Class presentations and prayer

It was my turn to clean the apartment this week, so I've been trying to slowly whittle away at the list of things to do over the last few days in between working 20 extra hours (I love it when Catering gets swamped with events) wrapping up the semester (realizing exactly how LITTLE reading I did whilst turning in reading reports. Snap) and dealing with the daily drama in various friend's lives or worse, my own.
I was scrubbing away at the stove this morning when my room mate ran into the kitchen holding a paper and a zip drive. "Are you leaving or eating?" she asked.
"Hunh?"
"Are you leaving or can I show you my presentation while you eat?"
"No, show me the presentation."
My poor little Naga friend was assigned a presentation on upgrading a church's technology system. This is unfortunate because #1. technology is something she doesn't care about apart from her laptop and #2 she is from a part of India where technology belongs in Science Fiction films or at best is simply unaffordable. In a word, the project was pretty much irrelevant to her future ministry.
She presented and did excellent - the only area of improvement being her pronunciation of a few words I myself had difficulty getting out and putting the emphasis on the right syllable in the long string of technological wordage belonging to the various sound-system instruments.
"Rachel PRAY FOR ME! I am so nervous and stressed about this presentation! I have been working on it for so long and I'm so stressed! I called my mom and asked her to pray for me and you must also!" she stuffed her laptop and zip drive into her bag and breezed out the door.

A little thing, this presentation, to my way of thinking, but big when I consider that English is Priskali's third language, she's a private person who doesn't like to be the center of attention and didn't care about the topic of her presentation.

The cool thing about this room mate is that we have this cool deal: She'll listen to me rant and rave and I'll listen to her rant and rave, we'll offer advice or feedback if asked but the main (and usually only) action taken will be prayer, and that's it. Neither of us try to convince the other to change perspectives on the matter discussed - although it is often tempting for both of us - but always turn the other back to the Bible and Jesus.

Not saying that no one else in my life does this, just saying how cool God is to make my room mate one of those people.

And there's been lots of reasons for ranting and praying lately. Various close friends are dealing with serious illness or health complications that are dangerous, dealing with the death of loved

ones, questions about what course of action to take that will effect life's future, ramifications of poor decisions, and the normal stress of finals week looming ahead. Its been a lot to process.

I've been re-reading "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret" by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor. If the biographies of other missionaries are any indication, the stresses listed above don't get any better as life and ministry goes on, they only get worse, more regular, and happen in seasons that are even less convenient.
Snap. Being an adult is NOT all its cracked up to be!

The main frustration for me personally is not knowing what comfort to offer or not being able to FIX anything.
So the only thing to do is offer prayer, more prayer, and even more prayer. And getting steeped in the Word.

A friend of mine who I hadn't really seen all semester asked me the other day,
"So what are you doing in your spare time these days?"

I grinned, knowing how the truth would sound but was honest:
"Praying and reading my Bible."
Jason did a double-take and gave me a look like, 'Seriously I know we'r

e at Bible college and all that, but... really?"
"Yeah I know... sounds weird and all spiritual, but honestly, that's what I do in my spare time. It's just been one thing after the other."
"Hmm... everything okay?"
"Well... yeah... I mean... no... it will be... but... you know."
It's not like there's one big horrible thing going on, its just a series of small to middle-sized things

that all pile up.

I'm glad God is using this time to show me how important Prayer is, and how much more effective Prayer is than any other method of dealing with things. But I really wish that God would teach me things outside of object lessons! Example, when I pray for patience, I'd like the patience instilled FIRST and then get the experiences where I need patience. But see God likes to give me these things backwards: gives me the experiences where I need patience and through grueling self-discipline I practice it, or at least make a half-hearted effort and feel like I botched that test; get to look forward to taking it again. *snarl*

So... as one of my friends said, "Sounds like you are just ready for break!!"

Oh yeah!

High Context Cultures

I have two very dear friends, who we'll call "Pamela" and "Sally." Both are from high-context, hot, shame-based cultures that are similar but still unique in their own ways. Sally is quite a bit older than Pamela, and see's herself as the local friendly matrona looking out for our well-being and offering gems of wisdom when she deems them necessary. Both Pamela and I love her to pieces, but have upon occasion pulled the other aside and asked the other to serve as a 'sounding board' as to how seriously we should take our dear elder.
As an American, I am from a low-context hot culture.
For those of you not studying anthropology, allow me to explain briefly before I continue my story:
High Context Culture: Usually a culture that is very very old, for example Asian or Arab cultures. They have been around for so long that things are defined to ridiculous details. (If one does not bow appropriately or offer the correct title when addressing people of various rank, insult ensues). These cultures are still very friendly but more challenging for people from Low Context Cultures to understand. The reason being:
Low Context Culture: Usually a rather newer culture, such as American or Australian. There are still cultural distinctives that dictate when insult or compliments will be interpreted by certain interactions, but much more loosely defined. In other words, far more laid back. More polite to address elders by "Mrs" or "Mr" but not that big of a deal if it's "Mrs" "Ma'am" "Hey Wazzup!"
Hot Climate Culture: Focuses on the good of the group, or extended family. Emphasizes hospitality; friendly and outgoing. Most of my experience with hot climate cultures is that they talk a LOT. Think "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
Cold Climate Culture: More individually focused, or if group-oriented the group is the family, usually immediate family. Often hospitality is an art or matter of honor, but not very personal. Keeps people at arms length until you get to know them very very very well (like, ten or twenty years well). Most of my experience with cold-climate cultures is that they are, as a group, more quiet and introverted people.
Shame Based Culture: "You have done this and therefore shamed our family's honor." An individuals actions do not effect simply the individual, but the group. Bad feelings come when the ramifications towards the group are considered. The goal is the good of the group, saving the group's honor.
Guilt Based Culture: Individual focused. "I ought not to do this because it will effect me in these ways." The goal is the individual's honor, the good of the individual.

O.k. so there is your anthropology lesson for the day. Now for some background to my story:
A lot of my learning at school has been focused around this saying:
"Learn the culture
to use the culture
to reach the culture."
Good lesson, but it has it's limits. Don't get me wrong, the top complaints I've heard against American missionaries is that they
~Don't make an effort to learn the culture and become culturally appropriate to contextualize in a functional, effective way
~Are selfish
~Are too extravagant in their lifestyles (Which stems from not acculturating and being selfish in my opinion)
I place very very high importance on being culturally relevant and appropriate. I love learning about different cultures, and as I've mentioned before have sensed something pushing/tugging/nudging me towards the more challenging cultures. HOWEVER:
Two things I've also realized through going through a period where I wanted to be so culturally appropriate that I dissolved into the culture and was no longer American was:

~All cultures are corrupted by Adam and Eve's fall in the Garden. There is no best or better culture. All cultures have nuances and traits that are detrimental and even at times evil. As Christians we cannot be blind to that fact. I don't mean be the missionary accused of ruining cultures for the sake of the Gospel. I mean be that missionary who helps sanctify a culture for Christ to be a better witness to the other cultures.

~God made each of us individuals in our home culture for a reason. To forsake that or give that up is, according to my conviction, ungodly. God wants to use our character traits in other cultures to show them things they would not have realized otherwise. People outside the situation can often see things that people in the situation are completely blind to. Thank God for that.

Okay so anyway today all these lessons kind of came to a head when I was given an opportunity to act on them:

Pamela bumped into me in the hallway, grabbed my hand and pulled me into a secluded alcove and asked me emphatically to pray for her. Of course I said I would, but asked what on earth was wrong.
Sally and Pamela had, once again, had a run-in. Something that, in my opinion, wasn't a big deal, but to Pamela was a very big deal as it slighted her integrity and honor in the eyes of another of her superiors. She was afraid her character would be questioned by another individual, and Sally had painted the situation to the superior in a way that put the whole weight of the matter on Pamela. There was no apparent reason for it. However, a little bit ago Sally had confessed to me that she was very frustrated and a little angry at Pamela for not respecting an admonition Sally had given her. It was an admonition I agreed with, but in Sally's mind it was a sin issue and in my mind it was a situational issue that would go away with time. I wasn't happy about the present situation but was fairly confident it was occurring for valid reasons.
It seemed as though the frustration and miscommunication was causing a snowball effect, making it miserable for Pamela to interact with Sally and apparently frustrating for Sally to interact with Pamela. I didn't tell all this to Pamela, because Sally had told me in confidence, but I knew that things were going south.
These two women were dear sisters of mine and each other, and all three of us loved each other.
"Pamela, things are getting rapidly worse between the two of you. I think you need to go sit down and talk with Sally about this."
"No! I cannot confront an elder! Because of culture, you know. Besides, I am a little bit afraid of Sally. She is so strong! But you know, there are others who are cutting contact with her because of this."
"Exactly, and you don't want that to happen between you two. You love Sally and you know that she loves you, and you don't want to loose her friendship over this."
"yes, that is true."
"Come on, let's pray now." I said. Pamela felt a little better after I put my arms around her and prayed, but I felt emboldened to speak some more, although as I did it I was sure roots of mountains were crumbling and the threat of being struck by lightning might be increasing.
"Look, I know that I am an outsider of your culture, and I don't understand everything. I don't want to encourage you to be culturally inappropriate or American or anything. BUT you know that all cultures are effected by sin, and all cultures have aspects that are not godly, even my own. The Bible says that when you have a problem with your brother or sister, you must go to him or her and resolve it. There is not peace between you and Sally. I will pray for an opportunity for you to talk about this in a culturally appropriate way. But I want to encourage you to look for that opportunity."
"But she is so strong, Rachel. So stubborn."
"Yes I know, and when you speak with her you must not be intimidated by this but use it. You say 'Sally, I am sad because I feel there is no peace between us. I don't want to be pushed away because of this. I want there to be happiness and peace, not frustration and anger. What can I do to help that happen?' Affirm her, tell her you love her. Show her that you want her input and wisdom in your life, because you do. We both know how much she has helped each of us and how she is wise in so many ways. And this way you are not confronting her or telling her what to do or instructing her or in anyway questioning her eldership in your life. You are asking her to help you bring peace between the two of you. See what happens. But you cannot let this continue out of control, because it is burdening you."
Pamela nodded and thanked me and scurried off as we both had things we needed to do.

Now I don't know that what I said was perfect, and I don't know that Pamela should follow my advice to a T. I think she should - and will - pray about what I've said and obey God's leading, not my own.
However, I am encouraged by this situation because for a long time I felt that to work in a high-context, shame based culture would be impossible and incredibly painful for me. I thought that my frank-to-a-fault self and brutal honesty would paint me in such a bad light that I couldn't and wouldn't be effective at all to those cultures should I ever go there. I was of the opinion that Asian cultures specifically would judge and not accept me.
Of course I am very well aware that all these things are still likely and applicable anywhere (shoot, that happens here in the States for crying out loud!). And I do recognize the need for me to curb my frankness and soften my directness more often than not.
But I also was encouraged that, when used biblically and powered by prayer, these traits are encouraging and helpful in these cultures I feared. They can in fact be used by God as tools to bring about edifying change that is much-needed, if used with humility.

So all that to say, still being stretched.

Sanctification. How deplorable!!!!

Yet at the same time, how necessary and encouraging.

~Princess Ouch~

Urban Missions

Okay today I've done something I have never ever ever in my entire life done before ever:
I gave my toes a french manicure.
well, an amateur version anyway.
Yeah, I painted my toe-nails, and then painted the white line across the top. Whoop-dee-doo.
You have to understand, doing girly things like painting my nails and spending hours on my make-up or hair has never been a concern for me. I just started using hair-spray correctly and on a regular basis last semester.
So I'm not sure what exactly overcame me that I was suddenly seized with the wild impulse to make my feet pleasing to the eye. I've been wearing flip-flops around campus, which might be part of it, but I have never cared what my feet looked like. Hey I guess this 'wild' impulse is far better than, I don't know, having something pierced or tattooed... something drastic that just won't look right when I'm 80.
I don't know, whadaya think... would a nose piercing look styling on an 80 year old in 57 years?

In other news, have been doing some reflecting on my recent trip to the Chicago area. We were able to bum around the area near Gino's East (Pizza place) for about an hour and my friend/team mate Nichole and I ended up strolling along the shores of Lake Michigan for a while before heading into the restaurant where any surface area outside the bathrooms can be graffiti/written on.
I usually don't like cities in the United States with a passion. I don't mind them overseas at all, just not in the States. I really wasn't sure why until a friend pointed out that overseas there are people walking around quite a bit in cities, but in the States almost everyone drives, so you don't see people outside as much. Which after thinking about it and walking around Chicago seems to be right on.
It was a little strange doing a ministry project on a team again. I haven't done that since YLP in 2004. And it was kind of funny last week as we walked across busy intersections or through the mall when someone would walk up next to me and I thought it was one of my team mates. I mean, who else would be walking up next to me? So I'd turn to them to say something and realize I had never seen that person before and they were simply someone who happened to be going the same direction as I was.
But it struck me towards the evening as I watched the faces of some team mates who had never been in a huge city before, and were feeling perhaps a little overwhelmed, how confident I felt. Even though the buildings dozens of stories high that were towering over my head did every now and again make me feel slightly claustrophobic, for the most part I enjoyed our time in the city. It struck me because I have for the last few years assumed that I was called to a rural setting with minority groups, and have vehemently opposed any thought of working in a city. I wanted someplace lush, green, and rural. Thank you. But walking in Chicago made me wonder if I might want to do some work at some point inner city. Granted, it would hardly be as nice and clean as the tourist trap area of the Windy City. But it would be something to look into. Which really surprised me. But then hey, I painted my toe-nails this afternoon, so why am I shocked at being once again surprised by myself?
Anyway all that to say, between China still stalking me (Sunday School leader last Sunday had spent a few years in China, was teaching a lesson on Missions, and of course guess what part of the world came up. Learned about yet ANOTHER unreached people group in that oriental region) and my new found piqued interest in cities, I have no idea where I'm going to end up Missiologically.
It was also weird because I worked a lot with Eastern Europeans last week. It was totally right up my ally. I knew what to say, how to say it, didn't feel uncomfortable, felt right at home. And for some reason, the old sense of "yay! I'm with who I'm supposed to work with long-term and finding out things that will benefit me later!" wasn't there. My sister pointed out that I have sort of 'cracked the code' with Eastern Europeans so the old challenge isn't there anymore, which is maybe why my interest is more piqued when the Orient is mentioned rather than when something in Europe is mentioned (which, incidentally, when I was called to work with Gypsies in Eastern Europe, Romania kept popping up every time I turned around - totally out of my control, and now that I'm wondering about the 10-40 window, India and China keep popping up. I'd like to read into it, but trying to keep my thoughts still and my prayers active).
Yeah I'm definitely 'wired' for Europe - it's my ancestry and a lot of how I was raised helps me feel much more able to melt right into European culture (and all my Eastern European readers are thinking, "HA! If only you KNEW Rachel how culturally DUMB you still are!" Okay granted. I am still American, and I will be the first to admit that we're kind of dumb when it comes to international interactions. Do I get points for my disclaimer now? ;-D)
So I'm wondering, sometimes God does call us someplace where we just 'melt in.' And He did call me to a place that was very conducive to me learning and growing in ways that will always effect me in my faith and calling. But I am learning there are seasons, and while I still feel that I'll go back to visit Romania and my friends there and rejoice in the growth of their ministries, I don't know that I'll join them like I did before or like I thought I would long-term. I could be totally wrong though. I'm not sure what this new season is of my 'missions career' but I do have a sense that the season is changing, and I'm trying to hold it loosely and focus singly on the Lord and where He is leading. Not easy when there are a bazillion voices all screaming, "Go this way! Go that way!"
So... all that to say, still being stretched and serving Him blindly. Its adventuresome to be sure, but not always as informed as I'd like it to be. See the horrible thing about adventures is that they are wonderful to read about because you know - by what genre section you checked the book out of- how the end will be. But when you are actually LIVING it, you have no idea. And as a Christian, that is okay because we know God is sovereign. As a human though, and a rather type-A one at that, it compels me to... well, do crazy things like paint my toes. Yeah, I know. It's pretty lame. But you must also realize that I have a very healthy guilt-complex instilled in me as an oldest child of two homeschooling therapists. I know enough to be dangerous about anything else wacky that I would want to do. ;-) Tragic, I know. See I wish I wasn't terrified of heights because then I could go skydiving and would have something somewhat impressive to brag about in my "wild and crazy whim that I followed through on" department. ;-)
Alrighty, well, speaking of Eastern Europeans, my dear Romanian brother and his wife invited me over for dinner, and it is one minute past when I am supposed to meet them. Fortunately they are relationship rather than time-oriented people, yet nonetheless, I must go.

~Princess Ouch~

Augustine, Eastern Europeans and China

Be not foolish, o my soul, nor become deaf in the ear of thine heart with the tumult of thy folly. Hearken thou too. The Word Itself calleth thee to return: and there is the place of rest imperturbable, where love is not forsaken, if itself forsaken not. Behold, these things pass away, that others may replace them, and this lower universe be completed by all his parts. 'But do I depart any whither?' saith the Word of God. There fix thy dwelling, trust there whatsoever thou has thence, o my soul, at least now thou art tired out with vanities. Entrust Truth, whatsoever, thou hast from the Truth, and thou shalt loose nothing; and thy decay shall bloom again, and all thy diseases be healed, and thy mortal parts be re-formed and renewed, and bound around thee; nor shall they lay thee whither themselves descend; but they shall stand fast with thee, and abide for ever before God, who abideth and standeth fast for ever."

Confessions of Saint Augustine, section 16, chapter four.

The Word Itself calls me to return, and there is the place of rest. As I review the last few days and sip a cup of "Tension Tamer'' tea, I again wonder how on earth it is possible to feel so rested and at the same time so exhausted. But I guess I'm wired so that the more I physically exhaust myself, the more spiritual and mental rest I'm able to receive. If I sit still, my brain goes 90 miles per hour, but if I'm active, my brain takes a break. Weird.

But wait, I was getting all intellectual with Augustine and then went off into a tangent.

I talked with a Serbian Orthodox priest today, along with another priest's wife, as part of our people group research project we're doing over spring break in the Chicago area.

We had an interesting discussion with Father Marco, who presides over a huuuuuge Serbian orthodox parish in the area. The building is gorgeous, both inside and out. Here's a clip of the Nicene Creed being sung inside their sanctuary... er... yeah, that's what they call it, right?

However, Father Marco explained to us that the important thing is not the gold or fancy decorations inside the church. These are only meant to help us focus on the whole point of Faith, that is, Jesus Christ. The same with the icons. The point is not the icon, the point is the holy, sanctified person being represented. When looking at an icon, the point is to be inspired by the person and grow deeper in faith, not venerate the icon.

Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism is fuel for much debate in theological training camps of the protestant faith. Most take the stand that it is not possible to be saved if under such spiritual leadership, or at the most barely possible. Mother Teresa maybe made it into Heaven... just because... but she was the exception.

However, at one point in the interview, I asked Father Marco point blank (in my characteristic, frank-to-a-fault directness... which both endears me to those at my school and at the same time makes them cringe and shudder. I confess I've felt regret occasionally for their discomfort, but not enough to mend the error of my ways. Still being sanctified, ya'll.)

"So may I ask you father, what is more important to you: that those you minister to become members of the Orthdox Church, or that they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?"

I immediately felt a collective yet unarticulated gasp of horror from the other three in my group and everyone braced themselves while the priest looked down for a moment.

"I'm sorry, it's a difficult question and very personal, I should not have-"

"No no. It is not a difficult question at all. It is very simple. Of course Jesus Christ is most important. However, I know it is possible to have such relationship outside of the Church, but to reject all Church membership... I know one can be Christian but to not partake in fellowship with the body of Christ is... not good."

I did a research paper on the Eastern Orthodox Church for my English class a few semesters ago and was actually impressed with how they articulated many aspects of the Christian Faith. No worries, I'm not about to convert. But I'm not about to write off someone as bound for Hell because they go to an Orthodox Church. On the contrary. And I believe they have good things to teach us about discipleship, holiness, community, and sanctification.

But back to Augustine. This is the first time I've actually read read through Confessions, that is, not simply gotten the gist enough for a class discussion but really going through the sections I don't understand and digesting it. Bear with me while I seem to digress onto a tangent that does in fact have something to do with the quote at the beginning of this post:

I've been hanging out with a sister from Cameroon recently. Africans have impressed me for a while regarding how they understand Spirituality and relationship with God and the spirit world far deeper than I feel other cultures do, and I always appreciate the insights my African brothers and sisters offer me, even though we of course don't always agree. Anyway this particular sister and I have been praying a lot lately. While my prayers focus on brief thanks and mostly petitions, her prayers are always rich with descriptions of God and praise simply for who He is, what He has created, our lives, and affirming His power. The intercession takes a tithe of the prayer. At first this slightly disgruntled me, as I thought the intercession and request part the main point of the prayer. However, I've observed - and yes this will sound abrasively scientific - that people who focus on praise and venerating who God is have much more effective prayer lives. Not necessarily in getting what they want or ask for whenever they pray. But they are more at peace when the answer is 'No' or 'not yet' or differs in any way from their 'intentions' when they begin praying.

So I've started trying that in my prayers. Don't get me wrong, I do this not as a scientific experiment to see if I get what I want more when I pray or get quicker answers. But the last six months of my life keep taking such drastic twists and turns and emotional extreme rises and plunges. My analytical self can make no sense of any reason for any of this other than to drive me closer to the Father, and I can find no other assurance of peace of my obedience unless I am pursuing what may seem sometimes as a rather extreme pursuit of holiness, spiritual disciplines, and drawing close to the Father. I don't really feel free to explain in more detail what I mean, partially at the risk of seeming a braggart and partially due to the fact that I don't want to get flooded with well intentioned, concerned emails from those in different seasons of life. However, allow me to encourage you to do reading on Spiritual disciplines and start trying them. Believe me, they are DIFFICULT to do at first, so start small, but be persistent and diligent and soon it will simply become a way of life. "Behold, these things pass away, that others may replace them..."

Giving up things seems tragic at the time, but when replaced with what the Father has intended to fill the void, the nonsense is not exactly dissipated, but rather is redeemed.

"Entrust Truth, and thou shalt loose nothing; and thy decay shall bloom again, and all thy diseases be healed.... but they shall stand fast with thee, and abide forever before God, who abideth and standeth fast for ever."

To trust Truth seems ridiculously obvious but unfortunately is a horrible discipline sometimes.

Sometimes Faith takes the form of knowing that the impossible is going to come to pass. But the harder test of Faith is when all one can do is remove oneself completely from all but focusing on the Lord and growing in Him, the results of whatever is at the crossroads being seemingly ignored.

Anyway. Enough deep thoughts for the night. In other news, China is stalking me. Which is bizarre, because I have never in my life been surrounded by so much China as this week. The guy on my team - the only guy who came on this trip, brave soul. The rest are girls - spent eight months in China, and just came back to the States at the beginning of the Semester. Therefore, EVERYTHING is about China to him. The backpack is from China, Kentucky Fried Chicken in China serves Caramal Macchiato's apparently, whilst here all they serve is Dr. Pepper, shame shame. In China, they drive like this and use their horns correctly. In China, the mentalities are this way in comparison to the Serbians who think that way, or maybe they are similar. And since this particular fellow was a linguistic student/teacher, we get random words of Mandarin at odd times. For various reasons I know a smattering of Mandarin, and we've been comparing notes. God bless the boy but he is Tennessean (that was said for your sake, Dr. Deklavon!) and his accent and tones are... well, Tennessean. Which is fine, he just couldn't pass as a native were he to be talking on the phone.

The resturaunt we went to was Chinese last night, and the waiter who served us was from China and helped us pronounce the Mandarin on the back of the fortunes (why do they call them fortunes anymore? They're really cheesy proverbs now) we found in our cookies. Prideful moment: he did a double take when I said something and smiled and said I was really good.

And we passed a woman in the mall today who was advertising for an American company who is trying to preserve traditional Chinese dance.

I talked with her for a little and then the guy on my team came and they talked a little about where he was at in China (one of the lush, green areas, while she was from a northern, more harsher climate) and we learned a little about various Chinese and Mongolian dances. Both Kyle and I walked away wishing we could go - this lady was good at her job - but highly doubt we'll be able to convince the rest of the team to spend $40 apiece on Saturday and go home later. And not really sure I can afford that right now anyway. *dramatic sigh* Well, maybe next year I'll be able to afford Riverdance for the Orient. Its going to be at least in Cincinnati or Indianapolis, even if it doesn't run through my area again.

Alright, its 10:30 pm, I'm bushed, and we have another full day tomorrow with writing up reports, a few more interviews, then doing a presentation at a wednesday night prayer meeting and leading prayer for the nations and ministry in this area. Whew. I am not sure being a venerated, high-potential possible missionary is all its cracked up to be. At least nuns get cool outfits or habits or whatever they are called... can the seven of us Lottie Moons on this mission trip get like, I don't know, Baptist Shalwar Kamizs or something fun please?

~Princess Ouch~