Mission India leaders met for planning, reporting and goal-setting for the first half of the week. All the other attendees arrived during the day on Wednesday. That night was an incredible service with about 1300 people inside and around the outside of the chapel. (If I remember, I'll post some pics of that event too.)
They announced that their annual "Parade of the States" would take place at the opening of the Thursday night service.
At 5:30, we started gathering outside the chapel. I had contacted Raju earlier in the afternoon to arrange that I would parade in with the Rajasthani group. They were thrilled. So I wandered around looking for them, until they found me.Gradually, word started spreading directing us where we should go to line up. As darkness grew, we got in line behind the group from Punjab.
As soon as I joined them, they asked if I wanted to wear a Rajasthani turban like the other men had. Of course! So a lady hurried to her room and returned with a long scarf/shawl which an elder of the group expertly wound around my head.
Above, you see our group entering the chapel. Look really close and you can see the shoulder of my blue shirt. Unfortunately, my head with the turban is hidden by the mad in the middle. (The beards are fake if you can't tell.)
All the while we were waiting for the parade to start, the Rajasthanis sang Christian words set to ancient traditional Rajasthani tunes and stylings. Plus, they were dancing. They do not do a vigorous dance. Perhaps you recall the video I shared earlier from Jodhpur showing the students doing a round dance: forward-forward; back-back while they progress slowly in a circle. So of course, I had to join in. What a truly blessed, special moment that was! This is what missions is about: Leading people to Christ but leaving as much of the traditional culture in tact as possible. Some things must change in every culture (including and perhaps especially the West). But music and traditional dance are integral to these societies. And to hear the Gospel proclaimed to the traditional Rajasthani tunes gave me a thrill. (I only wish I could have kept the turban!)
As soon as I joined them, they asked if I wanted to wear a Rajasthani turban like the other men had. Of course! So a lady hurried to her room and returned with a long scarf/shawl which an elder of the group expertly wound around my head.Above, you see our group entering the chapel. Look really close and you can see the shoulder of my blue shirt. Unfortunately, my head with the turban is hidden by the mad in the middle. (The beards are fake if you can't tell.)
All the while we were waiting for the parade to start, the Rajasthanis sang Christian words set to ancient traditional Rajasthani tunes and stylings. Plus, they were dancing. They do not do a vigorous dance. Perhaps you recall the video I shared earlier from Jodhpur showing the students doing a round dance: forward-forward; back-back while they progress slowly in a circle. So of course, I had to join in. What a truly blessed, special moment that was! This is what missions is about: Leading people to Christ but leaving as much of the traditional culture in tact as possible. Some things must change in every culture (including and perhaps especially the West). But music and traditional dance are integral to these societies. And to hear the Gospel proclaimed to the traditional Rajasthani tunes gave me a thrill. (I only wish I could have kept the turban!)
1 comment:
I love the turban! What make this post even better is the obvious joy of all the participants at this event! -S
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