Over the years, I have come to view life as a journey of knowing God, or "walking with God." My years and relationships in Puerto Viejo have deepened this understanding as I have seen God's compassion on a people who want to know Him, yet live in a difficult place. This place is severely oppressed with various addictions, all forms of abuse, crime and all manner of evil. There are many people who genuinely want to know God and yet struggle with these various evils.
Having re-connected with some old friends, they have shared their successes & struggles in this walk with God...and I am moved by God's compassion and grace. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul reminds us that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Even when we had no inclination of turning towards God, He pursued us. If God is this gracious in the times we didn't care for Him, I can only imagine His compassion in our attempts and loving & walking with Him...even in the midst of our failures.
People ask me about my "testimony" or my story of knowing God and I cannot help but describe it as a journey, a step-by-step process of growing to know Him more & therefore falling more deeply in love with Him. I know of many people, some of them here in PV, who have had "radical conversions", or moments of enlightenment when they choose to leave behind the dark life they've lived and turn towards God. And yet, we are not perfected in a single moment. The Bible says to "work out your salvation with fear & trembling," not that salvation is something we acquire, but it does take a lifetime of change and of continuing to choose God.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Dark Side
For many, Puerto Viejo is extremely wonderful and horrible at the same time. It is a place full of paradoxes that include a beautiful beach paradise and a poverty that cannot be contained; a people who preach peace and love & yet abandon or sexually abuse their own children. Since I did not start this blog until I returned from living in Puerto Viejo, I've decided to begin explaining a bit about this life as I return to both wonderful and horrible situations. Today I will share about the dark side of life here.
Situation #1: The Rapist
Since the day I returned, I have been warned by many close friends to be smart and safe in all that I do. The Rapist...I call him "the" rapist because he is the most prominent and for reasons unknown to me cannot be kept in jail. The Rapist has been released from prison and within one month has already claimed 5 victims. He has been an ongoing problem even when I was living here. WHY he cannot be arrested and jailed for life is beyond me.
Situation #2: Street Thieves
I gave a ride to an 11-year-old boy from the Skate Park the other day (sitting on my crossbar on my bike...dodging potholes and cars). When he got off, his demeanor changed to a very serious tone as he warned me about the thieves ravaging the main road. He is a tough kid from the streets & speaks from firsthand knowledge & fear as he told me that they use knives in the day time and guns at night. None of this is new to me, such had been my life here, but I am sad to hear that nothing has changed.
Situation #3: Corrupt Police
The day I arrived, there was revealed a huge police scandal in our area. There are many gangs in Limon (the nearest city about an hour away) and many drug lords throughout the Caribbean coast. Last week, however, it was discovered that some of the police are working with these gangs when they attempted to kill a few street kids (drug vendors). One escaped and told the story and now all of the police are in question....sort of good, definately scary.
Situation #4: Mother Pimps
Sexuality is too much a regular part of life in Puerto Viejo. While the country is trying to stop the sex trafficking of minors, it is still quite prevalent due to the mindset of the local people. And while this is by no means indicative of the entire town, it definately describes a raw side of life here. There is a family I know quite well from various interactions throughout the years. Although they have attended church in the past, the mother's tough life has taken over her mindset and infiltrated her daughters' as well. Her oldest is now 12 years old, and according to her mother, ready to bear children. She has raised her to act older than her classmates and other children her age, telling her that she is more mature and that her body is more mature. Since she was a small child, her mother would introduce her to people and comment on how old and mature she looks. As far as I know, the mother is not selling her daughter. But in my opinion, to raise her in such a climate as this isn't far from prostitution. The mother's life was not quite so different than this.
**And please, put all of your minds at rest about my safety while I am here. I am smart & am making good decisions about where I go and who I go with. God has been faithful.
Situation #1: The Rapist
Since the day I returned, I have been warned by many close friends to be smart and safe in all that I do. The Rapist...I call him "the" rapist because he is the most prominent and for reasons unknown to me cannot be kept in jail. The Rapist has been released from prison and within one month has already claimed 5 victims. He has been an ongoing problem even when I was living here. WHY he cannot be arrested and jailed for life is beyond me.
Situation #2: Street Thieves
I gave a ride to an 11-year-old boy from the Skate Park the other day (sitting on my crossbar on my bike...dodging potholes and cars). When he got off, his demeanor changed to a very serious tone as he warned me about the thieves ravaging the main road. He is a tough kid from the streets & speaks from firsthand knowledge & fear as he told me that they use knives in the day time and guns at night. None of this is new to me, such had been my life here, but I am sad to hear that nothing has changed.
Situation #3: Corrupt Police
The day I arrived, there was revealed a huge police scandal in our area. There are many gangs in Limon (the nearest city about an hour away) and many drug lords throughout the Caribbean coast. Last week, however, it was discovered that some of the police are working with these gangs when they attempted to kill a few street kids (drug vendors). One escaped and told the story and now all of the police are in question....sort of good, definately scary.
Situation #4: Mother Pimps
Sexuality is too much a regular part of life in Puerto Viejo. While the country is trying to stop the sex trafficking of minors, it is still quite prevalent due to the mindset of the local people. And while this is by no means indicative of the entire town, it definately describes a raw side of life here. There is a family I know quite well from various interactions throughout the years. Although they have attended church in the past, the mother's tough life has taken over her mindset and infiltrated her daughters' as well. Her oldest is now 12 years old, and according to her mother, ready to bear children. She has raised her to act older than her classmates and other children her age, telling her that she is more mature and that her body is more mature. Since she was a small child, her mother would introduce her to people and comment on how old and mature she looks. As far as I know, the mother is not selling her daughter. But in my opinion, to raise her in such a climate as this isn't far from prostitution. The mother's life was not quite so different than this.
**And please, put all of your minds at rest about my safety while I am here. I am smart & am making good decisions about where I go and who I go with. God has been faithful.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
In a Nutshell
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and I can't think of a better way to describe various aspects of life in Puerto Viejo than to post these two pictures.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Confused Rastas
I'm sitting here in an internet cafe in Puerto Viejo, my first afternoon back in my "home town" and for the past 1/2 hour I've been watching a Rastafarian priest yelling at his "wife" (meaning, the mother of at least two of his children). He's fully decked out in the full headdress; a long, multi-colored robe, and lots of ritual necklaces...meaning, that he's a serious Rasta. And yet, I see a world of contrast.
To begin, his girlfriend is Caucasian, which goes against the "roots" of this religion. And although she is also wearing priestly clothing, it does not cover up her nationality. Also, the rage and anger in which he is addressing her does not mirror what Rasta preaches...not to mention that he seems a bit jittery & is probably on cocaine. It is enough of a scene that two policemen walking by have stopped to assess the situation before moving on (they don't actually want to get involved if they don't have to).
And the oddity of this situation is absolutely normal for Puerto Viejo. This place is like the twilight zone.
I spent almost 2 hours this morning in conversation with a good friend about Yoga. He is attempting to become Master and therefore spends his time teaching others about the truths of Yoga. And although the conversation took some pretty weird twists and turns, I'm thankful that all of my time in Puerto Viejo has made me quite comfortable in these types of conversations. I have found that people who are quite willing to talk about spirituality often allow for me to express my beliefs as a Christian. I was comfortable sharing what scripture says on certain topics that are similar to what yoga preaches; and yet, was just as comfortable sharing the stark differences between what scripture says and what yoga teaches. My friend took it all in with a respect and a contemplative mood. And although I do not expect him to revoke his beliefs in Yoga and "Mamita" any time soon, I do believe that scripture is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword and that it cuts between the soul & the marrow of a man (Hebrews 12:4).
This is everyday life in Puerto Viejo. And although it is weird beyond belief, I have grown to appreciate it and maybe even miss it. :)
To begin, his girlfriend is Caucasian, which goes against the "roots" of this religion. And although she is also wearing priestly clothing, it does not cover up her nationality. Also, the rage and anger in which he is addressing her does not mirror what Rasta preaches...not to mention that he seems a bit jittery & is probably on cocaine. It is enough of a scene that two policemen walking by have stopped to assess the situation before moving on (they don't actually want to get involved if they don't have to).
And the oddity of this situation is absolutely normal for Puerto Viejo. This place is like the twilight zone.
I spent almost 2 hours this morning in conversation with a good friend about Yoga. He is attempting to become Master and therefore spends his time teaching others about the truths of Yoga. And although the conversation took some pretty weird twists and turns, I'm thankful that all of my time in Puerto Viejo has made me quite comfortable in these types of conversations. I have found that people who are quite willing to talk about spirituality often allow for me to express my beliefs as a Christian. I was comfortable sharing what scripture says on certain topics that are similar to what yoga preaches; and yet, was just as comfortable sharing the stark differences between what scripture says and what yoga teaches. My friend took it all in with a respect and a contemplative mood. And although I do not expect him to revoke his beliefs in Yoga and "Mamita" any time soon, I do believe that scripture is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword and that it cuts between the soul & the marrow of a man (Hebrews 12:4).
This is everyday life in Puerto Viejo. And although it is weird beyond belief, I have grown to appreciate it and maybe even miss it. :)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Nothing to Say
No really, I have nothing to say. I just hated logging onto my blog and seeing the word "Suffer" so big & bold and the first thing you notice. :)
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