Missionary to Missionary

At last my friends have come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song

When I was on the cable car to the ‘looking over the slums, I was tuned out to the others inside. I was consumed in poverty. How does this happen where one side is so rich and the other is so poor? I sit and ponder these things while others talk about face book and what they want to eat for lunch. I can’t really focus on that when I am looking at what’s below me.

Fortunately, there was a long way to go and we ended up three different cable cars to get to the top. The third cable car entered into complete natural beauty and I could refocus myself.

For an icebreaker (yes therapists use icebreakers too), I asked the four in the car if they would like a picture.  It was all downhill from there as we immediately clicked. Oh come on Priscilla how do you just click with strangers? I make jokes to make them laugh and we get to know one another. 

By the time we were off the cable car at the top of this amazing forest, they asked me to join them.  They brought their “lunch” and I brought myself because I planned to buy food at the top. I found some nice chocolate covered strawberries (need those) and a whole bunch of meat (not very appetizing). 

On our way past the local food, there was a man selling a gooey white substance. It was suppose to be a dessert. My new friend walks over to buy one and hands it to me. While I love sugar, this is not something I want I try. I taste and it taste like something gooey  with coconut. "Mmm" I smile. I walked around with it having small bites and acting like I like it. 

This was a National Park with 

many trails, hikes, waterfalls, ziplining, kayaking, bird watching, and more. My focus was on the activity and not so much on the eating. The Colombians make me lose my appetite with those bodies (yikes).

We had such a wonderful time taking a long hike to the park where you can kayak and zipline. We stopped at a couple waterfalls and made  silly jokes.

Along the way, they were eating their lunch. I stopped to eat their “lunch.” They said they brought a picnic lunch. An average person would think sandwiches, cheeses, and some fruit. Their lunch consisted of cans of soda, Cheetos, mini brownies, chocolates, and something like fritos. They kept offering it to me and I was thinking, “How do you all eat this junk and stay skinny?” It’s a metabolism thing I just never quite understand.

Nevertheless, it was cute watching these adorable Colombians chomp on Cheetos and walk like turtles. 

The guy, Christian, was quite a guy. He shared with me his story that he was a missionary and he preaches all over. He recently finished a trip walking from Panama City to Colombia through the jungle. This was hard to believe, but his friends all confirmed it. This kid was amazing and intriguing to have such commitment to the Lord to walk through a jungle hundreds of miles-maybe 1,000? When he explained his reasoning it involved doing something greater than what is asked for by the Lord. It involved service and it involved spreading the message of the Lord-powerful.

 People do incredible things and they do them with God whether they are aware of this or not.  PRIS

 

This was interesting because it turns out they were all Christians and they met through the local church. Two girls and two boys in their early 20s and committed to Jesus-beautiful.

Instead of taking the cable cars back down, it was recommended to take the bus. Oh my goodness, I love the bus, but this was like zig zag and zig zag all the way down. It was completely nauseating and I needed a break.  They weren’t up for kayaking and ziplining because they wanted to catch the bus down. They had church to attend-wonderful Christian new friends yaay.

They left me all by myself to zipline and kayak-oh so sad. The ziplining was quick and just went right across the lake.







 





The kayaking was a rather large boat with a paddle. This was not a kayak. It’s made for 2-4 people, but I wanted to give it a try with one person.  The guy said I could go and try and out since they were closing and he didn’t think I would be out long with 1 person and 1 paddle. 

Well, I even surprised myself and the Colombian family in the water. I started off switching off my rowing. Something I was doing was unsuccessful because I stayed in one place. This caused laughing from the people across from me. 

I decided to move my body forward and this helped me have a better grip. Off I went into the sunset and around the bay area, people were still watching as I was switching sides at a fast pace. When I took a break, I looked up and stared into the sky. This day was meant to just be spent alone, but I met some beautiful believers and they made the day so much better. 

God sends the right people my way when traveling and I am forever grateful. 

Hills Are Alive

Hills of poverty in Medellin are ALIVE. They are full of real humans that are living off their basic needs everyday.(Move to bottom). When we went up on the cable car with the three other Colombians in the car, I just kept turning my body. I was looking right, left, behind, and in front. My body was going zig zag and my nose was pushed up against the window


.

 With all the beauty of the wealthy El Poblado, there was extreme poverty in the hills above the city. There was a rush of poverty that just came my way directly in front of my eyes. These hills were filled with hopes and dreams. With real people who deserve a chance and there we were floating above and crushing their dreams. Perhaps these people were closer to god the closer they came to the sky.  As the elevation kept increasing(we continued to go uphill), I continued to see fires to make food, water buckets to do laundry, and people walking up the hill. It was not like there were only villages rather there were also convenient stores, bodegas, and family owned restaurants. They had their own little world up there- a world that the Rich did not know about nor cared to know about. Each and every time I feel empathy when I see these communities.

 It's my responsibility to help them, therefore I feel a sense of sadness or guilt. It's unjust for them to live that way, but society leaves them that away. It's not always a choice for them to live on the other side rather its just handed to them. They just try their best to mark things work for their families day to day, they stick together, they believe in god

Look at the cross

These Hills are Alive because these people have beautiful hearts. Yes there are those who are sick, troubled, and stuck in violence, but their environment can make them sink or swim.


Thousands of people on these cable cars looking down on them like ants and  just saying

"Oh how sad."

That's not an action rather its just a word. The people of Medellin need help that involves volunteering, community outreach, and those who live in abundance giving more. It also needs a government that cares about it's own people


Isn't that what all of these countries I visit need. This population is never cared or believed in the way it should be and this is frustrating. This is constantly frustrating, sad, unfortunate, but those are not the qualities to focus on.  These people are beautiful with good character, spirit, and soul. They have not been tainted by materialism, which makes them humble, kind, and down to earth. Their life is so much different from the other side, but they make a living with what they have. That deserves some acknowledgement and credibility

Feeding Mouths

Serving others never stops. It doesn’t stop because I’m in a place for three days or when I’m too busy.  It continues on day to day and moment to moment and need to need.

On my way to the museum, I came off the train to the church square where, again, the homeless were sitting there near the stairs. There was a man that was laying down and not moving. His friends were next to him.

How do people just leave these people completely unacknowledged? There are street vendors selling juice, tamales, fruit, and no one acknowledges this man behind them?

It starts to rain and he is still just laying there. I buy him a hamburger, a soda, and I tap him-it takes more than one tap.  His friends say he is sleeping.

“Are you sure he’s just sleeping?”

Finally he bobs his head up, his face is cut up and filfthy. I wish I had a hot wash rag to wash it off.  He was missing a shoe and he was not drinking alcohol. He ate the food and slopped it all over his face. When I was watching him eat, I thought he would like some Colombian pastries. I went back in the same place and got some random pastries. When I came back again, all of them were surprised. 

While I always have a need to help, it’s significantly increased in the "giving food" department. When I’m abroad helping others, I feel the most alive. When I am helping these people, it’s me, but it’s not. It is his spirit that comes through with focusing on serving others at times of need.  

Always remember there is someone less fortunate. Do not allow your own personal agenda get in the way of a human life. PRIS

God Gives to Those...

Getting to the Panama airport was a pain because this was the small airport for commercial flights. Finding a taxi had been extremely difficult with people saying they knew where it was and then would ask questions. Finally, one came along- a jolly kind man from Panama. Oh does God send those people at the right times. The times where I feel annoyed or I feel concerned that I won't find a cab in time. I ended up being a whole hour early and while people stood in a huge line, I had my printed pass.


While sitting there eating my avocado, rice/beans, and plantains(I feel like this is the main food I mention-sorry not very exciting). To my left there is a young adult running around smiling and laughing. Immediately, I identify that he has Mental Retardation. He reminds me of a boy I worked with in California. He always had his hands placed up and bent in front of him. This boy was always smiling as well. Do you ever notice those with special needs are always smiling? God makes them smile and present their beautiful souls. Their faces may be disfigured and their bodies and they may have no ability to walk or think like the "normal" mind, but they are smiling. 


When you see these children, it's common to see loving and caring parents.  This boy had two patient, loving parents who accommodated his needs, gave him space, and redirected him as needed. When he ran around, they remained calm and sat him down with a video game. They kept giving him hugs and kisses-all we need is love.  It was evident that these parents were meant to have this child. God gave them this child because he knew they could handle it through his loving spirit and strength. From my experience in social service, special needs parents prove themselves to be the most amazing, loving parents.
 

God gives to those...Who can handle it

This means that God assigns tasks to those he believes in, those who need a challenge, those who need a wake up call, those who are strong yet they do not exercise this strength, those who rely on beauty/image, those who are unaware of purpose, those who can share a greater message, and those who with enough courage and personal values to achieve his goals.

 

Jesus Driven Day

The Don Bosco church had such a full service and a glorious one. There I stood in this beautiful church for the first time. It was Our birthday and I was so proud of all we accomplished. Having such powerful spiritual moments I weeped tears of joy and thankfulness. No one had been there for me more and loved me more-how could I not give my life and serve him?

The pastor spoke in a clear Spanish I could understand as if he was speaking that way just for me. The church was overcrowded with people standing in the back near the door and on the sides. It was clear that other people were touched by this church and it's meaning. People were friendly with "La paz contigo" and sincere looks(Believers more friendly and kind in Panama).


At the end of service, I like to be around and meet people of the church. I enjoy talking and learning about their community and the problems they face and the strengths they hold.

There was a man who worked for the church standing in front handing out flyer's. We got to talking and it turns out he had been helping out with the church. He informed me that the neighborhood behind the church was one of the worst in Panama City. This refers to that previous post where I discussed how those who are suffering, lost, poor, angry, confused-they are place nearby the church. God keeps them safe. This is how he wants it. 

He wanted to introduce me to the pastor who was in the back and he showed me around a bit. The church held an after school program three days per week and I met a few of the kids (age 12-17).

This was not just distribution of food rather I felt the community that was present. They had a futbol field, basketball court, different rooms for activities including an art room with bean bags.  

I was impressed with this and I wanted to participate with the short time I had, which was only a few days with this tight schedule. I was suppose to have more time here, but each country was an extra couple days and that created less time in Panama.   

It turns out the Pastor had to leave-it was pouring I should mention and he had to go across town. It would have been nice to meet him, but I was speaking with someone who had the most hands on work.


Sharing our ideas and sadness among those who die so you, it was refreshing to hear a common voice. The gangs were some of the worst and trying to address this problem is always challenging. In Belize, in East LA, in Chicago-this problem exists larger than ever. For me, the solution is group therapy, building community supports, afterschool activities, increased amounts of community programs, and serious education on gang violence. It’s not a simple problem to fix, but education and community action can save lives. 

The pouring rain was coming down hard and people were starting to leave. I looked at the time and it was almost 3pm. I said my goodbyes and ran out the door. My South American friends were leaving at 3pm and I would feel incomplete without a proper hug and final goodbye.

When I ran back out of breath and soaked, I was asking Popola, “Where is Carlito and Mary?”

“Girl, you went through some serious rain. They are still here.”

Phewww, we said our sad goodbyes and then it was time for me to leave.

I am putting my things together and Popoyla says, “Join me for lunch.”

I look at my watch and he tells me that we can take the bus together. He makes an awesome vegetarian lunch (he’s vegetarian) and very picky with his food- like me. He made a Carrot, tofu, and curry dish with rice. He kept apologizing and I was eating every bite up.  We were discussing the whole hostel situation and how it’s not really for us, but sometimes it just makes sense. If I didn’t go there, I wouldn’t have met him and then what? There is reason not just coincidence.

Off I went and I decided to just take a taxi and he took the bus. It was my arrival at one of my favorite hotels The Hard Rock Hotel. 

God Bless this Family

Riding along I saw this beautiful family in the village. They were just standing around looking like they needed something to do and they invited me to sit with them. All the kids were so kind introducing themselves. One by one they said their hello's and they were so happy to see a new face. As they kept coming, I was counting and counting and counting-there ended up being 9. It's common for Nicaraguan's to have more than 6 children in their family therefore this was not a surprise.

What was a sad surprise was there living conditions living in a small barn with some kind of rectangular cabin on the opposite(cabin is not the correct term, but I do not like continuously using the word shack due to labeling/ discrimination).  The house itself had a wooden fence up like a horse stable and there was a filthy bench outside.

 

Like an off duty social worker, I was just observing my surroundings. Not at any point did I comment on their lack of space or how they get by there, that was not the point of my visit. My visit was to get to know them and be a friendly kind face.

 

Of course, I did praise the mother for her difficult job raising the children without any support or assistance. I shared with her the many mothers I have worked with who had this same problem. Her resilience and strength of self shine through as she was sweeping and then feeding the hens. 

The neighbor from across and her older daughter to see what all the commotion was about. Her older daughter brought over her sumo size baby. I was looking at him trying to figure out if I ever saw a 6 month old baby that big.  As for the 14 year old neighbor, he was just fascinated with me and he asked me all about USA and what it's like. These people just break my heart because they are so wonderful, so curious, and most won't get the chance to travel outside of their country or even their village.  It's not truly being "stuck" when you are in such a beautiful area, city, and country, but they still deserve the right to explore. An American has that opportunity with just money and an American passport-not fair at all. 

I asked him why didn't you smile when you were so happy talking to me. 
 

"I want to look cool for America."
Mission accomplished my friend.... 

When I spoke with the little girls, they were interested in Dora and Disney characters.  The middle age boy talked about how his neighbor has an xbox that he gets to use sometimes. We played some tag for a bit and then I had to stop with the heat and carrying around no water-did I mention how smart I am?

When I'm out on the streets, I like to have something to give them and something that makes the most financial and kid sense is candy. It's something nice to give to kids who are working with their families-form of praise.  I was in luck because all I had were some candies to share with them.  It was something small and they were so thankful.  And when something small comes to American kids, they say "I don't like this flavor can I have a new one?" Not with these children-they are thankful for what they get and they are far from spoiled.
 

It was time for me to depart and continue my bike stops and see the rest of Granada, which was fantastic with the orange, green, and yellow houses. I wish an orange, green, or yellow house could be given to this family.  I know God will take care of them....he always does and always will because they are his people who have truly good hearts and the secret to a good life...  

 

40 B4 30

I am about to hit 40 countries and I am about to hit 30. My concern about turning 30 has decreased with my traveling, which is a good thing. ..

As a human being, I have always believed I had a special potential. It's the way I have the ability to fill a room with my/his spirit. The successful therapy performed with all populations. The miraculous work with the Special needs. The ability to hear stories that are their secrets and shared just with me. This special quality is something innate that I build upon my self growth and constant learning to be the best I can be. I have grand expectations of myself, which leads my accomplishments to never be enough. I had a father who told me that I would never be good enough. This is my genetic feeling of the need for accomplishment and success. When it comes to environment, I always feel this overdose of  pressure to succeed in the US.  While this can make people competitive, productive, and motivated, it can also make one compare themselves to others success instead of focusing on their own. One can get wrapped up in never having, doing, or being enough. 

This pressure can make you fly or the pressure can make you fall. 

 Although, I have not accomplished everything I wanted by 30, I still want to fly and now I raise my expectations for success as I move into a new decade.  With the past decade of experience, education, living, writing, giving, observing, studying-it creates a perfect platform to fly high into the sky. It's such stimulation to the brain that now is the time to put it all into action.  All those ideas, theories, beliefs, experiences are going to be put into business, profit, and success.
This amazing amount of knowledge and ideas that I learn has committed to my being. Instead of being tied to one career, I am tired to a dedicated lifetime service to people through writing, education, missions, consultation, therapy, life coaching, and listening. All of these skills and experience will be combined into something great that can have a label. A label is what people need to connect success with work and experience. 


While I have not taken the marriage and children path,  there has been significant time spent learning about myself.  The self is someone that people do not spend enough time building to encourage growth and change. People jump into relationships to reach that feeling of love and commitment to a person. You can love and commit to yourself and if you want a ring to prove this- then get a ring for yourself. It doesn't make me a failure or a sad case for not settling down.  There has been opportunity to do that and I chose myself. I chose building up my career and then maybe love will come along. 

When you live a blessed life, you don't live with this fear of being alone. Someone is always keeping an eye on you and sending people to comfort, listen, assist, encourage, support, and love you.  Sometimes there are difficult days or days of uncertainty or days that you wonder what you should be by 30.

At the end of the day, I have studied my thoughts, behaviors, actions, reasoning, personality for years and years. I know myself better than anyone and  better yet I know what I am capable of and it is grand. There is such potential within my being and it took me time to grow into it, nourish it, and realize it.  This will never get old with age yet the growth of self coming from experience will continue for a lifetime.
 

God bless all the wonderful things I have done for people all around the world

God bless my true supporters who believe in me no matter what the age

God bless my writing towards books

God bless living to serve others

God bless my travels

God bless turning 30

Masaya

Everyone one I encountered, tourist or local, told me that I could not miss out on the Masaya volcano and the old/new markets. It was something that just could not be missed. This was on my plan to stop in Masaya for one day, but of course one day turned into three because this city is overflowing with culture.  If I could make a comparison, it would be like a Chefchaouen of Morocco. People are clearly proud of their place, their culture, their creativity, their churches, their markets, their hospitality, and their neighborhoods.



Add caption

When you walk pass the houses, they always have the door opened so you can see how they are living. It usually appears modestly with a table and chairs, a row of rocking chairs, and a TV. Sometimes the beds are not seperated from the room and are sitting in the living room. The outside of the homes have different colors, green, pink, yellow, blue, and they have small decorated gates. Big gardens depending on the house. Many homes are turned into bodegas selling drinks, snacks, eggs, bread, and some fruits and vegetables.

                It's impossible Jesus does not Exist..... 

 

People ride the bikes with someone sitting on the handlebars, it's not a couple people rather it's completely the norm. Men are cleaning shoes in the park and for lunch locals eat a beef stew with potatoes. There is amazing $1 dollar pizza in the town square where you sit near the fountain and watch the birds. It's it's own little Central park, but much more authentic.  

Something about it just takes me back in time like I am sitting in a totally different era. The people have such pure hearts and are kind towards you. Of course, every city has it's bad apples and theft is a problem in the area.  But when I walk down these streets, I stop into these bodegas and I see human people trying to make a living. They just love the rocking chair, especially the older men. The kids are always finding a way to entertain themselves and they try to put three on a bike.
It's just a representation of real community and how people should treat one another. We just don't see this very often and people may just label this as a dangerous city.  

City and Church Photos

Friday night church concert 

Mr. Shoe Shine

In front of the Gran white cathedral, I sat and watched this man shining shoes.  He persistently worked shining away and he appeared so determined yet so tired and hungry. He did not have teeth, but he smiled through his eyes. This man truly touched me and I can’t say that about just anyone in this park. He was special and with this kind character I wanted to fill his stomach. When I touched his arm and patted his back, he felt like bones. It was clear he just worked, walked back to the village, and ate ver little. 

 When I came once, he was happy. When I came twice, he was surprised. When I came the next day, we sat down and talked. He shared with me that he lives in a village far away in one of the mountains. I told him where I was from and he looked so happy. It was difficult to understand him, but sometimes the spirit speaks louder than words.

I just felt addicted to his spirit and this interaction specifically was confirmation-I’m in the right place doing the right thing.

Unfortunately, this common job had competition as a few other people were also shining shoes. 

 

This man had these bright, beautiful eyes just staring at me. He was part of God’s kingdom and he would be going to heaven one day.  

 

When it comes to food and sharing, I am definitely not an Angel. As mentioned before I have grown with exposure to cultures, suffering, and with God’s spirit driving me to fill stomachs. In Nicaragua, it’s where my changes were eye opening.  I did not want or need to receive some kind of credit for doing this, but I just had to do it. I had to fill these stomachs to the best of my ability.

This did not just include buying food and giving it away. It included giving away my own food. I would purchase things and rather than eat them I would just hand them off. It was completely strange for me and something only one spirit driving this home.

This happened throughout Nicaragua until I questioned eating myself. How much do I actually need to eat? The meals I don’t eat can’t I just give them away. It was selfless behavior that was happening and I was thankful for the growth. That selfish component with my food and eating everything for me-it diminished. 

It was an eye opening experience into a whole new way to give. Rather than just thinking about what I was eating, I was much more conscious of filling the stomach.