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.
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.
praying for you Chloe. Proud to hear you have strong convictions. Praying God will soften your families' hearts over there.
ReplyDeletei'm so proud of you, chloe!!! i can't imagine how uncomfortable that must have been, though! i'm glad you are in a new host home. that would have been such a strain to stay the entire year through. sounds like, from your most recent post, that you're doing well. i'm so happy for you, hun.
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