I want to travel & know the entire world. I do.
During a hike last night, I had a conversation with a man who has visited 4 of modern wonders of the world, not to mention all of the "non-wonders" he talked about. I want these experiences.
A friend sent me this video today. I laughed my head off & at the same time felt such a strong sense of jealousy.....
I can't figure out how to post the video, so click here to view it.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Christian Community Development Association
When most people ask what my plans are, my words typically fumble out in a mess of what sort of government social work I don't want to do followed by the types of community social work that I'd love to do. I'm far from eloquent in my explanation because I did not have the words to explain that which my heart yearns to do....that which I did in Puerto Viejo and that which I desire to do in the States. In a nutshell, I want to work in the area of community development and finally, there are words to describe my desire (who knew it was in a movement that's existed since the 1960's?).
Check out the philosophy of the Christian Community Development Association here.
Check out the philosophy of the Christian Community Development Association here.
Why APU grads ROCK
Azusa Pacific University, a.k.a. APU, produces some world-class people. Case in point...
Bryan Clay - This summer's Olympic decathlon athlete expected to set new world records. (He taught me to speak pidgin when I was in college.) Check out his life on film here.
Chrissy Brooks - After graduating from APU, Chrissy moved down to Venezuela where she spent 3 years serving children. Through a series of events following her return to the States, Chrissy began to pour her life out to an underprivileged community in Costa Mesa, CA and eventually became the executive director of MIKA.
Russ Cline - Russ & his family have been running a youth training center in Ecuador since 1994 (that's almost 15 years ago). They now train leaders across the entire world.
Bryan Clay - This summer's Olympic decathlon athlete expected to set new world records. (He taught me to speak pidgin when I was in college.) Check out his life on film here.
Chrissy Brooks - After graduating from APU, Chrissy moved down to Venezuela where she spent 3 years serving children. Through a series of events following her return to the States, Chrissy began to pour her life out to an underprivileged community in Costa Mesa, CA and eventually became the executive director of MIKA.
Russ Cline - Russ & his family have been running a youth training center in Ecuador since 1994 (that's almost 15 years ago). They now train leaders across the entire world.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Where am I?
During my last couple of days in Puerto Viejo, I realized that I had completely forgotten that I live in the States. I even bought some ice cream to bring to a friend's house and rode half-way back to Cocles before remembering that I don't have a home with a freezer in which to store it. It felt so natural to be back in PV, that I had to remind myself that I actually have another life in the States.
How is it that I can feel so comfortable and happy in two completely different places? Living in Puerto Viejo consisted of dirty feet, bug bites, mold, unpaved roads, critters, jungle rains, and my bicycle. And while all of these might sound like inconveniences (& they were at times), I genuinely enjoyed living so simply and so close to God's creation. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, I enjoy my life in the States as well. Here I drive a car, go running with my iPod, don't fear rape, live near my family, and can buy cute clothes that won't bleach or mold or stain. As much as I love living simply, I also love all of the conveniences that modern life holds. It's like living two completely separate lives....yet they are both my life. No wonder I don't always feel "at home" wherever it is that I'm living.
About a year ago, when I was first preparing to move back to the States, I began to journal about my fears of living here. Among those fears was that I would become too "soft" and needy with all that is available and that it would somehow make it harder for me to leave again when the time comes (because I plan to continue living oversees once I finish my studies). And while I still strive to be careful about this, I realize more than ever that 1) I am simply a pilgrim on this earth (Heb. 11:13); and 2) God made me to be able to live in a variety of circumstances...I am wired a certain way that enables me to do this.
So, as much as I want to feel at home wherever I live...be it here in the States, or abroad, Lord, help me "set my heart on this pilgrimage."
Below is a photo I took while visiting Panama City back in 2006. These two indigenous women are dressed in their native garb. Behind them are the high-rise buildings of Panama city. Such a contrast of worlds seems to currently depict my life.
How is it that I can feel so comfortable and happy in two completely different places? Living in Puerto Viejo consisted of dirty feet, bug bites, mold, unpaved roads, critters, jungle rains, and my bicycle. And while all of these might sound like inconveniences (& they were at times), I genuinely enjoyed living so simply and so close to God's creation. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, I enjoy my life in the States as well. Here I drive a car, go running with my iPod, don't fear rape, live near my family, and can buy cute clothes that won't bleach or mold or stain. As much as I love living simply, I also love all of the conveniences that modern life holds. It's like living two completely separate lives....yet they are both my life. No wonder I don't always feel "at home" wherever it is that I'm living.
About a year ago, when I was first preparing to move back to the States, I began to journal about my fears of living here. Among those fears was that I would become too "soft" and needy with all that is available and that it would somehow make it harder for me to leave again when the time comes (because I plan to continue living oversees once I finish my studies). And while I still strive to be careful about this, I realize more than ever that 1) I am simply a pilgrim on this earth (Heb. 11:13); and 2) God made me to be able to live in a variety of circumstances...I am wired a certain way that enables me to do this.
So, as much as I want to feel at home wherever I live...be it here in the States, or abroad, Lord, help me "set my heart on this pilgrimage."
Below is a photo I took while visiting Panama City back in 2006. These two indigenous women are dressed in their native garb. Behind them are the high-rise buildings of Panama city. Such a contrast of worlds seems to currently depict my life.
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