Saturday, July 23, 2011

Behind the veil

Behind the veil,
the Father yearns with a heavy heart,
for His child to come home.
He has waited for so long,

He has prepared a feast;
delicacies of every kind,
Composed symphonies of love and joy.
Oh how He longs to hold his hand again,
Oh how He longs to hear his voice
after a tired day of work
"Father, I'm home again!"

So deep is His craving for His son's love.
Who could possibly understand His heart?
Who could count His numerous love thoughts?

Oh how He yearns for His son.

"Come home, my son!"

"I need you more than you need me!"

Yet from a distance, He sees a wretched figure.
Covered in mud and digrace...
The Father is moved by compassion,
dashes out to embrace His child.
He passionately tears the veil.
And embraces the son back to the Holy of Holies!!

"Home is not the same without you"

"Oh I love you so!"

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

South Africa

South Africa is such a beautiful country.

The majestic mountains and the sea echo some kind of untamed beauty in the land.

The sky is ever so blue, fettered with cirrus clouds.

There is a mix of natural and supernatural elements embedded in the landscape.

The beach is 20 minute walk away from home. We sometimes go there to draw near to God. The ocean reminds me of God's unconditional and unmeasurable love to me.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Nkanini

Our charity work in South Africa mainly focuses on the children in Nkanini, a subdivision in Khayelitsha. I was quite surprised that such a rich country like South Africa still had slum areas. There are high incidents of alcoholism, rape and violence in Nkanini. Children grow up in really poor conditions.

The adults are mostly busy during the day with work so they cannot take care of the children. They take their children to the Educare centre for childcare. The children basically rely on charity for their food and care.

We are in charge of the after-school program. We basically go to Nkanini from Tuesday to Thursday to provide English, Math and Bible classes. The children enjoy it immensely.

We also have fellowship on Sundays. It's so precious that we can share the love of God to these little children. Yesterday I shared about the Lord's resurrection and how it helps us to have hope in life. I sang "Because He lives" with a group of girls and they really enjoyed it. We kept singing it on repeat.

Please pray for our gospel work in Nkanini. We want to give more than tutoring services or charity to the children. We want them to truly enjoy of the love of the Heavenly Father.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Conversations

[Pick n Pay. I'm with a friend. A man comes and greets us]

Hi!
*Ignores, I think he is a creeper*
Hello again!
Hi.
I saw you praying at the beach today.
Oh, really?
My dad is a pastor. Maybe you can come visit our church some day. Here, I'll leave you my phone number.
That's great. *Walks away*
(I felt the creeper vibe so I ignored it)

[At the park, a lady approaches me]
Hi there!
Hi!
Are you praying?
Yes.
I noticed that you pray everyday. That's very good.
Thank you.
So what do you pray?
I pray to God for ourselves and ministry in Nkanini.
You should pray for this neighborhood. This neighborhood needs prayers.
Yes, I think so too.
See that car parked there? That's my house. You can come visit anytime.
Thanks! Bye!

It's funny how people around the neighborhood takes notice of us praying. There are many church-goers in Cape Town but how many people are really experiencing God everyday?

Keep praying.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

UBC Graduation

I'm officially an alumni! Thank God that I finally graduated from University.

The ceremony was a bit long and awkward to tell you the truth. There were many random moments, such as the saxophone playing, the asian pose and loud cheering from the crowd. It was funny.

But the loudest cheer came from my heavenly Father and my Beloved of course. They were celebrating and cheering for me. It's so precious to have Them in every step of my life.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

UBC lip dub


My university made a lip dub video. It's awesome.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ABC 40 years


My elementary/Highschool celebrated its 40 years anniversary!

I miss my days in the ABC. They were awesome!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Holy Sonnet X

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

----John Donne

I'm having one of those moments where I can relate to Donne's poetry. I was lucky enough to have an English teacher in Highschool who was passionate about poetry. Random lines of Donne's poetry would pop up in my mind in crucial moments of my life. Last night, I had one of those moments. I was meditating about death, and how our life-embracing soul cannot resolve with the idea of death. Death will always hurt us. Why does death brings us so much sorrow? In some way, I thought, death was never meant to exist. We were created to live eternal lives. But because of sin, death entered into the world. Anyways, to make the long story short, I tried to connect the death of Lazarus (I've been reading John 11) and this poem together. And then I remembered how the Lord was the first One to overcome death. He has given us life and hope. We shall overcome death with Him.

"Death, thou shalt die."
(My favorite line of the Holy Sonnet. It's so powerful that it blows my mind.)

Kandom Video: Amor Eterno. Dedicated to my grandparents. May you rest in peace.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Grandpa

My dear grandpa passed away today. I didn't know him very well because I spent little time with him. But I knew that he loved us very much. He was an excellent cook and was a very attentive man. And he loved my grandma very much. He was devoted to her. I wish I could find a good husband like my grandpa.

The following is something my brother wrote about him. I apologize to all my English readers but this is in Spanish.


El año era 1993 y si algo marco mi vida fue que probé por primera vez un exquisito platillo de mi abuelo, mi abuelito, Gong Gong.

Dios me dio la bendición de poder haber conocido a mis dos abuelos maternos. Uno creería que por la distancia no podíamos tener una buena relación, pero mas que una buena relación ellos han dejado una huella en mi vida y corazón.

Pasivo, callado y muy cariñoso fue siempre mi abuelo. Era un hombre de pocas palabras pero por sus acciones uno fácilmente entendía que el nos quería.

Si empiezo a hacer matemática tal vez yo no fui de esos niños que tuvo a su abuelo todos los días como vecino para que le contara historias de dormir. Pero las veces que si estuve con el, creo que el y yo aprovechamos al máximo los momentos.

Lo que mas le gustaba era ir a tomar te chino todas las mañanas a algún restaurante de la zona, eso nunca podía faltar. Era de los mejores momentos porque el siempre pedía un montón de comida de la mas deliciosa a sus nietos. Desde un pato asado hasta todo los dim sum que uno puede imaginar.

Las ultimas veces que fui con el teníamos que ir en silla de ruedas, yo lo ayudaba a bajar las gradas y luego llevarlo en la silla. Aun con el impedimento físico esto nunca lo detuvo de ir todas las mañanas. Un ejemplo digno de una persona que el espíritu luchador es mas grande que los obstáculos.

Este espíritu luchador se lo forjo la historia, la dura historia que tuvo que vivir durante su juventud. Vivió dos guerras, una mundial y la otra civil agregado a una revolución cultural. Fue durante estos tiempos que conoció a mi abuela que también en paz descanse.

Los dos tuvieron 6 hijos siendo, la menor mi mama, llego a tener hasta una bisnieta. La manera en la cual mis dos abuelos se conocieron fue un tanto místico ya que mi abuela venia de El Salvador y el de China, solo Dios sabrá porque hizo de esta manera este bello encuentro. Los dos vivieron casados mas de 60 años, un ejemplo de que la fidelidad a la esposa y la familia son los baluarte mas importante de la vida.

Ese espíritu de lucha también lo impregno en sus estudios. Un erudito en historia, lo cual lo llevo a escribir varios libros. Su ejemplo se impregno en sus nietos, de los cuales han tomado ejemplo y han salido estudiantes luchadores, ingenieros, arquitectos, historiadoras, programadores y si Dios me lo permite un medico. Parte de ese titulo ira en su honor.


El momento mas memorable que tuve con el fue hace poco mas de un año cuando lo fui a visitar el verano del 2010. Mis tías se había ido de la casa por un día y me dejaron encargado a que cuidara al abuelo. Esa mañana fui a correr por la ciudad y casi llego tarde a su momento mas importante la hora del te, no le gustaba llegar tarde porque no quería que tomaran su mesa favorita. Al final llegamos y estaba su campo preferido. Pidió un montón de comida hasta no poder comer mas. Luego en la tarde paso con un poco de fiebre, lo cuide todo el día, créanme fue un honor el poder hacerlo.

La faceta preferida para de mi abuelo era que también era un gran cocinero. El hombre dibujaba, escribía y también cocinaba súper rico. No se que era pero cualquier cosa que cocinaba le quedaba delicioso. El platillo que mas recordare de el es un huevo con carne de res y anguila en arroz blanco.

Mi abuelo fue y siempre será un ejemplo en mi vida. Se que cada uno de ustedes tuvieron sus buenos momentos con el, espero que lo recordemos como un ejemplo a seguir. Ya los dos el y la abuela nos dejaron, espero que Dios nos permita verlos de nuevo en la eternidad.

Abuelo, me dejas un gran vacío que te hayas ido y no te pueda volver a ver aquí en la tierra, si Dios lo permite espero que nos podamos ver de nuevo, que será en la eternidad.

Tu nieto querido,

Miguel

Convo with my bro: (10:50 pm)

la verdad cada dia me pongo a pensar
lo pequeno q somos,
no podemos solucionar nuestra muerte fisica
y Dios es el que tiene que solucionar nuestra muerte real
tanto orgullo cargamos todos y me incluyo ahi
al final
no somos mas q polvo
y lo mas importante en verdad en esta tierra es amar a los q ves cada dia
a todo ser humano.

Alma mía! Alma mía! Raíz de mi sed viajera.

Alma mía! Alma mía! Raíz de mi sed viajera,
gota de luz que espanta los asaltos del mundo.
Flor mía. Flor de mi alma. Terreno de mis besos.
Campanada de lágrimas. Remolino de arrullos.
Agua viva que escurre su queja entre mis dedos.
Azul y alada como los pájaros y el humo.
Te parió mi nostalgia, mi sed, mi ansia, mi espanto.
Y estallaste en mis brazos como en la flor el fruto.

Eres. Entonces eres y te buscaba entonces.
Eres labios de beso, fruta de sueños, todo.
Estás, eres y te amo! Te llamo y me respondes!
Luminaria de luna sobre los campos solos.
Flor mía, flor de mi alma, qué más para esta vida!

----Pablo Neruda

Kandom note: I miss speaking Spanish. I miss my roots.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Abba's joy

One of my anchor points is to behold Abba when I walk out the door. My focus this week was to realize His joy and admiration towards me.

I wrote a little poem to record my experience this morning:

Oh the sheer joy beaming from Your face!
Oh the magnitude of Your delight towards me!
As I behold Your glory,
I realize Your infinite joy, admiration and love
towards Your darling child.
You cheer me on.
"Strive on, child! I'm proud to be your Father."
You encourage me to work hard.
And remind me that there is a bright future ahead.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Psalm 23 [Planet K version]

Last night, Mel sent me a message about how the Lord spoke to her through a welcome message in her mom's phone: "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Today, I took my break from my busy routine. I went to a small grassy knoll near UBC, and meditated upon Psalm 23 as I composed this poem for the Lord.

The Lord is my Beloved;
He satisfies my heart.
He makes me lie down in His vineyard:
He leads me to His Inner Chambers.
He restores my weary-soul: He leadeth me in the Everlasting Way for He loves me so.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of accusations, I will fear no evil:
For You are with me.
Your word and Your love comfort me.
You prepare a feast in the presence of my enemies.
You fill my life with joy;
My cup overflows.
Surely Your personal love and grace shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the Household of God for ever.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Conversations

As I walk out of class, I see my friend."You're the most un-asian friend I have."
"huh?"
"Remember the time when we were eating noodles at Aberdeen center? you had noodles all over the table."
"..."
"You are so clumsy."
"I'm sorry if I'm not Asian enough for your liking."

On my way to the bus loop, with friend."Why don't you want to live with your mom?"
"How old are you?"
"22."
"You're 22. Would you like to live with your mom?"
"No."

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


Graduation is coming up, and I honestly don't know what to do with my life. I applied to Education (my dream) but everything seems so uncertain right now. But I know for sure that the Lord has the best plan for me. He has the most beautiful heart towards me. Each step of my life is detailedly planned by my Abba and my Beloved.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

love

"I have so much of you in my heart..."

-John Keats in his letter to Fanny Brawne.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Mi Unicornio Azul

Este blog post me sacó una lagrima del corazón y me inspiró a amar más a mis padres y a la gente de mi alrededor.

Gracias Guthita por compartir:

Mi Unicornio Azul

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Starálfur



I relate to moments in life with music. I've been having very deep meditations about the Lord and the meaning of life lately. I think this song captures my mood during these cold winter days.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

1/1/11

Our family went to the beach to celebrate the new year. We had delicious seafood, watched the sunset together and talked under the stars at night. I had a wonderful time.

One of the most memorable moments of our day trip was watching the sunset together. The four us were sitting on one bench, huddled together, talking about our childhood and old times. At that moment, I was thinking how incredibly blessed I was to have both of my parents together. Not everyone can enjoy such privilege in life.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Winter reading list

I don't know why I'm posting this but I'm so excited for the Winter Holidays. The following books are in my reading list:

1)The Bible: Psalms, Ephesians and Luke.
2) The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3) Biography of George Muller

That's all. I'm swamped by finals right now. I have one tomorrow at 8:30 am. That means that I have to wake up at 6:30am and get out of the house by 7:15am. Ugh. 2 more and I'm heading home.

8 days until I fly back home.

Kandom note: I'm craving pupusasss.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Like a Mountain


I love you like a mountain