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:

































 

 
 

Vancouver so far

Before leaving El Salvador, I prayed really hard to God to make my experience in Vancouver a pleasant one. 

He answered my prayer. 

I am only staying in Vancouver for a month, and then I am going to Oaxaca, Mexico. I have tried to maximize my time here by drawing near to God every morning (as early as 6:00am), spending as much quality time with my friends and working really hard to get the best out of my teacher's certification program.

ITEM

I woke up early morning today. I was staying overnight at Camp Capilano with 15 other ITEM classmates. My eyes started to well up as I breathed in the fresh morning air and started to count my blessings.

God never ceases to amaze me by His personal love towards me.

During my sick leave back home, I was initially doubting whether I would be a good educator or not. I faced a lot of challenges, but the Lord constantly reassured me that this is the path I should take. After a local missionary trip with my High School Christian friends, my heart was greatly burdened by seeing the needs of the children. We went to a small town to evangelize, and I observed that many of these children were neglected and barely knew how to read. Yet I was deeply touched by their purity and fervent desire to know God.

I prayed to God in my heart..."Lord, here I am. Send me."
 

Days later, I received an email from SFU Faculty of Education informing me about a vacant position for ITEM (International Teacher Education Module), a teaching program which requires 2 months of field school in Oaxaca, Mexico. I quickly drafted a cover letter, applied, prayed and waited.

1 week passed by...

And I was accepted.

[Mind you, I applied to both UBC and SFU Education back in January. I was accepted into UBC, but I was not too excited about the program because I heard that SFU's PDP was better. I was wait listed in SFU (#33) and had lost hope to get in. Yet God knew the desire of my heart.]

After 1 week of getting accepted into the program, I met a pastor through a close friend who knows a missionary in Oaxaca who is translating the Bible into an Indigenous tongue. I contacted her already, and we will meet in October. Hopefully, we can collaborate together (finally putting my linguistic skills into practice!) and bring back impoverished children back to God.

I'm also enjoying my program immensely. Their holistic approach of teaching has helped me understand the purpose of education and what kind of teacher I want to become. My cohort is made up of fun, kind and down-to-earth people. I enjoy being with them so much. We bonded and opened up to each other during the retreat. It's wonderful to see how God brings together people from all paths of life for His purpose. Even though we've been together for 2 weeks, I feel safe and a deep sense of belonging within my peer group.

I can't wait to go to Mexico. Life is truly exciting.