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: