Lessons in learning

Well folks, as things are winding down I have been thinking about what I want to bring home with me. I have decided on a hundred acre plot of land and a couple of the Andes Mountains…

Ummm…

In reality I have been considering the lessons I have learned and how they will be applied when I return. There are three specific lessons I feel like I can point to that God has been trying to teach me. I am not a very quick learner for these types of things, so I suspect I will be working on them for awhile. However, at least I am started :) The first lesson I noticed as I was down here was a need to rely on God daily. You may remember my mentioning that in an earlier post. Doing things that are difficult and important made me really conscious of my dependence on His wisdom. I hope to remember this even when I get back to a more ‘normal everyday routine’ sort of life. More on that later. The second lesson was in regards to humility. It was multi-faceted but specifically related to remembering that God is the one who really does the work when I think I am doing it. While this is a humility lesson, it is also very freeing, in that I need not worry about the results. I can simply trust God. The third lesson I am working on is about loving people. I need to learn this because I am pretty selfish :) The way I feel this specifically is that I need to be willing to put aside my own comfort or image and care more about the people I am around than I do for myself.

This lesson has been a long time in the making, but one thing that brought it to the fore recently was a two day period last week. I had about 6 or 8 different deep, life-trajectory type conversations with people in the course of about 48 hours. Wow! God was working. This experience was awesome, and it helped me notice that I seem to have had a lot more opportunities down here for that type of thing than at home. My question then became “why?” What is the difference, is it geography, situations, or just mentality? I am not completely sure, but one thing I feel clearly. I need to be more focused on other people and their needs, looking for ways to let my light shine brighter. I want my mentality to be one that is always looking for opportunities. That, I believe will be one way of showing love to those around me.

Another thing that was not really a lesson, but which was awesome was some things God spoke to me during the camp. I felt Him confirming some things I had been feeling about my future. It was a really awesome time, and very different from what I am used to. The theme of the last several years seems to have been waiting for direction. I feel as if I am on a mountain pathway covered by clouds. Well, I believe God has blessed me by rolling the clouds away enough to let me see the next couple steps and at least a glimmering of the spectacular view for which I have been searching. I look forward to what I can see…and the rest that I still can’t see. :)

In reality I have only touched the surface of each of the ‘lessons’ I mention above, and there are more besides. However, at least it is the surface. Now any of you reading will have an idea of some of the themes I have encountered. And please, anytime you see me, feel free to ask me how I am doing in any of these areas. I welcome and indeed ask that you would do so. Accountability helps strengthen growth, I believe, and growth is what I want.

This brings me back to what I mentioned earlier, about ‘normal everyday routine’ life. Essentially what I want is to not return to a life of that sort. While I realize that a lot of this just has to do with semantics, I am after all, a communications major :) I believe the way I speak about life and think about life can influence in a big way the types of actions I make in life. With that in mind, my goal is to remember my time here, focused on influencing people. I want to translate the same mentality back to my old Kentucky home, that life there will be different. In coming back to a different setting and set of circumstances and environments, my goal will be to discover how I can take what we do here and improve what I do there with what I have learned.

Somehow, I feel like I have just written a reflection paper for class. Perhaps it is because that is the only time I open up about what I feel and learn…

If so, that worries me. It should not be so. Henceforth, it is NOT so, for I have written much about personal sharing and feelings stuff here, in a non-reflection paper setting. In fact, it is in a very public setting, open for the entire world to read.

Umm… I am beginning to worry myself with my level of openness. I don’t know if I am ready for this…

The end.

In Truth,
Stephen

La Fey (Faith)

The last few days have been full of interesting happenings. A quick summary would include the hours spent working on a DVD of photos and the concurrent frustration of different types of media files that don’t work together. Were I summarizing the last week, I would certainly mention the great times I have spent with my coworkers planning their future trip to Kentucky. Not to be left out would be the experience of being accosted by a man in a business suit selling antioxidant-filled energy gels. I would definitely mention the great conversations I have had over the last 48 hours, talking to various people about various important things. The most interesting was the clothing store owner who asked me for advice about his relationship with his girlfriend. He is a new Christian, she is a pastor in some fairly strict denomination, it sounds like. He hopes to marry her, but has not told her about his ex-wife from before he was a Christian, because he knows she believes that a person should only marry once in life. Uh-Oh!
Yes, all this would be included in a quick overview, along with a quick mention of the group meetings we have had over the last few days. However, I am glad to be free from any restraints like “quick overview” or “summary” and other cumbersome and interfering titles. I am glad because I want to speak a bit more about the meetings we have had this week. They were cool.

We started back with regular weekly meetings with the schools and groups this week, finishing up a module on character. The principle we discussed this week was Faith. We used the ‘Trust Fall’ activity to illustrate. In case some of you are not familiar with this activity, I will explain. One person stands on something elevated to about 4 feet. The group stands in two lines facing one another in a line out from the one person. They extend their arms in front of them in order to catch and the person on the platform falls (without bending their body) into the waiting arms of the group. Like the name says, you have to trust. Well, it was interesting to see the difference between the two groups we have used this with so far. One was a group of teachers in a school. The other group was young people, 12-20ish. Out of 25 teachers, only 5 would do the activity, and the others hardly even wanted to help catch their peers. It was pretty sad…

The other group was better, all tried to fall, and all did but 2 of them. We even added a couple elements with this group to make the activity connect more to faith. As the person was getting onto the stack of plastic chairs we used for our platform, everyone else went away, out of sight. The ‘fall-er’ would look around and see no one ready to catch them. Then one of the facilitators would blindfold them. At a signal, the group would enter silently and position themselves. As they got ready the facilitator would count down to 1 and the person would fall. They had to trust in what they could not see that they would be caught. I think that this was a great way to introduce faith, and how it relates to trust and relationships. After each activity we talked through what people felt and learned, especially relating to faith. Both the groups took good truths away, I think, to apply to their lives.

For myself, the comparison between the groups brought something into focus in my mind. Each of the teachers who didn’t go had an excuse. They had seen or heard of someone getting hurt in similar activities, they had back problems, they were afraid of heights, or of hitting their head, you know. Ultimately though, they were not willing to entrust themselves to the care of their fellow teachers. They didn’t have faith. I don’t know, I am reminded of our need to have the faith of a child. Yes, perhaps the adults simply had a more real idea of the dangers; they were too mature, too wise to participate. They had been through more in life, they knew better. Or did they? Were they perhaps missing something?

I think too often we ‘mature’ to the point where our faith is sterile and near useless. As we grow up we lose our ability to trust. Yes, we can call it wisdom, but I am not so sure. We can call it experience, but is that the right kind of experience? I pray to have faith like a child. I want a faith untainted by the ‘maturity’ and the hesitation of the world. I want to believe and obey like I don’t know any better :)

“Faith is the certainty of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”

In Truth,

Stephen

Flags, Food, Freedom, Fotos...Oh my!!

Today was the Colombian Independence Day. Many Colombians here spent most of it walking the streets to show their support for the hostages being held by FARC and to call for their release. I think that is a valid way to spend Independence Day, focusing on freedom for others. It was really cool for me to see the passion they have here for this subject; there were thousands out walking the streets. They wore white, many having special message bearing T-shirts bought just for this day, they carried flags, they blew whistles, they sang, they walked. I had less time to spend out in the streets than I would have liked to take it all in. However, I was impressed. I hope that these people feel strongly enough about this that it will make them take action steps to create change as well. If this number of people (and this is only is one city, they did this all over the country today) would do something, who knows what could happen. I think it is better than fireworks.

Some different T-Shirt designs
(Red, Yellow, and Blue are the Colombian flag colors)




















From standing on a bridge, this was the view in one direction. That is quite a crowd.














And my favorite shot, looking the other way off the same bridge.

Friday night, four of us guys went out to eat, bidding Cody goodbye. It was a great time and we laughed too much, I think. Wait, that is not possible! Anyway, the cool thing was the restaurant. It is called “Crepes and Waffles”. The food was really good, the ice cream was better, the atmosphere was great and it wasn’t too expensive. However, the cool part for me was the story behind it all. Francisco told me about it, apparently the founder had a vision to help people. It is a Colombian company that started with one store and is now all over the country. Well anyway, all the employees are single mothers. This chain specializes in providing a great work environment for people who are in a difficult position in life, either abandoned, widowed, or something like that. It seems that that is not all, but they help out each employee when they start by giving them a washing machine or something like that to improve their quality of life. Quite a fascinating company, I like it. It might be kind of awkward if I went to try to work there though, so I guess I will stick with Chick fil-A. :)

Us four at Crepes and Waffles. I am apparently about to kick something... ...












Well, until next time,

In Truth,
Stephen

It is my pleasure to S.E.R.V.E. you...

So, I just got home exhausted, took a shower, and then remembered that I still have a blog. I am sure you can understand my forgetting, since you probably did as well. I haven’t written in so long that I will be lucky if anyone remembers to check and read this. So, perhaps the first thing I should do is tell why I haven’t written anything in so long, or put in a better way, I should 'explain myself!'. I have not had internet access. We just got done with the big event for the summer, which was our Campamento S.E.R.V.E. The acronym, for those of you who aren’t involved with Chick fil-A, is a leadership model we have. Each letter stands for a different aspect of a leader’s focus, all relating to service. It was a really awesome time to which I cannot do justice in writing. However, that won’t stop me from trying…

As you will remember, my friend Cody came here for the camp. Ten other Americans came down to participate as well, all Chick fil-A people. We started the camp at 9:30 PM Thursday night and ended at about 5 AM Tuesday morning. In between those two points there was a lot of riding in a bus…too much. Going out of Bogota, coming back to Bogota, you know. The areas in which we spent those few days were about 7 hours from here. Well, more importantly than any of that was that during the bus rides and at other times, there was a whole lot of God being there. We did a wide variety of activities from hiking to logic puzzles, eating, skits and pushups. We learned how to pick coffee, roast coffee, grind coffee, and drink coffee. We did a bunch of riding too, besides the bus. We rode horses, roller coasters, trains, and best of all a zipline. Perhaps more to the point, we rode 8 of them. I think altogether they were about a mile in length!! All that stuff was really cool, or, as they say here in Colombia “Chevere”. However, for me the weekend was defined by conversations. As I look back, I see the people I met, the discussions we had, the things I learned from them, and the things we all learned from God. I remember the freedom from bondage that came to one guy specifically; I remember the work I believe God is doing in the lives of one family who do not even believe in Him. I heard wisdom this week, and I pray that each other person did as well, whether they were from Colombia or from the U.S.

For me personally, the camp was a stretching time. I did a bunch of stuff that was not really comfortable for me. I tried my hand at translating during presentations, I gave talks myself. I got to lead in major ways that were new to me, stretching me and teaching me. It was a good time. It was a time with God. And I got a lot of really amazing pictures in the bargain. How could I ask for more?

The main theme that I felt personally was vision. I felt God continuing to confirm things I am to do in the future. It is really awesome; for so long I have felt unsure about a lot in my life, about my future. I have felt kind of like I was in a fog, only able to see a step or two ahead. Well, I think that over the last 6 months or so, God has been showing me a few more steps. I am really excited, and can hardly wait. Well, I had better end this post here. I will try to post again soon, and am also trying to get Cody to write a guest post as well. Anyone who wants to hear from him should be sure to comment on this post and say so. :)

A few pictures follow, out of the hundreds that I have from the week. I hope you enjoy!

In Truth,
Stephen






Here we are, preparing in a completely orderly fashion, for a trail ride during the camp
















This was a sad time, when my friend Cody was "robbed" by some hooligan ...
















Our fearless leader, Jesus Ortiz, on the zipline


















The whole campamento group in the Valle de Cocora

Finally...another post...

Well, sorry to disappoint. I never got my jokes back. Though, perhaps its better this way. I am still behind on the blogs, too. Like you couldn’t tell. However, I have an excuse. So you can’t blame me. I have been…busy. So there. Now I am done with the short sentences. Well, almost. Ok, now I am.

On Sunday I got to spend some time with an American gentleman and his Colombian wife, sister/brother-in law and nieces. It was a good time, reinforcing some cultural factors here. We went to church, which was lively, (typical of the area) and then went to lunch. We drove outside the city to a really good restaurant on a hillside. Afterward we went back to the house where my American friend and I watched a movie while everybody else took a siesta. All told, we spent the whole day together. It was not a big deal that we had to wait 45 minutes In between ‘events’ here and there. People just spend time together here. Cool stuff, you know, though a little difficult for someone like me to get used to.

Well, on Monday, (I didn’t have to work because it was a national holiday) I went for a long bike ride in the mountains. It was gorgeous outside the city. The farms on the mountainside looked so peaceful and the grass was so green it made me think I was in Ireland. I don’t know if the grass is really very green in Ireland, perhaps someone who has been there can confirm this; it is just what came to mind…

I got a couple pictures of the city from partway up the mountain, though unfortunately, my camera went on the blink after a few minutes. Consequently, I didn’t get many photos. One really cool thing I love about this country is that all the country roads are lined here and there with little settlements or restaurants. If you ever get hungry, just pull off almost anywhere and get a delicious arepa or two. I did that, in fact. Twice. :)

The most fun part of the ride was this one particular hill, going out of Bogota. It took 45 minutes to climb it bu only 5 to go down on the return trip later. I passed car after car on the downhill, it was pretty sweet!



Two different views of the city. It was too big to get all in one photo even from this height.





















The road down from where I stopped. Notice the car to motorcycle ratio: 3 to 3!

This week has been slow, just like last week except even more like last week. I hear I am going out of town tomorrow, though. Jesus Ortiz is taking me to a conference where he is speaking. Hugo and Francisco are already there. They have been attending the conference-a factor which has contributed greatly to the quietness of the office. Plans for the camp are coming together well, though, and it looks like it will be great. There are 11 Americans coming down next week, including my friend Cody. He is the only non-Chick fil-A person to be involved. Don’t worry Cody, you won’t have to say “My Pleasure” down here. There will be about 30 Colombians, making about 40 people altogether. The four and a half days of the camp will include various activities that illustrate servant leadership and opportunities to put it into practice. We will be in a remote area of the country for a couple days, we will get to make coffee at one point—beginning with picking the beans. A variety of things from milking cows to picking up trash to a visit to a theme park will round out the week, hopefully leaving everyone involved with a better idea of how to S.E.R.V.E.

In Truth,

Stephen

The joke of the day is...on me!

I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in so long folks, I got kidnapped and didn’t have internet access for a few days. I had to pull a Harrison Ford move…

…OK, so I’m pulling a Jim Carey move right now with this whole story…and if you don’t get the joke, well, neither do I. However, the moral of the story is to never try to be a Jedi.

In other news, the end of last week was really awesome. We did still have two groups that met Thursday and Friday. I had the presentation for each of them, but they were very different types of groups. I wanted to prepare for them earlier in the week, but a funny thing happened. You may remember how one of the main lessons I am learning from God is about relying on Him daily? Well, He decided to take that to the next level. He told me not to prepare for the groups until the day of for each of them. I was a little worried, but in the end it was really cool. Each day He gave me a couple scriptures to use, different ones for each group. This shaped each discussion, going over the same ideas but in a very different way. It was an interesting experience for me, trusting Him like that. It was definitely worth it though. He did a way better job then I could have........................duh.

Thursday night was really cool. We ended up staying late because several of the guys just talked and talked, sharing struggles and questions they have. It was really exciting how open they were. I think those kind of discussions (ones about stuff that really matters) may be even more rare here than in the states, I don’t know. Either way, they seemed to genuinely appreciate some people just willing to listen to them and to share with them. God is so amazing, being able even to work through a gringo who likes bicycling!

The Friday morning group gave God another opportunity to remind me that the impact on people doesn’t depend on me. My little talk didn’t go very well, I struggled for words, forgot things I meant to say, etc. Quick note of counsel for those interested: Don’t assume you will be able to quickly find a particular verse in a Spanish Bible, just by knowing the general area or chapter to look in. When put on the spot in the middle of a presentation, Spanish words all look the same. I promise. They all say: Necio, Necio, Necio...Anyway, the point is that after me doing a poor job God was still there. We got to pray individually with each student there, talking about relationships and pain and all kinds of stuff. I could really feel God’s Spirit there while we prayed; powerfully surrounding us. I am amazed by Him. Period. Oh, and I love Him too.

As you have likely guessed by now I did get away from the kidnappers…….

Well, what I mean to say is that it was a great week! :)

I am also excited to find out that a friend from the states, Cody Kerr, is going to come see me for a little over a week in a week. If that didn’t confuse you, let me try again. Sometime, he is going to come here one time for some time, just in time. It’ll be a great time. Anyway, there is a standing invitation to anyone else who wants to come down here and see a bit of Colombia. I have an apartment, so here’s the deal: You buy the plane ticket and I will pay your rent while you are here! Seriously, I’ll be here all week—I mean; until August 4.

Folks, I am afraid I have used up my daily quota of dumb jokes, so instead of writing like an intelligent, normal person, I will simply quit writing. I will try to come back tomorrow and tell about the weekend. Hopefully I will have more jokes by then. Thanks for reading , God bless-

In Truth,

Stephen