tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52776400758416588372024-02-06T22:47:33.388-06:00To Be His HandsI will be using this blog during my time in Honduras to share my experience. Please keep us in your prayers!Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-2486695247274172852014-06-05T13:29:00.006-06:002014-06-05T13:29:58.168-06:00GoodbyeDear Honduras,<br />
<br />
It has been a pleasure being here. Honestly, I can’t believe my time is over. I just wanted to write this note to say thanks.
There is so much I could thank you for.<br />
<br />
I’ll start by saying thanks for teaching me about myself. Within your borders I came across so many challenges, emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual. I learned both my weakness and my strength simultaneously. And I learned to accept both. It is interesting that, when away from any familiarity and the societal pressure to be successful, you have a lot more freedom to know yourself.<br />
<br />
Also, thank you for all the wonderful things I have experienced. Your people are beautiful and I will always carry many in my heart….my students, those I met on mission, the other missionaries in the community, and so many others. But speaking of people, you really need to take care of them better. It is so difficult when situations that people do not choose cause such suffering. Please, Honduras, take care of your people…ALL of them.<br />
<br />
On the topic of people, it is certain that through your people I grew so much in my faith. The example of their trust in God is incredible. He truly takes care of those who trust in Him. And the way He took care of me during all the challenges of mission was also so beautiful. Thank you, Honduras, for creating the typically crazy circumstances that allowed this clarity.<br />
<br />
Finally, Honduras, thank you for teaching me about the world. I know that I grew up very much in a bubble. But now I can see how my brothers and sisters in the rest of the world are connected to me. I have seen that the way I live and decisions I make must build up and not oppress, not even indirectly. To be honest, I don’t know what this means yet, but I do know that I want to live with integrity and solidarity.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, it has been a great two years. I will miss you.<br />
<br />
Your half-Catracha friend,<br />
<br />
Jamie
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-3694679475645521772014-05-20T12:09:00.001-06:002014-05-20T12:09:07.461-06:00Love<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Once again, the time has slipped past and I have not
written. It has been a good couple of weeks. We had another Pan de Vida
retreat, my last. It was a wonderful retreat for the youth who came. They were
able to encounter God in a powerful way. For me, also, it was a powerful
weekend. Knowing that it would be my last, I spent some time in prayer
reflecting on everything that has happened in these two years. There have been
so many challenges, triumphs, and moments to grow that I can barely believe it
has only been two years. So much has happened that I can scarcely begin to
think about it all without being in awe of God. During the retreat, the thought
that kept coming back to me was “I am loved.” Through it all, at the end of it
all, I am loved. I have seen to incredible power of God’s love, both in my own
life and in the lives of those I have been blessed to walk alongside. It’s a
love we can’t imagine, nor can we earn it. We are loved passionately,
foolishly, to the extreme. And opening our hearts to that reality is what gives
life its meaning and excitement. We are created for this.</div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-33808052292414389122014-05-06T15:59:00.001-06:002014-05-06T16:00:07.893-06:00Happy EasterI guess better late than never is a phrase I can use for this blog post. I didn’t realize how long it has been since I have written.<br />
<br />
Let me back up to the beginning.
Holy Week was wonderful. I was on a team that went to one of the islands for mission. It felt like I was working in a post card, seriously. During the day we had kid’s programs and other activities on the beach. In the evenings, we had Mass or other Holy Week activities with the community. It was definitely a difficult place for mission, but beautiful nonetheless. We had to trust God to plant the seeds, even if we can’t see fruit. But I truly believe that if we take that step out to serve, God does the rest.<br />
<br />
It seems like God has been showing me how He always takes care of us. I wrote about that after the mission to Ingrula. He did it again during Holy Week. There was a thunder storm that was headed to the island right as we were doing some outside activities. It went around us. No one got bit by a tarantula, though we killed 10 in the house we were staying in, including one in a suitcase and one on my ceiling. He helped us overcome the daily issues with getting the power we needed for the activities. Truly, God cared for us.<br />
<br />
Now we are back in school. In the community we will be leading a Pan de Vida retreat next weekend. Then it is nearly summer and all the blessed craziness that that implies. I can’t believe how the time is flying!
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-63117038506846008802014-04-12T07:43:00.000-06:002014-04-12T07:43:06.491-06:00Quick UpdateI don't have time to write a full post now since we are rushing out the door for the Holy Week mission. But I wanted to share a video we all like very much. You can get English subtitles using the settings on the bottom of the video screen.<br />
<br />
Also, I updated my pictures.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
<iframe width="500" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TpaQYSd75Ak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-85371771644847869162014-03-31T21:16:00.001-06:002014-03-31T21:16:36.051-06:00God's Mercy in IngrulaLast week I was able to go with the community on mission to a remote village called Ingrula. The people were very simple and extremely sincere in their faith. We were able to celebrate the feast day of the community (Annunciation) with them. They had a huge nearly all-night vigil where they sang and prayed. They got Mass, which, for a mountain village, is rare. We visited several families in the village. This involved A LOT of hiking as the village is built on two side of a steep ravine and the houses are spread apart. From the top of the village to the bottom there is probably a 1000-foot difference. And then you have to hike up to other side!<br />
<br />
For me, it was a beautiful week. It helped remind me of how blessed I am to be here. The generosity of the people astounded me. At nearly every house they gave us eggs because they wanted us to have them to take back and share. It was incredible. I could see God in so many places: nature, the people, the adorable great-grandmother that kept asking us if we knew her grandchildren in the United States, the children, my team members that stepped out of their comfort zones to serve during the week...the list goes on and on.<br />
<br />
The biggest lesson for me, though, was how God is merciful and answers our prayers even about the little things. We had hiked over two hours to reach another village for the day. It was time to return to Ingrula, but we were WAY behind schedule. We also had to climb up and over a huge mountain. Usually, I like being outside and hiking, but after doing so much already, I do not honestly know if I would have made it. I said a little prayer for help and God sent me a bus. We were able to take the 3:00 bus to the turn-off for our village. From there, it was still an hour hike, but downhill.<br />
<br />
At the end of the week we were supposed to hike to the main turn-off for our village to be picked up there in the car. What had taken us an hour to hike down the day before now had to be climbed, with backpacks, guitars, sleeping bags and the suitcase full of random supplies. To make matters worse, the first mile or so was literally straight up the mountain with not even switchbacks to helps you out. I said another little prayer that we would not have to climb. As we were preparing to load a mule with at least some of our things, we heard the most wonderful sound...our car had come to pick us up.<br />
<br />
These things, at the time, seemed so small. Why should I ask God for that? But He answered. He pays attention to the little details and uses them to show His mercy and love. <br />
<br />
<br />Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-2869541629747531052014-03-01T11:02:00.003-06:002014-03-01T11:02:34.317-06:00The Challenges of Honduras<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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When things go wrong in Honduras, they really go wrong.
There are no safely nets here like we have in the States for people who are in
crisis. Imagine, a family does not have enough food. There are no food banks
here. A family lost their home. There are no shelters, only relatives. There is
a situation of child neglect. There is kind of a powerless version of CPS, but
they can’t make the decision to actually take the child away. A student needs
extra help. There are no special education services. There is a seriously
depressed person. The number of hoops to jump through to get them help takes
two months. There is a medical emergency. The public hospital leaves them
unconscious and does not attend to them for four hours. Add to that the fact
that there has been no cell phone service for nearly a month because the
government wants to curb the number of prisoners making calls (a great goal,
but not great implementation). It has been a week of relying on God in prayer.
We believe He can do all things and we say that so much, especially on mission.
It is when things happen that you actually learn to believe it. He can do all
things. In this we place our hope.</div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-45437634192903091212014-02-02T17:01:00.002-06:002014-02-02T17:01:29.391-06:00Suyapa and Other FunWell, last week was my first week with the new schedule. It was a good week, though this change will take some getting used to. Here are some highlights of the week.<br />
<ul>
<li>I did a self-evaluation thing with my students since we were starting a new term. When asked to describe her behavior, one girl wrote, "adorable." Another student said that the hardest thing about school was getting up in the morning.</li>
<li>As a school we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa. It was beautiful to be there with the kids. I am thankful for the public schooling that I received, but it is also beautiful to be able to do things like this.</li>
<li>This weekend I was a little stressed because I have some work to do with all my new classes, but we lost power. It was like God was saying: slow down and smell the roses. I have a feeling it will take me a lot longer to learn this one. I tend to rush rush rush when I know I have things to do</li>
</ul>
On a deeper note, being on this side of my second Christmas is a little bit of an eye-opener. I've been doing a lot of reflecting. I came with the desire to love the people of Honduras and to help. Simply put, but difficultly lived. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I let impatience or other things get in the way. But through it all, I can see how God has been working, in my heart, in the community, and in the lives of others we serve. All I can do is look to heaven and say thank you and ask for the grace to continue and to deepen this path that I am on in these last couple of months.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-37335704558982155122014-01-26T13:55:00.002-06:002014-01-26T13:55:57.006-06:00New ChallengesSometimes God changes our plans. That happened to me last week. One of the teacher's at the school didn't return after Christmas so the school asked me to stay for the afternoons too. Formerly, I was only there half-day. While I liked having other ministries and things in the afternoon, what else could I say but yes? Then I learned that I would be teaching four new classes starting Monday: seventh and eighth grade grammar and literature. Middle school is a little out of my element, but I have to trust that God is putting me right where He wants me to serve, even if that was not my idea of what the rest of the school year would be. It's going to take a lot of patience and trust. But after the initial shock of so many unexpected changes wore off, I found myself excited for these new challenges and opportunities. I have no idea what I am getting myself into. I know I need God's help. But this should be good.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-9416295094406657192014-01-17T16:56:00.002-06:002014-01-17T17:02:18.119-06:00A Late Update (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)Well, we are over half way through January so I should finally say I hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.<br />
<br />
For me it was a blessing to visit my family for Christmas. I'm not going to lie; it was a bit of culture shock at first returning to the States after a year. But it was good to spend time with my family.<br />
<br />
Right now I am back in Honduras. I started school again last Monday. I really missed my students and they claimed that they miss me (though I doubt that now since we worked hard this week). It is good to be back with the community and to see everyone again.<br />
<br />
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Also, thank you to everyone who donated to the mission.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-84285465000825733632013-12-14T10:21:00.002-06:002013-12-14T10:21:52.836-06:00Photo UpdateI hope your Advent is
going well. Everything is great here. The mission last week went really well.
Now I just have one more week until Christmas break. (Trust me, my students
think they are already on break.) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I
<i>finally</i> posted more pictures. You can click the link above.
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-75879569567097968622013-12-06T21:03:00.003-06:002013-12-06T21:03:39.882-06:00Advent ReflectionsHappy Advent! It’s
been a really busy week. It was the week of formation for Honduran youth, it is
mission-prep week (even though I’m not going I still have my kid’s projects to
create), and I had school. God has had to give me the strength to make it this
week because it has been like living two days within the span of one day. I’m
not complaining, though. I really enjoy school and I have enjoyed being present
for part of the formation week and getting to know the youth. They should have
a wonderful mission next week. They are hungry for God and hungry to bring Him
to others.<br />
<br />
Part of my job to prepare for the mission was to write the Advent
reflections that will be copied and sent with each team. It got me thinking,
what does Advent really mean? Sure we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ,
we welcome Him into our hearts now, and we prepare for His coming in the
future. But what is the deeper meaning? I think the words awe and longing sum
that up for me this year. The longing we all have for God and for His love and
the awe of one who realizes how much God loves us and that the creator of the
universe became man and dwelt among us. Most the time I find myself simply
brushing past that truth. I’ve heard it since I was little. But in the moments
when I stop to think…wow.<br />
<br />
Then today in school we celebrated Mass. (On a side
note, they celebrated in English since it is a bilingual school and I have
forgotten the responses in English!) In his homily, Father brought up an
interesting point that I had never thought of before. We get gifts for friends,
family, everyone. But we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. What does He
get? Father suggested asking Him what He wants (or better yet, just like with
our own families, asking His mom what He wants.) Faith? Trust? A closer
relationship with us? I just had never thought of it like that before.<br />
<br />
I hope
that this Advent we can all grow closer to God and look beyond the wrappings
and the trappings. God bless.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-88438565890138055952013-11-22T17:12:00.003-06:002013-11-22T17:12:50.237-06:00A very challenging thought:<div class="MsoNormal">
Pope Francis said this in a homily, speaking about the story of Cain and Abel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is your
brother?” Who is responsible for this blood?... Even today this question comes with force: Who is
responsible for the blood of these brothers and sisters? No one! We all respond
this way: not me, it has nothing to do with me, there are others, certainly not
me. But God asks each one of us: “Where is the blood of your brother that cries
out to me?” Today no one in the world feels responsible for this; we have lost
the sense of fraternal responsibility; we have fallen into the hypocritical
attitude of the priest and of the servant of the altar that Jesus speaks about
in the parable of the Good Samaritan: We look upon the brother half dead by the
roadside, perhaps we think “poor guy,” and we continue on our way, it’s none of
our business; and we feel fine with this. We feel at peace with this, we feel
fine! The culture of well-being, that makes us think of ourselves, that makes
us insensitive to the cries of others, that makes us live in soap bubbles, that
are beautiful but are nothing, are illusions of futility, of the transient,
that brings indifference to others, that brings even the globalization of
indifference. In this world of globalization we have fallen into a
globalization of indifference. We are accustomed to the suffering of others, it
doesn’t concern us, it’s none of our business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pray for Honduras this weekend that someone will be elected who will uphold human dignity, even for the most poor and desperate.</div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-2728869950489206392013-11-01T16:00:00.001-06:002013-11-01T16:00:15.328-06:00Do you want to be a Saint?Those were to words
spoken to the students today at Mass. Do we want to be Saints? Maybe not big "s" Saints, but maybe the little "s" saints. All be need has been given to us. We just need to
open our hearts.<br />
<br />
Today at school we
celebrated All Saints Day. It was a lot of fun for the kids. They got to dress
up as their favorite Saints…adorable. I am very much enjoying my time in the
school. I have gotten to know my students better and finally established a
routine (kind of). I am really learning that at the end of the day, I will
<i>never</i> have finished my to-do list. But that’s okay. God is the one in charge so
if I do the best I can, He will fill in the rest. It is important not to get so
caught up in how much has to be done that you miss the blessings of the present
moment. Below are some highlights from my first month as a teacher.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>In science we were learning about how humans affect an ecosystem. I put the students into pairs and gave each a bowl of water in which I had mixed coffee grounds, oil, and food coloring. I provided a random assortment of supplies and the students had to try and clean up the water "pollution." Wow! What a mess! But not a single one of them was just playing. They were really into the activity.</li>
<li>In my religion class I had them write down five questions about anything relating to religion, faith, etc. Their questions were super deep! I am glad we are finally getting beyond the rote memorization of Sunday school when they were ten. Now I have my work cut out for me trying to answer them. The Catechism may become my best friend.</li>
<li>Dressing up as St. Joan of Arc and seeing my students extremely excited that their teacher actually dressed up.</li>
<li>Praying as a school. After years of public school (which I don't regret at all) it is refreshing to pray together as a whole school.</li>
<li>Seeing the light bulb turn on when students finally understand something.</li>
</ul>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-52010983179844442462013-10-22T11:01:00.000-06:002013-10-22T11:01:48.788-06:00Emmanuel, God with UsWhat can
make a hot, cramped room full of teenagers sitting on the floor absolutely
silent?<br />
<br />
What can soften the heart of the most hardened, abandoned, and
drug-addicted teenager?<br />
<br />
What can strengthen us in the daily struggle of
remaining faithful as disciples?<br />
<br />
What can move us to tears of joy, gratitude,
forgiveness, awe, surrender?<br />
<br />
The Eucharist!<br />
<br />
Last weekend we lead the Pan de
Vida (Bread of Life) retreat here. Wow.
God did some incredible things in the lives of the youth that came. How
incredible that each day we have the opportunity to receive our Lord and Savior
into our very beings. God’s word brings about what it says. Let there be light.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Be healed. Your sins are forgiven.
This is my Body. God’s Word shapes reality. He’s there in the Eucharist,
really! And when a human heart opens itself to that reality, God responds!<br />
<br />
I remember during one of the missions last
summer a woman was sharing her story with me. She had what the doctors thought
was cancer in her neck, but, since she lives in a mountain village it was not
possible to go to Tegucigalpa for treatment. And besides, she was too scared to
go. In addition, she had young children. With tears in their eyes, the woman
and her grown daughter told me about how they were watching a Mass on TV one
day. In this particular village they get Mass once a year. As the Eucharist was
shown on TV, the woman put her hands on the screen and, looking at Jesus, simply
said, “Have mercy on me.” She was healed.
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-4610066898662480022013-10-06T13:07:00.000-06:002013-10-06T13:07:53.132-06:00Big Changes<div class="MsoNormal">
It is funny how we
think we have everything figured out and then God changes our plans. That
happened to me a couple weeks ago. If you didn’t know, I studied to be a
teacher in college and that is my dream. But I knew God was calling me to serve
here so I chose to trust Him and came. It was a wonderful year, but it was
always a little difficult to temporarily sacrifice my dream of teaching. Well,
when I least expected it and in the way I least expected it, God handed me an
opportunity. I am still living in the mission house and am serving as part of
the community, but each morning my ministry is now at Instituto Católico Belingue, one of the bilingual schools in Comayagua. I teach a variety of
subjects including 4<sup>th</sup> grade math, science and grammar. Last Tuesday
was my first day and I loved it! It is crazy how fast God can change our plans
in completely unexpected way. Just another illustration that He’s really in
charge of things.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-62574364440572676722013-09-20T16:12:00.002-06:002013-09-20T16:12:56.514-06:00Family, Beaches, and FunWell, my family left a couple days ago. It was really a blessing to have them here. I was able to show them around Comayagua and show them some of my ministries. We also took a side trip to Roatan, the islands in the Caribbean to the north. It was an enjoyable time, but for me a little weird. It was like being in a totally different country. Riding the bus up I was just thinking about my bus ride to Antigua and how Honduras looks very different through a bus window. Now, I certainly have nothing against being a tourist. On the contrary, I appreciated the chance. But on a tour bus you are a tourist, protected from the life of the people and isolated in your own bubble. It is very different walking the dusty streets, talking to people, and being challenged to love. Now as we really get into my second year (orientation for the newbies is next week) I hope that I will be able to love and serve more fully. I want to really be able to enter into the lives of the people here.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-65876591923786313512013-09-06T19:08:00.001-06:002013-09-06T19:08:30.242-06:00Family Visit and ThoughtsIn less that 24 hrs my family will be joining us for just over a week. I am so excited to see them and I am pretty sure they are excited to see me too. January to September was the longest I have ever gone without seeing my family. I can't wait to share the mission with them, to share something so important to me with the people most important to me. I can't wait for them to see the people, the joy, the community, the beauty of Honduras.<br />
<br />
This last week was quite busy. Mostly I was getting things together for the trip. But in the car I was reading a book about a priest working in a slum in Jamaica. The way he started the book really struck me and I think it's true.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the beginning, I did this work because I had to. It was a matter of conscience. God requires much from His followers...I hated the nakedness, the hunger, the ugliness, the anger, the weeping. But I went among the poor because Christ commanded it...Christ wanted me to be with the poor not to change the world of the poor materially, but to be among them and to find Christ's beauty among them. Yes, there are clothes, water food, shelter, money that we give. We give all that we can...But most importantly, it is the beauty we discover among the poor, the presence of Christ that holds us there. Love meaning being with those whom we love. Just as God loved us by being with us in the flesh of His son, we find Christ by being with the poor in whom He dwells.</blockquote>
It is presence. The deepest human longing is for love, dignity, to be valued. Even if one cannot change the larger picture and the complex systems at the root of poverty, one can accompany, listen, and value a fellow brother or sister. If I am powerless to change someone's future, I hope I can give them hope in the present. Especially tomorrow when the world prays for peace, let us treat one another with the dignity we give to Christ, because He is in each heart.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-25734012079792902992013-08-23T12:25:00.001-06:002013-08-23T12:25:09.940-06:00The Power of PrayerEvery Sunday I go to a nearby village with several other Missioners. They help with different catechesis groups for the kids, preparation for First Communion, etc. I meet with a group of mothers from the same village to do faith formation as well. Sometimes I am really not sure who is the missionary. Yes, I come with a theme prepared for the day to teach them the basics about our Catholic faith, but they teach me so much more about life in the process. Their simple faith and trust in God for even the most basic things is astonishing. I think we mutually learn from each other.<br />
<br />
That was the case last Sunday when I asked one of the mother's how her week went. She started to tell me how her grown son works as a guard for a Pepsi truck in the North. That's a pretty dangerous job and in a pretty dangerous place. Every morning at 5am before he goes to work, she prays for him, asking that God will protect him from harm throughout the day. One particular morning she prayed as usual and then proceeded in her normal daily routine. But in the middle of the day she felt an overwhelming need to kneel and pray intensely for her son. She didn't know why, but knelt to pray. Later she learned that at the exact same time, six armed robbers had attacked the truck that her son was guarding. He threw himself on the ground to protect himself and a stray bullet caught his leg, though it missed shattering the bone. He was brought to the hospital and is recovering marvelously. The mother attributed his survival and the fact that the bullet didn't hit his bone to the power of prayer.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-56347245506304412282013-08-16T11:32:00.002-06:002013-08-16T11:32:44.421-06:00What have we been up to?I just want to write a quick update on what has been going on the last couple of weeks. I updated the pictures a few days ago. We sent our last summer team home a couple weeks ago. All three teams that came for the summer were great. I think they all had a wonderful time and learned a lot. However, I think three missions is enough and I was glad for a little peace. The new long-termers have arrived now and will be going to Antigua soon. (I can't believe I was there a year ago!) Last weekend we went on a community retreat and it was good to get away for a couple days. Next week we will be leading the same confirmation retreat four times in different corners of one of the very rural parishes right along the El Salvador border. Please keep us in your prayers.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-17289112393450156232013-08-07T18:12:00.003-06:002013-08-07T18:12:25.266-06:00One YearWell, I
thought I would update the blog today since I have been here a year. Wow, a
whole year! So much has happened, but it has been an incredible blessing to be
here. I was thinking about all that God has allowed me to experience and do
this year and it seems simultaneously like a blink of an eye and like several
lifetimes. Most of my preconceived ideas about what it means to be a young
adult serving in a foreign country were quickly squashed and I learned to
simply love people and serve God in the small ways (this is a work-in-progress
still). It has been a year of growing,
serving, changing, questioning, loving, hiking, writing, talking, translating,
smiling, crying, laughing, hugging, dancing, praying, picture-taking, teaching,
learning, searching, finding, cooking, cleaning, stretching, caring, gluing,
cutting, organizing, listening, sharing, reading, helping, missioning…….Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-78775492028689270962013-07-26T15:20:00.000-06:002013-07-26T15:20:16.931-06:00World Youth DayWell, Pope Francis has certainly been challenging the youth, as he has been challenging pretty much everyone else since he became Pope. Unfortunately with the upcoming mission we can't watch any of the footage on the internet, but I read his message to the youth of Argentina this morning.Yikes. In honor of World Youth Day, I thought I would post some highlights from that.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I would like to say something. What do I expect as a consequence of the Youth Day? I expect a mess. There will be one. There will be a mess here in Rio? There will be! But I want a mess in the dioceses! I want people to go out! I want the Church to go out to the street! I want us to defend ourselves against everything that is worldliness, that is installation, that is comfortableness, that is clericalism, that is being shut-in in ourselves. The parishes, the schools, the institutions, exist to go out!</blockquote>
<br />
Messes aren't comfortable, nor do we like being uncomfortable, but if I have learned anything here, it's that if I am totally comfy and taking it easy, I'm not following Christ.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And faith in Jesus Christ isn’t a joke, it’s something very serious, it’s a scandal. That God came to make Himself one of us is a scandal! And that He died on the Cross is a scandal, the scandal of the Cross. The Cross continues to be a scandal, but the Cross is the only sure way, Jesus is the only sure way, Jesus’ Incarnation!
Please, don’t liquefy faith in Jesus Christ! There is orange milk shake, apple milk shake, banana milkshake, but please, don’t take liquefied faith! The faith is whole, it’s not to be liquefied. It is faith in Jesus. It is faith in the Son of God made man, who loved me and died for me.
</blockquote>
<br />
So much for domesticating our faith, which is so easy to do, especially in the States, because it is easier and more comfortable. Like CS Lewis says, Christ was either a lunatic, a liar, or the Son of God. Notice that nice teacher isn't on that list.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed week and I pray that as the world see more of what Pope Francis has said we are all uncomfortable and challenged.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-23845117464659528892013-07-16T11:00:00.001-06:002013-07-16T11:00:34.042-06:00Do you believe in miracles?You always hear about the miracles that Jesus worked in the Bible. Every once in a while you hear of something incredible that happened to someone who knows someone who knows someone. It is easy to say we believe in miracles, but I don't know if I ever really believed what I said. I think God is trying to teach me that He still works powerfully in the lives of those who have faith because these last couple weeks I have been hearing story after story after story.<br />
<br />
It started with my mothers group that I lead on Sundays. I have been meeting with them for almost five months, but they are finally opening up to me. As I listen to their life stories I am amazed. They have nearly no access to medical care and have told me many of their family histories when someone was seriously ill and then somehow recovered. One mother was suicidal because her husband left her. She was also pregnant at the time. But she picked up a Bible and started to read. That was a year ago and she probably participates in the group more than any other. She is totally different now. I count that as a miracle.<br />
<br />
This lesson in miracles continued on this last mission to La Union. On several house visits the woman told me about ways that God had worked in their lives. The first told me about how she had serious heart troubles and was in the hospital. She could hear everything, but couldn't open her eyes or move. The doctors thought she was dead because her vital signs stopped and her husband has crying over her. She could feel his tears on her cheeks. She prayed to God and then opened her eyes to comfort her husband. And that was just one woman. There were several others.<br />
<br />
Whether you call these miracles or simply God working in people's lives, it is humbling to hear. Maybe the reason we find it hard to believe in miracles is because we don't trust in God. We are self-sufficient. We can go to the doctor. We know where our next meal is coming from. When something goes wrong there is a safety net. The people here have none of that. They know their absolute and total dependence on God. It is something profound that we can learn from them.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-60270561299660182112013-06-25T13:55:00.002-06:002013-06-25T13:55:42.420-06:00Why Me?<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry this post has
been a while in coming; we’ve been busy. But now that the team has left for the
States I can finally write an update.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had the first
mountain mission of the summer last week. I went to two villages: Plan Grande
and Quebradas. They were both very beautiful towns high up in the mountains in
the heart of coffee territory. The title of this post refers to a question I
asked myself continuously throughout the week, not in a negative way, but with
awe and gratitude.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is incredible to
think that God has me of all people in a foreign country, in a place few ever
see, working among such incredible people as a missionary. Every time I gave a
talk or had a conversation I wondered why God chose me. I have done things I
never thought I would do here. Wasn’t there someone better to work alongside
the Hondurans? It is a mystery why God chose me, a mystery I doubt I will ever know
the answer to. But that’s ok because I chose to live it and embrace it. I am so
grateful for this.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-77701210589863701062013-06-14T06:46:00.000-06:002013-06-14T06:46:04.343-06:00Summer is Here!<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, summer has
started. Our first team is down here right now and we finished orientation for
the Hondurans that will be with us this summer. It is a little surreal that we
have teams again. I feel like we just did this in March. But I am excited. It
is sometimes a personal challenge with the teams because you get to know them
well, but then they leave. And when you are first getting to know them, you
know that they will soon be leaving. It would be much easier simply to give my
orientation talks and complete whatever other responsibilities I have without really
getting to know the groups. But part of our job as the North Americans on
mission is to accompany them and help walk with them through this experience. I
remember how important that was for me when I first came down, that someone
listened to my questions, concerns, frustrations, and excitements and taught me
about the life here and what it means to be a missionary. It is essential for
them too and so even though it is a challenge, it is worth it. It is also a
blessing because I am reminded of why I am here. (I don’t know how many times I
have told my story, but it’s a lot.) I am also reminded of why <i>we</i> are here. It
really is a blessing. Please pray for us next week while we are on mountain
mission!<o:p></o:p></div>
Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277640075841658837.post-81771554248945875962013-05-31T10:32:00.002-06:002013-05-31T10:32:52.805-06:00Ready, Set, Go!Sorry it has been so long since I have written. I don't really have a good excuse. But now I am writing again.<br />
<br />
We are just gearing up for summer, by far the busiest time of the year. There is a lot more that we do now than what we did three years ago when I came as a summer-termer: more, missions, more teams, more retreats, more activities. Plus, I don't think as a summer-termer I quite grasped the amount of behind-the-scenes things that happen.<br />
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In one of our meetings we have had, Carol challenged us to remember that we are not here for ourselves, especially this summer. It isn't bad to see how you are growing, but we can't focus only on that. We have to give. This summer I will meet hundreds of people both from the States and from mountain villages. How sad if they don't leave a bit closer to Christ, because that is Who we all hunger for. They don't need Jamie; they need Jesus. Please pray for us that we will be able to serve selflessly this summer.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104365368597485497noreply@blogger.com0