some last thoughts

We are nearing the end of our trip - and I think we are all becoming tired.  We've packed so much into these two plus weeks.  And tomorrow we are taking one last trip - up into the mountains (and then back down).

We've been back in Kottayam for the last two days - our time here has been filled with church events.  Peter preached at a service just hours after we got off an all night train.  We went to support him.  Last night was the kick off for the Church of South India's annual convention.  We were guests to the opening.  And this morning/afternoon - we were invited to the outgoing bishop's new house warming.  I guess it's an appropriate way to spend our last days - in the churches and homes of our guests, sharing prayer.  

One thing that has struck me at these events - language and ritual.  We, of course, cannot understand anything when it is in Malayam - which means the 2 hour church service, the 2 hour opening service for the convention and most of the prayers at the bishop's house were unintelligible to us.  And for weary travelers - we thought we may not make it through parts without nodding off a bit....  And when we are asked to speak - I suspect that very few Indians understand our words.  But the rituals - they are familiar and meaningful.  During the church service, we passed peace to one another and took communion.  At the house blessing, I felt the significance of the marking of a cross in each room at the Bishop's new home.  Beyond words - the symbols and rituals of the christian church make it possible for us to have meaningful prayer together.  And sung music is beautiful in any language. Music is present at all these events.

For me, the communion was especially meaningful.  When I took communion with the people - kneeling next to women in beautiful saris - women so different than myself, with different backgrounds, different language skills and much different life stories - there is a common bond in the bread and the juice/wine.  How we break the bread, what kind of bread we use, the theology behind each church's communion service - all of these are different - but we know the ritual, we know it's origins, and we can find meaning in it.  And we know that we are sharing the ritual.  And that is powerful and uniative.  And I think finding community with people so unlike ourselves was one of the main missions of this trip.

This may be my last entry.  We will be in the mountains all day tomorrow.  And then off to the airport Wednesday morning. 

We are unsure how many people out there are reading - I think there may be a few, though.  Thank you for checking in on us.  And thank you for all your support.  It's been a wonderful, meaningful trip.  And a very different trip for each traveler.  We look forward to seeing you all soon.  And we hope you will be patient with us when we resturn as we barrage you with stories!

Please pray for our safe travels!

Peace,
Heather