By Saraí Ramos
A few weeks ago, God gave me the opportunity to travel to Hyderabad, India where I participated in Third Wave, a global gathering of emerging leaders within the Church of the Nazarene. The main purpose of the event is to provide a space for youth to connect in a cross-cultural setting through fellowship, training, and group dynamics, in order to develop leaders who will make a global impact.
260 people from 61 countries came together January 8-13, 2019, and you can just imagine all the differences in language, forms of dress, food, and other craziness that we lived through there!
In fact, one of the most memorable times of the event happened the first day when I was able to meet Olly and Clayton, two young men from Australia that love their Samoan culture and enjoy sharing it with anyone who will listen. Throughout the week we were delighted to get to know them and admire their Hakas, typical Samoan dances, language, clothing, and many other things.
But the thing that impacted me most was the passion on their faces when they danced during the talent show. Clayton, Olly, and the Asia-Pacific Region made us all feel like we were part of a Samoan movie. It was as if we were all in Disney’s Moana! Can you imagine the excitement in the room when we were all experiencing that dance?!
When they finished their presentation, they told us that the music was a typical Christian song. That was one of the ways they worshipped God in their home countries.
You know what? All of the time spent with them reminded me that there are innumerable ways to praise the Lord and share his love with others. I believe every one of us should be like Olly and Clayton: proud of our Christian culture and passionately sharing the love and joy we have found in Jesus at every opportunity.
*Saraí Ramos is president of Nazarene Youth International in the Gulf District of Mexico.
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