Adventures in Conversations

So I know it may be a little premature, but I think I'm going to love it here. I've had such a great time already it's hard to see how I could possibly be unhappy here for the next couple months. Everyone is incredibly friendly and reminds me daily how happy they are to have me here. The faculty are great and are very interested in life in the United States as well as seminary life. I've even had to print out the cirriculum for PTS so they could take a look at the requirements. The students are also very happy to have me here which makes it all the more fun. I had one student tell me that he used to wish he could meet a real English person so he could have a conversation with him/her so he is now over joyed to meet me. His feelings are mutual as I do my best to remind people that I am here to learn as well and am grateful they have accepted me here.

One of my favorite conversation partners thus far has been Rev. Dr. Thanzauva, the husband of the principal. His is a prominent leader in the Baptist church in Mizoram and influential in other places in India as well. His PhD dissertation focused on Liberation Theology and he is constantly at work to develop new programs to help the poor. Needless to say, our intellectual interests are quite similar. We've spent a great deal of time talking about the church in Mizoram and various subjects of the church. He is leaving tomorrow for Delhi which is sad, but I've greatly enjoyed what conversations I've had with him as they've helped me learn a lot about Mizos and Christians in general.

I've also had good conversations with my supervisor Rev. Zolawma and Principal Hnuni as well. In addition, I'm enjoying the atmosphere around campus as well. The students and faculty make jokes about one another in chapel and there is an air of joy around here. For example, the retreat we had here over the weekend was incredibly draining for everyone. Mainly because we had at least three hour and a half sessions everyday in addition to other events. So by the time Sunday night came, everyone was exhausted. At the final service, the students made a song to sing to the principal to beg her to give everyone holiday for a day on the first week of class to rest. The song began "our principal who art in stardom, your queedom come...please give us Tuesday as holiday. Or at least Monday." It was hilarious. Faculty also opening joke about other members falling asleep during chapel, they did a group song, and other funny things. It's quite a contrast from Princeton where most people are far too stiff. If President Torrance made some good jokes at chapel I think I might actually go haha.

Rev. Zolawma has basically granted me complete freedom in ministry/teaching/life this summer which is exciting. What that translates to is that I gave him a list of the ministries I wanted to visit (AIDS clinic, drug rehab center, leprosy mission) and he added some places he thought I'd like to visit as well. It's great that everyone here is so open to helping me. One of the faculty told me today, "let us know if there are any requirements you need for Princeton. We will make sure they get fulfilled." Their willingness makes me want to have the best English class ever to give back. First class is Thursday, let's hope I can live up to the hype.

Tonight over dinner the faculty and I had a long discussion on Texas. Apparently, cowboy movies are really popular in Mizoram. Even books about cowboys have been translated into Mizo so that people can read them. They loved hearing some stories about Texas Rangers and how Texans think they are so much better than everyone else. I continue to find it funny that no matter where I go in the world people love to talk to me about Texas. The United States is great and all, but Texas is what gets them excited. Got to love it.

Well, that's about all I have for now. Been writing again which is cool and have been reading. I'll post again probably friday after my first two classes so you can hear about them. Hope all is well back home!

pax et bonum.


SHOUT OUT SECTION:
Harv- haha yea, the landscape at times can be like a Star Wars film. I might call Aizawl cloud city the way the entire town becomes engulfed in clouds some time. I've always wanted to walk in a cloud, now I have. Lets just hope it's not a trap.

Sara- Estoy celoso de tu sol! Llueve aqui todos los dias. Disfrute del sol para mi!