If God Is For Us, Who Can Ever Be Against Us? -Romans 8:31

Lately, I have witnessed what it means to be treated differently because of my Faith.
How awesome is it that no matter what, despite everything, no one can take my Lord and Savior away from me? As my host family does puja a lot, it seems like lately my host family REALLY wants me to partake more and more in it. This past week we have had the festival of Navratri. This is a festival for the goddess of Shaptashrung. Everyone paints the statue and dresses it up in a sari and then worships it for nine days. I have had to tell my host dad "no" about 3 times as he has tried to push my head down to bow to the statue. It has been pretty hard for me. In fact I get more and more adimit each time because he knows that I am not going to do it and still he tries to force me. The best part is, he can't control me and I am making that clear. I've gotten to tell him that I don't feel comfortable, this isn't my religion nor do I believe in it, and I am not going to bow to anything other than my God. He doesn't seem to like that too much in the moment, but then later he always acts extra nice to me. They do this a lot when there is any kind of conflict because they just want everything to be ok, and instead of talking about it, they just act like everything is fine.

They finally took me to church last Sunday and dropped me off. After service I called and asked if the pastor, his wife, and family, could drive me home. My host mom said it was fine. My pastors wife came up to the house and met my host mom. They were both so friendly. It really encouraged me. But I was so confused when she left and my host mom and host dad both came to me and forbid me to ever see them. They told me that our driver will take me and pick me up from church. They said I cannot go to their house for dinner, ride in the car with them, or even stay after church to talk with anyone. Right then, my heart sunk to my shoes. For fellowship with other Christians is something I have been needing more than everything. No matter what I said, it was not fixed in anyway. They even said "You should be happy we are letting you even go to church." Wow... is my God that much of a threat to them? I praise the Lord, He has a plan. This is just a road block that isn't going to discourage me for too long. I will make it through this.

I have a little wooden cross on my bedside table with all of my books and my bible. I think it is so cool when I come into my room after college and it is constantly moved..someone is putting it in my drawer instead of out in the open where I choose to keep it. I always put it back and it somehow finds it way back in the drawer. It gives me chills because I know that even a little cross is shaking things up. I don't know who is doing it, it could be one of my host family members or one of our helpers, but nevertheless I pray that God will use me to show His love even when I am not being shown open arms for my truth.

Sure there have been some other issues too with my host family, but God is keeping me strong and just growing me into a stronger person with every experience. I thank the Lord for my friends Carmen (from Canada), Meleah (from USA), and Helena (from Germany). They are a gift and help me whenever I get down or whatever. I also met with a couple from Rotary who are helping me. It makes me not have to worry and neither do you have to worry. God is working everything out! I am being friendly and continue show love everyday to my host family. Still so thankful for this opportunity every moment.

No, I am not an Indian!

Yeah, everyone here thinks I am just one of them. I get it more and more. Seems like everyday, the amount of people who assume I am an Indian double. I can use this to my advantage though. The other exchange students get stared at all the time. I never do really. Sometimes my clothes give it away and of course when I talk. But it's nice, because I can seem Indian when I need to, but I can also have the advantage of being a foreigner from America too.

So let's talk about school. What is the definition of school? Come to mine and you may get a different answer than what dictionary.com is saying. Actually, no one here even calls it school because 'school' is for grades up to 10th standard. Then it's considered college from 11th grade on. After 12th, they take exams and compete with all the students in India. Then they begin their concentration for four years at University. So it is pretty similar to our system, and yet so different.
I attend a 'HPT College of the Arts'. This college actually has 2 tracks in which you can pick science or arts. With arts the subjects are Psychology, Political Science, History, Economics, Geography, Environmental Studies, English, and Hindi.
Although I have graduated high school back home, I am in 11th standard here. It's alright to be with a bunch of 16 year olds everyday, but I suppose they placed me in 11th because they know the education system in the United States is not as difficult or advanced. I don't even have to worry about my marks or anything either.
I have noticed that it is mainly about individual study here. Most students bunk (skip classes) whenever they want and teachers don't even show up some of the time either. It is not compulsory or mandatory to attend class at all really. It is all on the student whether or not they succeed. After school, every student has tutions. This is for every grade, even elementary. This is when you meet with special teachers outside of school for individual and group study. These are way more important than actual classes because it is when you really do all of you studying. (I don't go to tutions though).
So regarding my daily routine... I go to college pretty much everyday (except Sunday is a holiday). I usually  go to the first two classes and then leave and go eat or hangout with my friends. I wear a uniform that is all white. There are about 35 students that actually come to the college and the rest don't come.. ever. The boys sit on one side of the room and the girls on the other. 80% of the class are girls (boys don't care as much). We have one classroom and the teachers are the ones that switch rooms each period. We call the teachers "sir" or "madam". When a teacher enters the room we all stand up until they sit down. If you are late (which doesn't matter) and wish to enter the room, you must ask first. The classes are suppose to be in English but sometimes they trail off into Marathi and when they do speak English it's hard to understand. When the boys misbehave they get smacked on the back of the head. I don't know what happens if the girls misbehave, they never do. The biggest difference between the education system here and at home is that in India, they focus more on knowledge, rather than just the information.
My first day of college? Yeah, I got scolded for yawning (which happened twice) and ALL of my teachers thought I was Indian (like I said.. it happens all the time).
That all explains academics. I also have art classes I attend. Like tabla (indian hand drums), dance, drawing (I am not a fan of this, but I go anyway...sometimes), and I am going to start my other dance classes this month along with yoga and also running.
Ok thanks for reading. I'm going to go study now....... haha, just kidding. :)