This last week we watched a documentary about religion in Latin America.  One thing the documentary talks about are religions that have sprouted up among holes in Catholic commitment.  African-influenced spiritist religions like Candomble and Pentecostal churches are just a few examples of religions that exist all over Latin America.  One clip showed a Pentecostal ceremony taking place, with the preacher standing on a stage in front of a big crowd in some kind of stadium.  The preacher was proclaiming proudly that if they did not see the Holy Spirit descend on someone in the crowd, at that moment, he would burn the cross behind him and denounce Christianity for good.
Im guessing that a few people thought that seemed a little odd, or at least, a little radical.  But, that's how some of these Pentecostal ceremonies really are.  Unfortunately, I've been to one.
In my senior year of high school I went to the Republica Dominicana for a mission trip over Spring Break. One day we accompanied our host to a "ceremony" that her church was involved in.  Our group of thirty high schoolers had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
The ceremony was huge.  Thousands of Dominicans piled into a professional baseball stadium to be a part of it.  There was a lot of music, which was good, but we could not understand or sing it very well.  After almost two hours of music, the priest got onto the stage.  He talked loudly but quickly and was impossible for me to understand.  He was very passionate, and the people responded to his words with "amens" and other sayings I didn't recognize.  Then, the man got off the stage, and more music was played.  We realized with agony that the main sermon was still yet to come.
After almost five hours, the ceremony was over.  The main preacher had been treated like a celebrity.  He was so different than any preacher I've ever heard before, until I saw the clip of the Pentecostal ceremony last week. The whole thing was such a unique experience.  People fainted at the word of God.  Others spoke in tongues.
Initially, our group just felt out of place because we didn't speak Spanish and we were some of the only gringos in the stadium.  We were uncomfortable with the things we saw that were not in our vision of Christianity.  Then, we felt challenged.  We began to think differently about our time in the Dominican and about our views on Christianity.
This is my last blog for this class.  As I think about the journey we've been on throughout the year, I'm reminded of my trip to the Dominican Republic.  I came into this class with minimal expectations.  It was my first college class.  I wasn't a history buff or very enthusiastic about Spanish.  I felt a little out of place.
Now that I'm leaving, I believe that this class has had a big impact on me.  The professors have challenged me to think critically and to learn in a broad, multidisciplinary way.  My fellow peers have been supportive and challenging in all the right ways.
So, everyone, here's to a great year.  Adios, mis amigos.