how to understand them. I think it is this way with culture also. I can look at it and appreciate it for what is on the surface, but i want to understand why this culture has been painted this way. What each stroke is communicating.
Not sure if that makes a lot of sense, and forgive me if I am taking the analogy too far, but i think it is a fair illustration of life here.
r
This morning my roommate was looking at everything and he didn't know what any of it was. So I said um, this is a bag of beef jerkey you open the bag and eat it (beef is his favorite so its ok). This is instant grits you just add water. This is instant coffee, you just add water. He looked at me totally confused and said "What does 'instant' mean?" He is very good at english but the idea of instant is completely unheard of here. So I said i would show him.
I boiled some water and added it to instant grits and in about 10 seconds we had breakfast. He was shocked. He said thats food?!?! Already?!?!? Its like magic!! Then I said "do you want a cup of coffee?" and I poured the rest of the boiling water into a cup of instant starbucks (which is actually really good- try it). He laughed and laughed saying "here 1 meal takes one hour to prepare!" Then he said something very interesting he said "no wonder it is so difficult for foreigners to come to my india."
I think he really hit on something there. See I don't care if I have to wait for the bus, or wait at the market or the bazaar or whatever. But because I come from an instant culture it is hard for me to some days to not understand this culture to the extent that i want to. See the first few months I learned a lot of simple things. Don't shake with your left hand, bobbing you head means yes, drive on the left side etc. Those are easy lessons that can be learned instantly. However really understanding and becoming like this culture takes much much longer. Thinking like them, laughing like them, reasoning like them that doesn't happen by "just adding water." It takes time, it takes relationships, and it takes abiding in Christ. These are the things I want to learn/become and often i want it instantly.
A few months ago I was in Philly with my friend Phil. We went to the Art museum. He is very gifted with art (his cd ghosts of the great highway is one of the best i have heard in 2009). Now part of the time i walked around the Museum and said "oh that picture is nice that one is nice" based only on my appreciation of the aesthetics. However when he walked with me he would give me the background behind each painting. Once he explained to me that some of the artists were actually communicating a very strong message (often a very rebellious message) some of the paintings I didn't enjoy previously became remarkably beautiful because I knew how to understand them. I think it is this way with culture also. I can look at it and appreciate it for what is on the surface, but i want to understand why this culture has been painted this way. What each stroke is communicating.
Not sure if that makes a lot of sense, and forgive me if I am taking the analogy too far, but i think it is a fair illustration of life here.
r
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The little things add up
I just got back from an American family's home tonight. We had an awesome dinner and really just hung out for awhile. It was very interesting to me because I realized a few things. After we prayed we walked into the kitchen to get food and the first thing I noticed was the size of the cups. I know it's weird but just hold on. See American cups are bigger than the vast majority of other countries. There XL size is our small size. So when I got things for my flat I got "normal" size cups (normal=small, we are the weird ones) and they are made out of stainless steel. Everywhere you go plan on drinking out of like an 8oz cup. However this family brought out the HUGE plastic cups and it was wonderful. Its funny the things that you notice when you don't have them.
Its also funny the things that are insulting/complimentary. An American took me aside and asked "how do you bob your head like that?" The culture here shakes their head a little, ok a lot different. I certainly made an effort when i first got here, but don't really notice it anymore. Apparently I am doing it without thinking, as weird as it sounds thats encouraging to me.
r
Its also funny the things that are insulting/complimentary. An American took me aside and asked "how do you bob your head like that?" The culture here shakes their head a little, ok a lot different. I certainly made an effort when i first got here, but don't really notice it anymore. Apparently I am doing it without thinking, as weird as it sounds thats encouraging to me.
r
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Diwali
So yesterday was Diwali. Well technically it lasts for 3 days, but yesterday was the bulk of the celebrations. Diwali is called the festival of lights and is a celebration of the birth of Krishna. It was amazing. See in the states we shoot off firecrackers, but here they call them "bombs." Now I figured that this was just a linguistic thing and maybe they didnt know the english word for firecrackers, or fireworks. False. Many of these were much closer to bombs than any firecracker I have seen. The streets erupted with "bombs" and everywhere we went we now had to dodge these "bombs."
At one point I had just finished my run for the day. I had my ipod in, hands on my head sucking in air, and my eyes closed. All of the sudden there was a flash of light, a burst of wind and the loudest BANG I have ever heard. Naturally i thought I was dying so I hit the deck only to realize that I had walked into a kid's "bomb" throwing path. The kids thought it was hilarious, and lets be honest it was.
We went into town last night and literally people would set up roman candles, strings of firecrackers EVERYTHING in the road. and we would just drive through. However after that it was time for bed. So about 11pm I settled down to sleep. No No, the "bombs" didn't stop until 7 am the next day. A group of kids thought the best place to blow things up would be right below my bedroom window. soooo i dint really sleep.
Anyway Happy Diwali! (its pronounced D'vall-ee)
At one point I had just finished my run for the day. I had my ipod in, hands on my head sucking in air, and my eyes closed. All of the sudden there was a flash of light, a burst of wind and the loudest BANG I have ever heard. Naturally i thought I was dying so I hit the deck only to realize that I had walked into a kid's "bomb" throwing path. The kids thought it was hilarious, and lets be honest it was.
We went into town last night and literally people would set up roman candles, strings of firecrackers EVERYTHING in the road. and we would just drive through. However after that it was time for bed. So about 11pm I settled down to sleep. No No, the "bombs" didn't stop until 7 am the next day. A group of kids thought the best place to blow things up would be right below my bedroom window. soooo i dint really sleep.
Anyway Happy Diwali! (its pronounced D'vall-ee)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Hugs and Stuff
I saw something interesting today. Nobody else found it interesting but me. There were a bunch of Americans in the Cafeteria (canteen) today. One of the girls in their group saw a guy she [I am assuming] she hadn't seen in a long time because she screamed ran across the room and gave him a huge hug. The Americans didn't think it was funny because it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The Indians didn't think it was funny because they were just stunned. See in their culture there is not interaction across sexes beyond a brief conversation. I looked around and the whole room was staring at these 2 people hugging, and they were completely oblivious. It would be about as shocking as a couple making out in the middle of the room would be to us.
I have said it before but I am continually amazed by their hospitality here. They are so patient with us as we stumble through learning their culture.
I have said it before but I am continually amazed by their hospitality here. They are so patient with us as we stumble through learning their culture.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Learning Culture...
Imagine something with me. Imagine your company has a new intern. This intern is working for free because he is so excited about the work your office does.
He is a young single guy from India. This doesn’t really matter except that his accent is so thick it is pretty difficult to talk to him. Some people in the office even need you to translate his English. He is trying to learn American slang but keeps saying “yes sir,” to the janitor and “Yea dude,” to the CEO.
He cannot drive anywhere so if he needs anything you either have to drive him, or find someone else to drive him. When you do drive him you notice he is clutching the side of the seat because he has never seen someone drive as “crazy” as they do in the states. Thankfully public transport is pretty good so you are hoping he learns to use that.
Sometimes your work takes the both of you out of town. Now, although excited this man has never traveled like a normal person. See in his country he only rode in BMW and Lexus Suv’s, never (literally) in a Honda or a Toyota. His choice of hotels is only the best. Your company obviously cannot afford that so you stay at the Hampton Inn. Although he is perfectly content, you know that he has only slept on memory foam mattresses his whole life. Even though the hotel beds are comfortable to you, he is going to wake up every hour in the night because he wont be comfortable at all. Again, he doesn’t complain but you also know that he will be exhausted the next day and probably won’t be as productive as you. He does his best to fit in, but he isn’t used to the temperature in the states. He is used to it being warm so when you are perfectly comfortable you will see him shivering, sometimes his fingers even turn blue.
Also in his country he only ate at 4 or 5 star restaurants. Now you would love to have him over to your home for dinner, but many of your friends have told you that your cooking will make him sick if he can even eat it at all. Your boss even said that you couldn’t go to any restaurant of lower class than Outback (although you and him often would eat at “normal” places). Everywhere he goes though he carries a bottle of water because he can’t drink American water. He hasn’t ever even eaten with a fork before. Now although he tries to use a fork every single meal, you can always tell where he sat because there is food everywhere. He is so different that whenever you go in public with him you know everyone will stare at you (some people even judge you for being with him at all).
Although this is your imagination, it’s my reality- I’m that guy. Now my point in that is to call your attention to the generosity of my hosts. See although they are not paying me, there is certainly still a great cost to them. I am so blessed by the ways they have sought to ease me into their culture. They have made a huge front-end investment in me and I am thankful for them. I love it here, I love the adventure and everything I am learning, and I am very thankful for their patience.
He is a young single guy from India. This doesn’t really matter except that his accent is so thick it is pretty difficult to talk to him. Some people in the office even need you to translate his English. He is trying to learn American slang but keeps saying “yes sir,” to the janitor and “Yea dude,” to the CEO.
He cannot drive anywhere so if he needs anything you either have to drive him, or find someone else to drive him. When you do drive him you notice he is clutching the side of the seat because he has never seen someone drive as “crazy” as they do in the states. Thankfully public transport is pretty good so you are hoping he learns to use that.
Sometimes your work takes the both of you out of town. Now, although excited this man has never traveled like a normal person. See in his country he only rode in BMW and Lexus Suv’s, never (literally) in a Honda or a Toyota. His choice of hotels is only the best. Your company obviously cannot afford that so you stay at the Hampton Inn. Although he is perfectly content, you know that he has only slept on memory foam mattresses his whole life. Even though the hotel beds are comfortable to you, he is going to wake up every hour in the night because he wont be comfortable at all. Again, he doesn’t complain but you also know that he will be exhausted the next day and probably won’t be as productive as you. He does his best to fit in, but he isn’t used to the temperature in the states. He is used to it being warm so when you are perfectly comfortable you will see him shivering, sometimes his fingers even turn blue.
Also in his country he only ate at 4 or 5 star restaurants. Now you would love to have him over to your home for dinner, but many of your friends have told you that your cooking will make him sick if he can even eat it at all. Your boss even said that you couldn’t go to any restaurant of lower class than Outback (although you and him often would eat at “normal” places). Everywhere he goes though he carries a bottle of water because he can’t drink American water. He hasn’t ever even eaten with a fork before. Now although he tries to use a fork every single meal, you can always tell where he sat because there is food everywhere. He is so different that whenever you go in public with him you know everyone will stare at you (some people even judge you for being with him at all).
Although this is your imagination, it’s my reality- I’m that guy. Now my point in that is to call your attention to the generosity of my hosts. See although they are not paying me, there is certainly still a great cost to them. I am so blessed by the ways they have sought to ease me into their culture. They have made a huge front-end investment in me and I am thankful for them. I love it here, I love the adventure and everything I am learning, and I am very thankful for their patience.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
It's not just a name
Today I was in the canteen (cafeteria) throwing food in my mouth with my right hand (thats how we do). I was sitting with a guy I never met before and he asked my name. I told him robby. He looked at me totally confused and said "are you from a Hindu family?" I wasn't at all sure how that was relevant to the conversation but simply said "No, Christian." Then he said "Oh, ok your name sounds like Ravi, which is a Hindu name." Then it all made sense.
A week or so ago I posted about a little confusion I had as to what to call myself here. I thought about foreigners that came to the sates and often I met people that adopted american names. Although we knew the Chinese guy was not originally named Tom, we would have no problem with that. The difference is that in the states your name has very little meaning to it. For example if I tell you my name is Robby, you don't know anything more about me than how to get my attention. In the states you give meaning to your name, the name doesn't give meaning to you.
However here it is different. Your name immediately tells other people what state you are from, what social class you belong to, and what religion you family ascribes to. So if I was to say that my name was Ravi it would be making statements about myself, my family and our background that are clearly not true.
It almost reminded me of the kid trying to be someone he is not. The kid that bought a Tony Hawk skate board but really has no idea how to skate. Or the person that has taken one philosophy class but tries to talk like he is well versed in philosophy. Or the first year bible student debating Calvinism at Starbucks. The slang term is "poser." Someone that poses to be something/someone they aren't.
Here there is a lot in a name. A lot of trust, value, and identity in a name and I have no right to coin a new nickname for myself. Lesson learned!
R
A week or so ago I posted about a little confusion I had as to what to call myself here. I thought about foreigners that came to the sates and often I met people that adopted american names. Although we knew the Chinese guy was not originally named Tom, we would have no problem with that. The difference is that in the states your name has very little meaning to it. For example if I tell you my name is Robby, you don't know anything more about me than how to get my attention. In the states you give meaning to your name, the name doesn't give meaning to you.
However here it is different. Your name immediately tells other people what state you are from, what social class you belong to, and what religion you family ascribes to. So if I was to say that my name was Ravi it would be making statements about myself, my family and our background that are clearly not true.
It almost reminded me of the kid trying to be someone he is not. The kid that bought a Tony Hawk skate board but really has no idea how to skate. Or the person that has taken one philosophy class but tries to talk like he is well versed in philosophy. Or the first year bible student debating Calvinism at Starbucks. The slang term is "poser." Someone that poses to be something/someone they aren't.
Here there is a lot in a name. A lot of trust, value, and identity in a name and I have no right to coin a new nickname for myself. Lesson learned!
R
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Suprise
I haven't been here very long, but I have somewhat grown accustom to seeing things that for me are out of the ordinary. Everything here is done different, it makes it exciting and interesting. However yesterday I saw something that literally made me stop in the middle of the road and stare like an idiot.
Here there are beggars everywhere. Slumdog Millionaire did a good job of portraying reality. Everywhere you go there are beggars and street vendors that would make DHEC have a conniption. Yesterday I hopped on the bus and went into town to explore a little. There I saw for the first time a roadside tattoo artist. The said "artist" was about 12 years old and sitting in the dirt on the sidewalk with a tattoo gun going to town on a guy's arm. He had a little white (dirty) blanket and a small jar of black ink (not green). It looked similar to a bottle of ink you would use for a quill pen.
Now I know standards of cleanliness are different, but to me that looked like a death wish.
Guess i'm not in Kansas anymore.
Here there are beggars everywhere. Slumdog Millionaire did a good job of portraying reality. Everywhere you go there are beggars and street vendors that would make DHEC have a conniption. Yesterday I hopped on the bus and went into town to explore a little. There I saw for the first time a roadside tattoo artist. The said "artist" was about 12 years old and sitting in the dirt on the sidewalk with a tattoo gun going to town on a guy's arm. He had a little white (dirty) blanket and a small jar of black ink (not green). It looked similar to a bottle of ink you would use for a quill pen.
Now I know standards of cleanliness are different, but to me that looked like a death wish.
Guess i'm not in Kansas anymore.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Noah was weird
I read just finished my devos today. I am still kind of stunned/thoughtful about what I just read. I read about Noah. Now I grew up thinking of Noah as a great zookeeper painted onto every nursery wall. You know the cartoon where he is this funny bearded guy with birds elephants and giraffes? I think that is a misrepresentation.
I read about Noah today. I've been in Mathew, but Jesus references Noah in chapter 24, so I went back to read that. The first thing that I saw was that "Noah walked with God." Now I haven't done an in depth study yet but I know that same description is used of Adam. I also know that Gal. 5 tells me to walk in step with the spirit.
But do you know what Noah did? he was in the middle of the desert and spend YEARS building a boat! Why? Because he walked with God. Then he gets all these animals and his whole family and they go into the boat (remember it has likely never rained in the history of the world at this point,and he isn't even close to the ocean) and they sit there for a week! He was in the boat with the family and all these animals for a WEEK! Why because he walked with God, and God told him to.
What gets me is that Mathew 24 says that the return of the son of man will be like in the days of Noah. Everyone will be happy clappy, and then He will return on the clouds. Revelation also says that people will be screaming at the mountains to fall on them for fear of the one who sits on the throne.
So what is my response? I know this day is coming. Am I going to live like righteous Noah and tell everyone or will I shut my mouth out of a desire to be liked? So all that to say the Lord just hit me with the urgency of the situation. Noah didn't sit on his duff and "have a good time" he went and built a boat. So lets do something.
In other news I just got back from visiting teams that are "doing something." A huge blessing to hang out with them, see their work, little bit of mutual encouragement going on, it was great.
Anyway, thanks for caring. Peace.
R
I read about Noah today. I've been in Mathew, but Jesus references Noah in chapter 24, so I went back to read that. The first thing that I saw was that "Noah walked with God." Now I haven't done an in depth study yet but I know that same description is used of Adam. I also know that Gal. 5 tells me to walk in step with the spirit.
But do you know what Noah did? he was in the middle of the desert and spend YEARS building a boat! Why? Because he walked with God. Then he gets all these animals and his whole family and they go into the boat (remember it has likely never rained in the history of the world at this point,and he isn't even close to the ocean) and they sit there for a week! He was in the boat with the family and all these animals for a WEEK! Why because he walked with God, and God told him to.
What gets me is that Mathew 24 says that the return of the son of man will be like in the days of Noah. Everyone will be happy clappy, and then He will return on the clouds. Revelation also says that people will be screaming at the mountains to fall on them for fear of the one who sits on the throne.
So what is my response? I know this day is coming. Am I going to live like righteous Noah and tell everyone or will I shut my mouth out of a desire to be liked? So all that to say the Lord just hit me with the urgency of the situation. Noah didn't sit on his duff and "have a good time" he went and built a boat. So lets do something.
In other news I just got back from visiting teams that are "doing something." A huge blessing to hang out with them, see their work, little bit of mutual encouragement going on, it was great.
Anyway, thanks for caring. Peace.
R
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Losing to Gain?
One of my favorite authors is D.A. Carson. Although he has done an excellent job of addressing many different issues one I have especially enjoyed the way he points out irony in scripture. The reality is that the word of God was written by real people with personalities and he does a great job pointing that out.
One of the things I initially found most ironic was Jesus’ teaching on life. Jesus said that to gain life you have to loose it, to be great in the kingdom you have to be a servant, least and last. At first glance I thought this was dripping with irony, however the more I meditate on it I think it is simply common sense.
Another topic that I enjoy is finance/investments. Now I am not very good at it, but I do enjoy learning about different financial markets and fund opportunities (so bear with me if you hate finance). Everyone knows that if you want to have money for retirement you have to invest it. If you just let your cash sit in your checking account your interest rate wont even hit inflation and you will consistently loose money. The only way to make money is to invest it in a profitable fund. We have to let go of it and put it in something greater than itself so that it will grow. At least for a time we loose it so that we might gain it.
Now what if there was a fund that was guaranteed a 1000% annual return? What if there was a fund where it was impossible to loose money? You would most likely reject all notion of diversification and invest every thing in this one fund. You wouldn’t even be out of line to begin selling things you could do without in order to put the profit in this particular fund. Wouldn’t it be logical to also go and tell everyone you knew about this new found fund? Now the reality is that for a time you would be without. You wouldn’t have access to that cash immediately but you would endure living without for the joy of what would come later.
I think this is exactly what Christ is talking about. He calls us to invest our lives in something greater than ourselves so that we might take hold of that something greater. Sure maybe we will be without today, maybe we will be uncomfortable (its 9:30 pm and I am sitting on my bed sweating- with the fan on), but if we have taken our comfort and given it up to invest in something greater isn’t it worth it? Think of the previously mentioned fund, would it make any sense to not invest everything in it? I think that’s what Christ calls us to, to give him everything. To loose our life that we might gain it, it seems ironic but we hold to the same principles elsewhere.
Life with Christ is crazy. I think it’s worth a try.
One of the things I initially found most ironic was Jesus’ teaching on life. Jesus said that to gain life you have to loose it, to be great in the kingdom you have to be a servant, least and last. At first glance I thought this was dripping with irony, however the more I meditate on it I think it is simply common sense.
Another topic that I enjoy is finance/investments. Now I am not very good at it, but I do enjoy learning about different financial markets and fund opportunities (so bear with me if you hate finance). Everyone knows that if you want to have money for retirement you have to invest it. If you just let your cash sit in your checking account your interest rate wont even hit inflation and you will consistently loose money. The only way to make money is to invest it in a profitable fund. We have to let go of it and put it in something greater than itself so that it will grow. At least for a time we loose it so that we might gain it.
Now what if there was a fund that was guaranteed a 1000% annual return? What if there was a fund where it was impossible to loose money? You would most likely reject all notion of diversification and invest every thing in this one fund. You wouldn’t even be out of line to begin selling things you could do without in order to put the profit in this particular fund. Wouldn’t it be logical to also go and tell everyone you knew about this new found fund? Now the reality is that for a time you would be without. You wouldn’t have access to that cash immediately but you would endure living without for the joy of what would come later.
I think this is exactly what Christ is talking about. He calls us to invest our lives in something greater than ourselves so that we might take hold of that something greater. Sure maybe we will be without today, maybe we will be uncomfortable (its 9:30 pm and I am sitting on my bed sweating- with the fan on), but if we have taken our comfort and given it up to invest in something greater isn’t it worth it? Think of the previously mentioned fund, would it make any sense to not invest everything in it? I think that’s what Christ calls us to, to give him everything. To loose our life that we might gain it, it seems ironic but we hold to the same principles elsewhere.
Life with Christ is crazy. I think it’s worth a try.
"normal" life
Hey hey,
well I am here. I know I haven't been very good about updating this, but I am still trying to figure out what I can say and what I can't. Learning from mistakes already!
I have been here about 2 weeks now and am starting to get into a flow. Right now I live in a dorm about 50 meters from my office. I eat in the canteen (cafe, cafeteria, lunchroom etc.) which is also on campus.
Right now the biggest thing I am working on job wise is coordinating communication between the team here and a f-ship in the states. I will also be teaching an ESL class this fall (for the first time in my life) and then helping to teach a little in January while taking classes.
I got asked a question the other day that for the first time I wasn't sure how to answer. A guy asked me "what is your name." Well um, hmm. I actually had to think about it. Here was my thought process. Well my real name is Robert but I don't go by that. My nickname is Robby, but if I tell you that you will say Ruby and that is a girls name here. The closest equivalent that I know of here is Ravi. But is my name Ravi, Ruby, Robby, or Robert? So I said Ravi. I have tried this a few times telling them my name is Ravi, and each time I get the response "no it isn't." Hahaha, so then I tried Robby/Ruby and they laugh and say "dont you know that's a girls name here?!" Eh, yea, um ok? So what is my name? hmmm, TBD. :-)
well I am here. I know I haven't been very good about updating this, but I am still trying to figure out what I can say and what I can't. Learning from mistakes already!
I have been here about 2 weeks now and am starting to get into a flow. Right now I live in a dorm about 50 meters from my office. I eat in the canteen (cafe, cafeteria, lunchroom etc.) which is also on campus.
Right now the biggest thing I am working on job wise is coordinating communication between the team here and a f-ship in the states. I will also be teaching an ESL class this fall (for the first time in my life) and then helping to teach a little in January while taking classes.
I got asked a question the other day that for the first time I wasn't sure how to answer. A guy asked me "what is your name." Well um, hmm. I actually had to think about it. Here was my thought process. Well my real name is Robert but I don't go by that. My nickname is Robby, but if I tell you that you will say Ruby and that is a girls name here. The closest equivalent that I know of here is Ravi. But is my name Ravi, Ruby, Robby, or Robert? So I said Ravi. I have tried this a few times telling them my name is Ravi, and each time I get the response "no it isn't." Hahaha, so then I tried Robby/Ruby and they laugh and say "dont you know that's a girls name here?!" Eh, yea, um ok? So what is my name? hmmm, TBD. :-)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
I Corinthians 13
If I speak with the tongue of a national but have no love I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I wear the national dress and understand all forms of cultural etiquette and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national but have no love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and if I spend all my energy without reserve but have no love I gain nothing.
Love endures longs hours of language study, and is kind to all those who mock his accent.
Love does not envy those who stayed in America.
Love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of his national superiority, does not boast about "the way we do it back home," does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil of this new culture.
Love bears all criticisms about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, and endures all inconveniences.
Love never fails, but where there is cultural anthropology it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will lead to syncretism; where there is linguistics, it will change.
For we know only part of the culture and we minister only part. But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then inadequacies will be insignificant.
When I was in America I spoke as an American, I understood as an American; but when I left America I put away American things.
Now I adapt to this culture awkwardly; but he will live in it intimately; now I speak with a strange accent, but he will speak to the heart.
And now these three remain: Cultural adaption, language study and love, but the greatest of these is love.
-This is something I read yesterday and I thought it was good. I know there are some differences between it and I Cor. 13 but i enjoyed it.
If I wear the national dress and understand all forms of cultural etiquette and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national but have no love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and if I spend all my energy without reserve but have no love I gain nothing.
Love endures longs hours of language study, and is kind to all those who mock his accent.
Love does not envy those who stayed in America.
Love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of his national superiority, does not boast about "the way we do it back home," does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil of this new culture.
Love bears all criticisms about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, and endures all inconveniences.
Love never fails, but where there is cultural anthropology it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will lead to syncretism; where there is linguistics, it will change.
For we know only part of the culture and we minister only part. But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then inadequacies will be insignificant.
When I was in America I spoke as an American, I understood as an American; but when I left America I put away American things.
Now I adapt to this culture awkwardly; but he will live in it intimately; now I speak with a strange accent, but he will speak to the heart.
And now these three remain: Cultural adaption, language study and love, but the greatest of these is love.
-This is something I read yesterday and I thought it was good. I know there are some differences between it and I Cor. 13 but i enjoyed it.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
A Large Vat of Spiritual Ice Water
Often times we can get spiritually numb. We get distracted and loose our sense of urgency. That happened to me this week. Its like we forget we are in a battle and all of the sudden we think we have the right to be comfortable and please ourselves. Well Friday morning I was listening to a sermon by Francis Chan from Cornerstone church in Simi Valley and I woke up.
He just wrote a book, and will be getting $500,000 in royalties this year. Instead of spending it he opened a charitable trust so that it can only be given to charitable organizations. 100% of his royalties are going to this trust. He also has a friend working with International Justice Mission who works in Cambodia to shut down the brothels (girls are between the ages of 8-18). So some of the money will go there. Some will go to the 50,000 Christians in India who have been displaced by radicals, and some to the aids pandemic in Africa etc. Some people told Francis that he should save some of it in case of an emergency. Do you know what he said? he said "do you think that the brothels in Cambodia are not an emergency?" What is an emergency? Is it only an emergency if you are directly involved? Look around this is an emergency, the day of the Lord is at hand and we have forgotten we are in a battle.
The Lord used this sermon series to wake me up to the emergency around us. Stop saving for an emergency, stop waiting for an emergency. This is an emergency.
If you want to listen to them, go to cornerstone simi's page and listen to the 3 part series "living a life that matters"
He just wrote a book, and will be getting $500,000 in royalties this year. Instead of spending it he opened a charitable trust so that it can only be given to charitable organizations. 100% of his royalties are going to this trust. He also has a friend working with International Justice Mission who works in Cambodia to shut down the brothels (girls are between the ages of 8-18). So some of the money will go there. Some will go to the 50,000 Christians in India who have been displaced by radicals, and some to the aids pandemic in Africa etc. Some people told Francis that he should save some of it in case of an emergency. Do you know what he said? he said "do you think that the brothels in Cambodia are not an emergency?" What is an emergency? Is it only an emergency if you are directly involved? Look around this is an emergency, the day of the Lord is at hand and we have forgotten we are in a battle.
The Lord used this sermon series to wake me up to the emergency around us. Stop saving for an emergency, stop waiting for an emergency. This is an emergency.
If you want to listen to them, go to cornerstone simi's page and listen to the 3 part series "living a life that matters"
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Pictures of the Trip
This is one of the 85 schools that the company has started in the country. This is most definately one of the biggest. These schools target the "untouchables" or the lowest ecenomic class. They go all the way through High School, and the classes are taught in English. It is very expensive to get an "english" education in the country, so it is a great opportunity for the kids.
This is a very common sight. When I took this picture it was about 8am, and roughly 100 degrees out. Hence the loin cloth.
Usually these carts will be filled with fruits or something.
This man is wearing whats called a lungi. AKA a man skirt. It isnt formal wear or anything, but I will most definately wear this.
This old lady sat in this same spot every day. Occasionally she would yell at the naked kid running around but other than that I never heard her say anything. I even asked her if I could take this picture and she just stared at me. So I took it.
I am back!
Well I have come and gone. I spent the last 2 weeks over there and I am now in the states once again. In all honesty the trip was much better than I expected. Here are the 3 major things that I learned about the culture:
1) There is more diversity here than any other place I have been to. The difference between the north and the south is astronomical- language, culture, dress, food EVERYTHING. So if I learn something in the north it probably isn’t true of the south.
2) An easterner finds their identity completely in their family tree. For example if they want to know about you they will ask about your father, mother and siblings. They see you as only one small piece of a greater pie. On top of that because they identify themselves with their family it is very difficult for them to autonomously make a decision, or decide something against their family. This might be when HE said you had to be born again into a new family to enter the kingdom.
3) Everything is hierarchical. The hierarchy is based on job title, age, experience, who their father was, anything. It is also very rude to question, you are expected to just trust those above you. This is another reason why it would be so hard for someone to go against their parents in any kind of decision.
Our father is very good, and he is working in amazing ways over there. In spite of everything the evil one is trying to do, his good news is going literally to the ends of the earth. As of now we are still working on finalizing some of the last minute details.
1) There is more diversity here than any other place I have been to. The difference between the north and the south is astronomical- language, culture, dress, food EVERYTHING. So if I learn something in the north it probably isn’t true of the south.
2) An easterner finds their identity completely in their family tree. For example if they want to know about you they will ask about your father, mother and siblings. They see you as only one small piece of a greater pie. On top of that because they identify themselves with their family it is very difficult for them to autonomously make a decision, or decide something against their family. This might be when HE said you had to be born again into a new family to enter the kingdom.
3) Everything is hierarchical. The hierarchy is based on job title, age, experience, who their father was, anything. It is also very rude to question, you are expected to just trust those above you. This is another reason why it would be so hard for someone to go against their parents in any kind of decision.
Our father is very good, and he is working in amazing ways over there. In spite of everything the evil one is trying to do, his good news is going literally to the ends of the earth. As of now we are still working on finalizing some of the last minute details.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
traveling this weekend
So here is the plan. I leave for South East Asia on Saturday at 4pm, arriving at my destination 8am Monday morning (spending the night in the airplane and the Delhi airport…). The purpose for this trip is to finalize all the plans for moving in August. Here is the reality- this is hard. Moving to a country in Asia is not normal, and most people HATE it. But I don’t and that makes me weird. However I cant imagine doing anything else. Now after all those sentence fragments what we are going to be prayerfully considering these next 2 weeks is whether or not this is exactly where I need to be. If it is not only should I not go, but I don’t want to. His plan is infinitely better than anything I could even imagine, so I only want what my father wants. He knows how to give good gifts to his children so when we ignorantly ask for a stone he will give us bread.
The role we are looking at is that of a “facilitator.” I am 22, single, and dumb. Therefore the most effective place I could be is under older wiser more experienced men for a long time. There is a tremendous need for bbl training. Often time chrch leaders will have no training at all. The school I am looking to serve with is not a cheesy bible school with a flannel board up front to put pictures of a blonde YHWH carrying a lamb on his shoulder. It is actually internationally accredited on the bachelor’s master’s and Ph.D. levels. I think it goes without saying that I will not be teaching Ph.D. classes. My role as a facilitator would be simply to serve those that are already teaching. Doing their admin work grading papers WHATEVER they need so that they can teach more often and more effectively. I will be behind the scenes working as a catalyst. There is the possibility of teaching introductory classes through the chrch etc. In addition to being a teachers assistant, I will be taking classes and getting training myself (culturally but also theologically). As time goes they would look to move me into more of a teaching role as I grow and learn. OK lets be honest, you can not tell me that that doesn’t sound like the most amazing opportunity EVER. Period.
I can’t do any of this alone. Yes YHWH is with me but he has ordained the body to work together in striving for the gospel. I need your partnership now. I need everyone I know to prayerfully consider partnering with me now. The next 2 weeks are going to determine a lot and all of us need His wisdom. So please pry with us and seek his face with us. Even now he is going to be glorified and I want everyone to see it.
The role we are looking at is that of a “facilitator.” I am 22, single, and dumb. Therefore the most effective place I could be is under older wiser more experienced men for a long time. There is a tremendous need for bbl training. Often time chrch leaders will have no training at all. The school I am looking to serve with is not a cheesy bible school with a flannel board up front to put pictures of a blonde YHWH carrying a lamb on his shoulder. It is actually internationally accredited on the bachelor’s master’s and Ph.D. levels. I think it goes without saying that I will not be teaching Ph.D. classes. My role as a facilitator would be simply to serve those that are already teaching. Doing their admin work grading papers WHATEVER they need so that they can teach more often and more effectively. I will be behind the scenes working as a catalyst. There is the possibility of teaching introductory classes through the chrch etc. In addition to being a teachers assistant, I will be taking classes and getting training myself (culturally but also theologically). As time goes they would look to move me into more of a teaching role as I grow and learn. OK lets be honest, you can not tell me that that doesn’t sound like the most amazing opportunity EVER. Period.
I can’t do any of this alone. Yes YHWH is with me but he has ordained the body to work together in striving for the gospel. I need your partnership now. I need everyone I know to prayerfully consider partnering with me now. The next 2 weeks are going to determine a lot and all of us need His wisdom. So please pry with us and seek his face with us. Even now he is going to be glorified and I want everyone to see it.
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