Culture Shock Anyone?

By Lydia Wilkin

New students; I'm right there with you. I have seen some crazy activity on our neighborhood streets in the past week. And let me tell you, it wasn't all the fun type of crazy, not like when you have had too much cotton candy at the fair and you start hallucinating, but the scary and heart grabbing type of crazy.
First, i was walking back to campus from the BART with a group of girls. We were waiting on the corner for the light to change; this was one of those long lights where you have to try to amuse yourself. So, to later regret, i looked up at the apartment building across the way. Now this is a 3rd floor window without any blinds. You can probably guess what i saw, yeah that's right; a completely necked lady changing right in front of the window! Just standing there for the whole world to see; and there's no way she didn't know, i mean she was almost fall'n out onto the street, she was so close to the window! I couldn't believe it! The only thing that kept going through my mind was, "Does she want to get attacked?!" Then, only minutes latter, walking on the sidewalk now. A group of guys started yelling at us from across the street. No surprise right, well just wait. One of them gets on his little push scooter and starts following us. At this point the scooter boy was getting evasively close and the profane words continued to make me feel like a piece of meat. Then, before i knew it he was right beside me asking me questions and trying to get me to talk back to him. "Your not talk'n" he spat at me. "Nope, not a word.", i responded as i continued to pick up the pace and looked straight ahead. He then started pestering the other girls. We were almost to Walgreens and hopping he wouldn't follow us across the street. The light turned green and we speedily crossed, and praise the Lord he gave up on the hopeless pick up. We all felt so violated and abused. Above our feelings, we couldn't believe we were followed by some guy around 18 on a push scooter! I mean how in the world is a metal push scooter attractive?A couple of days later my roommate and I went for a walk down to the dollar store, it was around three on a Saturday afternoon, so we figured it would be safe. Which besides a few hollars and stairs we were, but again the culture shock took over. On two different occasions a group of elementary school aged kids passed us by on the side walk. The gang was roaming the streets like they owned them. Yelling at each other and those around with supernatural authority. They spoke the language they knew best, slang with a cup of profanity and "F" Bombs on the side. We could see a search for love and acceptance in their eyes. Passing by on their bikes, as if they were stallions. The last in the pack was a girl of about 12 with and what looked like her little brother of six sitting behind her on the extra large banana seat. Our hearts broke. Did their parents know where they were? Did they have any positive role models at all? How desperate and searching are those around us. Wither it be, the ones we pass on the streets or maybe even those you sit by in class. We are all made with a need for acceptance and love. The whole world is on this voyage to fill the emptiness within them. One looks for it by getting the attention of a mate, another fills that hole with a sense of ownership to a certain group or click. But those of us who know the cure to that emptiness, it is our responsibility to reveal the way to the one person that can fill that void. It is us who need to tell this lost and desperate world of the love of Jesus Christ, to show them that they cant be whole without Him. Jesus is the only Savior and he is ready to use us to save this city.

New video... take a look

Here is a new edition of the announcements by your Student Body Members... take a look and see if you can spot Zamba...

Ramadan

By Koel Shalm

When we were younger, my brother and I used to think it was hilarious to lay out on the streets of Islamabad during Iftar time. We knew it was safe because we knew no one was going to miss the big meal that broke their fast, so there would be no cars. We would hear the music of the Iftar parties, see the celebratory lights. That was Ramadan for us. That and a few days off of school for Eid (the culminating celebration that the month of fasting is over).

The month of Ramadan just ended on September 21st. For those who are not familiar with the term, Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. It is celebrated as the month in which the Qu'ran was brought down from heaven, and is commemmorated through fasting. Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activity from sunup until sundown. They wake early in the morning to eat a large breakfast, then eat again when the sun has set. In a Muslim country, to eat in public during Ramadan is extremely inappropriate. Restaurants are closed during daylight hours, and street vendors selling food have a one month vacation. Iftar, or the breaking of the fast, is a community event, celebrated with the whole family, and in most cases, several other families as well. There is nothing secret about Ramadan (except of course when you walk into a store to that you you think is empty, until you peek over the counter and see the workers sneaking in lunch).

To understand the importance of Ramadan to a Muslim, one must first understand the culture of Islam. Islam is not a relgion that can be casually observed. Of the five pillars that all Muslims must adhere to, only one is internal. All the others are outward and can be witnessed by anyone. Performing haj, acts of charity, the five daily prayers, and Ramadan are all aspects of Muslim life that determine the extent of your faith, and anyone can watch. As a result, it is very important for Muslims to keep up appearances.

The concept behind Ramadan is a noble one. It serves a number of purposes for the Muslim, the most practical being that it allows those who are rich enough to eat regularly to empathize with those that go without. Islam places a great emphasis on charity, and Muslims are encouraged to give alms to the poor during Ramadan. It also demonstrates ones' commitment to God, to show that Allah is more important than the comforts of food and water. It shows that faith is sincere, because it is followed up with an action, and with a fulfillment of Islamic practices. The Qur'an specifies that fasting is to learn self-restraint, to learn self control. The Qur'an speaks of fasting very specifically. It prescribes the month in which Muslims should fast, the procedure for fasting, who should fast, who doesn't have to, and what they should fast from (Al-Baqara 2:183-187, 196).

The Bible also cites instructions for fasting. The biblical assumption is that Christians will fast. In Matthew 6:17 Jesus says "When you fast..." not if you fast. We are not, however, given guidelines on when we should fast from or how long we should fast for. We have examples in the Old and New Testaments of fasting (Joel 2:12-13, Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23). The purposes varied; in Joel it was to show remorse, in Daniel to show separation, and for the apostles, it was for direction. The most explicit directions we are given on fasting come from Jesus, when he said "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward", in Matthew 6:16. We are to fast in humility and in secret, it should not alter our regular affairs. Fasting is not an achievement, it's a condition of heart.

I believe therein lies the distinction. While the religion of Islam may, for the most part, have good motives, it does not change the heart. Fasting is done to prove oneself to Allah, as part of a grander equation to reserve a spot in Paradise. For Christians, there is the constant awareness that our redemption cannot be won, it has already been purchased on our behalf. Fasting is to draw closer to our redeemer; it is love, not fear, that compells us.

And the info keeps on coming...

Here is a word from Student Body President Rodrigo Alfaro

Food On The Run

We know that its hard to have heathy, quick food to go. That's why we have recipes for you if you are in the dorms and you get hungry come 9:00 or if you just need something to go.


Double Double
Sam-ich

Bread of your choice - 3 slices
Ham-2 slices
Turkey-2 slices
Cheese of your choice – 2 slices

*Mayonnaise
*Mustard
*Salt and pepper
*Tomato
*Lettuce
*Add to your liking

For starters you will want to put the slices of bread in the toaster. While that is in you can start slicing your tomato, 2 to 4 slices according to your liking. When the bread pops up you will want to spread your choice of condiments right away (Go ahead and put the last slice into the toaster) These first two pieces will be your “first sandwich” so prepare as such. The next thing you put is your Lettuce and then tomato.
You will want to put the lettuce on the outside because the juices of the tomato will make the bread very soggy.
You then put a slice of turkey and then a slice of cheese followed by the slice of Ham. At this section you can add as much as you want such as more lettuce or tomato or even more cheese. You will place the slice of bread on top and then spread your choice of condiment on the outside of the slice and add any tomato slices or lettuce. You will then add the slice of ham, the cheese and then the turkey. You finish it off with the tomato and lettuce and the last slice of Bread. Enjoy! J



Lemon Shake
Salad

Put about a hand full of your choice of Lettuce into a small Tupperware container and add a third of a cucumber sliced, half of a carrot stick, and if you would like some crotons.
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the lemon on top. Place the lid and give it a little shake to distribute the lemon to the whole salad. When done if you would like to add a little salt or pepper.
Enjoy!

Presented by Marivel De La Garza

And On The Seventh Day. . .

By Elba Morataya

I do not get much rest. As a matter of fact, I constantly feel exhausted. This is a very common theme in my life. I am constantly hurrying, planning my week, or thinking about all I have to get done. But no matter how much planning I do, there is never enough time for anything. This semester, I am taking 18 units, writing a thesis (or attempting to), working, and trying to have somewhat of a social life. Looking at my busy semester ahead, I thought I would do something even crazier than juggling school and extracurricular activities.

I would rest. I would stop. I would keep the Sabbath.

Now most modern day Christians consider Sabbath as part of the old law (see: don’t have to do it anymore). Though some Christians believe that it is no longer obligatory to keep Sabbath, I have found that keeping Sabbath is essential to a Christians’ holistic well being. Sabbath can be about ceasing from doing what is necessary and doing what gives life abundantly. This may mean a million different things depending on a person’s passions and different ways of communicating with G-d.

I have found that we live in a culture that tells us if we’re not checking our phones, Facebook pages, or being “busy”, that we are wasting our time. There is a certain quality of sacredness in giving up our time, our most precious commodity, to G-d. It can be a time in which we confront ourselves in confession; perhaps acknowledging that we get so preoccupied with life that we forget to stop and remember who we are and where we came from.

We do not keep Sabbath because it is law. We keep Sabbath because it is life.

Sabbath can spark in us new energy to live fully. For some reading Scripture or prayer brings about this life. However, G-d can speak through many more ways that just these. Taking a hike in a beautiful place, snowboarding on a perfect powder day, or simply journaling as I sit on a tree are ways in which I can see, feel, and know G-d.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own agenda and our own “busyness” we forget our purpose, will, or whatever you want to call it. We can often see the LORD reminding His people in the Hebrew Scriptures to remember Him. He calls them to remember times of slavery so that they may recall a time of rescue. Perhaps taking a time of Sabbath can be a way for Christians to remember these same things of what the LORD has done and what He will do.
That’s worth stopping for.

Vision

By Phillip Muella

Where has your VISION gone? Patten Students, VISION has the power to motivate, inspire, direct, and advance even among opposition.

Before I go on let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Philip Muela, and other than being this random, old biblical study major on campus, I have also received the honor of being Spiritual Life director here at the university. It’s my hope this year, with the help of the WIRE to bring to you a word that would encourage you. I’m not talking about a steak dinner, but more like some morning cereal. Just a quick pick up before you get out and face whatever it is that today is going to throw your way.

One of my favorite excerpts in Proverbs is found in chapter twenty-nine verse eighteen. To put it simply, “where there is no vision, the people will perish.” So what is VISION to begin with? There are two aspects to VISION. VISION involves what you can see and what you can’t.

Have you ever meant an expert in the “can see” field? Sure you have! As a matter of fact you know and come into contact with those people daily. These people allow today’s problems and circumstances to limit their sight. They can’t seem to think beyond a day or two, and every time life throws them a curve, they strike out! They tend to be controlled by their emotion, which by the way is one of the more unstable parts of human nature.

These are the types of people that fail tests before they even take them; they even quit the team before the season starts.

I want to encourage you this year to not just be an expert in what you can see, but fill yourself with VISION of what you can’t see. Set a goal and push to attain it. Like an old car that needs to be restored, keep the end product in mind, and do work! Trust me when you learn to have can’t see VISION, you learn to gain ground. If anything stays with you today I hope that it is these three things; First, can’t see VISION will push you forward despite today’s stumbling blocks that were meant to set you back. Second, can’t see VISION needs to be more of a reality than can see at times. And finally, most of the time, the greatest things exist not in the things we can see, but in the areas we cannot see. May God bless you this year with a VISION not only for your academics, but also for your life, and your relationship with Jesus Christ.

I will leave you with one final picture that perhaps you are familiar with. There is a picture of Walt Disney walking over a dry and swampy land and slightly faded into the picture is a blur of the magic kingdom. Within this picture you see nothing but a wasteland, but of course Walt saw the happiest place on earth. A man of can’t see VISION accomplishes so much more in life not just for himself, but also for those around him