Alas, my first blog entry from South America!
Con Mucho Gusto!
How i view things so far - its kind of a cross between a Jake Sully from Avatar experience and the notion of stepping into a time machine & going back to a time similar to my parents' childhood which took place in Indonesia.
What do I mean? Well in regards to the Avatar reference. I feel just like Jake did as he clumsily navigated his way through the forest like an untrained child. Personally, I view this as exciting and a challenge. Yes, I've been called out of a place, where for the most part I could do and know how to accomplish anything I wanted with relative ease and now have been placed thousands of miles away with minimal means of communication and very limited understanding on how to operate effectively and well from a social, cultural to an every day to day basis. I may be currently functioning like a child in these respects; and the reality is for some this would be depressing. The best part is this new reality is my calling, thus the challenge excites me...the frustrations, little victories and all!
Stepping into a time machine...
It's kind of wild, growing up and hearing all these stories of my parents childhood in socially volatile Indonesia. From playing with marbles during family time, the humid climate, abundance of dirt, street vendors, lack of hot water, it feels like I'm getting the privilege to not just witness but to take part in what my parents experienced and so many around the world know as real life.
Why a privilege? I don't think a person can go through something like this without learning a few things about themselves or more so the way they perceive the world around them. Without a doubt, in just a week in Colombia and almost two in Costa Rica I'm beginning to learn more about exactly things that I really need opposed to what i thought I needed. Combining the stories I've heard, my eyes being opened to a level of poverty unknown to me at the age of 8 when we traveled as a family away from the luxuries of north America to the cultures and life of south east Asia, I leave you with a few things I have a new found appreciation for!
Things I love so far:
1. The people - The Latin culture is so warm and relational
My Tica Parents - Carolina & Gerrado (My homestay parents in Costa Rica as I study english)
Praise God - After a few trips to the Embassy - My Colombian Work Visa was approved!
I've never been one who was gifted at the art of expressing my self through writing. Regardless, I hope that I will learn to share my experiences in a way that is entertaining yet meaningful. Via words, pictures and video, I pray that this blog will serve it's purpose. whether it makes you laugh, cry or even fall asleep, I hope that you are blessed in some way.
First impressions - (lack of photos warning! I've been told so many different tips and things about safety and thefts, so as for now til I learn the ropes, photos will be at a minimum since my camera isn't brought everywhere.)Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
How i view things so far - its kind of a cross between a Jake Sully from Avatar experience and the notion of stepping into a time machine & going back to a time similar to my parents' childhood which took place in Indonesia.
What do I mean? Well in regards to the Avatar reference. I feel just like Jake did as he clumsily navigated his way through the forest like an untrained child. Personally, I view this as exciting and a challenge. Yes, I've been called out of a place, where for the most part I could do and know how to accomplish anything I wanted with relative ease and now have been placed thousands of miles away with minimal means of communication and very limited understanding on how to operate effectively and well from a social, cultural to an every day to day basis. I may be currently functioning like a child in these respects; and the reality is for some this would be depressing. The best part is this new reality is my calling, thus the challenge excites me...the frustrations, little victories and all!
Stepping into a time machine...
It's kind of wild, growing up and hearing all these stories of my parents childhood in socially volatile Indonesia. From playing with marbles during family time, the humid climate, abundance of dirt, street vendors, lack of hot water, it feels like I'm getting the privilege to not just witness but to take part in what my parents experienced and so many around the world know as real life.
Why a privilege? I don't think a person can go through something like this without learning a few things about themselves or more so the way they perceive the world around them. Without a doubt, in just a week in Colombia and almost two in Costa Rica I'm beginning to learn more about exactly things that I really need opposed to what i thought I needed. Combining the stories I've heard, my eyes being opened to a level of poverty unknown to me at the age of 8 when we traveled as a family away from the luxuries of north America to the cultures and life of south east Asia, I leave you with a few things I have a new found appreciation for!
Things I love so far:
1. The people - The Latin culture is so warm and relational
2. The Food - Really fresh & completely different variety of fruits, vegetables and drinks
3. The community - the interdependence and importance on spending time together
Interesting things I have a new found appreciation for:
5. Being able to drive myself anywhere I desired
4. Wearing shorts to school when it's 30 degrees Celsius outside
3. Easy access to meat, everyone knows I love my meat. Its expensive here = Beans @ every meal.
2. Not having to go through a millions security gates and locks to get inside home.
1. Being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet =)
3. The community - the interdependence and importance on spending time together
Interesting things I have a new found appreciation for:
5. Being able to drive myself anywhere I desired
4. Wearing shorts to school when it's 30 degrees Celsius outside
3. Easy access to meat, everyone knows I love my meat. Its expensive here = Beans @ every meal.
2. Not having to go through a millions security gates and locks to get inside home.
1. Being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet =)
My Tica Parents - Carolina & Gerrado (My homestay parents in Costa Rica as I study english)
Praise God - After a few trips to the Embassy - My Colombian Work Visa was approved!
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