Day 70

     Today in class, we talked more on preaching. Since tomorrow is our first preaching exam, we went over what was expected, what the grading criteria was, and how to ace the exam! Seems easy enough, but the tiny details that we must include are throwing me off. There is sooo much more to preaching than I ever thought. It doesn't look very difficult when watching (aside from the initial stage fright), but after learning what all goes into a successful message, I am blown away. There are strategies used that most hearers are completely unaware of. Things that preachers "mess up" on, aren't mess ups at all but thought out hiccups to prove their humanism (which we often think of them as being such flawless individuals). Though we don't realize it, our hearts are much more open to hearing and learning from people we realize are human and have flaws just as you and me. All of the behind scenes work to a successful message preached is mind blowing!
     Tomorrow will be my first sermon preached. My topic is "Choosing a Godly Spouse". Though this is basic, it is relatable since all students in our class are single, but one. There are details so many people overlook when making the decision to marry someone, making the decision to forever link their lives together, for better or worse 'til death do they part. These are serious words, and you don't want to rush into that with just someone you think is "cute".

     I ate my banana in memory of Guila, who is safely back in Tajikistan. She told me that they eat bananas backwards in Tajikistan. So the stem is the handle. Pretty weird, but makes perfect sense!

 

    While walking to school, out for lunch, and back home, we have noticed many "shrines" set up in peoples yards. Though shrines are not uncommon here, these were different. There are barrels with things on fire in the inside, incense sticks in the ground lit, and food laid out. Pretty weird. So when I asked the Chinese locals in our class, they explained that it is the Ghost Festival.
     What is this you may ask? Great question. It is a festival where they believe the ghosts and spirits are back on Earth to visit their families. In order to please them and keep them from harm, they do a few rituals. They leave food outside for them to eat. They burn clothing, gold, other fine goods in barrels. And they leave a place at the table empty with food for their ancestors to visit them. Pretty crazy holiday! So sad these people take this soooo seriously!

Burning crash can, food, and burning incense.

 

 Some of the food that is left out for the ghosts and spirits

 

This picture does not do justice, but there is a light film of smoke covering Singapore from the amount of things being burned for this sad holiday.