Just a mental workout.

Hola!

Since I don’t want to write an essay, I don’t really have much to say. The thing is, a lot is going on, but it is all very conversational. I have had some just tremendously interesting and wonderful conversations in the past few days. They have been really good, but it is impossible for me to highlight what is going on in those conversations. Therefore , I don’t’ have any good stories or things to say right now. In case you are curious though, here are a few of the topics that my conversations have been about:

-          Are short term mission trips a good thing?

-          Is it okay to do long term missions in another country?

-          Do Americans have any place being in foreign countries or should we just stay in our own country?

-          How do you help people from a different culture?

-          How do you effectively put your learning into action?

Interestingly, I used to think that some of these questions had obvious answers. However, I could not have been more wrong. These questions are actually very complicated, and I have had hours of conversations about these topics. I love every minute of these conversations. It has been really good to flesh out some details and sticky situations with other people.

One thing that we have right now is a group project. In this project, our group has to come to an agreement about what we feel like the role of Americans should be in Latin America. Then we have to personally and specifically figure out an action plan, and we have to actually implement this plan. So this morning, my group got together and debated these questions for 2 hours…and we finally came to a rough agreement at the hour and 45 minute mark! We have many hours left discussing how we are going to carry out or plan, but we at least got somewhere.

So when I’m not in class or discussing these issues with other students over lunch break and walks to and from class, I have been spending my nights at home doing homework and trying to be more intentional about my personal time with God.

Last night, I had a pleasant surprise. I had been doing my devotions and just praying that God would allow me to reconnect with my Costa Rican family as I have been frustrated with thatlately. God answered my prayers quickly because right after my devotions, I had a solid hour of conversation with my Tico dad. I definitely have a different interpretation of our conversations. Honestly, I felt like my dad was more interested in “informing me” about the topic than he was in having a dialogue. I don’t think he ever asked me during that conversation what I thought (we were talking about whether Muslims and Budhists will be in heaven). He was more trying to “teach me the truth” instead of dialoguing. Nonetheless, I was very thankful for the conversation b/c it was still a point of connection with him. it was still a way to talk to him and spend time with him. Of course, when we started talking, my mom left the room (as always) and went to play a game on the computer, but oh well :)

Oh another piece of information—the new institution where we have afternoon classes is at a different location. This means that my walk home at night is only…20 minutes instead of 1 hr and 30 minutes! This makes such a difference! Today I was able to sit in the park with a friend while we did our homework.

Remember to praise God today. He is faithful and he provides. Today I personally thank God for the relationships he is giving me here and the authentic conversations. In particular, I am thankful for my dear friend Rene. She has been a blessing from God and he has really used her to support me while I’m here.