Bethlehem Lutheran Church

We spent our last night in Induia reflecting on the bold and couragoeous steps takeb during this India journey. Here are some of the reflections from our young people. I invite you to first read the following scripture passage about Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:1-8. Now consider the place at which Joshua has been called to. What might he be feeling? What kind of courage will he need? Where will God be in all of this? Now think about a bold and courageous step you have taken in your faith walk. For the sojourners of India, they named aloud a specific bold step taken in India. Responses were: + going into the main city alone, exploring and taking a rickshaw + jumping in with all the school children; being shy was not an option + going to a village home alone, being serve lunch without knowing the language and what time to return to the group + experiencing different religions and being fully open to them all + trusting our hosts and being alone + eating with my fingers, and as a left hander, onlt being able to use my right + trying all the foods and eating everything offered me, even if I wasn't hungry + folk dancing at Quo Vadis + touring a large temple and being blessed by a high priest in the holy of holies + being able to confidently walk through the streets + receiving physical contact from most we met; adjusting to the notion if very little space + exploring Pondicherry with 3 other girls and no Tamil-speaking guide + making a deeper, more personal connection with my Indian partner at Quo Vadis + having my nose pierced by a village elder, sitting on the front stoop of a money loan office - a quill for the piercing end. Moses, with the help and promise of God, took many bold steps, not always with joy or positive outcomes for those Moses had come to call his family. Throughout it all, Joshua had been near Moses, assisting in leadership. Sunddenly, Moses told Joshua that it was now his task to lead God's people into the promise land. Moses would not go forth. Together, we considered who our Moses was - the person who guides, provides vision and equips us to take steps of faith with courage. We then reflected on what specifically these people are telling us and what specific bold steps we can take when we are once again home. Many many ideas speang forth: + travel to Guatemala and be open to how God is shaping me through traveling and experiencing a variety of cultures + stop taking the easy way out; work through my full potential as class president + share the positive stories of India + sponsor a child and be involved in efforts to promote child sponsorship by others + consider taking a gap year after high school + appreciate my many blessings + not listen to negative people back home! Seize my dreams! + regroup around Bethlehem's goals and prep with new communitities pastor + take responsibility for my actions and work on personal accountablility + find and figure out the deep "core" of this trip for me and what I am to do next + remember the lessons from India + make no more material purchases the rest of year! And count my daily nonmaterial blessings We pray that the comforts of home will not distract us from these calls and ask God to work through our Moses and the experienes of this journey to be bold and walk forth in courage.