Dorm Initiation.

Last night completely changed every opinion I had about my RA, this campus' Christian foundation, and my stereotyped view of "initiations". Yesterday, I and my floor were given invitations (very cute ones) to our dorm's initiation. We were told to meet with our floor's RA at 9pm. At 9pm our floor's RA, Hanna announced a meeting in the lounge, where we would be given "further instructions". Ever since I saw "Dorm Initiation" on the schedule for Welcome Week here at Messiah, I thought about some chic telling me to doa quirky dance and stuff pie into my mouth while reciting the Preamble--I don't know! Something embarassing to prove that I'm serious about my dorm or something. When we were instructed to wear something that could get "a little wet" I nearly freaked out. She left us in the lounge, and we left two minutes later as we were told to do, changed into decent clothing, and marched outside ten minutes later.

When my floor arrived downstairs, we fused with the other floors in the parking lot who had been given instructions as we. Our respective RAs (four of them in all) were in all black attire, huddled, holding candles. I saw them discussing something, then I saw them bow their heads to pray... Something in me said to prepare spiritually for the night. Finishing with their prayer, the RAs quieted our boisterous crowd andtold us to line up according to floor. We were instructed to follow them to our destination in complete silence, as they lead us.

After about five minutes of walking, we were brought to a halt and told to pick up a rock from the side of the road. The rock would symbolize a load that we are currently carrying, and have not given over to God. As we walked on, we were told to begin talking to God concerning all of our burdens, concerns, cares, worries, etc. I began to cry at that moment, because I knew there was so much that I had taken on because I didn't want to hand it over to Christ. I thought of The song that says:

I just can't give up now

Come too far from where I've started from.

Nobody told me the road would be easy,

But I don't believe He's brought me this far

To leave me.

We walked for 30 more minutes, lead by RAs with candles in hand. Finally, we came upon Yellow Breeches, our campus river/creek, and we gathered along it. Situating ourselves in silence, one RA told us (paraphrased): "We RAs would eash like to share a testimony with you, to tell you of God's presence in each of our lives. We want our indivdual stories to encourage you young ladies in your faith as you journey down this new path of your lives." Each of the RAs then gave real, testimonies from their lives, and told us what their stones represented-whatever they were completely handing over to God that night. One of them read from Habakkuk 2:3.

And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see.Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming.It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie.If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time.

At hearing that, I completely lost it. I felt so convicted for not handing over my cares and worries to God when He is so faithful and keeos all of his promises. WOW. All of us girls then prayed, letting God know that we were releasing our cares, concerns, etc. to Him that evening. In our own time, we then cast our stones into the river. After, we joined hands and waded through the river to the other side, to signify our making it to the other side of our problems, trials; overcoming our concerns.

When we arrived at the other side, we went into worship. It was such a beautiful sight. Uplift hands, full moon, lightning in the distance... It was as if God was showing Himself to us, literally! Awesome. Post-our worship experience, we walked along the river a bit until we were brought to a halt again. One of the RAs read a passage from John 13, when Jesus washed His disciples' feet...I then realized what they were going to do....WOW. We separated by floor with our RAs. My RA then lead us in a worship song, filled a pail of water from the river, and knelt. One by one one of us walked over to her and she washed our feet and laid hands on us, praying over us and blessing us and our academic year. As she was doing that, all of us ladies were singing worship songs, there under the full moon, along the glistening river. WOW. Each of the RAs were doing this with each girl from their floor. I dont think there was a dry eye there. Some girls such as I could but stare, with tears streaming down their face... It was humbling to see peers who could minister to us in such a humble way... What had God done in their lives to bring them here? WOW.

I was so thankful to be there, and to know that I was under the leadership of a virtuous young lady who regards us in such a way. She earned a butt-load of my respect. I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to us all; He keeps His promises; He loves His children with an everlasting love. Dude.

Chimene