Good Pics That I Have Yet To Post

Justice

I am preparing to leave which also means I am in the process of giving everything away and I love it! I mean everything. I am returning with a skirt, a pair of jeans, three shirts, my Spanish Books, my Bible, my Catechism and gifts for my family.

For the past two weeks, I have been giving away my access and my treasures. I have hauled bags of clothes, books, sunscreen, buy spray, shampoo to town to find the poor and share what I have with them. I have given away beautiful skits and shirts as well as things like a broom and a mirror.

The definition of justice is giving others what is due to them. So, if its cold outside everyone is due a coat to keep warm. If we have 5,6,10, coats in our closet and our neighbor has none and is cold, we are not living a just life.

Furthermore, living a compassionately life, or we can even say a sacraficial life like our Lord, means giving our brother who is cold the one jacket we have and we, in turn, being cold.

Now thats a tremendous calling!

Candel-lit Rosary Thru Montanita

The little, old church ladies are always praying the Rosary. I have often found myself at night, in the Church, working with the rythmn of the Rosary humming into my ears. However, the rythmn of the Rosary is a little different here. The second part of the Hail Mary is rushed into one, quick breath. Its almost as if these dear, little, old ladies are racing each other to finish the Rosary. Not one of the many voices are united in prayer.

One night, I felt inspired to ask them if I could lead the Rosary. They were thrilled. I went out and bought candels. I went door to door inviting people. I prepared a short talk on Mary with two points.

1. Mary is our Advocate. She brings our intentions to her Son and her Son, like all good sons, complies to the requests of his Mother.

2. Mary knows her Son like our mothers know us and if we want to know Jesus we can mediate on the mysteries of the Rosary, with Mary as our guide, and grow closer to Jesus.

The night came and we had more people than candels. I introduced what we were doing; a walking, candel-lit Rosary, we are going to bring our intentions to Jesus thru Mary, we are going to pray slowly and mediate on the mysteries of the life of Jesus.

They loved it. They were so happy to be led, so happy to learn more about a prayer they have had much experience with. They were so, so, happy to receive their candels. Their faces were aglow, both with candel light and with a sincere joy.

We walked through town slowly, we prayed a little bit slower. I introduced the mysterious and gave a little introduction to the mystery, sometimes people added to what I had to say. As we walked, more people joined us. All of a sudden, we heard someone shouting at us. We happened to walk by a Baptist gathering and the preacher was insulting our faith and our Lady. I was shocked. How does he think his actions are bearing any fruit for God’s Kingdom? The little, old ladies were a bit startled, but we continued on our way.

We ended the Rosary in the Church. It was Thursday so we were praying the Luminous Mysteries which ends with the Instiution of the Eucharist. To finish, I gave my testimony on the Eucharist. We prayed a bit more in silence. I heard sniffles. Another good night.

A Photo of Me For My Mother

Pedro Is Now A Model

Jose Louis

Jose Louis got in a fight the other night. When I found him, he had rocks in his hands and tears in his eyes. He is really just starved for love. After a peace keeping mission, we went for a walk together. We sat on the rocks together and looked at the ocean and the stars. We talked about our favorite things, colors, animals, food and then I left. It was a beautiful night and I pray that he will soon decide to come live at the orphange. Though, the transition from the streets to the orphange will be very difficult.

Internet Guy

I talked to guy who works at the Internet Cafe I always use. This time I was checking my email at midnight. Sounds late, but I know you guys do it all the time. He asked me if I had just come from a party. I said, “No. Actually, I sang for Mass tonight and then my friends and I went out for dinner and have been talking ever since. I don’t go the parties here. I live for the Lord and those parties are not of the Lord.” He was surprised. “I thought you were like all the other gringas who come here for the parties.” “Nope,” I said. “I am here serving the Lord.” And we got to talking. He had just come into the Church, the Baptist Church that is, and was just getting to know Jesus. We shared our faiths and experiences of religions and got to know each other a little bit better. Another beautiful night.

Playa!

Futbol!

Last Sunday

I wrote this post on Monday, but haven’t had access to Internet so am only now getting to posting it.

Yesterday was an awesome day. It started with Mass, the feast of Corpus Christi. The Eucharist is such a gift! Following Mass we had a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction. It was so beautiful. Jesus touched my heart in a way He hasn’t for a long time.

After Mass, I went to the beach for my first surf lesson. I have always wanted to learn and during my time here, I have made friends with the surfers. My chance to learn had come! It was so much fun. So hard but so fun. I fell 10X more than I stood up on the board, but that didn’t matter, I was having a great time and even getting a great work out. It really is a sport.

LEARNING

FALLING

SURFING

After surfing, I ran into a street boy friend of mine, Jose Louis, who I had promised to teach how to swim. Well, I was already in my suit so once again, I get in the water, this time teaching this recluse, rebellious little boy who is starved for love and attention how to swim. While I was in this water, I started to feel immense pain. So immense that I couldn’t place where it was coming from. Jose Louis screams, “Agua Mala,” which translates bad water but means Jelly Fish, and runs out of the water. I am left with a blue Jelly Fish wrapped around my arm. It comes off easily but the pain remains. God is so good. Jose Louis runs to a friend of mine who works at a food stand practically on the beach. When I got to her, she was already prepared with Limes to put on the sting. The street boy says “hot sand helps” so he’s rubbing hot sand on my arm, she’s rubbing lime and my arm, and I was taking care of. Half an hour later, all the pain was gone. But how funny! I smelt like lime afterwards.