A Brief Report from the Southern Hemisphere

Happy 2011!

What a whirlwind of a New Year it’s been. To recap the last few days:

-On the morning of December 31st, I said goodbye to Emily and the others from “Kiwi House” and headed down to Bogotá to meet up with Eileen. After having breakfast with her dad, sisters, brothers-in-law, and grandpa, we went to the airport. At 1:00 pm we left Bogotá, and at 9 p.m. we arrived in Santiago, Chile. Since we had a 12-hour layover and since it was New Years Eve, we left the airport in search of a celebration. It was so strange to be back in Santiago after 3 ½ years especially considering the time of night and that we only had a few hours there. From the airport we took a bus to the Metro station, where we rode the metro to the Torre Entel, the location of the biggest NYE celebration in Santiago. We got there about 10, found something to eat, and sat down and talked until midnight. The plaza was crazy when midnight rolled around—thousands of people with bullhorns, confetti, champagne, etc. As soon as the firewrosk stopped we decided to go back to the airport, since it didn’t seem like the safest idea to be haning around by ourselves on the streets of Santiago in the madrugada (wee hours of the morning). We walked for quite a while looking for transportation. With the help of a policeman, we caught a cab, got back to the airport before 2 am, and caught a few winks stretched out on airport chairs waiting for our 8 am flight.



The crowd gathered at Torre Entel in Santiago, Chile on New Year's Eve.

-By 11 am on New Years, we were in Buenos Aires, Argentina! Eileen’s friend Andrés (a Bogotano who lives in Buenos Aires) picked us up, we rode the bus for 2 hours, and arrived at the apartment of Andrea, a Colombian student involved with Cru in Buenos Aires. That afternoon the three of us girls headed out into the city for lunch. We walked a ton, but it was great to see the city. From the little I’ve seen, I LOVE Buenos Aires. Its architecture is very European, and it feels like Bucharest in many ways. Really, it’s like Europe in Latin America—can you beat that? The city has so much character, and right now (the middle of summer) the temperature is perfect.



Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires

-On Sunday Eileen, Andrea and I met up with some Brazilian friends of Eileen’s who happened to be in Buenos Aires. We saw the Plaza de Mayo (which is super-important in Argentina’s history; if you’re interested, read here) and strolled through the Feria de San Telmo, an endless row of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to antiques.



One of the random things you find at a street fair--a Chik-fil-a apron, Spanish style!

-At 8 pm on Sunday, along with about 30 students and staff, we set out from the Crusade headquarters. Twelve hours later, we arrived in Córdoba, the site of the national conference, or “campamento de verano.” Well, about 15 minutes away from the destination our bus got a flat tire, so we had to be ferried to the conference site little by little in cars. The conference kicked off on Monday, and it’s been awesome already. Having grown up in Campus Crusade, there’s something so “homey” about conferences, no matter where in the world they take place. Aside from the welcoming event, we’ve had one plenary session and one workshop (I signed up for on aimed at professionals, about integrating faith and work), and a couple of small group/debrief meetings. It’s exciting to be here, among over 200 students and staff from Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, the U.S., and Colombia. There’s so much to learn, and I know both Eileen and I are looking forward to bringing ideas and tools back to Barranquilla to put into practice this coming semester.



With Eileen and a new firend, Maria Sol, in Cordoba, Argentina

Dragon Skin

So, who’s seen “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader?”

Next question: who’s read it?

Since the Chronicles of Narnia is my all-time favorite book series, and since it’s deeply ingrained in my childhood memories (I used to pretend to be Lucy—I even made myself a vial necklace), I waited eagerly for the “Dawn Treader” to come out. To my happy surprise, it came out on December 8th in Colombia.

Like always, there are incongruencies between the book and the movie. Aside from the issue of the invented green smoke (the producers must have seen too much LOST), the movie is lacking in its interpretation of the Eustace the dragon episode. Read Eustace’s vivid description of being “un-dragoned” as he recounts the experience to Edmund.

But the lion told me I must undress first. . . .

I was just going to say that I couldn’t undress because I hadn’t any clothes on when I suddenly thought that dragons are snaky sort of things and snakes can cast their skins. Oh, of course, thought I, that’s what the lion means. So I started scratching myself and my scales began coming off all over the place. And then I scratched a little deeper and, instead of just scales coming off here and there, my whole skin started peeling off beautifully, like it does after an illness, or as if I was a banana. In a minute or two I just stepped out of it. I could see it lying there beside me, looking rather nasty. It was a most lovely feeling. So I started to go down into the well for my bath.

But just as I was going to put my feet into the water I looked down and saw that they were all hard and rough and wrinkled and scaly just as they had been before. Oh, that’s all right, said I, it only means I had another smaller suit on underneath the first one, and I’ll have to get out of it too. So I scratched and tore again and this under skin peeled off beautifully and out I stepped and left it lying beside the other one and went down to the well for my bath.

Well, exactly the same thing happened again. And I thought to myself, oh dear, how ever many skins have I got to take off? For I was longing to bathe my leg. So I scratched away for the third time and got off a third skin, just like the two others, and stepped out of it. But as soon as I looked at myself in the water I knew it had been no good. . . .

“Then the lion said — but I don’t know if it spoke — You will have to let me undress you. I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.

“The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I’ve ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was jut the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off. You know — if you’ve ever picked the scab of a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh but it is such fun to see it coming away.”

“Well, he peeled the beastly stuff right off – just as I thought I’d done it myself the other three times, only they hadn’t hurt – and there it was lying on the grass, only ever so much thicker, and darker, and more knobbly-looking than the others had been. And there was I smooth and soft as a peeled switch and smaller than I had been. Then he caught hold of me – I didn’t like that much for I was very tender underneath now that I’d no skin on — and threw me into the water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. I’d turned into a boy again. . . .”
- - - - -

C.S. Lewis is a genius when it comes to metaphors; what an amazing analogy for the process of sanctification. Becoming the people God designed us to be is a feat that we cannot accomplish on our own. Countless times, I've decided I need to change something about myself. With hard work and self-discipline, I may be able to see an improvement...but it never lasts; there's always another dragon skin hiding underneath (Romans 7:21-24). But when I (with willingness and submission) allow God to work in me, real change--beginning at the heart level and working outwards--takes place. We have to "put off" "put to death" and "rid ourselves" of wrong thinking and behavior (Colossians 3, Ephesians 4), but God is the only one who can make us righteous (Philippians 2: 12-13).

The State of Affairs

I don't know how many of you have seen the news lately, but Colombia is in the middle of a huge crisis. Heavy rains have plagued the country for months,and currently 28 of the 32 departments are in a state of emergency. Rivers have overflowed their banks, and thousands of people are left with nothing.

Here in Atlantico, the department where I live, several villages have "disappeared", covered almost completely by water.

This is a pueblo named Campo de la Cruz.




Bello, a town near Medellin, experienced a landslide a couple of weeks ago that covered dozens of homes.


To add insult to injury, these stagnant waters have become breeding grounds for all kinds of diseases and water-borne illnesses. Rural Colombians are losing their livelihoods of cattle and crops as well.

Events like this tempt us to despair; natural disasters are relentless, and we as humans have no control. We can ease the symptoms of pain, and even that is daunting when we see the numbers of people affected.

Please join me, and thousands of people in Colombia and around the world, in praying for relief from this weather and help for its victims. And if you are able to contribute financially, there are many organizations working faithfully to help those suffering in Colombia.

Vision Mundial Colombia http://www.visionmundial.org.co/eContent/home.asp

Here and There

Though I feel like I’ve been in a time warp of perpetual summer, it’s somehow the middle of December. Christmas is in a week. That just doesn’t seem right, since I went to the beach this week. And I’m sweating under a fan right now. But anyway, December is in full swing.

The highlight of the month has definitely been a visit from my parents. We packed a lot into the eight days they were here, spending a few days each in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena.
Here’s my top 5 list from their week here:
• Showing off the many beautiful places Colombia has to offer.
• Introducing them to my friends.
• Being able to have meaningful conversations with zero language or culture barriers.
• Relaxing on the tranquil beach in Taganga.
• Exploring the enchanting streets of Cartagena.



Now that Mom and Dad are back home, I’m gearing up for my next adventure. I’ll be in Bogotá for 10 days, spending Christmas with my cousin Emily. On December 31st, along with my friend Eileen, I head to Argentina! Somewhat of a spontaneous plan, the two of us will be attending Argentina’s national Campus Crusade for Christ conference, followed by a couple of weeks in Buenos Aires. I'm expectant and excited about this trip--God has worked so many things together to allow me to go!

So though this December and Christmas will be a little different--it's the first one in my life away from home--I'm sure it will be filled with new and unforgettable experiences. But most importantly, the reason for celebrating is the same:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

El Camino

Sometimes, I feel like my mind doesn’t have a “play” button—only “fast forward.” When I ought to be delving into the present moment, I’m consumed by the thought, “But what’s next?”

Though I’m not even half-way through my time in Colombia, I’m easily preoccupied by questions regarding the future. Forgetting that God has faithfully led me into each consecutive stage of my life, I worry that I’ll miss out on his will for me.

On a recent hike, as I relied on a guide to show me the way to the destination—to tell me where to step, to hold my hand as I climbed up rocks, even to carry me across a rushing river—I was impacted by the thought of what a great Guide we have in Jesus. The book of Hebrews reveals Jesus as a better sacrifice and a better high priest—superior to his human counterparts. In the same way, he’s a better guide. I was impressed by our guide’s knowledge of the path, by his strength and seemingly endless energy. But he’s a human being, and his wisdom and strength are finite. God, on the other hand, created the paths, he created us, and he leads us perfectly on the paths he has laid out for each one of us.

So the challenge is to listen carefully to his guiding voice, to hold tightly to his firm hand, and to trustingly and confidently walk on this present path, leaving the future up to him.

This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

Reflections from a novice language teacher

Here’s another “language” blog entry—and a long one at that. So I won’t hold it against you if you have zero interest in reading it. But I process through writing, and having just finished my first semester as an official English teacher, I have a lot to reflect on!

To start with, I’m posting a little “manifesto” that I wrote several months ago, shortly before embarking on this Colombia adventure:

The Weight of Teaching Language
One month away from beginning my first job as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), I’m overwhelmed by the responsibility that lies ahead. As a recent college graduate, feeling unqualified for my first “real world” job is to be expected. However, I believe that language teachers possess an even greater burden than the typical pressures of a new job. So here's my personal attempt to put into words what I believe are the unique responsibilities and privileges of a foreign language teacher.

We all know that communication is the key to relationships. As I consider my own relationships with other English-speakers, I realize that no amount of shared interests, nods or smiles can account for their success. Nor would we have much of a relationship if our language was limited to introductions and requests for food or lodging. No, the depth my relationships can be accounted for by unhindered communication. Whether discussing the mundane, sharing inside jokes, or having a heart-to-heart conversation, my ability to use the full gamut of the English language makes it possible for me to enjoy meaningful relationships.

I believe that depth is possible even in cross-cultural friendships, but once again, language is key. Language can be the greatest includer, and the lack of it the greatest ostracizer, for our ability to communicate in the language of our host country is the definitive factor in the measure of our relationships.

So as I prepare for my move to Colombia, I’m faced with two quandaries. First, is my Spanish sufficient to break the invisible barrier that divides acquaintance and meaningful friendship? Second, how will I teach English in such a way to prepare my students for deep relationships?
..........................

Now, after having spent four months immersed in Colombia, I’m more convinced than ever how crucial communication is. As I’ve mentioned before, there are so many times I feel completely frustrated by my level of Spanish. Sometimes my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth and I can’t suéltalo (get it out). Sometimes I make stupid mistakes I should have left behind in Spanish 101. Sometimes I know that word is in the recesses of my brain but I can’t access it. Those times are frustrating. But there are other times when something clicks and I can converse without struggling. There have been little victories like being told my Spanish is noticeably better than when I first arrived, or when I make the conscious effort to adopt the Colombian intonation and inflection [and you know what’s interesting? Just swapping English muletillas (fillers) like “uhhhh” “um” for Spanish ones like “eehhh” “o sea” make a big difference in how “gringo” one sounds!].

Other victories are when I see noticeable improvement in my students’ English: when they use idioms I taught them, when they self-correct their mistakes…or most flattering of all, when they use some of my activities to teach their own classes!

Two factors help me avoid discouragement regarding language learning. One is that I’ve come to the conclusion that it is not a linear process. Yes, there’s a natural order (linguist Stephen Krashen writes on this), but a student’s progress is full of little ups and downs; two steps forward, one step back. I’ve seen that in my experience and in my students’. So there’s no reason to give up hope when it’s hard to see progress, or even with apparent regression. The other factor is that success in second language acquisition does not rest on perfection. Of course we should set our standards high and never be complacent, but on the other side is the risk of arrogant perfectionism. The goal is communication and connection—using the gift of language to break through cultural barriers.

Looking back on my first semester of teaching, I’m truly grateful! Teaching at a public Colombian university has been an amazing experience with its unique set of victories and challenges. Looking forward to the next semester…but first: vacation!

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

…right?

Because I’m lacking the ganas or chef (Spanish and Romanian work better than English here!) to write blogs, but I’m determined not to abandon the effort! So here’s a little summary in pictures of recent happenings:

In mid-October, I finally made it to Santa Marta, a beautiful area of the Caribbean coast. It's the oldest settlement in Colombia as well as a little taste of paradise! I went with Maureen (my co-Fulbrighter) and some of her friends. It was adventure that included spending the night in a hammock on the beach, eating freshly caught fish, and snorkeling.





At the end of October, I joined the leaders of VPU (Vida Para la Universidad, the Colombia chapter of Campus Crusade) on a retreat in Armenia (in the beautiful "Eje Cafetero", or coffee-growing region). It was a wonderful weekend: refreshing, challenging, inspiring, and a great time to connect with the other leaders. Oh, experiencing fall-ish weather was a nice break, too.


(Andrey, Jean Carlos, Pochi, and Melissa--excited to ride a plane for the first time!)


(The landscape from our conference center)



(We had a little midnight adventure in Cali on the way back!)


(My church hosted another medical brigade...)



(...I translated--and lent a hand with wound cleaning...)



(...but the best part is that several of my English students volunteered to translate!)

Well, there's a few of the most blog-worthy pictures for ya!