"Toy Story" Soundtrack

I am having a bit of writer's block.  Maybe it is because I am not a writer, and I normally try to present my random thoughts in a poetic prose with sophisticated words.  However, I am a simple man with simple thoughts, goals, and dreams.  More likely I cannot write because I have a tremendous amount of pressure compiling in my head.  The last two days I have not felt well.  Increasing pressure in my head, a nose that can't be caught, and some irritation in my throat.  I would say it is nothing more, then the change of weather and a small cold, but I find it difficult to write these days.

Classes are settling into a rhythm much like normal.  There is homework, classes, homework, class, and the dance continues.  You all understand how it goes.  I have begun to play more and more fútbol, although today I lack the initiative to go.  Feeling ill and wanting to be in good health has kept me sidelined today.  However, playing with the school has become one of my favorite things to do.  It is a different group of individuals that I have the opportunity to know and talk to.  Monday we ran for more then an hour, it is so strange, but I enjoyed it.  I enjoyed pushing myself to that next level when the legs were heavy and the breath was short.  Then we played eleven's.  I had an opportunity to play number "cinco" and "cuatro."  In other words that is defensive center-mid, and left back, but I kind of like the number system better.  Other then fútbol and school, my days do not consist of much.  I am lucky to get a little down time.

Today in my economy class, I had to present a chapter in our text.  Once again I realized that I am meant to be a teacher.  I am in world that I struggle at times to communicate, in front of a group of French, German, and U.S. students, and I am sure that my Spanish was not the best.  However, despite my circumstances, I spoke between ten and fifteen minutes, and was able to convey what the factors that cause the development of the Latin American economy in the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.  I know!  Right?  It was strange though, because I almost felt like a different side of me took over.  I was feeling sick, nervous, and a little scared, and suddenly.  I just started to teach IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.  It was a victory for me today.  I seem to be able to find little victories a little more often recently.  I have had random conversation on the bus with strangers, successfully bought food on my own, and even at fútbol, I talked to the coach and players all in Spanish.  Little victories are beginning to fill up my life.


Strange, when you are so far from home.  Sometimes you feel like there is the Great Wall of China between you and once close friends.  Simple things like not knowing they took off to Chicago for the weekend, changed their name on Facebook, or even baked cookies, suddenly are transformed into live changing events.  You realize how much you have taken for granted the simplest of relationships.  I am realizing that those conversations after class, those quick "hey how you doing," or the random lunch/coffee get togethers are sometimes the most important times with friends.  Being away, you begin to miss it all.

Oh, and I doubt that many of you understand how the title and what I wrote relate.  Well I watched Toy Story 2 last night, and I thought the songs was a good depiction of my life.  Especially, "You Got a Friend in Me," and "Strange Things" are great interpretations of my life.  Well thanks for your prayers.  Thanks for your thoughts.  I miss you all.

Power in Small Places

I have been challenged recently about the impact I can have on the world that surrounds me every day.  I have been challenged to view my power in a completely different manner.  The last two weeks my church here in Argentina has been talking about the "good samaritan," and how we should help our neighbor.  Interesting enough I am in a foreign country, so my concept of neighbor has been stretched and challenged, but more then my concept of neighbor, my concept of power is changing.  What kind of power does a twenty-one year old in a foreign country, who hardly speaks the language have?

I have viewed myself in that light for years.  How does one small act impact a world that is in pain? The other day I was walking down the street and someone asked me for a Coke.  Simple, but I passed him, saying that I don't have any money.  A lie, but I did not see the benefit in giving him a Coke.  I walked a block, stopped, and prayed.  I was unable to continue.  Something was holding me back.  I asked for the nearest supermarket, and went to buy a coke, obviously to give to the man.  I did not say anything to him.  Simply gave it and walked away.  I have no idea the impact of such a small gift.

What kind of power do we have?

A storm was coming, as I was walking home form the university.  I passed by a elderly woman, who probably had eighty or more years.  She was walking with a cane and a bag of food or something.  I passed and turned back around to ask if she need help.  "Mi amor (my love)," she responded with affection, but she declined my offer since she only had a block to walk.  Again, I cannot understand what she really thought, or how a small gesture impacted her life.

What kind of power do we have?

This morning I was not in the best of moods, but in the midst of it I received a letter.  As I began to read this simple letter about life at home, about how she loves being a Grandma, about what she is learning from God.  However, the letter brought me to tears.  Feeling that I am loved, that I am not forgotten, and that someone cares enough to send a letter around the world to me was incredibly special.

What kind of power do we have?  What kind of power do we have?  In the smallest of actions, in the quietest of prayers, in the moments we feel the smallest, what kind of power do we have?  God is big, his strength is tremendous, and we have the same power.  So what kind of power do we have?

Mountains, Trains, and a Journey to Mendoza

As the week ends I have had plenty of hours to reflect in the back of a pick-up truck.  I went to another part of Argentina, which is a little more then twelve hours away.  I was accompanied by our trusty Argentina friend, Fernando, Andrew, and Brittney.  Mendoza is known for its wine that completes with the best from Italy and the Andes mountains.  However my adventure starts even before our trip.

As we planned the trip planes continued to change.  Finally we had a plan, which we finalized.  The morning of something happened with the pick up truck we had planned to take.  I am sure it was not a mechanical issue because the truck is practically brand new.  However, we were not able to take the truck tuesday like we planned.  It turns out it was a bit of divine planning.  Tyler, who originally had planned to go, and would of gone if we had left on Tuesday, came down ill.  He had an inflection in his intestines and was bed ridden till Friday.  He is better now thankfully, but he was unable to journey with us.

Along this journey we had fun, including a game of Euchre with our Fernando, who at the time was driving.  That did not last long, but I also encountered two robbers.  About ten o'clock we stopped to use the restroom, and I went in to buy a sandwich, Fernando bought the same sandwich as I did plus a pop and paid 21 pesos, while I somehow had to pay 23 for the same sandwich and a small piece of candy.  I am pretty sure the cashier just plain and simple robbed me.  Afterwards as we were driving, we encountered check points at the bounder of each province, and as we entered one the officer asked to check our truck, Fernando showed him and was asked if we had fruit.  I of course brought fruit to snack on, so Fernando showed him, only to be met with the response "Bon Provecho," which in the simplest form means bon appetite.  I never saw my fruit again.

Despite the slow and frustrating start, the trip turned out to be incredible.  As we drove through the mountains, which are the highest in the world outside the Himalayans, all I was able to think of is how God created these, and how he is able to move them without effort.  It was a magnificent time of reflection and thought.  The first day after Fernando and Andrew did not sleep and I only was able to manage a few uncomfortable hours, we did nothing.  Rented a hostel, rested, rested some more, slept, and finally went into town to have a nice dinner.  The next day we set out for the mountains.  We drove past lakes blue as the sky, cold-crystal mountain streams, following a fast paced river into the heart of the mountains.  There was an abandoned railroad, which casually strolled along the mountain side over hills and through tunnels.  The railroad might of been my favorite part, watching carefully how it travels through a dark tunnel only to emerge again on the other side, seeing the it travel over bridges, and tracing it out into the distance only to see it disappear behind a grand mountain with a sharp curve.  Must say it made me long to travel on it, but sadly at times the tracks lay broken and the bridges appeared unsure.

We arrived in the mountains to see two national landmarks: the Bridge of the Incas, which is a natural bridge that over time has been formed from ice and hot springs, and Aconcague, which is the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas.  We had a chance to walk around, take some photos, and spend time in the beautiful weather.  It was definitely a place I would love to return to and do some more serious hiking (I lacked proper boots, backpack, and other equipment that would be necessary).  Something that I have learned in my time in Argentina is that there is always an adventure.  As we returned we stopped to make a dam in a mountain stream and drink its fresh water.  As we continued retracing the train and night set in, we passed our road by 40 kilometers.  I will let you do the math, but it is not a short distance.  We returned home with goods to make pizza, a poncho, and hat (I bought the poncho and hat, because I was close to Chile, and that is what people do in Chile.  NO?  I thought everyone in Chile wore ponchos... oh well I have one now :) ).

The next day we began a long trip home, which we took slow and steady.  We made several stops.  One in Mendoza, in San Martin, and along the way.  Arriving home I was refreshed and encouraged, however, I was still tired (almost wrote tried.  I guess I am tired now too lol).  It was a great trip.

Classes have now began and I am settling in well with those.  It is great to have Cameron here with us now.  I have missed that kid and I am sure he is going to grow tremendously, while he is down here.  Well that is all for now.

Two Months and Ten Things

What I am grateful...

1. God does not Change!  What a need experience it has been to travel 5000 miles away from my home, but still pray to the same God.  Pick up and read scripture in two languages.  To look at my family and have conversations about God's sovereignty and how I have no idea, what he wants me to do right now.  God did not change, while my language has been forced to change.  His truth still remains

2. The process of learning and growing.  Growing can be one of the most painful things that one will do in there lifetime.  It can also be the most rewarding thing.  When you consisting pray for a humble heart, patience in learning, and for contentment in all, you realize that as God shapes and molds a holy heart there is pain, confusion, and brokenness.  But amongst those emotions also exists joy, peace, and life.  I cannot begin to describe all of the changes God is doing.  Learning a language is obvious, but the other changes in my heart, in my life, were completely unexpected.  I have a feeling that some people will not even recognize me when I return.

3. My family here.  There is nothing more terrifying then trying to join a new family.  A family that has their own problems, a family that already knows each others likes, dislikes, and how to relate and interact.  I had no idea how this process would go, but I have been blessed by this family.  They may not have a ton in material possessions, but they care.  They selflessly give.  They love me for me, despite all my flaws and terrible manners.

4. That grace students are here.  Right now there are two brothers and one sister here, that I could not live without.  I am incredibly grateful that there are others down here fighting this battle with me.  They have similar struggles, pains, and fears, and they continually teach me, guide me, and encourage me to press on when I am down or when I have great days.  I look forward to adding another brother.  Señor Cameron Johns to our group.  I know that he too will bless me and I hope that likewise I have blessed them through this experience.  I could not do this without them.

5. That I still have more time here.  I have been here two months, which have flown by, especially this last month. I have just begun the things that I want to do, not even to mention the things that I want to learn.  I have grown tremendously despite feeling that I have just begun.  I have four more months here, and within that time I want to grow tremendously more spiritual, personally, and with the language.  Thankful that the trip is not yet over.

6. Dreams and memories.  Interesting enough the more time I am here, the more I look back.  I have thought about past relationships, I have thought about my failures, and my greatest accomplishments,  I have thought about dreams I have made with people.  Sometimes the simplest dream of teaching someone to drive, or complicated dreams of returning to a National tournament.  I have reflected on my life and at times I have been ashamed, but at time I have been greatly encouraged.  I am not perfect, and I will let everyone down that I have any kind of relationship with, but I tai heart in the story of David, the shepherd boy turned king.  I am grateful for good memories and left longing by ones.

6. The internet.  The internet allows me to stay connected to my family back home.  I call my mom frequently and love seeing her, as well as my father.  They are incredible individuals who encourage me and whom I love dearly.  It has also allowed me to watch movies such as the Pride and Prejudice, Dead Poet's Society, Coach Carter, and Mission Impossible.  I am also able to remain in contact with my team, and friends who I miss, as well as creep on their facebooks and blogs.  With the internet you are never alone.

7. Fútbol!!!  What a game?  It brings out the competitive side in me.  It also brings out the teacher in me.  It is a game that extends across language and cultural barriers.  One night while playing, I was being instructed to do something, but I didn't understand a word, which was being said, but I knew exactly what he wanted.  For me that is a cool moment, but this is a game that I love.  A game I want to share with people, whether that is playing with them, talking with them, or teaching them.  And going to Argentina soccer games is also spectacular also

8.  La Iglesia.  The church here is unbelievable.  I have never been to a church that is so open, accepting, and intimately involved in one another's lives.  The environment is wonder to come, learn, grow, and love. All of the people are gracious, willing to help and serve, and wanting to talk to the "grigos" despite the fact we don't know what they are saying.  Well now we can manage conversations, but we began that way.  This is a place I feel at home and look forward to attending every week.



9.  Ice Cream!!!  Everyone knows that I am an ice cream-holic, and anyone that has been to Argentina can testify that the ice cream is probably far better then anything in the States.  I tried a mixed berry ice cream last night, which was to die for.  I could just at ice cream all night and been content.  Definitely thankful for good ice cream.

10.  Honestly I am unable to think of a number ten, so in honor of my friends here I will make a cry out for.  ANNNNNGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!  It is best that I leave it at that.

It is obvious there are things that did not make it on my list.  There are things I wish I could elaborate more upon, but for the sake of time and space, here is my list of the ten things I am most thankful for in Argentina.  Chau...