Yo from northern India

[ken_himalayas]

My name is ken...now teaching english to tibetan refugees in dharamsala, india. before that i have lived in hawaii, kansas, wisconsin...and all my family is in the twin cities. just discovered this website today and am excited to meet others who are passionate about following christ and living a radical life.

[Daniel]

Ken- Welcome to SF!

Wow! You are exactly where I hope to travel to someday: I have friends- a gay couple- who live in India.

I think of myself as a closet Buddhist in many ways (I do meditation practice), even though I follow the teachings of JC. What kills me (oops!) is that Buddhists don't have much attitude- if any- about what people believe. They seem more concerned about what you actually do. And the emphasis that Tibetans place on warmheartedness and kindess speaks volumes (had the opportunity to attend teachings by His Holiness the DL).

I look forward to hearing more about your experience there at the top of the world- in more ways than one.

Peace to you.

[ken_himalayas]

hi daniel... i appreciated hearing from you, and am happy to hear that you are a christian who is able to explore buddhist philosophy and get something out of it that applies to your christian practice. i also enjoy meditation practice, have attended teachings by HHDL and have done quite a bit of free-lance study. i always tell people that the things i have learned from buddhism ENHANCE rather than DIMINISH my love for christ, and my christian walk.

i am 42, and just recently arriving at the place of accepting myself as a gay christian. it has taken me a long long long time, since i come from an evangelical background. my whole life i have been involved in various organizations such as campus crusade, ywam, vineyard churches, conservative presbyterian circles, etc. for about the last 10 years i have opened myself up to the possibility that i could accept my sexuality in the context of my relationship with jesus...but i have been scared and SLOW SLOW SLOW in allowing that growing belief to manifest in my life. i feel like i am in the middle of a "quantum leap" this past year...as i change some of my affiliations and relationships...taking the risk to be who i am, and let the chips fall where they may. !! fortunately, my family is supportive...despite the fact that my parents don't quite get it just yet. it will take some time for their paradigm to shift.

wow...that was a lot! just wanted to thank you for your reply. would love to stay in touch and hear more about you.

ken

[Dash]

I'm continually amazed at how far around the world this little forum reaches.

[cups his hands around his mouth and shouts really loudly]

WELCOME!!!

Gosh...I hope you could hear that all the way over there! :D

[rainbowdog]

Hi Ken,
My name is Christy also known as rainbowcat. I am a Christian lesbian from Alabama. I am new here too. I am an active member of a gay-affirming church called Forgiving Heart Christian Community Church. This is ironic that I am writing to you all the way to India. My pastor has been corresponding to a pastor in India. I don't know what part of India but she has been corresponding with him over a year. At first she did not say she was pastor of a gay-affirming church. She told him that the name of our church is Forgiving Heart Christian Community Church. The pastor over there like that name so he name his church after ours. She then told him it is a gay affirming church. He said there are no homosexuals over in India because it is illegal. Well it isn't exactlly legal here either. We are 2nd class citizens. But every country has homosexuals some countries have to hid it more than others. Our web site is www.forgivingheartchurch.com I hope you enjoy soulforce. To me it is a great place to discuss about the GBLT community.

God Bless,
Christy

[Vanessa White]

Welcome, many times over!!! You must have heard Dash's loud shout of welcome way over there. I am also amazed at the fact that Soulforce has an extended reach nationally and internationally. It is totally awesome. I hope that you will come around often. Peace be with you, and blessings, Vanessa :love: