New Name Same Me

Well, it's been a little while since I've managed to get on here and write a post. Part of that has been my own laziness in not actually sitting down and doing it, but mostly it's been because I've actually gotten quite busy. Between two services on Sunday, skit writing, Ladies Bible Study, Home group, various appointments, funerals, Tiny Tunes, and all the home stuff it seems my days are filling up. Which, by the way, didn't stop me from agreeing to go play tennis tonight...I've never played tennis before...I have no clue what I'll be doing, but I'm going.
One of the new things I'm getting involved in is a Bible study group with the tribal people who attend church here. Most of the people who come to church here are from the Warlpiri tribe. The Warlpiri number between 3000-5000 total in the tribal group. I think the broadness of that number variation comes from Warlpiri who exist tribal back ground wise and Warlpiri who actually speak Warlpiri. Anyhow, there are several ladies who attend church here on Sundays and they decided they wanted to have a study during the week that was in Warlpiri. So, naturally I stepped up to facilitate that, since I'm so fluent in the language and culture. (that was sarcastic)
No really I was looking for ways to build relationships with these women and men who come to church and I heard that they were looking for a facilitator for their study so I volunteered to help with that. I think it's going to be great and we may be starting this week on Thursday. I'm not sure what will happen or how it will go so if you could keep me and the group (or mob to use the Aussie term) in your prayers that would be great.
In planning for this group and building into those relationships I've been spending more time with the ladies on Sunday mornings. Yesterday I went out to sit with them and Rachel, who is an elder here in the church and a really lovely Warlpiri lady, asked if I had a skin name. Skin names are vital for the Warlpiri because without a skin name there is no clear place for you in their society. So when I told Rachel I didn't have a skin name yet she gave me one. She actually gave me hers which means that she and I are sisters. I was really blown away at how simply she gave me one and how excited all the other ladies were when she told them I was Napaljari now. So now to the ladies I'm still Shannon but I'm Napaljari too, which is more important. Now when I talk to the ladies they can know how I fit into their cultural structure. It was a truly exhilarating moment for me, even if it was just a small thing for them.
So there you have it, another chapter, another name, same me. Well, almost the same me :)
Love you all,
Shannon Napaljari