Chiapas

After the end of our teaching program in Oaxaca, a few of my friends and I embarked into an adventure in Chiapas, a Southern state in Mexico.

The beauty of Chiapas is astounding.

Places we visited: 
-San Cristobal
-Agua Azul
-Palenque
-Tuxla Gutierrez (which included a free entrance to the Zoo)
-Cañon del Sumidero

The fun part of the trip was the spontaneity factor. We basically planned this last minute. We stayed in $11 Hostels, hopped into a bus that got us to the waterfalls and ruins. We got free entrance to the Zoo, and laughed our hearts out watching animals frolicking around.

I love traveling.

Conversations

[While driving through a freeway in North Carolina]

"Many times, parents hold on to a lot of guilt -that they did not raise their kids well, did not spend enough time with them, etc. And as their children, we also carry a lot of that emotional baggage throughout our lives. The best thing you can do is to forgive your parents, let go of that baggage and live your life. Parents are also humans. They are not perfect."

You cannot change the past. But you can change how your past affects your present.

Love yourself and others wisely.

Let go of that pain. 

Nomad

Moving, drifting, traveling,
Resting, asking, walking.
Living, eating, drinking,
Talking, pausing, thinking,
Being.

Quarter of a Century

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

(Psalm 30:11-12).

This Bible verse pretty much sums up my past year.

Earlier on this year, I was very sick and was sent home to recover. At first I was not happy, but little did I know that God used my sickness to renew my health and spirit.

-I rediscovered the love of family and friends. It was so refreshing specially after living years on my own.

-I regained my happiness, health and confidence. 

-I had deep realizations on humanity and love. 

-I was accepted into the International Teacher Education Module in SFU and got to spend 2 amazing months in Oaxaca. 

-And now I get to spend my 25th birthday with my favourite family ever. The Johnsons, a missionary couple I met back in El Salvador, played an important role during my teenage years. They continue to be my inspiration and role models.

The Lord has indeed turned my mourning into dancing. 

I am infinitely thankful for all His love and grace this year. And I believe that there are greater things to come. He is faithful and true. 

My 25th Birthday

Puerto Escondido

I am at Puerto Escondido right now.

Life is hard ;)

The program finished yesterday. We all had a goodbye dinner and danced the night away. Some of my classmates left early this morning.

It's so strange that these last 2 months went by so fast.

But I am so thankful that God has guided me to this program. He has taught me so many valuable lessons through my wonderful experiences in Oaxaca and the people around me.

This journey only gets better. We will see :)

God is with me. 

A deep realization on humanity

I wrote a quick email to my prof after reflecting on our discussion this afternoon:

I just wanted to say that I had a deep realization after you said the phrase "But we are all still humans inside."

I did not realize that I had so many prejudices until today. And it's so unconscious that it bugs me.

I now see life differently.

Thank you, Maestro.


Karen

Reflections on the Midwest

It's been almost a year since I visited my best friends and my brother in Winona, Minnesota.

That trip changed my life and perspective completely.

During my years in Vancouver, I forgot who I was. I lost my identity. 

But when I saw my best friends, I was reminded of who I was. And that there are people who genuinely care and love me.

I was inspired by my best friends' intelligence, personal convictions and joy.

I then decided to pursue my personal dream. Fast forward a year, I am at a Teacher's training program in Oaxaca, Mexico. It's really my dream program because I get to travel, learn new things and teach at the same time.


















Thank God for causing all things work together. Thank God for my best friends.

Life has just begun.

Kandom note: I will be flying to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2 weeks! So excited to see my best friend's family. Yeah, we were that close!

Sunday and Monday

Mexico is such a beautiful country.

There is so much natural beauty, culture and history in this place.

But most of all, people are so warm and welcoming. During my 2 months here, I've been able to make kind and lovely friends. God has blessed me through their friendship.

Here are more photos from my weekend.

Sunday: We went to the El Tule (World's thickest tree ~ 2000 years old) for lunch with my Church community.

Monday: Schools were closed because it was holiday. My friends and I organized an outing to Mitla, a Zapotec town known for its Archaeological site. We had SO MUCH fun. We shared our stories, joked around (latino style) and bonded. I'm so blessed to encounter such kind and beautiful people in my life.

I hope I can come back April for a visit. I will miss them so much.

Second last Weekend in Oaxaca

My professor organized an Art Show showcasing the paintings made by Zapotec Children in Cuajimoloyas and Santo Tomas. We helped out with sorting out and framing the paintings.

One of the paintings made by the children. I believe that the young artist that painted this piece was 10 years old! Pretty impressive.

Some of my classmates and I visited the Farmers' market today at El Pochote. I am so blessed to meet such kind and beautiful people in this program.

I then headed down to El Zocalo and Santo Domingo. There were quite a few Weddings happening today! It was so nice to see so many celebrations going around town.

I needed some down time (go introverts!). So I chilled around Santo Domingo before heading home. We are having a dinner party at my professor's house tonight.

I sometimes cannot believe the levels of happiness I am currently experiencing. I never imagined that God would answer my prayers in such a way. He has given me this wonderful opportunity to live life fully again.

I am so grateful for His grace and love this year!

A quote

"It is our duty to compare our present emotions with their former selves and with one another, and thus determine differences. We must compare them with their former selves, to see whether the desires and fears and angry passions which we experience today are less intense than they used to be, inasmuch as we, by means of reason, are rapidly getting rid of the cause that kindles and inflames them; and we must compare them with one another, to see whether now we are more inclined to feel shame than fear, to be emulous rather than envious, more eager for good repute than for money." (Plutarch, 1927/1986: 445, 447)

I give thanks that God has changed me so much this year.
My goal is to become more like Christ in my character and actions.

Young adulthood

Being in your 20s can be confusing.

It's an age of independence, important decisions and transformation.

There are so many changes going on that it may feel a bit overwhelming.

But it's also a liberating and joyful stage in life.

To anyone who is in your 20s, here are some pieces of advice:

• Take risks and don't be afraid of failure. 
• Challenge your presumptions. Open your mind to new perspectives.
• Give thanks for the good and the bad things that happen in your life. This will keep you positive.
• Focus on developing a good character.
• Get to know yourself and love yourself unconditionally.
• Make good friends. Be selective in who you can trust. 
• Stay true to yourself and your convictions.
• Be happy.

My weekend in photos

I am having a fabulous time in Oaxaca. 

I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to meet new people, make friends and explore new places.

Everyday is so unique and beautiful. God has greatly blessed my life. 

Here is my weekend in photos:

At a Franciscan convent in Cuilapam

I've adopted a new attitude in life: Joie de Vivre!

A gypsy band playing near Santo Domingo.

Settlers of Catan night with friends. 

Visited the Santo Domingo museum today. 

The Baroque Architecture is so beautiful and elaborate.

Santo Domingo. My favourite place in Oaxaca.

I love the tranquility of this city.

A quote

"The knowledge that God loves me casts out my tormenting dread of God: and when this is expelled, there is room for abounding love to God. As fear goes out, love comes in at the other door.

So the more faith in God the more room there is for soul-filling love.

Our soul is satisfied with marrow and fatness when we know that the whole heart of God beats towards us as forcibly as if we were the only creatures he had ever made, and his whole heart were wrapt up in us.

Love to God produces a desire to be with him; a desire to be like him, a longing to be with him eternally in heaven, and this breaks us away from worldliness; this keeps us from idolatry, and thus has a most blessedly sanctifying effect upon us, producing that elevated character which is now so rare, but which wherever it exists is powerful for the good of the church and for the glory of God."

---Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

This year

God has been very gracious to me this year.

I learned a couple of things that have benefited my personal growth and happiness:

• I don't need to please people to gain their acceptance. I don't need people's acceptance to be happy. 
• Love others selflessly and unconditionally. But it's equally important to love myself unconditionally.
• The closer I am to God, the easier is for me to forget my past and embrace the present. 
• Obedience is the key to success.
• I've achieved a healthy level of emotional independence and confidence. 
• I can control how people and events affect me. It's all based on my thinking and reaction. 
• My life and character is the result of my conscious choices, thoughts, beliefs and actions. 
• Life is beautiful again.

Oaxaca

It's been 13 days since I arrived to Oaxaca. But I feel that I have been here for months.

This city feels like home. People are friendly and warm, the food is delicious (I'm pretty sure I've gained 2kg) and the art scene is amazing. I feel so happy and content studying what I am passionate about, being with a supportive group of classmates and professors and living every day fully. 

I am taking Spanish Literature and writing lessons from a retired University professor. I am learning so much about the history of Indigenous peoples, the makeshift of their identity and Spanish grammar. I am also taking guitar lessons 2 times a week, learning how to cook Mexican food with my home-stay mom and teaching English at a Public Highschool (classes are as large as 40 students). I have been traveling extensively and volunteering at underprivileged communities. 

I cannot help but give thanks to God everyday for His grace and personal love in my life. 2 months ago I would have never imagined that my prayers could take me so far. God knows what I like and He has been very gracious for granting the desires of my heart. 

My faith has been greatly strengthened through this experience.

I also prayed to find a good Christian community in Oaxaca. Remember that I connected with a Pastor back in El Savador? He referred me to a missionary/linguist that is translating the Bible into Mixteco. Well, we finally met last week. Upon 1 day of meeting her, I agreed to go to Tlaxiaco (a small town in a mountainous/indigenous area). I know this sounds crazy because I usually don't give my trust to strangers easily. But we had SO MUCH in common - our love for languages, books, traveling, missions and culture. We are both nerds, so the 2.5 hour bus ride was quite fun. Anyways, while I was in Tlaxiaco, I met another missionary who have worked with indigenous communities for more than 30 years. When I asked her that I was looking for a Church and Christian friends, she kindly referred me to another missionary couple in Oaxaca.

We met yesterday, and I learned that these missionaries have been mentoring Church leaders and helping indigenous communities for more than 20 years. They belong to a Mennonite Brethren community (similar to my Church) and hold 'Bread-breaking' meetings (aka the Lord's Supper) every Sunday at a house church. I'm excited to attend their Church tomorrow!

God never ceases to amaze me. His love is so real. I'm so amazed by how He causes all things work together.

On another note, today we went to 'Hierve-el-agua'. Behold the breathtaking views: 

I will try to update more often, but there are so many things going on right now. I've been so busy, but SO HAPPY.

Life is good. God is good.

Reflections on Mexico City

Mexico City reminds me much of home.


















But it's actually a boisterous, larger, and a more vivacious version of San Salvador.

I came to Mexico with a lot of preconceptions about the country and the people. I heard a lot from my Salvadoran friends that Mexicans are more arrogant and haughty than people from our country. But I was wrong. They are actually very warm and genuine people.

We spent the first two days touring around Mexico City. I was blown away by the majesty and richness of its history and culture.

Coming from the "Modern World" and having lived through the Information Age, it is hard to grasp that there were civilizations who developed systems and technology that did things in a sustainable way. For instance, Teotihuacan built "floating gardens" in which they dug up the soil from the lake to grow crops and feed their population. Pretty amazing.

Let the pictures speak for themselves: