Update on Classes

I feel like I haven't posted about classes in a while. I guess that's because I haven't.

We've had a lot of deep, thought-provoking class sessions recently.

• Animism: Wow, so incredible! Definitely one of my top favorite classes here! I never realized the depth of the beliefs held by animists. They live in so much fear of the wrath of the spirits and gods that they worship. They do so many worthless rituals that can be so destructive. One case study that we had in class talked about a tribe where they have a ceremony in which they burn the skin of the dancers with torches. It's a part of the ceremony. The dancers don't die, but they suffer the consequences of the burns for months afterwards. It was so sad to hear about, and yet this happens daily in tribes all around the world. The darkness that exists outside of the light of Christ is so thick and deep and terrifying. 
• Folk Catholicism: This class was so good in conjunction with Animism. Catholicism is so focused on traditions, rituals, and saints. Many of the people we will be going to have been influenced by Catholic missionaries, so it's crucial to understand the basic beliefs of the Catholic church.
• Culture and Language Acquisition (CLA) Methodology (current): We just started this class last week, and it's been really cool. This class is continuing to prepare us for learning a new culture and language. We affectionately abbreviate this class as CLA Meth Lab. 
• Romans 12-14 (current): I've really enjoyed learning more about Romans 12-14. It's been so cool reading more about our responsibilities as believers, and trying to determine how we would explain these concepts to believers who had never had any background in Christianity. How do you explain "transforming your mind"? What about spiritual gifts? How does the Holy Spirit give you gifts? For that matter, how does He live inside of you? I'd never thought through some of these concepts on a simplistic level before, so it's been really good (and sobering) to think through the concepts in light of my future ministry overseas.

It's crazy to think that we have just under a month left here. Time has flown SO quickly in the last month. It feels like it was just Easter Break!