Cut and Paste

Half way through second semester. It feels extremely unreal-- as if I just left Colombia a couple of weeks ago. But no, eight weeks later and I'm wondering where the semester went.

This post will be fairly scattered, attempting to give a snapshot of various aspects of my life =). Think of it as cutting parts of my life apart and then pasting them all together in one blog post.

Life in America is still, well you know, life in America. I've definitely had highs and lows; I've watched my heart change and break and grow. In January I was really struggling with the fact that I was back in America-- my heart longed to be in Colombia, working with my hands and loving those who are visibly poor. February reminded me of all the ministry opportunities here: the poor in spirit. And now, now its March. God is moving and my heart skips a beat when I get a glimpse of his Spirit transforming lives.

I've been in limbo-land when it comes to Christian ministries on campus. Last semester I was involved with Cru, but for a variety of reasons I decided to look for another fellowship. After several weeks of traveling around, I've narrowed down my choice to the Navigators and InterVarsity. I've enjoyed both tremendously and have seriously been challenged in my faith through friendships I've developed there. My goal was to choose a ministry by the end of February, but that didn't happen. So maybe by the end of March?

 

Over spring break I'll be flying down to Florida to spend a week with my grandparents. I'm looking forward to this time with them, because I haven't seen them for a couple of months and rarely get more than a weekend with them when I do see them.

Summer 2011 is approaching and am I ever ready!

I'll be flying down to Colombia before the 20th of May and hope to be there until late August. I'm looking for jobs or internship opportunities with various ministries in Colombia.

Yesterday I found out that two of my friends, Deepika and Carina, will be coming to Colombia for a month this summer. Besides shrieking and giggling like crazy, I could not wipe the stupid smile off my face for a couple of hours. I'm so excited to spend this time with them and Natis in Colombia this summer.

Tyler will be coming down in July for a week or two. It will be amazing to have her see that entire sphere of my life that is so foreign to her. Chrissy will be coming if she gets a certain job in the next couple of weeks. Karissa (another good friend) might be coming as well.

Hahahaha. Needless to say, it will be quite the summer of visitors, but I am incredibly excited.

Unofficial

"No, no. The owner of all the bars in Champaign started it-- so he wouldn't lose business over St. Patrick's Day," Tyler clarified the facts for me.

I just sat there, trying to imagine such a grotesque holiday: Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, pride of the University of Illinois. So, the facts are these: In 1996, bar owner Scott Cochrane, created this holiday to increase his profit. St. Patrick's Day normally falls over the university's spring break, so bars are hurt when students go home. By creating a new "holiday," bars were gaining as much money as possible. I've heard that the campus population doubles, due to a terrible migration of college students coming to U of I. In past years, bars opened as early as 7:00 am and heavy drinking continued through the entire weekend. In 2007 police fines during this weekend totaled $44,000. In 2006, a graduate student fell off a moving motorcycle and died.

I must say, this entire week as been leading up to Unofficial weekend. In every class I hear murmurs and excited whispers about how this weekend is one where they can get "smashed" and "wasted." I am disgusted and saddened at the same time. Disgusted at the bar owners, encouraging drunkenness so that they could make more money. And extremely saddened to see the profound emptiness surrounding me. My classmates and some friends are desperately empty, seeking fulfillment and momentary pleasure over the weekend. It hurts to think about how many will suffer from alcohol poisoning, rape, battery, etc.

The Christian organizations on campuses in the past have held 24 hour prayer rooms so that Christians could come together and lift this campus up to Jesus. Others have hosted water tables, attempting to prevent dehydration and share the love of Jesus to those in drunken stupor.

Be lifting up this campus in your prayers this weekend. May some hit rock bottom and turn to Jesus. May God in his mercy forgive the flood of sins soaking this campus. May Christians be emboldened to take a stand and love others courageously, whether than includes handing out water, holding back hair while comforting those throwing up, or simply sharing the Gospel.

Perfectly Forgiven

"Because when God forgives us he forgets our sins... completely. Right?" Eight-year old Diego asked matter-of-factly. I smiled and nodded. This was the beauty of child-like faith: what God said was true, because it was. He didn't struggle with overwhelming guilt by carrying a burden that was never his to carry-- the burden of forgiving ourselves.

I spent Sunday afternoon with a beautiful family from church. They are so full of love and hospitality; it was nice to be surrounded by a family here. They had three precious children who kept me smiling the entire time. While we ate dessert, I entered into a conversation with Diego, their oldest. Now, I can't exactly remember what was said to lead us to the point of God's forgiveness, but either way, I was impressed and touched by his genuine faith.

God forgives us and God forgets our sins. Completely. We can't exhaust God's marvelous grace. The forgiveness of our sins is not our task that was simply delegated to Christ. When I hold on to past sins, mulling over them, expressing intense and prolonged guilt, I don't understand the message of Calvary. If Christ says, "it is finished," who am I to say, "not yet, Lord?" His forgiveness was complete and his grace abundant. After guilt has lead to repentance, it has no place in my heart-- I've been set free from guilt by the precious blood of my Savior.

Oh, glorious freedom.