Friday, August 26, 2005

Moments-o-Nicaragua:

  • On our way there, I was randomly chosen to be thoroughly patted down by the custom’s officer... I’ve never been so violated in my life. Then, on the way back, I joked with Huston’s custom officer that I was bringing drugs... I got “X-Rayed”... NEVER joke with custom’s officers...
  • I’ve never been so captivated by nature’s beauty in my life.
    Everywhere we went the sky looked like the backdrop of what Heaven would look like... gorgeous sunbeams, full rainbows, boldly silver-lined clouds... wow...
    Esteli (the village we resided in) was in a valley, if you looked down any street – you would see the crisp green mountains in the background.
    Stunning post-card-worthy waterfall... a bunch of us swam there too (I picked up some rocks with my toes from there for memories).

  • I LOVE THE SIMPLE LIFE; eat, sleep, work, and play on weekends. What we deem as “laborious” work feels more fulfilling to me... I can see exactly what my contribution is.
  • We were probably the only Oriental people in the entire country. We were also the first Chinese people many of the kids have seen. Can you imagine every single person on a busy street turning there heads to look at you? I can. Because it happened to us... practically everyday... o_O
  • Cultural dance lessons! I can’t just talk about this experience, I need to show you. ^_^ The get-together on our very last day with all the families and helpers was great! The love, that was so thorny to show through the language barriers, just poured out from each other’s sharing, actions, and dancing... good times.
  • Nightly devos – it’s amazing; the things I discovered about the team; what makes them frustrated, scared, stupid, useful/useless, feel like they’re being persecuted, why we’re on this trip, etc. I feel so much closer to them and thus I’m disappointed that I didn’t bother to learn more about the people around me before...
  • On the weekend, we went to Leon (another city 3 hours away from Esteli). Watching a lightning storm far away is the most memorizing sight ever! Norm can agree with that. Playing with the local kids was interesting, I’m not a big fan of kids, but these ones were so open and willing to play with anyone. I’ll have to teach some of you the games, they’re quite fun! ^_^

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There are tons of stories and pictures to share, just let me know and I’ll be more than happy to share (although, many of the humorous stories you have to be there to think it’s funny). This was a great experience... I can understand why people say, "short-term missions is more helpful to those who go to serve, than to those being served." I recommend everyone to go on a short-term thing at least once in their life. It's worth it.

Would I go again? Without a doubt.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Here's to Friends

I’m thankful for my friends,
When we talk or email or meet
Because we share our lives together
Just like family.

I’m thankful for their words,
I’m thankful for their hearts
We pray and sing and work together
Like efficient body parts.

I’m thankful for our silence
The moments pass soothingly
Not a word we need to speak
To enjoy our company.

I’m thankful for the laughs,
The tears and times we've shared
In their presence is all I need
To know that they still cared.

I’m thankful these people
God sent me from above
I’m thankful every single day
That I’m surrounded by so much love.


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Thank you for your words of encouragements, your advice, your prayers and support. I’m so blessed to be a friend to you who care about me and are so kindhearted; so sweet. I love you people so much that I tear sometimes to know how fortunate I am to be living today. I’ll probably never be able to truly show you all how much our friendship means to me, but let me tell you that I mean every word in this little poem and each of your have impacted my life (no mater how big or small) to shape the person I am now... that is worth more than anything the world has to offer. I’m happy to be alive.

You are my angels and my blessings. Thank you.

(And now, I can finally say, I’m ready to go to Nicaragua! YAY! (^_^)รถ )

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

a weekend - a weekstart

What an unforgettable Summer Conference...

Yes, many things have happened. Not just in my life, but many others (some I know, some I do not). I said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s funny how things work out.

Do you believe in coincidences? Luck? “Accidents”?

Although my answer changes every so often, at this current stage I’m in – I don’t.

Every little detail in the environment can have dramatic effects on a person’s course of life. It’s like looking for a star through a telescope; the slightest change in the telescope’s angle can move the view of the star millions light-years away from where it was seen. Maybe our lives aren’t as inflated as that analogy, but it’s generally an example of what I’m trying to say. This is why we need to be watchful in how we act, what we say and do to others... because you just never know the extent of its byproduct.

Everything happens for a reason... and as often as people say it, I seem to lose sight of that fact when things aren’t going my way. God is in full control of what’s happening. I just need to acknowledge this truth and allow Him to steer my life in the proper direction...

I was humbled over this weekend. And a note to everyone: please don’t gossip. If you would like to know how I feel about gossiping, please refer to my blog called “just be quiet” written in March... that’ll get your mojo going.