Easter

On Palm Sunday we spent time in Girls Brigade discussing Easter and what leads up to it. There was a handout for each girl that talked about the days between Christmas and Easter. On this list was Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter. Out of all of these days all of them knew Christmas and Easter. A few knew Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday. Almost none of them knew Mardi Gras, Lent, and Holy Thursday. This was very eye opening to me and really made me realize how different places can be. After Bible Study with the girls on of the leaders came into my classroom and started asking me many questions. It turns out she had never heard of Lent or Mardi Gras. She had heard of the other days but was curious as to how they are honored and what exactly they mean. It was one of the best religious conversations I have had in Malaysia so far. She shared with me what she knew and asked many questions as to why I honor these days. The main question that stuck out during this conversation was: "Where is this in the Bible?" This launched another whole conversation about the gospels and what they talk about.

Easter this year was very different than any Easter I have experienced in the past. This year it really didn't feel like Easter was here. (Maybe it is the time warp in the weather!) It was very different because within the BCCM church there weren't any Lenten services. There were services held on Good Friday. From what I have gathered the Lenten services that were help in the vicinity were at Catholic or Anglican churches.

So how did I celebrate Easter without my family and friends:

The other volunteers and I worshiped together by singing and reading scripture. On Easter Sunday I celebrated with the Girls Brigade by having a party full of games, food, and a devotion. Afterwards my housemate, Ellen, and I invited two of the STS students over for dinner. It was a fun dinner where Ellen and I made whatever we felt like eating. We just warned the students that it would be western dishes and there wouldn't be any rice! The menu turned out to be pasta bake, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, and apple crisp! It doesn't all really go together but it was good and I think the students liked it. It is always hard to tell. The nights meal was a great end to the holiday.