I am now in Bolivia. This is my second day in the city and I am now a little more acustomed to the altitude. The city is very different from any other latin american city I've visited, but it's nice. It reminds me a little of the mountain cities in Ecuador...a little more country.
For the next couple of weeks I'm living with another Samaritan's Purse employee at a teacher's apartment who is on vacation for the summer (Bolivian winter). And after that, I'll move in with two american teachers at another apartment. So for this week, I'll be in La Paz getting acquainted with the city and hopefully learning where to find what I need.
So that's the latest news at this point. I had a great time in Boone for training and met a lot of incredibly gifted interns who will be all over the world. I feel overwhelmed, and in many ways underqualified for the task ahead. Fortunately, a friend reminded me that feeling over your head is good. Why? Because it's a good reminder that whatever I do in Bolivia, God will be doing it through me and it will be coming from Him, for the Aymara.
Blessings:
* Safe travel to Boone and Bolivia
* Great hiking in Boone with old friends from Africa
* DSL in Bolivia so that I can communicate with friends and family at home :)
Pray:
* For patience as I learn the city and culture
* For God to provide friends
* For my body to adapt quickly to the food b/c I have a difficult time digesting meat (a side effect after returning from Africa)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
heading to bolivia
I'm heading to Bolivia to do a 5 month internship with Samaritan's Purse. At the moment, the departure date is not set, but training in Boone, NC begins June 14th...meaning I'll be heading out a day or two before.
As I failed to keep up with the blog, I'm including a little update of what I've been doing over the past year.
*******************************
IGLESIA NUEVO AMANECER
I've been serving as the sunday school teacher for the middle school kids, leading bible study for the youth once a week, and helping the church learn more about missions. For the first time we set a goal as a church and gave to Lottie Moon $500 dollars. Wohooo!
It's been a wonderful experience to be able to serve among the hispanic community of Oldham County and will certainly miss them very much. I love their giving hearts and will miss their Mexican food. It never failed that any time I visited their homes they always wanted to feed me.
SEMINARY
What can I say? It's grad school. Lots of reading, exams, and papers. Two classes that have kicked my butt have been systematic theology and hermeneutics. I can certainly tell you that I've learned a lot, but this is the first time I've had to do reading outside the subject so that I can understand the subject being taught. Any tips are welcome.
TWO JOBS
1st Job -- Kentucky Refugee Ministries (week days) ---- I'm in charge of donations (taking calls for household and furniture items). My job is pretty much to arrange the schedule to pick up donations and then make time in the schedule to furnish the apartments for the families that are assigned to our office in Louisville. Some days the work is a little crazy, but I love being able to help these families settle into their new homes. Although I don't have direct contact with the clients, I enjoy the occasional interaction, especially with the Cuban-Haitian clients.
2nd Job -- Hispanic Biblical Institute (saturdays) --- I'm the assistant to the director. Pretty much a lot of office support. But the exciting part of this particular job is being able to interact with the members of other hispanic churches in Louisville. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who knew my father and heard a lot of wonderful stories. Many of the students are preparing at the institute because they wish to help in their church and that is encouraging to see.
FAMILIA
The most exciting part about being home is being able to hang out with the boys in the afternoons. Right now Esteban is playing tennis, while Andres is playing soccer, and I drive them to their individual practices. Some times we have crazy days when you throw in cello and piano lessons, but we manage. Driving is therapy!
A highlight of 2010 was our spring break road trip to Wyoming to visit family. Yep! We love to drive and see the country. Mom let us borrow her van so the boys had a little more room to stretch versus my little tracker. During our trip, we also visited friends in Cheyenne, whom my parents had ministered. It was good to see them and see how much God had done in their lives.
Overall, one of the most valuable things about my time at home has been the opportunity I've had to meet a lot of people who knew my family. Why? Because I've been able to hear about how Jesus Christ changed the lives of these individuals, all because my parents were willing to share the difference God had made in their lives. Huge blessing.
BOLIVIA
I'll be working with an indigenous group in the antiplano of Bolivia. I'll be based out of LaPaz and going out into the indian communities during the week to do community outreach and discipleship for women and youth who are experiencing domestic violence.
Pray that I'll be able to share in truth with those whom I come in contact and that God will give me wisdom to know how to minister to these suffering individuals.
Pray for safe travel to Chicago next week. I have to renew my Ecuadorian passport because it facilitates travel in South America
As I failed to keep up with the blog, I'm including a little update of what I've been doing over the past year.
*******************************
IGLESIA NUEVO AMANECER
I've been serving as the sunday school teacher for the middle school kids, leading bible study for the youth once a week, and helping the church learn more about missions. For the first time we set a goal as a church and gave to Lottie Moon $500 dollars. Wohooo!
It's been a wonderful experience to be able to serve among the hispanic community of Oldham County and will certainly miss them very much. I love their giving hearts and will miss their Mexican food. It never failed that any time I visited their homes they always wanted to feed me.
SEMINARY
What can I say? It's grad school. Lots of reading, exams, and papers. Two classes that have kicked my butt have been systematic theology and hermeneutics. I can certainly tell you that I've learned a lot, but this is the first time I've had to do reading outside the subject so that I can understand the subject being taught. Any tips are welcome.
TWO JOBS
1st Job -- Kentucky Refugee Ministries (week days) ---- I'm in charge of donations (taking calls for household and furniture items). My job is pretty much to arrange the schedule to pick up donations and then make time in the schedule to furnish the apartments for the families that are assigned to our office in Louisville. Some days the work is a little crazy, but I love being able to help these families settle into their new homes. Although I don't have direct contact with the clients, I enjoy the occasional interaction, especially with the Cuban-Haitian clients.
2nd Job -- Hispanic Biblical Institute (saturdays) --- I'm the assistant to the director. Pretty much a lot of office support. But the exciting part of this particular job is being able to interact with the members of other hispanic churches in Louisville. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who knew my father and heard a lot of wonderful stories. Many of the students are preparing at the institute because they wish to help in their church and that is encouraging to see.
FAMILIA
The most exciting part about being home is being able to hang out with the boys in the afternoons. Right now Esteban is playing tennis, while Andres is playing soccer, and I drive them to their individual practices. Some times we have crazy days when you throw in cello and piano lessons, but we manage. Driving is therapy!
A highlight of 2010 was our spring break road trip to Wyoming to visit family. Yep! We love to drive and see the country. Mom let us borrow her van so the boys had a little more room to stretch versus my little tracker. During our trip, we also visited friends in Cheyenne, whom my parents had ministered. It was good to see them and see how much God had done in their lives.
Overall, one of the most valuable things about my time at home has been the opportunity I've had to meet a lot of people who knew my family. Why? Because I've been able to hear about how Jesus Christ changed the lives of these individuals, all because my parents were willing to share the difference God had made in their lives. Huge blessing.
BOLIVIA
I'll be working with an indigenous group in the antiplano of Bolivia. I'll be based out of LaPaz and going out into the indian communities during the week to do community outreach and discipleship for women and youth who are experiencing domestic violence.
Pray that I'll be able to share in truth with those whom I come in contact and that God will give me wisdom to know how to minister to these suffering individuals.
Pray for safe travel to Chicago next week. I have to renew my Ecuadorian passport because it facilitates travel in South America
Sunday, November 22, 2009
are you in?
One of the papers I'm writing for this semester deals with social justice. As believers, have we taken the responsibility to get involved in serving the hungry, orphan and abused?
This following video puts into words what I've been writing about for one of my classes: social responsibility. Jesus called us out to share the good news with the nations. And as we share His love with the suffering, don't forget that we were also called to serve by becoming the least of all, in order to bring His name glory. Will you be part of the problem or the solution?
This following video puts into words what I've been writing about for one of my classes: social responsibility. Jesus called us out to share the good news with the nations. And as we share His love with the suffering, don't forget that we were also called to serve by becoming the least of all, in order to bring His name glory. Will you be part of the problem or the solution?
Friday, November 13, 2009
where does time go?
So it's almost the end of the semester and I can't believe I have two papers due in only two weeks. Yikes! I really need to get started on the writing because I'm not one of those geniuses who can pull an all night paper.
But as I was reflecting on the past couple of months, I realized there's a lot that has happened and thankful for the many opportunities I've had to serve. Just to give you an idea, I've been involved in teaching sunday school (youth), learning and helping at the Hispanic Institute in Louisville, youth activities, trunk-o-treat, hanging out with friends, and enjoying time with family. God is certainly good all the time.
Here's a pic of trunk-o-treat at church. My sister decorated her car as a whale and I was one of the props...a seaweed...lol!
I'm getting ready to make some decisions for the following year. Please pray with me as I finish the semester. That God will give me the energy to put my thoughts on paper clearly. For diligence to study for finals. And for guidance as I make decisions about where to invest my time next semester.
But as I was reflecting on the past couple of months, I realized there's a lot that has happened and thankful for the many opportunities I've had to serve. Just to give you an idea, I've been involved in teaching sunday school (youth), learning and helping at the Hispanic Institute in Louisville, youth activities, trunk-o-treat, hanging out with friends, and enjoying time with family. God is certainly good all the time.
Here's a pic of trunk-o-treat at church. My sister decorated her car as a whale and I was one of the props...a seaweed...lol!
I'm getting ready to make some decisions for the following year. Please pray with me as I finish the semester. That God will give me the energy to put my thoughts on paper clearly. For diligence to study for finals. And for guidance as I make decisions about where to invest my time next semester.
Friday, September 25, 2009
another birthday!
Yep! 45% of the fam has their birthdays in august, the other 45% in september and then there's me.
The other little boy is now 12 years old and and he reminds me a lot of my dad. To commemorate the day, I got him a "man" sport watch and teased him that now he can't be late for breakfast--lucky guy doesn't have a lot to be late for.
Although this little guy has a lot of qualities, one aspect of his character that I love is his joyful attitude. Of course he gets angry like many of us, but it doesn't last very long. I believe one of the reasons God calls life a gift is because we're able to experience a reflection of His character through people. In our family a reflection of His goodness is demonstrated, as a gift to our family, through Andres' joy. That's why we're celebrating!
"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6
The other little boy is now 12 years old and and he reminds me a lot of my dad. To commemorate the day, I got him a "man" sport watch and teased him that now he can't be late for breakfast--lucky guy doesn't have a lot to be late for.
Although this little guy has a lot of qualities, one aspect of his character that I love is his joyful attitude. Of course he gets angry like many of us, but it doesn't last very long. I believe one of the reasons God calls life a gift is because we're able to experience a reflection of His character through people. In our family a reflection of His goodness is demonstrated, as a gift to our family, through Andres' joy. That's why we're celebrating!
"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
pleasant perfume
Over the weekend I had the pleasure of taking another road trip. Where to? Mayfield, Kentucky. I didn’t even know that little town existed until a couple of weeks ago.
The round trip took a total of 8 hrs and over that period of time I reflected on the last couple of months. It was good to drive in silence for long stretches, listen to music, and sing at the top of my lungs. Although driving is usually a very therapeutic activity for me, I haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying it this much since the semester began at Southern.
So the purpose of my trip was to speak at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Mayfield. I met pastor Jaime at the Southern Baptist Convention and reconnected with him and his wife, Ana Rocio, at a training a couple of weeks ago. As the Eliza Brodus Offering is being collected this coming Sunday, the couple wanted to encourage the group to give to missions and hear from someone who had previously done mission work.
I was encouraged to meet the members and hear about the different blessings they had received over the course of the years. As always, I shared my story, how God continues to use me in his ministry, and how all of us have a gift we can use for God's glory.
[from left to right some of the members: Mereni, Raul, Philemon, Ana Rocio, and pastor Jaime]
Like many other times, I think I received more than I gave, because many were talking about the renewing of their hearts in order to pursue holiness. And I was reminded of the song I heard a few weeks ago called ‘Tal Como Soy’ or ‘Just as I am’ in English, but not the well-known tune. This one is completely different.
The line I love the most…grato perfume, yo quiero ser Senor = I want to be a pleasant perfume...
…and the reason I like it so much is because often I feel like I don’t have much to offer. When this happens I’m reminded of David’s song in Psalm 51:16-17
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
So go out this week and smell good for God!
The round trip took a total of 8 hrs and over that period of time I reflected on the last couple of months. It was good to drive in silence for long stretches, listen to music, and sing at the top of my lungs. Although driving is usually a very therapeutic activity for me, I haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying it this much since the semester began at Southern.
So the purpose of my trip was to speak at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Mayfield. I met pastor Jaime at the Southern Baptist Convention and reconnected with him and his wife, Ana Rocio, at a training a couple of weeks ago. As the Eliza Brodus Offering is being collected this coming Sunday, the couple wanted to encourage the group to give to missions and hear from someone who had previously done mission work.
I was encouraged to meet the members and hear about the different blessings they had received over the course of the years. As always, I shared my story, how God continues to use me in his ministry, and how all of us have a gift we can use for God's glory.
[from left to right some of the members: Mereni, Raul, Philemon, Ana Rocio, and pastor Jaime]Like many other times, I think I received more than I gave, because many were talking about the renewing of their hearts in order to pursue holiness. And I was reminded of the song I heard a few weeks ago called ‘Tal Como Soy’ or ‘Just as I am’ in English, but not the well-known tune. This one is completely different.
The line I love the most…grato perfume, yo quiero ser Senor = I want to be a pleasant perfume...
…and the reason I like it so much is because often I feel like I don’t have much to offer. When this happens I’m reminded of David’s song in Psalm 51:16-17
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
So go out this week and smell good for God!
Friday, September 11, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESTEBAN!
Yes, the little boy turned 14 years old today. He's certainly a fine young man and consider him a huge blessing. It seems like only yesterday I held him in my arms and thought he looked so fragile. Awww!The boy is slowly becoming a man. So this is my prayer for you 'little' brother as you seek to honor God with your life:
"The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
Number 6:24-26
Thursday, September 10, 2009
And the grand prize goes to...
...the Salazar boys! wohooooo! Today the boys collected their grand prize from Mortenson Family Dentistry. What was the prize?
That's right! An ipod touch. Wow! I'm still a little speechless because in our family we usually don't win anything. But thanks to Eunice and her pic abilities, we all decided to participate in taking pics of the boys over the summer with the dentistry logo. There were categories of most pics and most creative, but after we submitted the boys entries separately, on Tuesday we got a phone call they had won jointly. And we're totally fine sharing so that was no problem.
Once we arrived at the office, the secretary said, "are you guys excited about your dolls?" Andres' face was priceless, but I didn't have my nifty camera around to share the moment. Needless to say, once we found out it was the grand prize, we were all ecstatic.
So during dinner time the boys thanked God for the meal and the ipod He provided. I was touched with their ability to already recognize God's providence in the little, material things of life!
That's right! An ipod touch. Wow! I'm still a little speechless because in our family we usually don't win anything. But thanks to Eunice and her pic abilities, we all decided to participate in taking pics of the boys over the summer with the dentistry logo. There were categories of most pics and most creative, but after we submitted the boys entries separately, on Tuesday we got a phone call they had won jointly. And we're totally fine sharing so that was no problem.
Once we arrived at the office, the secretary said, "are you guys excited about your dolls?" Andres' face was priceless, but I didn't have my nifty camera around to share the moment. Needless to say, once we found out it was the grand prize, we were all ecstatic.
So during dinner time the boys thanked God for the meal and the ipod He provided. I was touched with their ability to already recognize God's providence in the little, material things of life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)