Tribus Urbanas

Today, in my Chilean culture class, we were reading an article from one of the papers here in Chile about "Tribus Urbanas." In general, they are 'sub-cultures' that the young peoples of Chile have flocked to, over the more recent decade or two. The groups are based mainly on outward appearance (not foreign to the states). Things like hair style, clothing, make-up, slang, where you live, went to school, etc. The main group are titled: Pelolais, Pokemon, Otaku, and Emos. I dont know all of the specifics, but there are plenty of people studying this process so feel free to hit google.

My basic thought when sitting in the classroom, hearing all of this, was that once again, we've been lied to. The young generation here, los jovenes, has been fed lies. There is nothing wrong or right with any type of clothes, as long as you do have something on, that's not what I mean.

The lie is this: You must change the way you appear to people in order to express yourself, who you are, and feel like a part of 'something'.

This lie stands in direct oppsition to the truth -The Gospel. The Gospel works the exact opposite way. Jesus' message is, let me change you, you don't have to change yourself before you come to me. The change is from the inside, the heart and it's not about you, not about your image, but about Christ. I don't find it odd that Satan tries new ways to lie to us all of the time, ways the we just dismiss as a 'form of expression'. This is the same in Chile, USA, Austria...it's worldwide. I've only been an eye-witness in two of the aformentioned, but there's the world. A broken place, looking for life in places they can't find it. Look no more. Love is here.

2 Corinth. 12:9

Thanks for reading...I love you Jess.

Compromise

I'll begin from last night. I was falling to sleep at about 1:30am when I heard out my window a car drive by blaring "Hotel California" by The Eagles...I'm in Chile huh?

Anyways, I got a board the other day, and went out in the water yesterday at a spot called ConCon (la boca). It was super fun to be in the water. Also, went to Sporting last night with Fransisco and we played some soccer. Sporting is a huge place they have horse races at, rugby, tenis courts/clubs, and about 10 smaller soccer fields, and one full-size.

To be honest, I started writing this post without any sort of direction (as if the others had any either, I know). I've had trains of thoughts moving through my head since I last wrote. What's most been on my mind is compromise. How often do you compromise? I don't mean think about when you really wanted the grilled chicken sandwich, but had to settle for the fried chicken sandwich, or when you were hoping to go to the movies with your friends, but instead went to the play...these are all fairly trivial things. Those are the things that all people must be faced with in a community of any kind: work, friend, teams, etc.

More recently I've been thinking spiritually, I believe in Jesus and the truth is that there is only one spirit, the Holy Spirit, I do not mean the earth and the winds...that is creation - it has a creator.

The Cross. Where have you denied the cross? Where do you compromise? That is the direction of the question. And, don't fool yourself for one second and think that becasue I am writing these words that my life is free from compromise. No my friend. In fact, these thoughts develop from reflection on my own life.

Really just a thought...please comment.

The importance of people...

It's now Saturday, March 20th, and I've been on this journey, quickly turned adventure for 15 days now. Life is good. I've finished my first week of classes, met new people, eaten new food, and I'm enjoying it very much. Currently, I'm trying to get my hands on a decent tabla so I can get out in the water...but that's all "vanity" compared to what I really am here to write about today.

People, I'm realizing more each day, I love. Things are great, places are beautiful, but being around people surpasses any of those.

Two examples: One, the other day I was sitting on the beach, reading, writing, and thinking, enjoying the sun, clear skies, and 70' weather. And not that I was lonely, (i've been lonely and this wasn't that feeling hah) I just knew that this moment would be better if shared with friends, and one in particular comes to mind...Second example, I remember some time ago, being at the beach when the rains came, the thunder started to holler, and lightening was hitting what seemed like every other second...and they called me in from surfing, so we were all inside, none of the above (from example one) was present, but I was together with friends and family...happy.

The two very modest examples above show me that life really is all about people, about community, and about love for one another. That's why Jesus says you should love your neighbor as yourself, after all you spend a lot of time with yourself right? That's why Jesus spent time and hung out with the poor, the widows, and the tax collecters. He didn't just give some money or bread or build them something and give it to them (He was a carpenter, stay with me). He was with them. He entered into there community as He did with the world, that was the only way to reach them, to show His love for us, He came into our sick and deprived community we call the world. I'm thankful for that, aren't you?

I was struck again this morning by the importance of people when reading again from CS Lewis. He makes the words I try to explain seem so eloquent and delivers them with ease. So i'll stop trying to back up his words and just let you read them - The Christian and the Materialist.

"To the Materialist things like nations, classes, civilizations must be more important than individuals, because the individuals live only seventy odd years each and the group may last for centuries. But to the Christian, individuals are more important, for the live eternally; and races, civilizations and the like, are in comparison creatures of the day."
-"Man or Rabbit?" in God in the Dock

Heavy huh? Read it again.

So I'm reminded, as you are now too, that people are far more important than anything else on this earth. The importance of people is becoming more clear in my life. I'm sure most people who spend time away from home know the feeling. But steer away from those I love, and think about the strangers, the new friends, the people you see daily, but don't even know, and your only thought when you pass them is, "What kinda shoes are those?" or something else about the appearance of the person. Don't you know that there shoes will eventually be taken off, or they will change their shirt, or the zit on their face will be gone in 2-3 days (that's just my personal experience haha)?? Don't you know that behind your foolish observance is a soul, a heart, a person that lives eternally?

I've simply been given some new perspective and I try to share it as best as I can. I'm sure I've left plenty of things suspended in the air or "untied". My apologies....but there it is.

For you who keep reading, thank you. It's fun to think that I'm actually writing to people who enjoy this, even if it's not enjoyable haha, but it's better than just writing to myself. Wierd how that works huh? Even a sense of "community" through the internet makes one feel good.

Things in Vina are great, the weather couldn't be better, my family is awesome, and we've been spending much time together. They really look out for me (as i guess that must have to haha) but It's great when we sit down over meals and hang around for an hour or two afterward just talking and laughing...community. There's much going on with school and I'm meeting some good people. Really learning a lot. And at the risk of rambling, I'll stop. (And there is some really good coooking going on in the kitchen.) Thanks for reading.

Be with people, be in community, and thank God for His love and community with us, the world.

Your loved.


Jessica, You're Beautiful.

The intolerable compliment...

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkeness' on the wall of his cell."...

For the family and friends that I love, and heard the first days here were "difficult", you will be happy to know that I am doing great and I am really starting to love this place. I am being motivated to learn, live, and love here, all over again. Praise God.

I must admit, I am nearsighted. I didn't realize this until yesterday, that what I was doing in my discomfort and despair was a simple and unsettling truth. I was doubting God. In fact, I just read about Him, He "created the heavens and the earth and all of its hosts," and yet I doubt...I'm glad for His love. So...Friday, I went to church, Saturday, to another, and Sunday, again. For the first time in my life, I was singing songs of praise to our Abba in a different language. I prayed with others, changing from english to spanish throughout, and was moved by the words of a popular praise song, only this time it read - Santo, Santo, Santo! El Dio poderoso! I'm seeing some things in a much different way, and I am sure there are plenty of others for whom all of this is normal, but this is just my way of sharing with you what God has been showing me.

(If your not entertained, or feel I am over-stating something, well...it's a webpage and it's very easy to click the little x in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.)

For those of you still reading, thank you, and I hope this finds you joyfully...Classes have begun and I'm beginning to feel the river is starting to rush, like the James does when it turns brown after a big rain. I love Richmond.

I've been here for 11 days now, and aside from what I've just written, here's some other new things for me: tsunami alert, tremors, saw Michele Bachelet, futbol sala, spaghetti with an avacado sauce, $3 bottles of good red wine (they drink it all of the time in scripture, it's not bad - being drunk is bad), walking everywhere, 'public' transportation systems, fresh fruit stands everywhere, lots of stray dogs, coco, powdered coffee, bars on the windows, etc. There will be more to come. I'm beginning to embrace it all and get used to how things work here...kinda.

They say the next valley comes when trying to explain to the lady at the pharmacy that you want to buy "The things you cut the end of your fingers with," is no longer fun, but frustrating. I'll do my best to stay positive.

Thank you for continuing to read, for your prayers, and your support. It feels good to be loved.

..."Whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we think we want. Once more, we are embarrassed by the intolerable compliment, by too much love, not too little."
-CS Lewis

Seeing above the clouds...

Firstly, I want to say that I´m alive and well.

This week has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life. I am sure there are many others who have endeavoured such things as this and know this reality all to well. You begin with a whirlwind. And just when you think you are clear...

Yesterday, I spent a few hours in complete fear. I was consumed with the presidential procession. Watching the armada, military, swat, horses, etc., all standing completely uniformed and lining the street up to the congress building, in downtown Valparaiso, a couple blocks from the campus. I watched as Michelle Bachelet rode towards the building towards the end of her presidential term. Sebastían Piñera would soon move into the presidency of the republic, as the first "conservative" to be elected in 50 years.

Earthquakes, three I think, one 7.2, but all remained the same in the streets and with the processions. I was with two other students, a guy (Chilean, but born in the US), and a girl (from San Jose, CA), when we thought we might head back to the university for our oral spanish evaluations - 12pm. We didn´t get far when madness broke out in the streets and people were running by yelling "Tsunami alert, run for the hills!" I was uncertain what was really happening, but it seemed like a good idea to run, and the safest place to be if water was to begin rushing in from the Pacific. So we ran. Up and kept going, and going, and jumped in the back of a guys cargo truck, and kept going. We got as high as we could, in also the worst part of town, and thankfully our driver was kind enough to let us know that and dropped us off at the police station a bit further down where we waited. I still didn´t know what was going on, but I gave it to the Lord in prayer, reading scripture (the first time that little Gideon new testament Bible has been used), and praising Him for being...Him! My host mom my enventually came and picked us up and we drove down to our house, still on "high" ground. I was scared for my life, maybe i shouldn´t have been, maybe they were correct feelings, it all felt like a really bad indpendent film that I was making.

When we got to my house everyone was in good spirits, not scared, just normal for them. We had lunch, talked about it all, and went on with the day. I, however, hadn´t gotten to that point yet. I thought i had past the point of discomfort, and now I just felt unsafe.

Thank God for family (and skype), because I spent much of the rest of the day talking with them. Debating whether I was ok, if I could study here, preform here, live here, and fully be here, all for safety´s sake. And then I though of Grahm Suze...the hurricane conquerer, and realized that it´s just a different form of disaster and disaster is part of life. I am not leaving. I am scared, yes, but I will survive. I can´t forget all of the plans that He has made for me.

I was just beginning to emerge out of my discomfort and BAM! But, as always, there is Truth that you cannot supress. Scripture. I was encouraged today, again, by Jessica´s devotional.

Proverbs 16:9 - "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his path." (read it agian, slower)

And that´s where I am. I am not done, there is more for me here. Comfort, faith, and endurance are begining to take on new meaning...


Thank you all for continuing in prayer and support. Jessica, you are beautiful.


"And unless I miss my guess, many of you are paying more attention to the bad news according to CNN than you are to the Good News according to Christ Jesus, our Lord. You're better students of world geography, public polls, and the Wall Street Journal's analysis of our times than you are of God's sovereign hand in world affairs and His prophetic plan."

First days in Vina...

I arrived in Vina Del Mar after the longest flight of my entire life. The whole trip was super tough and I would lie if i didn't say I was lonely, missing family and friends. Descending into aeropuerto Santiago i looked out the window (i had a whole exit row to myself) and saw cracks in the earth with smoke rising, looking like Yellowstone, but not giesers, thanks 8.8. We then went through customs at a tent (because the airport was damaged from the earthquake) and there was a super long line of people, this is when i knew...I am not Glen Allen...hah. I got in the van with Joel (our driver from the university) and another girl from Tijuana who spoke english and spanish. The 1 1/2 hour ride into Valparaiso and Vina was long and unfamiliar. However, some of the mountains looked like central California, some comfort, some. I arrived at my Host House at about 10am, met the family, Oscar (father), Sebastian (28), Andrea (26), and Fransisco (21). Monica (the mother) was at work, but i would meet her that night. The first day was very slow and i was exhausted and it didn't make for a comfortable mix at all. That night we had a bbq with other people in the family and after i went to sleep. Those first 2 days, i thought many times, "why am I here?, What was i thinking?, How can this work for any good? This sucks." But yesterday and today that has slowly worn off and as my focus has shifted to Christ, i've explored some more, met another Gringo who is staying with the brother of my host mom, just down the road, and become more comfortable with my surrounds...all is becoming better. Today I bought my Chilean cell phone, for making local calls to the host family, etc. I began to seek and draw near to God, and as His word proves true (James 4:8), He drew near to me. Just a touch was enough, and His grace is sufficient for me.

So, it's is getting better each day, no easier, I still miss, very much, everyone that I have left behind, but I have much more peace and direction about this season of life since I arrived. "Cuture-Shock" i guess hit hard, but when you step back and simplify it, we are all not but so different...we eat, sleep, and work - all to survive - but there is no fullfillment in those, only "a striving after wind." The real joy and peace comes from knowing Christ.

I think this is just one very big, very real, and very difficult training session in my life. Training is tough, preparing is tough, but I have faith and hope that this experience with be worth much more than it has cost me.

Thank you for your continued prayers, I love and miss you all. Jessica, you are beautiful.

8.8

At home in Glen Allen, what is now Tuesday morning, it all still feels very surreal that my plane will touch down in Santiago, Chile Friday morning at 8:00am...If the airport is open. I certainly never invisioned having this problem. The news of an 8.8 earthquake, in Chile, on Saturday morning was pretty intense and when I woke up with a text message from Josh about it, I thought he was joking...he wasn't. Hah, the good news is that the epicenter was about 300mi south of where I will be staying, that area (Concepcion) is a mess: no water, no electricity, shambles, looting, shooting...but, north - Vina Del Mar - is in good shape. The family I will meet on Friday says that they are safe, well, and still anticipating my arrival.

I'm excited to see what there is for me down south...my mind has never changed, I can't wait to get going, and I'm stoked to see what the Lord is doing down there.

Isaiah 55:8 ...have Your way with me.