Hands and Feet

The Journey Begins

2011-08-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

So it’s my turn to write on the Colombia Grace Foundation blog! Having a deadline has certainly helped me take some time away from all the madness to sit down and truly reflect on all that has been going on. So as I have learned in Colombia that it only takes 1 rock to scare away 2 or 3 stray dogs, I am going to write this blog for the beloved readers of the Colombia Grace Foundation blog AND the 1 or 2 people who actually read my own blog Hands and Feet. (Love you Mom!).

I am a punk of kid who is loved by an amazing God. He planned for me to be born in a sketchy Colombian orphanage, but adopted as a baby by an awesome Christian family. I was taught to walk in His ways and revere Him. And even through my own personal rebellion, He captured me. Though I enjoyed a superficial walk of faith for many years, by His grace I am being refined. As He stripped more of me away, a call to missions was placed on my heart. He never let me forget my past and therefore a burden for orphans and the poor has come forth. I returned to this country as a teacher in a very needy village outside of Cartagena. Last year, at a random pastor conference in the city, God introduced me to 2 guys who possessed a passion and vision my heart burned for. I left this divine appointment knowing God was calling me to join this ministry.

Have you ever let guilt, shame, fear, or inadequacy suffocate something beautiful the Lord was trying to do in your life? I almost did. After I met Josh and Mike, I left that church beaming like a 13 year old who just found out that Sports Illustrated makes a swimsuit issue. I could not stop praising the Lord for such an answer to prayer. The exhausting 2 bus, canoe crossing, and motorcycle taxi ride back to my “pueblo” had never passed so quickly. Yet, just like the infamous disciple of Christ, I began to pay attention to outside things and began to freak out. However, God is sovereign and continued to use adversities of living third world style and my personal struggles to refine this wretched heart. This year I began working with the gang just every weekend and in these precious moments He nailed some pretty tough convictions on my heart. So I took a step of faith that was leaving my teaching job to truly commit to work for treasures that will not be destroyed. I have no intention to looking back. I am exactly where He wants me to be and just saying those words brings a tear to my eye. God is worth everything we can offer Him. The only shame I have now is that it’s taken me so long to truly understand that.

So what the heck is going on here lately and what am I doing?

For you people who are probably reading this on my blog, the orphanage is called El Nido de Gracia (Nest of Grace). The Lord brought 2 families all the way from somewhere “in the sticks” of Oregon to a small village outside of Cartagena, Colombia. These wannabe “rednecks” have amazing hearts and are truly known by God!

The property at El Nido is coming along! Supposedly a free bulldozer will be coming soon to help us prepare the plot of land that will be Mike and Stacy’s house. The wood has arrived so the testosterone is flowing. I am betting Josh will be growing out his beard soon in order to prepare for this new manly task and I have noticed that Mike has been wearing a lot of cut-offs lately. So I think I either need to start smoking or letting my Colombian mustache capability take flight. Having this house built will then open up 4-6 beds in the main house for orphans.

Stacy and I have been working to organize the “El Nido School.” Things have been improving each day but we have all been praying about help in the school. Our “Spanglish” skills can only take us so far when we are teaching Colombian children who can barely read themselves. However, the Lord is faithful by giving us grace in these moments and by also bringing us help! Please pray for 2 amazing woman who are and will be doing a tremendous work with these kids, their names are Luz Mercy and Darlys.

God is continuing to strengthen His church here in Turbana. Please join us in prayer as we ask the Lord to reveal a place within the pueblo that we could possibly have hold services. Seeing the van just broke down today (broken axel), I might be unable to pick up the regular 50+ people this Sunday. Having a place within town will be a tremendous blessing and so we have been asking the Lord to provide this. Also a cool story was that Luis Fernando was super sick last Sunday, but just like when Jordan had the flu in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Jazz, he came out and “lit it up.” The Lord is using this little guy in such a mighty way. Please remember Him as he continues to recover from this illness.
While there is a million cool but not important things to share like how the dogs we have enjoy eating our chickens, how I learned to ride a very stubborn donkey, Josh had to get a few stitches in his knee from a run-in with his machete and the assortment of things that bring color to this ministry, nothing is more worth writing about than the two brothers named Geiner and Carlos who just recently were brought to us and what the Lord is teaching us.

We have known about the possibility of them coming to live with us for a while. Without going into all the wretched things they have seen in their short 7 and 10 year lives, they have been abused in ways that make me want to scream. They bear physical scars to remind them that this world is cruel and evil. Yet, nothing compares to the hurt and distrust that lies within their heart. These children are broken.

On my blog I thrive to be transparent and honest. So even though I am giving an update for the Colombia Grace Foundation blog as well, I desire to continue in this manner. This ministry is incredibly hard! I wake up each day on my knees asking the Lord to show up. I have been given the task to have primarily responsibility over these fragile gifts and I am over my head each and every day. As we say here “if the Lord does not show up, we are done!” While this comment could go much deeper, I will just say that for the first time I understand what it means to “trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).” While I have gone through tough adversity and trials, I have never been in this situation. What I see has happened is that I have finally moved directly behind the Lord in this journey to be His hands and feet among the nations. And when you stand behind the Almighty, you can’t see what is in front of you. You simply have to follow him step for step and have faith in Who is leading you. Working here in Colombia is a blessing. I am humbled to have this calling. However, this is more than I can handle.

Geiner, Carlos, and all of us need Jesus. He is our only answer to everything we are experiencing. God is making it clear to us that the children we will most like be caring for are not the adorably thankful children seen in other ministries. These are shattered abused children that have already been selling drugs, been involved in prostitution, and have learned to trust no one. But even in that tough sentence, I smile, because I already have seen the Lord working in ways I can’t explain. May He receive all glory and honor as He fills their deep wounds and rebuilds there precious hearts. I promise to write more about “my boys.”

I can’t believe this is most as long as Josh’s last blog…! Please pray for me, Stacey, Mike, Josh, Julie, Fernando, Daiver, Erianis, Geiner, Carlos and the rest of the family and friends whom the Lord has brought to El Nido de Gracia.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:10

I miss you all,

Eric

Reaction from "Words..."

2011-05-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

My last blog “Words…” caused a small reaction.

I received a few email of encouragement. People telling me to keep my head up and that what I am doing here is commendable.

A few of you wrote me to ask for more details. That you really did not understand what I was writing about.

I got a few notes from people telling me they were honestly concerned.

In all that I read, I was very thankful to have people in my life who felt led to share a thought or two with me regarding what I had wrote.

But in all the emails I received, one of the very first ones had a huge impact. It was from a man whom I have admired for many years. He is a very important person for a major hospital in Nashville. He lovingly told me that though he found my blogs to be interesting and funny at times, he never found them to be inspirational until he read this last one. He told me that finally I was someone whom he could relate to. I admire him because he is truly a man after God. While I have not always agreed with a few professional decisions he has made, that never impacted who I believed him to be. With that said, what he shared with me was humbling and very convicting.

While I am not about to make this blog the heaviest read on the internet, I desire to be transparent. There is something amazing when someone is sincerely able to say “me too.” Whether you are the one saying it or hearing it really doesn’t matter. It is a freeing moment when we begin to see we are not alone in our struggles and fears. What I have seen in my short time on this world is that only few people are this way. While I know many of you may cringe at the thought of me sharing the tough things I encounter here in Colombia, I bet there are a few who might find comfort in it as well.

So I encourage you to be transparent. If not with your friends and family close by, maybe with a kid thousands of miles away living in the land of rice and plantains. But please know I am just someone who wants to listen. Someone who is willing to go to the Father in prayer for you! Someone who will simply point you to the only place I have ever found comfort and understanding. I am not sure where I would be without the few people who did this for me so I want to open that door to anyone who is in need.

Also, a decision was made last week that changes my entire life. However, to play the dramatic card and to acknowledge the fact I am not ready to write about it yet, I ask you to stay tuned. However, I am stoked to share this thing that God has done for me.

Hope all is good in your hood!

E

Words

2011-03-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

In the past words for this blog have come easy. Lately they have not.

I write when I am inspired. I write when I am convicted. I write when I am encouraged. But I don't write when I struggling. I don't write when I feel weak and hypocritical. I don't write when I am utterly consumed with myself.

This is about to change.

I am struggling with purity. I am struggling with pride. I am struggling with idolatry.

I have not glorified the Father through relationships that I have had here in Colombia. I have hurt people because of my selfishness. I have not made wise choices. I have increased the number of things I will one day have to share with my future wife.

I want to be a great teacher. I want to truly make this english program one of the best in Cartagena. I want people to notice the hard work we are doing and the lives that will be changed by these efforts.

While not always the most efficent, I work hard for this school. I work hard for the people who gave me this opportunity. I work hard for the kids. I work hard because it's my job and that is what I have been taught to do.

Now reading over this I know many would say that some of these things are not so bad. That every one has done a few things they might take back. That the desire to be recognized is natural. That being driven is admirable. But in this moment of vunerability, I want to say that I am done believing that.

I don't want to be "weak." I don't want to be "self-absorbed." I don't want to be "busy."

I want self-control. I want to be selfless. I want to be purposeful.

My faith is not lost. My faith is holding me together. My glory is not His purpose. My purpose is for His glory. Strength is not by my might. By His might I find my strength.

Does God truly need me to accomplish His will...no. But He has called us to be His hands and feet and for that I am willing. Please pray over these things in my life as I truly want nothing more than to see our Father exalted in everything I do. And sorry that I have let shame keep me away from this blog.

E

You are the Light of the world

2011-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Imagine the horizon looking like it is seriously on fire! Something so fierce that you wonder if something supernatural is happening. Intermixed within the vibrant shades of red and orange are amazing streaks of purple and blue. It’s almost like the night and day were fighting each other. This was the few I was captured by as my plane left Ft. Lauderdale.

Over the last few days in America, I let the madness that is wanting to say goodbye to everyone while also preparing to return to a developing country interfere with my time with the Lord. As a result I felt I like the walls were closing in on me. I began questioning if I had made the right decision. In my visits with everyone, I felt loved. I started to become sad that these friendships I feel so blessed to have, would once again be tested by living abroad. In a very weird way, I started to resent God for opening these doors for me.

But as I sat down in 18A on a Spirit Airlines flight heading to Cartagena, Colombia I just started to pray. I asked our Father for forgiveness for these thoughts. I begged for grace to be every part of the man He called me to be that day. I reflected on our time together last year and how obvious that He was there every step of the way. When I was seriously struggling and feeling completely alone (not everything made the blog), He lifted me up in a way that’s hard to describe. My most amazing experience was not with the family in Santa Ana that I love dearly, nor with my students, it was the nights I would just walk around the little dirt soccer field at our school. From the amazing sunsets, the stars that felt just yards away from me, the breeze that divinely also brought peace and joy, to the almost audible voice that would flood everything part of telling me “I am with you.” Spending time in His true presence is worth a lifetime of memories.

I slipped on my IPod and began to pray along with the song by Passion called Prepare the Way. Just as the chorus “You are the light of the world” was being sung, the sun began to rise. It was one of the most beautiful and powerful things I have ever seen. The Light of the world, the King of the earth, is always going to be with this scared little kid! The God who made that beautiful spectacle I was captured by, simply wants nothing more than for me to always look at Him in that manner. And it was overwhelming in that moment that how could I not! For where I have come, what I have done, who I have been, I am simple blown away that He would send his one and only son, to die for me, so that by grace, through faith, in Christ alone, I would appear blameless in His sight.

So which leads me to say that I have returned to my home in Santa Ana, Colombia ready to simple be His hands and feet among these people. I can report that while I had an awesome reunion with “my family” and friends here in the pueblo, I am now buried in a huge curriculum overhaul project the principal sprung on us just a week out from classes. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I hammer this initiative out in before those little gremlins return. Also keep the new 8 WorldTeach Volunteers that will be arriving this Saturday on your list as well. To what I have read and heard, these kids are going to rock! We have a ton of stuff to do but I know they are going to be huge blessing to me, this school, and the community of Santa Ana!

Entonces, hablamos pronto! Dios te bendiga!

Eric

Give Us What You Got

2011-01-01T05:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I came across this excerpt from the War of Art on a professional triathletes blog.

Steven Pressfield is a former Marine who has written some great novels and screenplays over the years. The subtitle to this particular books is Break Through The Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. The direction of this motivational book was to help writers overcome the imfamous "writers block" but this particular excerpt is rich in meaning to all of us.

Get past the military-like tone its written in and find it's message. I think in its roughness lies a beautiful perspective that may lead us off the bench and into the game wherever you are.

Have a great and blessed day!

E

____________________________________________________

The Artist’s Life - by Steven Pressfield

“Are you a born writer? Were you put on the Earth to be painter, a scientist, an apostle of peace? In the end the question can only be answered by action.

Do it or don’t do it.

It may help you to think of it this way. If you were meant to cure cancer or write a symphony or crack cold fusion and you don’t do it, you not only hurt yourself, even destroy yourself. You hurt your children. You hurt me. You hurt the planet.

You shame the angels who watch over you and you spite the Almighty, who created you and only you with your unique gifts, for the sole purpose of nudging the human race one millimeter farther along its path back to God.

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. Its a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”

Plans for 2011...

2010-12-27T15:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!

My dog Ellie and I are hanging out in the living room of my parent’s house in York Beach, Maine. “The Blizzard of 2010” just hit us and I as usual it was disappointing. Instead of the expected 20-24 inches we were supposed to receive, I am guessing we got about half that! But the killer is the 30-40 mph gusts that are ridiculous at the moment! They make freezing temps feel like dying temps and are a good deterrent to grabbing the sleds and trying to find a hill. So I think I will enjoy this hot chocolate, warm dog, and update my blog with some big news.

I am returning to Colombia for 2011 and beyond!

The Lord opened up a door for me to return to Santa Ana and I feel amazingly blessed for it! Here are the Top 3 reasons I am going back.

#3- Bilingual Program in Santa Ana

While I had my days where I wished a donkey would just knock me out, I really came to love teaching English at the public school! We made some decent improvements to the program and were fortunate to see some measurable outcomes in the end. However saying “adios” to my students was hard not because of the impending physical departure, but because I know there is so much more work to be done. As the new Colombian English teacher at the private school, I believe we can make this program one of the best in Cartagena! There are 8 handpicked American teachers coming to assist in this initiative and I am so excited to meet them! I know that together we are going to do some special things and I look forward to sharing the impact these people will have on these students and beyond!

#2- Community of Santa Ana

I miss my little Dayana! Can’t wait to see those precious little faces again!

While seeing this family will be a highlight to my return, I know God is going to do some things that are going to have a far wider impact. I met some great Colombian Christians’ who have a heart for the poor and underprivileged. I believe there are opportunities to work together with the local church to create some programs that can meet the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the many in Santa Ana. Also a few weeks ago I met a group of girls from Nashville, who came to New Hampshire to do a workshop which encourages young girls to look to God for true answers to the world. We talked and there was a lot of smiling! We are praying that God opens up a way for them to possibly come to Cartagena to share this good news. This would be incredible! Lastly, while doing this particular study with my parents, I just keep getting this picture of them with me in Santa Ana. After praying about it, one of my goals this year is to create a “Seguin and friends Mission Trip” to the land of dirt and donkeys! Talking with a few of my Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins, I am asking Him to make a way for this to happen! Never mind the amazing things a group of Type A perfectionists would be able to accomplish in a developing village, I cannot wait for the looks these super tall behemoths will invoke from the vertically challenged Colombians.

#1- Colombia Grace Foundation

When I met the visiting Josh and Mike at a pastor’s conference in Cartagena, I knew it was one of those really cool moments where you just felt had greater implications. The Lord has called them and their beautiful families to move to Cartagena and start an orphanage together! As promised, I will write a blog about their testimony and journey up to this point, because it is simply amazing and inspirational. So now that they have purchased land outside of Cartagena they might be starting this journey as soon as April 2011. The time we have spent together has given me the conviction that I need to support them in whatever way He leads. As someone who feels the Lord leading me down a similar road one day, I feel absolutely blessed that they have this similar idea as well. I am really excited to see where He takes this, but I also stoked He is about to bring a bunch of people to Cartagena whom I have come to really admire and respect. In the Christian faith, you need people to look up to. While in the end we need to recognize that people are fragile and that Jesus is not, I know that in all their weaknesses, these 2 men are demonstrating Christ in a way that has been really awesome for me!

So the plan is that I’ll first be back in Nashville from January 10-14, 2011. I will be heading to Atlanta toward the end of the week to see a friend and then fly to Cartagena from there on the 16th. Would love to see many of you before I go. Let me know how we can meet up and I will be there!

Thanks for reading! To another year in the land of dirt and donkeys- Cheers!

Adios!

E

Interesting question...

2010-12-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

I want to give a huge “gracias a Dios” for all the people who inquired further about the precious family I wrote about in my last blog entry “I am changed.” It was so cool to see God use their story to encourage you like He did in me. People have pledged to routinely pray for them. A few have asked how they could use their own blessings to support those little girls financially. One beautiful family has committed to dial down their Christmas so they can focus on giving to others less fortunate! All I can say is que bonita! I pray that you continue to move how the Lord leads you. That you have the courage to ask the tough questions when it comes to “how much we really need” and what the answer of that question could possibly mean to little ones like my precious Dayana. You all are amazing and I am so thankful for you and the support you have given!

I’m back in the United Stated of America! Woohoo!

There will surely be a blog entry detailing the Reese Peanut Butter Cup overload in the Fort Lauderdale Airport, that first cheeseburger in downtown Portsmouth, NH (thanks Lexi), and even about the 60 minute hot shower I took! Living in the developing world that is the village of Santa Ana, my level of appreciate for mundane things shot through the roof! Anyways, I'll try to rock a blog about this as well as the lovely culture shock that met me when I got off the plane.

This entry will be the answer to a question a relative asked me shortly after I returned. The question was: “So are you ready to return back to the real world?”

Before I respond, I just want to say that there was nothing malicious about this question. It wasn’t said in a manner that was mocking. I sincerely believe he knows how important my experience was in Colombia and just merely was inquiring about my future plans, in the United States.

However, as soon as he asked the question, my mind went a million places. Don’t you love how quickly our brains process thoughts!

What is the real world?

Mark Twain said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on those accounts. Brood, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the Earth all one’s lifetime.”

The Kikuyu people of Kenya had an old saying that translated: “The man who has never traveled thinks his mother is the best cook.”

Relax, I don’t think everyone is called to hand in your notice at work, uproot the kids from school, and move to Africa. However, I think we need to allow ourselves to travel the world in our mind! By that I mean when you read my blog about the family in Santa Ana, did you allow yourself to see this story through the eyes of Dayana? When you hear about the an international crisis’ like we have seen in Sudan, Nigeria, Croatia, Rwanda, Darfur, Afghanistan, Haiti and about a hundred more around the world, do we stop to think about the people beyond the headlines. The millions of innocent people whose lives, whose children’s lives, were changed forever when the first bomb dropped, the first president was overthrown, the first case of AIDS was found, or the last drop of water was seen.

Ralph Winter once said: “God cannot lead on the basis of facts you do not have.” I will say that in our high speed reality, we do have these facts. Sometimes we just chose not to allow ourselves to accept them. This blog is simply encouragement to see, hear, and read things in a different light. Travel the world in your mind and allow yourself to be impacted in a meaningful way.

As I have sat praying over and over about this, I have come to believe my real world includes a country like Colombia. I think it has to. My experience was life changing and as I said from the beginning, it felt more like home each and every day. While I know for a fact that I was never a top draft pick, I believe that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. So in that I live and breathe and open my reality to allow God to do whatever He desires through me in this struggling country. While I will have more details about where he is leading me, I invite you all be a part of the true real world in whatever way that takes you!

Gracias a todos!

Eric

I am changed

2010-10-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

I challenge you wherever you are to take a moment to quiet your surroundings. Close the door to your office, tell the little ones to take their game upstairs, put the Blackberry on silent. I would like to take you out of your world and into the life of someone very special to me. This is a story that has changed me forever.

You hear your Father get up before much is moving in your village. Cautious not to wake your sisters whom you share a bed with, you simply watch him search around for those same pair of shorts he always wears when he goes to work. The years he has spent fishing in the unrelenting sun has left his skin so dark that it’s difficult to see him in your windowless room. You see his thin body slide through the sheet that is the door, the sound of him picking up his bucket of sardines, and his light footsteps that have about 4 kilometers of walking until he reaches his favorite fishing spot. You love your Father and hope he has a good day.

Life was easier for your Father just 8 months ago. Instead of taking his bucket of sardines, which also possesses his spool of line and a hook, your father would grab his fishing net. You learned very quickly that a fishing net meant your Father can earn money and provide fish for supper. Today, you just hope it’s one of the two. But you’ll be ready to try and sell what he brings back though not too many people are buying from you these days. Does everyone’s Father only earn $1.00- $2.00 a day?

Your Mom gets up a few minutes after her husband leaves. You hear her cracking kindling to make a small fire on the pit behind the house. She mixes a few coffee grounds into some water and waits for it to boil. She takes a few bites of some left over rice and black beans before walking back inside to wake up your sisters. It’s time for school. There was a time when your Mom sat in a school desk with a pencil in hand, but it was short-lived and sudden. Your desires to be read to are lost in the fact that you have no books and a mother who cannot read or write. While your neighbors believe she makes poor decisions for your family, you love her regardless because she is the one who brought you into this world and also the one who can take you out of it.

The curtain rises up again and the fragile presence of your Mother enters the room. Though weak in so many ways, the strength of her hands and arms surprises you as she shakes the mattress your sharing with your Sisters. It’s time for them to go to school and for you to help Mom by fetching some water. You look up to your 14 and 13 year old Sisters but also secretly envy them as they put on their nice blue and white uniforms and march off to school. There they receive breakfast and lunch, but more importantly an opportunity to learn. While there grades are not great, they read, write, sing new songs they heard at school in English, and want to tell you about some place with cute animals called Australia. They are the only educated people in your family. When they return you feel normal again. Seeing it’s too hot to play, you all pile back onto the mattress and try and steal a nap before Mom comes calling with an errand.

The nap was a short one due to incoming storm and its cracking lightning and thunder. As you all sit up, you and your sisters notice your quietly funny 16 year old Brother packing a few things into a bag. It’s time for him to leave for your Aunts house 5 kilometers away. You wonder about the long and wet walk he has infront of him as the drops begin to hit the tin roof that covers this cement shelter. Like your Sisters, your Brother studied at the school last year. However, after finishing a year where he was literally a man among children in his 1st grade class, your Mom pulled him out of school to help family attend a farm that is owned by a rich family in Cartagena. For his hard work he is fed and housed but not paid. Your Dad explains that when we was in school “he couldn’t learn” which sounds more like a verdict than a problem. So equipped with his machete, small bag of clothes, beautiful heart, and a grim reality that he will have little opportunity to control his destiny, he fittingly sets off out into the pouring rain

Your very timid Father calls out to you from behind the house. He has returned with eight catfish looking minnows that are no longer than 8 inches. It’s been a rough day and while small and of low quality, they can be deep fried or used in soups. So you take the bucket and slightly grudgingly set off to visit the neighbors. Less than 20 minutes you are back with all eight and a small list of why people didn’t want them today. Mom and your 16 year old sister take the fish and begin making preparations to fry it. You don’t mind because though you have this meal close to 5 times a week, rice and fried fish is one of your favorites.

Slightly later in the evening your 20 year sister comes back from working in the corner store. She slept in that morning and snuck away while you were running an errand for your Mom. Tired after finishing up a 12 hour day in a very busy store, she eats the portion your sisters set aside for her. Soft spoken and quietly beautiful, your sister changes clothes and soon begins to share an interesting story from the day. If you only understood the story that changed everything for her. When she was younger, a pastor in your village told your Mom she should pull your older sister and your brother out of school, because it was run by Catholic Nuns. Though possessing religious undertones like almost every school in Colombia, the pastor feared they were force feeding these children Catholism. However, though he never removed his own children from this institution, he insisted to the other church members to do so themselves. Your Mom, already unable to see the value of education, willingly agreed thus ending your oldest sister’s educational opportunity. Though the Nun’s pleaded with your Mom, the decision was made and in that moment your Sister began to walk the path of the woman who made you both. So now she works long hours everyday and for her hard work that translates into an 80 hour weeks, she is paid $50 per month. Some money goes to help buy food, some clothes, and some to herself because even though the path has been laid out for her, there is still a passion in her heart to become something more.

You my dearest little girl are 10 years old and possess a smile that lights up a room and an energy that is stronger than a coffee bean. You love to play hopscotch in the dirt outside your home and possess a passion for paper, rock, scissors that at times make someone in particular regret teaching it to you. Your favorite food was rice until you were introduced to the beauty of Froot Loops! The laugh you made when you discovered the toy inside the box would be a moment no one would forget. Though like many people here in Colombia, you are not the kindest to animals, this is washed clean in someone’s eyes by the beautiful heart you possess. You are a ray of sunshine in an often dark and gloomy room. You will break this cycle because there is something about you that I don’t think even your Mother can keep hidden away. You will break this cycle because you must for yourself and everyone else. Every good story must have a happy ending…promise me this!

I am changed.

This is not about making your feel guilty but making you aware. I am not sharing an experience that someone else has had in West Africa. No, I am sharing an experience that your friend, colleague, student, nephew, cousin, brother, or son has just had in Colombia. If you read this blog you probably know me very personally so please hear my cry for help. Look at your beautiful children and think about the precious little girl that has rocked my world! The same sweet smiles but very different worlds! We are a blessed nation and its time we stand up and believe we can make a difference.

I wrote this blog in a secular manner because the billions of people who live in desperate poverty is a huge problem. While I have my beliefs about why each human’s heart cries when we think about struggling children, in this moment I will not make that case but instead just ask you to do what you feel you should do. And know that you can do so much with an caring heart. What is it saying this minute?

To the many Christians who read my blog, I have lovingly just made you responsible. Let those who have ears to hear, let them hear. The God we worship loves this precious little family greater than I could ever have in all my lifetime. But He uses us as His hands and feet. The glory goes to Him, as this family will have a new fishing net in November. We learned a few things about financial management and finding Mom a temporary job helped as well. The Father is learning how to read and it’s actually going very well. We practice with a book that shares the Bible in a simple manner. He has taken it upon himself to share these stories with his children after each lesson and I am hopeful he can teach his illiterate family to read as well! The struggling fisherman has come to love the Lord with all His heart, soul, and mind. While I know the storms will certainly continue, it gives me such amazing peace to know this house has been built on the rock that is the Lord! I ask you to start in prayer. Pray for the lost, poor, orphaned, widowed and voiceless. Ask how you can help? And then listen…faithfully! What does He whisper in your ear?

To Elfrien, Margalisa, Carmen, Luis, Linei, Inoria, and precious little Dayana…I give you my love, prayers, and thoughts! You will be missed!

Eric

Ten Reasons I know I am in Santa Ana, Colombia

2010-09-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

10. The moment I woke up from a nap to find a white frog, which was apparently injured, dripping blue blood down my wall.

9. Every time I have startled a herd of cattle and a gang of donkeys while running. There is nothing like running behind thousands of pounds of beef and burro except seeing the face of people who happen to be coming the other way!

8. When I can no longer count on 2 hands and 2 feet how many servings of rice I have eaten this week.

7. The fact that I am once again writing another blog while in my underwear, fan full blast, and ear plugs to help my mind think about something other than Daddy Yankee.

6. After walking to the public school 2 times a day, 5 days a week, for almost 8 months, I still get a few motorcycle taxis asking me if I am going to Playa Blanca. Maybe the latest beach fashion for touristy gringos is dress pants, button-up shirt, and school supplies!

5. As I am sitting listening patiently and respectfully during a mind numbing meeting in Spanish, a gecko decides the top of my head would be a great landing pad for his suicide jump off his perch 10 feet up.

4. I forgot what my principle looks like.

3. Following yet another debilitating rain shower, seeing 2 eyes staring at you in a puddle, only to remind yourself there are no crocodiles on the coast but there are a million pigs who like to escape this heat!

2. I just bought 7 pounds of Mojarra (Red Snapper’s Brother) for 7 dollars yet while delicious; the amount of oil that was consumed during this meal took another 12 days off my life. ETA to Heaven…about 58 years old and dropping.

1. No hay school today, no hay school tomorrow.

Half-time in Colombia- Part Dos

2010-07-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

As I sit down to write this blog entry, there seems to be a lot on my heart.

Reflecting on “Life in Colombia” over the last 6 months takes my mind many places. Yet, the truth is: I just spent the better part of this beautiful morning writing about the first thing that seems to always come to mind in a moment like this. Something that I was scared to write about but as I did it was like felt more peace with each letter. While I talk in a manner that sometimes appears like I have no real train of thought, my writing is more methodical. One day in the moment I feel my heart is adequately represented with consideration to others involved, I will post it. Until than…you get the locker-room halftime report!

Half-Time Key Points

1. Keep the Weight On!
If I never see another plate of beans or lentils, white rice, and fried plantains, I will not be crying. Colombian cuisine is kind of a like a Plymouth Voyager Minivan. Its big in size, not too flashy or colorful, leaves plenty to be desired, but gets the job done! So while I’m not whining like a baby about it, I will state that Bobby Flay does not have to worry about anyone from this country trying to dethrone his Iron Chef status.

The Plan: Continue to be creative with my fellow American teachers. Take Colombian food like the empanada and make it American (thicken the dough, add a hotdog, you have Pigs in a Blanket!). Beg friends and family to send seasonings! Eat Crepes and Waffles Ice-cream every chance I get in Cartagena! Dream of BBQ and countdown the days I can stick a big fatty piece of meat in my smoker for 7 hours! And above all else…amazing breakfast foods like the pancake and delicious Western omelet will always do the trick and help me remember good old America!

2. Learn Spanish!
While many at home probably think it’s very easy to do so when you live where I do, I would have to agree! But I will add that I live with 5 other English speakers and there are days that I don’t speak a lick of Espanol! If I were in another situation, I am sure I would be far more fluent by now, but it’s just how my cookie crumbled. The reality is that we have plenty of opportunity to learn, we just need to make them happen, and continue to push ourselves to learn (I should be a motivational speaker...Chris Farley style though).

The Plan: Get back in my books! Remember I have a few friends in the pueblo to whom know zero English! This is nice because often my Colombian friends who know some English want to practice their Ingles, which doesn’t help me much! And lastly, quit being lazy! I am Colombian, dang it Seguin, learn the language like you ought to!

3. Re-evaluate Ministry
I did an earlier study on legalism in the Bible starting with Abraham and into Galatians. It was something I desired very much to share with my Colombians friends here. That by His Grace we are saved, it is a free gift for all those who believe in Jesus, and when we get caught up in thinking we actually can do things ourselves, we are being set up to fail and fall on our face. We’ll while I was able to teach this to the church I am working with; I think God had me study it because I needed to learn it! I will not lie, when I say that I have struggled here in Colombia, it is an understatement. While I have come to know God in a way that would have been very difficult in the States, I have also faced amazing adversity and have not always walked away victorious. My faith has been under attack and in this storm I have reached out for other things than Him! The solution I have seen time and time again, is that when you’re stuck in quick sand and going down, you would rather hold on to a nearby rock than a blade of grass. But the problem is that sometimes the grass is all you see? So needless to say, it’s been a struggle. One that has discouraged me in some remarkable ways! Yet, I have friends praying for me and I know that He is near!

The Plan: To Know God deeper and deeper in the face of this adversity. To bring all of me, the good and the bad, to the Cross and humbly ask Him to change me, a sinner! To ask my friends, to keep me accountable, and to be honest about these struggles! I know He is leading me, preparing me, for things I will not be able to do on my own, and I want that! I want that kind of dependence! It’s a huge reason I am here, so I pray I quit reaching for grass and finally learn there is a huge rock that never moves and was designed for me to stand tall upon it. And in each and every victory may He be glorified.

4. Understand Life in the slums of Santa Ana
Don’t get me wrong, we are blessed as we live in the nicest place in Santa Ana. We are housed within the private school here and truly have little to complain about. We have water, food, shelter, electricity, and even internet! Yet, all of us will admit, living among this very poor pueblo has been both hard and challenging. The poverty is immense and while the kids and their families appear happy, you have to wonder what it’s like for some of them who live in a small hut, with a leaky roof, and dirt floors. However, being among this community has given us all an amazing insight to how the majority of the world lives like. Did you know that more than 3 billion people live on less than 2 dollars a day in this world? 1 Billion of them live in desperate poverty! And as I have stated before, 30,000 children will die today from lack of food or preventable disease. We are a blessed nation! So while I have seen a bit about what it’s like for the poor and oppressed, I want to learn more. I want to gain more insight on how we help such a community like this. While no one is dying here of hunger, all are well fed, but this poor community is still running a course to remain poor, under-resourced, and possibly displaced by more educated Colombians!

The Plan: To make every effort to see the whole story. It’s easy to take an educated approach and cite X, Y and Z for these problems. But it’s another thing to use your improved Spanish and enter people’s worlds! To hear from them about what it is like? How things in this community have improved and where they believe it hasn’t. I am not trying to take my ideals of the American Dream and impose it on them, but meeting them on their level and seeing what is the next step that could mean better water, education, less disease, job opportunity, and transportation! I am not sure there is much I can do, but this type of knowledge will go a long way into possibly helping someone else in the future or possibly coming back with a real game plan and resources to aid in these problems.

We’ll this is the half-time report on “Life in Colombia.” These are 4 things that I will be focusing on in the months ahead. 4 things I will address at the end of my journey here as well. Looking at the calendar, I really don’t have that much time left, so it’s truly time to take advantage of the amazing opportunity and not waste a day.

Thanks for tuning in! You are a missed so much!

Eric Seguin

Its Half-time in Colombia- Part Uno

2010-06-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Soccer. Yet, there was always something about the orange wedges we would get at halftime that just made the sport so much better. How could it not! After chasing a black and white blur around a humungous field for what seemed like eternity, these vitamin C packed slices of heaven were demolished about as quickly as that eating freak Takeru Kobayashi enjoys Nathans hotdogs! I remember feeling so sticky I seriously considered playing goalie for the second half.

When I got a bit older and a tad more competitive in another sport whose playing field is much smaller, we didn’t get treated with oranges at halftime. Instead we would sit in a circle, share some Gatorade, and hear our coach reflect, berate, and then instruct our team for the next half of play? I was in shock “Coach, this is halftime, its vitamin C time baby! I know you got some questions about my play last half, but I have a major question too: whose mama brought the wonderful wedges?” Needless to say, there was a good chance those words never made it out of my head but let me say proudly that I was thinking them! Instead I learned the true meaning of halftime, and while I could seriously write an entire blog about the very interesting halftime experiences I have witnessed during my days of playing organized sports, I’ll refrain, and instead shed light to this current adventure. Its halftime in Colombia: time to reflect, berate, and plan!

Life at the Public School

Tomorrow is exam day at our school. All the kids have paid their 2500 pesos to have the school print out the 4-6 page booklets that are all our tests. I made a “muy facil” exam this semester, because frankly, I believe my students have learned as much as I did when the very blessed Sydney (now) Clayton sat next me in Kinesiology (Dave: you are a lucky man!). My kids, co-teacher, and I have had some tough times getting on the same page and as a result I am coming into halftime knowing none of them will be gracing the cover of any ESL newsletter and I am in no way going to be paraded around this pueblo, on the shoulders of their thankful parents, as we all sing Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (I hate that song)! Who said teaching English would be easy! There are days that kids seriously look at me with such joy you would think I am telling them to march to a death camp! But I wake up each morning, make my coffee, and walk to school. I my own dry and sarcastic humor, I have berated myself enough, and have decided to now move onward to the planning part.

There are things from the first half that worked! The kids love when I make a fool of myself in class. So they can expect more of that in the form of some great singing and even a dance or two (this will not end up on YouTube). We even just learned these cheesy raps which seeing I can barely write about because I’m laughing so hard, not sure how I’d get through that one live in action! The kids also like when I am “cool Eric” and not “tough Gringo-because his co-teachers refuse to stay in class to help discipline). So I will do my best to prepare and empower these teachers to be a part of every experience and will crank up the “cool Eric” (which is not hard when your “cool”…is that what kids still say these days?). I have also seen what doesn’t work and that’s Spanish in the classroom. Many of you in that instant sighed “duh,” and while your right…this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever committed to. One class in particular, there will be nothing like managing thirty-two 8th grade gremlins as you mettle on in a foreign language which appears to have the same effect as sunlight to vampires! As it’s been in class, a bit of Spanish was like a vile or two of blood, a nice way to tame the beasts! But I am going to change, and while it might be the death of me, it’s for the best! I love you Mom.

All joking aside: These kids are worth it! This project is worth it! So this second half will be one where we move forward having after careful and meticulous evaluation, greatly improved the game plan! And if by some miracle this small poor village comes to adore Uncle Sam’s language, how cool would it be to be toted around this pueblo on one of my donkey friends while people throw palm branches at my feet singing “Blessed is the Gringo who comes in the name of English.” That was kind of dumb and maybe a bit too sacrilegious but it beats anything having to do with Miley Cyrus…

Seeing my body is fighting something weird, I think I am going to end this segment here, and go crawl into my bed with the flies that have recently invaded our island! Hope to get the halftime report about “life in Colombia” up here very soon.

Real quick final note: During a rough spell of homesickness, I was watching the movie Julia and Julia. In a particular scene, Julia (Child) and her husband Paul got notice they needed to move out of Paris, which prompted her to sullenly ask “where is home?” Her husband very calmly responded “wherever we are.” While not the line of the century, it was something that hit me in the face. I have stated on this blog that this place feels like home more and more. Than all of sudden, I hit a rough patch of straight up loneliness. This line was so potent because it caused me to reflect on why I stated this and eventually how I got here. God opened up door after door for me to come here. He has taken my life and turned it upside down since I’ve arrived. I have come to see Him in a way I sometimes believe would have been impossible in my old life. What an amazing blessing this experience has been because I have got to Know God. This place has felt like home because I have come to crave and depend on Him. And in this very admittedly “new” outlook on life, He gives us a peace that can even surpass those amazing feelings we have when we’re in the presence of our amazing families. Mom, please don’t read into that more than you should, as I can’t wait to curl up on the couch with you, Dad, and Ellie! But if you are down, sad, lost, empty, angry, hopeless, or you fill in the blank, look to the God who never abandons His sheep. He is holding out His hand for you with promises of peace, joy, hope, and unconditional love. Take hold and I promise that despite this world’s darkness, you will be granted a spirit of family and security that unlike all this place has to offer, will never fade away. Props to God for using Julia Child…! Ha!

“O Lord, you have searched me and know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Psalms 138: 1-7.

Miss you all very much!

E

Ciudad Perdida- Final Post (Kind of)

2010-05-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

It’s been like 2 months and to be perfectly honest, I don’t want to write about Ciudad Perdida anymore. So I am going to give you my summary in a nutshell and move on! It was the most amazing hike I have ever taken. It beat the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Rockies of Colorado. You have it all, amazing plant life that makes you feel as if you in the movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” gorgeous mountain springs and waterfalls (which we swam in every one), opportunities to pick mangos, avocados, bananas, and coca leaves (yup- the same stuff that makes the white stuff) directly from the source along the route. In addition to that, you have an opportunity to see and meet several members of the indigenous Kogi tribe that live in this mountain range. They are a fascinating people with a rich history in this area. The Lost City itself was cool and I encourage you to Google it sometime if you interested. There is so much about this “find” that it would take me 2 posts to explain it all. As I sit here and think back about the trip, it was the journey that made it a blast. I went with some great people whom I had the opportunity to get to know more. We got some decent exercise hiking 4-8K up and down the sharp peaks of Colombia, but then spent the rest of the day eating amazing food, laughing, playing games, and talking about everything you can imagine. So for all those that read my blog- thanks! Colombia is a beautiful country and I hope a fraction of it is captured in some of the pictures I will post.

Miss you all!

E

Adventures to Ciudad Perdida- Part 2

2010-04-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

I told you I was going to post another blog entry sooner than later…

So the quick responses I got from the millions of people that read my blog (???) were that I needed more details and of course pictures. In response to that… I am a whooping 29 years old now! Next February I will be turning the dreaded…we’ll you can count and I don’t want to say it. But one thing I have noticed is that my eye sight has gotten worse, someone found a grey hair on me the other day (still don’t believe them), and that my memory is about as sharp as the spoon I used to stir my coffee this morning. And so recalling a 6 day adventure in full detail seems a bit daunting to me but I am going to try!

Where did I leave off…another example of how sharp my mind is (I had to read my own blog to remember- yikes)! So after I woke up from my diabetic coma in the beautiful Caribbean city of Santa Marta, Colombia, I ventured out to find some “fried goodness” for breakfast! Knowing I was about to risk being kidnapped in the Colombian jungle, I wanted to make sure I took in a few amazing empanadas and papas relleno (stuffed potato) before this happened! We all know that food in captivity is not all that great!

An old SUV type truck/van pulls up in front of our hostel around 8 am. The excitement in the air is high as we meet our guide and his wife. With the help of a few others, we get our gear packed among the amazing amount of food they packed for us. Hope you didn’t think we were going to carry that…we got a mule to do that (hello- its Colombia)! Just before we’re about to pack in like sardines, I run to my new friend selling the fried goodness and purchase my 4th papas relleno of the morning which turns out to be a horrible decision. We pack into this 4 wheeled beast and I wonder, for almost 1.5 hrs, why I decided to eat about 3000 calories of pure fat before such a ride!

The truck stops along this road to get gas (someone with a bucket of fuel siphons it into your tank) and some of us run to a great fruit stand. Not sure why I was interested but I went and purchased 2 amazing sugar mangos (sorry everyone…they don’t sell them in the US). Maybe I felt bad about eating so horribly earlier that I wanted to balance it out with a fruit, but this also turned out to be a bad idea. As we take off again, within 2 minutes we take a hard right onto a road that does not look like a road but more like a gnarly mountain bike trail! This road traverses up, around, and over 3-4 mountains! You know when you’re driving and you run over those “rumble tracks” on the highway…it’s like that except multiply is by a 1000! Let me also remind you there are possibly 10 people in a 6 passenger vehicle. Needless to say my sugar mango was not that enjoyable. I’ll bet I may have got about 40% of it in my mouth, 20% on my friends, and the rest on my favorite Vanderbilt shirt (go Dores).

After what seemed like a year on that road, we come to a remote town! So weird that all of a sudden, in the middle of nowhere, you has paved roads, houses, and little stores! This quaint little town is where we will begin our trek to Cuidad Perdida, but not before we absolutely stuff ourselves with sub sandwiches and Coke! They know how to take care of Gringos! After eating enough food to make my Ironman Triathlon preparation seem sheepish, packing and repacking gear, lathering up in mosquito repellant, and double checking the Oreos are easily accessible, we officially begin the hike. I am feeling a bit like Indiana Jones and Clark Griswold!

I know the title says “Adventures of Ciudad Perdida” and I have not written about the actual hike yet…but let me remind you: THIS IS MY BLOG! Plus I am writing this in only my underwear, sweating profusely, in my non air-conditioned room, feeling the heat of which Weather.com said it “feels like 114 degrees” today! How about them apples?

Miss everyone! And a special shout out to my Uncle Dan who is seriously considering sending me frozen cheeseburgers via this new shippable box his company invented that keeps things frozen for a few weeks! He’s a genius engineer and I am a hungry boy! Gotta love family!

Adventure to Cuidad Perdida- Part I

2010-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

For those who sent me emails because I have not posted a blog in almost a month and you may have thought I had been kidnapped by the FARC during my trek in the Colombian jungle, I appreciate the concern and am glad you care. For those who have not checked up on me, we’ll just see if you get informed I completed the coconut rice post for my blog…

Colombians love holidays and I love days off from work! The week before Easter is called “Semana Santa” which means “Holy Week” which means vacation (as well as the remembrance of the most glorious moment in Christianity)! Before I could really think about what to do, I got an email from some friends in Barranquilla who were interested in doing this awesome hike we had read about during orientation. After considering my other option of spending a week with my little piggy friends here in Santa Ana, I happily agreed to go!

Because the school I work at is a bit different (not always in a good way), I got a chance to leave the Dirt, Dogs, and Donkeys of my pueblo a bit early (okay almost a week early) to hop on a sweet air conditioned bus heading for Barranquilla. I have to admit I was looking uber “Gringo” with my full pack back but I made it there safely without anyone trying to steal the Oreo’s I stashed away for my trip!

In Barranquilla I got the opportunity to hang out with my friends who all teach at Shakira’s (my future wife) amazing school Piez Descalzos! During our orientation they described this school as a “very wealthy institution for poor children.” I think a few other countries need to adopt that idea! Another cool thing at their school was the fact they were celebrating “Dia de Dulces” which means Day of Sweets! Having worked in the realm of childhood obesity I would normally be appalled by such a celebration. But seeing like 5% of kids are overweight (compared to 60+% in the good old US), what’s wrong with a little azucar (sugar). Add in the fact that my new best friend is called Arequipe (Yum!) and they were selling him for all of 500 pesos (25 cents), it was a great day!

After I awoke from my diabetic coma the next morning it was time for us to pack up and begin this adventure. The next 24 hrs would include a trip to beautiful Santa Marta (3 hr bus ride), a meeting with our guide Jose and his wife, a nice dinner complete with hilarious stories from friends I haven’t seen since orientation, the purchase of additional Oreos (of course!), a pleasant stroll along the ocean, and a sketchy nights stay in a local Hostel. As we all settled down for the night, I had a nice feeling that this trip was going to be a lot of fun and that I was also going to smell really bad when it was done.

While I fall more in love with this country every day I am here, know that I miss everyone so much! There is not that goes by where I do not think about many of you and all the great memories we have made. Thanks for all your support and prayers! There has been a lot going on in terms of ministry and adventure so I hope to finish up the second half of this blog soon and dive into some of this stuff! Don’t worry though, I know where my only reader’s (I love you Mom!)heart lies and thus I will finish the Coconut Rice entry real soon!

I'll leave you with a cool verse to think about doing your day- Love you all!

"But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we may might recieve the full rights of sons (adopted by God). Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 4:4-7

A Hearts Cry

2010-03-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

It was over 2 months ago when I boarded a plane for Colombia. As the plane headed down the Houston, Texas runway and the wheels lifted off the ground, there was a deep feeling I had just left a huge part of me there that I would never have again.

I have lived a blessed life! Having been adopted from Bogota, Colombia is certainly one of the most amazing gifts I have received. My selfless parents have given me as much as the world as they could. My father worked long and hard hours so our family could be comfortable. My mom only took jobs that would grant her the flexibility to always be there for us when we needed her. They were and are the most important people in my life.

After high school I attended a Christian University in Nashville. I made friends that I will have all my life. I had experiences both trying and glorious that have impacted who I am this moment. I graduated with an education that enabled me to work in health care. I worked for some amazing people and one of the most prominent hospitals in the US. I was given opportunity to be creative, inventive, and original. I was always compensated well above what I needed.

My life was simple but fun! I worked hard but made sure I always had time to play. I loved escaping to Colorado to ski! I competed in a bunch of triathlons throughout Tennessee and all around the country. My triathlon bike cost more than my truck! I love to cook and learning a new recipe is one of my favorite things to do. I spent several months trying to distinguish why a wine from one region in France is so much better than one from another. I went on Caribbean cruises where my goal was to always gain at least 5 lbs. My beloved dog Ellie and I enjoyed eating Blue Bell ice cream after early morning training runs. There was always something amazing about watching every Rocky movie in succession on a lazy Saturday. As I sat along the rocky coast of Maine and watched the tide come in, I would always consider how blessed I was.

Today, over a billion people live (and die) in desperate poverty which is less than a dollar a day. Close to two billion others live on less than two dollars a day. 30,000 children will breathe their last breath due to either starvation or a preventable disease today. We are not inconvenienced by this extreme poverty because those stricken by it are not only poor, they are powerless. Literally millions of them are quietly dying in relative obscurity and we can comfortably ignore them in our affluence, pretending like they don’t even exist. Meanwhile, they do exist, and God measures the integrity of our faith by our concern for the poor.

I walk to my school every day and see families living in houses that barely have walls. I have lunch with kids whom this could be their only complete meal that day. People wash, cook, and bathe with water that is delivered to the end of each street because the idea of plumbing and running water is impossible here. I see homeless in Cartagena whom are so ravished by the weather they are too tired to beg. I have walked through neighborhoods where they plead to more affluent people to take their children because they can’t provide for them.

Please don’t listen to me but what is written in God’s Word. In Luke 6:20-22 we read “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you for who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” In verses 24-25 Jesus warns “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who will laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.” In Mark 10:21-22 an eager affluent young man approaches Jesus and asks how He may “inherit eternal life.” After he explains to Jesus that he has been keeping the commandments since he was a little boy, Jesus looked at him and “loved him” and said “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” The story continues “At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” In 1 John 3:17-18 it reads “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Back in Luke 12:32-34 Jesus words are piercing as He commands “Do you not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The Word of God is clear about how much He cherishes the poor, oppressed, and orphaned. The Word of God is clear about how much He despises though who neglect them. I have come to see that I am the “Rich Young Man.” When the Bible speaks of the “Rich” I know that I fall into this category. In America, I was certainly not the most affluent, but in the perspective of this World, believe me when I say that I am exactly who Jesus is warning. Salvation is never a matter of external reformation, but is always a matter of internal transformation. James says in Chapter 2:15-17 says that if we see someone in need, hope for them a better future, and do nothing, that this is an example of a faith that is “dead.” If we have Him in our hearts- everything changes.

While the words of Jesus are tough- they are necessary. The reality is that hundreds of children will die by the time you finish this blog. 30, 000 will breathe their last by the time the sun sets. When I left the US, I left behind a diseased view of materialism. I have repented to God about my disobedience and as a result His spirit is changing me. I know my life will never look the same as it was last year. It can’t be. The words of Jesus have radical implications for our lives. Read Matthew 25:31-46 and ask what side you are on. Plead with Him to change your heart, the perspective, and the priorities. Draw close to Him, believe in His promises, and then listen to His voice. It will never be a matter of guilt, but responsibility. Give Him your heart and see where this takes you. The lives of millions depend on us. Please believe it. Join me in prayer, petition, and action.

Sometimes, God just puts a word on your heart that is tough but demands to be shared. In my flesh, I would rather share how to make Coconut Rice or how I saw the most amazing tarantula the other night (that will come!) But I know this needed to be my next blog entry. I hope you are encouraged and whatever your religious position, you come to see how this experience is shaping my perspective of life as I know it. I love and miss you all so much! Thanks for your support! I feel it! Pictures are courtesy from a few amazing ministries I adore here, Uganda, and India.

Infamous Public Schools in Colombia

2010-02-25T09:03:00.001-08:00

Me and technology have not gotten along very well in Colombia. About 4 weeks ago my beloved Ipod to which I listened to many podcasts as well as American music (!) passed away. While this little 4 GB box of heaven got me through countless hours of training this past year, I belief its death was premature! So therefore I will be writing a letter to either Steve (CEO of Apple) or Steve Wozniak (Co-Founder of Apple)...that's right I googled the head haunchos!

Than a week later I went swimming with my cell phone! There will be no letters sent on this one because I am simply an idiot!

To top it off, I was working on a new blog update when I leaned on my computer. PS: Never lean on anything that costs a lot. When the "Black Screen of Death" appeared...I knew I was about to pay alot. Somehow in my insane muscular strength and body mass, I broke the hard drive. Apparently, they just don't make them like they used to (I used to have a 1970's Commodore desktop that weighed 240 lbs!). But thanks to a failing economy and good friends, I paid about $120 bucks for a new drive, Windows 7 (Team Bill Gates...take that Apple...like you need it), and labor (you da man Ivan!). Which leads me all to say that i'm still alive and kicking and ready to share some of the experiences I have been having here in Colombia via this blog!

So how about I finally talk about my teaching placement here in Santa Ana!

When I was asked to switch from my University teaching placement in beautiful Cartagena to dirt, dust, and donkees of Santa Ana, I was given the opportunity to chose which of the 2 teaching placements I would prefer here on the Island. In Santa Ana I knew there were 2 schools (a private and public) to choose from. The only differences I was given, in that moment, were that the public school co-teachers tend to be less engaged and therefore you have more autonomy. So being a glutton for a good challenge, I excitedly choose the Santa Ana Public School!

I am an english teacher in a community where learning this language translates into money. If you know english- you can get a job. In fact, this beautiful island has attracted potentional real estate giants as Donald Trump. In the past year, there has been as all-inclusive resort that opened near Playa Blanca with plans for several more within the next 5 years. You ask any kid "why learn english" and they will draw you dollar signs! Tourism around Playa Blanca is what their parents often do and is a career many will fall into as well (not very many options). The difference is that if these children learn english, instead of spending 10 hrs days in the hot sun trying to sell food, beverages, necklaces, or massages, they could work in an air conditioned resort or restaurant. According to some reports they can make upwards to 30% more in such positions- that's some serious "plata!" The tough reality though, is that if they done learn english, they could be displaced by more competetive individuals who would tend to know this highly valued language (English speaking tourists).

I have come to learn the hype around public schooling in Colombia is true (can't tell you how many presentations we had in Bogota about the problems in education here).

While the kids in both schools (private and public) present teachers with the same problems each day, I have come to learn that the institutions themselves are to blame. The culture of learning in the private school here (Barbocoas) is impressive. The teachers, who live here during the week, are prepared and eager to teach. There seems to be appropriate accountability from executive leadership to all faculty and staff. While every institution has its problems, I feel they work very diligently to keep the kids first!

At the public school (Santa Ana Public School), while I believe there are good intentions, the culture of learning is flawed. In Colombia they have one of the most powerful teacher unions every assembled. For many this means serious job security. The reality is that there is almost nothing you could do to be fired from your position. So it's obvious how this can matriculate down to the education of these beautiful children. What hurts the most, is that these kids here in Santa Ana don't have any other resource to learn from. What they get here will often be all they get!

But this is the reason WorldTeach and Volunteers Colombia has us here- so bring it on!

So while there are 6 of us "gringo's" here in Santa Ana, only 2 of us teach at the public school. The other teacher is an awesome girl named Kim Handel. She is from California and has the perfect balance of humor, reality, and sarcasm for such a placement as ours! Most mornings we make the 10 minute walk to our school together often laughing at the impending insanity that is our world!

I am teaching multiple classes in 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grade! I average about 23-25 hrs each week in the classroom. Most of my classes have anywhere from 20-30 kids in each classroom. Hopefully, you can get a perspective of what the classrooms look like in the pictures I will post. If this is your first time reading my blog: Its hot here! By hot, I mean I take 3-4 showers a day. So these classrooms are somewhat open and are all equipped with 1-2 ceiling fans that occasionally work. Needless to say, I am soaked by the time I am done! Its awesome!

The kids are the reason I am here! So while there have been many instances I wanted to toss them in the ceiling fan- they are beautifully tolerated and loved. Its a tough job teaching english here but Kim and I are learning new strategies and methods to get the information across. Let me not sugar coat things and say that a day doesn't go by where I did not ask a student to leave or hand out a zero for cheating, but its getting better. They are learning that while the "gringo" means business, he really cares for them! I thought it best to fight these battles early on so we can make some real progress down the road. Respect is everything here.

All my teacher friends are probably wondering how much time I spend lesson planning each week with so many grades...well a lot less than I anticipated because they are all almost at the same level (which happens to be a 6th grade or less ability). If Donald Trump rolled in tomorrow, these kids are screwed. But if Kim and I can make some real progress this year helping change the learning environment of our school, encourage and educate our Colombia co-teachers, and if WorldTeach commits to this project for 5 years, I can see real change coming to this community!

Classes are an adventure but I have to say I have really been enjoying it! I have seen a little progress just in the fact that I don't have to use my ghetto spanish to teach the whole class anymore! This week was full or ups and downs but I saw a lot out of them the past few days! My 11th graders were awesome while my 4th graders were on crack. I also had some tough conversations with the principle about some of my concerns regarding the disorganization of the school. I am hopeful He can make a few changes that will greatly impact the learning environment here.

Its South America and we have all quickly learned to adapt and overcome. This is a different world and sometimes I feel I barely display that in this blog. Yet, I pray this experience gives you a different outlook on life and a blessed perspective of life where you are this moment. I am sure i'll talk more about teaching and these kids- its a huge part of my life here. So until the next time, hug your children and get involved in their education! Maybe someday they can use what they have learned to come and attempt to make an impact where kids simply are not as fortunate.

Talk soon- have a blessed day!

Yo No Se Manana

2010-02-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

I dont know about tomorrow.

The title of the blog is actually a really cool song here in South America. Its by a guy named Luis Enrique who from a few web searches seems to be "the man." To put it in a way that everyone at home could relate, I think he is the Latin American version of Sting. He certainly went through some narly haricuts (the Kid and Play hightop to the spanish Fabio mess) and some weird outfits (gotta love the sweater vest with no shirt underneath), but after just watching his music video for this song, the man is a pimp (Mom- not in the way where someone takes money from hookers for providing care and protection- but its actually an endearing term)!

While I may not understand all the words to this song, and i'll kind of ignore the line where I think he says something like "from the cafe to the couch," I certainly have been digging the killer salsa beat and rhythm of this kind of music. Do I love it so much to get out of my bed at 11pm and show my Santa Ana neighbors my true Colombian rhythm and footwork...not so much. Yet, I appreciate their consideration to serenade us "gringos" with the all the hit records of South America at times where I believe that even my donkey friends are sleeping!

I don't know about tomorrow! So every day here I have tried to make it memorable. In the mornings when I head off to school I know that I wont have to do anything personally to make it an adventure. Something is bound to happen that will give me an awesome story to share with my fellow American teachers at lunch. I know I have said this before, but more details to come.
For all my teacher friends, I think i'm heading to the Bronx to teach after i'm done here. Woah.

Both during and after school, I have become a regular at the panaderia (bread shop),which is actually out of this families home, (helped him move a new dresser into it the other day) across the street from the school. The first time I met them they said laughing "usted no entiende nada" which lovingly means "you don't understand anything." While they are correct, they love me because I bust out my 50 mil (25 cents) and routinely buy 1 pastry and 2 cookies from them like 2-3 times a day! Gotta support the local economy!

The midday is me, sweating that pastry and 2 cookies away, laying on my bed with a fan full blast aimed at my grill! Hoping no one busts in my door without knocking because I may or may not have many clothes on. This is when I get the opportunity to have some quality God and me time. I like to think that me being almost neked may enhance these moments. He certainly had Adam and Eve walk around without shame, so im sure He won't mind if reenact this during our time together (i mean its like 98 degrees here...everyday!).

During the early evenings I try and do some form of exercise. Funny story: so the other day i'm running down 1 of the 2 dirt roads I often frequent here. Its about 4:30 pm which still means its smoking hot but not as bad as earlier in the day. Its swear I am in Africa on these runs. There is nothing but fields of cattle, donkeys, and weird looking trees. But I have to admit its really relaxing minus when a truck comes and im covered in dust. So anyways, I turn this corner and there are like 4 huge cows. This is nothing new, but for some reason I forgot to walk past them and my running startles the little one. So they start running down the road infront of me. No problem but there are fences the line the road for miles! So for about 5 minutes I feel like I am in Pamplona, Spain running with the bulls (yet they are kind of infront of me). Funny gets hilarious when as 1 unit we turn the corner and we meet my other friends, the donkeys! There is a small family of 4 who also gets wigged out at the 3 tons of beef and the 150 lb gringo that is running at them. So they decide to join us and we become quite the site for another 1/4 mile until a legit (not an uber mutt) guard dog comes out of nowhere and thankfully changes the direction of my herd. If the farmer who owns all these animals happens to learn how to use that fancy box gringos always seem to carry around and reads this blog...I am sorry!

The evenings have been about culture! From learning new ways to perfect patacones to making empanadas, I just upped my stock just in time for dating season (starts tomorrow until Halloween...another blog in itself). I am also doing a language exchange with a really cool young man named Luis. I truly feel that God had his hand in us meeting each other as I believe there will many cool ministry opportunities that may come from this. And of course, I regularly play with my South American Sandlot crew. The other teachers I work with have been coming with me more regulary (to play of just hang out) and its been a pretty fun time. The crew is growing and I am considering finding a new spot- which means a serious clean up project!

The night is about chilling out with the great group I am here with, getting ready for another day of classes, and spending some times talking about all of you to Him! At the end of the day, I double check the walls for man eating mosquitos that have rocked me in my sleep a few nights last week, and then pull the covers over my already 99.8 degree body.

For those who made it this far in todays blog always lovingly ask yourself this: While life is always full of adventure, can you say it always has purpose? What makes my day so awesome is that I know I am doing the things God wants me to do here. I have never felt His presence in such an amazing way and that makes me both excited and terrified in what He will present next! And so why I have do not about tomorrow, I will walk with Him and make the most of all He gives me today!

Waves

2010-02-01T18:10:00.000-08:00

Life here in Santa Ana has been going awesome! I am truly in love with this country and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this community! Though the other night I could have traded my kidney for a good ol’ American Cheeseburger, every day I feel more at home here in Colombia!

Today was my first day teaching! I had an 11th grade class that began at 6:30 am and you can only imagine how excited they were to be up that early to learn English…some things are universal! This was followed by another 11th grade class, a two hour 9th grade class, and a 6th grade class from the underworld. Anyone remember the beast from Revelations 13? The one with 10 horns and 7 heads who wreaked havoc on all the earth’s inhabitants…that kid is in my class! Otherwise, it was a pretty cool day and I am excited to put some cool lesson plans together to help them learn English. It was very clear we have miles to go before they’ll be at any level of proficiency! More to come!

For this blog entry I want to share something I read the other day. Last Saturday I met the IMB Ministry team in the morning. I will be helping in these missions every weekend while I am here. I hope to share more on this very soon! I was suppose to meet them at 8:30 am but the motorcycle driver I took that morning must have just watched Fast and Furious because I was almost 30 minutes early! So I hung out on the beach (rough life) and read my daily devotion which at the time was in Ephesians. I was in chapter 4: 14 which says:

“Then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunningness and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ.”

As I read this I looked out at the waves and made some observations. Waves come in all different shapes and sizes. Waves are relentless, yet incredibly unpredictable. Sometimes when everything is normal, you’ll have a huge wave come in and surprise you. I noticed how strong they were. When they crash you can see the sand turn underneath it. Sometimes they pull rocks back in as the wave recedes while other times it pushes them up on shore.

In all these observations, it was not hard to see why Paul used this example. Even the person who wrote the motto “Life is a Beach” may have been on to something. In a spiritual sense, Satan’s attacks are relentless. He will present them in creative and different ways. When everything appears calm, the god of this world throws something at us that can be overwhelming. We have moments where it feels as if the ground is being swept out from under us. Another day we feel as if we’re being thrown against the rocks. Satan wants nothing more than for us to lose our bearings and in a moment, feel scared. Can you relate to this? What are the waves in your life?

As I observed the ocean that morning, there was something else I could see. I noticed that the waves of any significance were only near the shoreline. The deeper you went out, the calmer the water was. I reminisced when I did Ironman Florida. I had worked on a few strategies to get through these “breaker” waves. I kept the mantra to “just stay focused and relax” because when I did successfully get through them, the rest of the swim would be easy as I knew the conditions were better the farther out you were! How important is it for us to “get off the shore and into the deep water” as it relates to our faith? The reality is that this can be a daunting proposition because of two reasons: it’s scary and people don’t know how to swim.

I listened to a sermon the other day and the pastor referenced The Chronicles of Narnia where someone asked “is the Lion safe (God)…No! But He is just!” When we rest our lives in His hands it doesnt always mean "calmer waters" as we would imagine. Yet, as we venture out in Faith, the waves that once crashed around us, causing us to become disorganized and at times fearful, disappear. Instead He replaces them with purpose and direction. A storm out in sea is not uncommon, but remember what Jesus said to the disciples in such a similar situation in John 6:20 "It is I; dont be afraid." The sea is always unpredicable, but unless we get out of the surf and into deeper water, we may never come to know Christ in the manner we are told to.

Doubt can also creep in when one does not know how to swim. How many times have you ever felt convicted you needed to act on His behalf and thoughts of inadequacy overwhelmed you? There were moments, a few years ago, when I joined a swim team to learn how to swim. After a few practices- I remember wanting to crawl into somewhere and die! It was hard and I thought I would never learn. But I trusted in my coaches teaching and saw in her ability that she knew what she was doing! Sound familiar?

God has given you and me everything we need to swim and to freestyle our way into calmer waters. He has given this entire world His words, teachings, team (church), instructions, and the Example!

There were moments this past year that seemed overwhelming. Times where I lost my focus and felt scared! Yet, as I write this I am excited for what He is doing in this life. I know there is an amazing, overwhelming amount of me that needs to go to Him. But I pray that each day the Holy Spirit convicts me of this and I am able to give them up. All of us have gone through some serious “breakers” in our days and maybe you are in that moment today. So I want you to know that as it is in Christ, as we grow up into Him, we are granted the peace, joy, and strength to swim to that place. A place that is dangerous but we feel safe. A place that is unchartered but we aren’t lost. A place that is foreign but we feel at home.

For me, my best friend Kendall has been that encouragement and example for me. She showed me that in His hands, there is no room for fear. She reminded me that God doesn’t look for the qualified, He makes them.

In moments of crashing waves and dangerous currents, are you clinging to something or possibly someone that is not Him and should be? Can you even see the calmer waters in front of you? Prayerfully let go of what you are holding onto this moment. Trust in the Creator God. Allow Him to guide you through these breakers and out in the deep waters. Sometimes we only see the waves and forgot there is another world to be discovered behind them. Find that place and I guarantee you that is where He has always wanted you to be!

The Usual in Baru

2010-01-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

To my mom and the other 2 people that read my blog- “Que mas” from Isla Baru!

I got a few requests to write about my usual day here in Santa Ana, Baru. So here in my suprisingly slick and childish sense of humor...a day in Colombia.

Every morning I wake up fairly early because I’m an idiot. However, in reality it’s not a bad thing because starting next Monday, my school begins at 6:30 am! Despite my pretty ghetto bed and the sheets that somehow are nonexistent when my eyes open, I sleep pretty well! When I was a little guy, getting me out of bed was a nightmare process for my parents. Not just because I despised school, but because in New Hampshire its cold for almost 8 months of the year! My loving yet frugal parents always turned off the heat at night, which I enjoyed at night, yet cursed in the morning. There were many mornings where I could see my breathe and the last thing I wanted to do was leave my heaven that was 3 blankets and a huge comforter! I write that to tell you…I don’t have that problem here. Have I not mentioned this climate resembles the underworld?

So once my eyelids open and the ears turn on- I am graciously greeted by about 1000 roosters. Though they are often not in unison, I have come to appreciate their desire to sing to me every morning! Here I pray for a lot of you (the ones I like) and finish the prayer with “and please Lord may I not get stung by a scorpion this morning.” Pretty much on the second day here I found one of these tiny, rare, and deadly divine mistakes (ducking as I write this) chilling out on my bathroom floor. So needless to say- I now move around about as fast as my little Italian grandmother (shout out to Rita!). I check my shoes and throw on some running gear. Got to start the day right pounding the dirt roads before it turns into a blazing inferno!

I open my door and feel like Noah. “Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you…” Amidst the poverty and obscene amount of trash that is my morning view of Santa Ana, are usually pigs, dogs, cattle, goats, variety of birds, lizards, roosters, and my favorite animal the donkey! I see much more of this as I run but the fact that it hasn’t rained here for months deters me from getting out my blueprints of the ark.

A cold shower never felt so good than when I come back from these runs! I am cautious to make sure I don’t drink an ounce of water there, but honestly, I’m on a island with no running water (we’re the only ones who have it) and an garbage problem…I’m screwed. I fully expect to hug the porcelain many times before I leave here, but I am cautious nonetheless. My amazing breakfasts in Bogota are now an afterthought! It’s a bowl of good ol’ Kellogg’s and a banana. I do get some good coffee (special shout out to Edna)!

So the rest of the day is school stuff. I am at the public school here in Santa Ana which is going to be very rewarding but challenging. The last few days have been just lesson planning with our Colombian teachers (in the South we say "God bless them but..."). Should be interesting because during our first meeting, we came to learn that though they have spent the last 5 years teaching English, they have written nothing down in the form of lessons and or annual plans. So as you might imagine, my prayer life is being tested but I believe we are going to be alright. Tell you more about that soon. Class starts next Monday!

I want to share my favorite part of the day with everyone! We live right next to one of the “pueblos” of Santa Ana. If you just thought Cherokee Indians or somewhere along those lines...punch yourself in the gut. In South America this just means rows of small little homes which result in a quaint but poor neighborhood. I have made it a point to get out and just lift the people to him in prayer. In these moments God has opened up doors for me to meet a lot of great people of all ages. If you happen to forget, I live in South America and they speak Spanish here. Which means at this moment, there is a lot of smiling, proper salutations, and moments where I just listen and wish I understood. But in everything I do, I love them. I love them as He loves you and me! It would be hard to describe how much I wish I could really converse with them, but for the meantime I am content on loving them by giving them my time and appreciation. The best part is the 15-20 kids from the neighborhood whom I have introduced to ultimate Frisbee! These kids are athletes but it’s more laughs that competitive remarks. I walked out of my room yesterday evening to all of them yelling at me to come play (which took me a moment to translate)! Remember who Jesus said was the greatest- if you just though Ali- read Matthew 18. These kids rock and I ask that you pray over my South American Sandlot. May He open up doors to share His truths with them and their families despite my limited Spanish! These people are beautiful and I’m excited for those who might come to meet them!

After a light dinner because my eternal temperature is now 1000 degrees, I grab this here blessing of technology and touch down in America for a while. After my fix of “home” I walk back to my place for bed. On the way I politely ask a few donkeys if they wouldn’t mind keeping their debauchery down this evening. I threaten them by saying I wont let them enter the ark if they abide by my demands! I wonder how much I would jack up the ecosystem if I omitted a few animals? Lucky for them I am a fan of Eeyore and I would never do anything malicious despite how much there mating keeps me up. Too bad that Disney did not create a character who was a scorpion! Sucks to be them! Hope you enjoy the rain- suckahs!

(P.S...I know its not going to be rain but fire next time...save the email, it was a joke. Ha!)

Change of Plans

2010-01-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

Been loving that verse as I have started experiencing the highs and lows of living here. Please keep me in your prayers as I desperately try to rest in His arms and stop trying to walk my own path.

The WorldTeach Colombia orientation in Bogota was awesome! I am so proud to be a part of this organization and to be among such an impressive group of people.

I have gotten a few requests to describe what a normal day has been like in Bogota. So I will do my best to capture what it’s been like for me and my new friends as we just wrapped up orientation and headed out to our placements throughout Colombia!

For me, each morning usually starts with an early morning run on the streets and in a nearby park. The first time I ventured out I must admit it was possibly the hardest run I have ever gone on! Minus the fact that in the weeks before I left, I possibly enjoyed every bit of America’s finest cuisine (love me some cheeseburgers), the altitude was a killer! Bogota is the third highest capital city in the world! I bet playing checkers at 9000 feet would have been rough! Then you have the pollution which is not uncommon for a city of almost 8 million people and together you feel like a COPD patient on crack (couldn’t think of anything creative here).

Once I got back, I enjoyed a nice breakfast of fresh squeezed juices (mango, kiwi, strawberry, and blackberry), scrambled eggs with ham and tomato, and a plate of amazing pineapples and various melons! Let me not forget the amazing cup of real Colombia coffee to which I would down 2-3 cups every morning (speaking of crack). Being so early, I usually did my daily devotional here each morning and must admit that each morning started almost perfectly! Everyone jealous yet?

If you let out a “ah I’m jealous?” statement- take it back. After I wrapped up my wonderful morning routine, it was time to work! Harvard University and their program WorldTeach (http://www.worldteach.com/) sent us to Colombia to teach English! While there are many ESL teachers in the states- there are like 2 good ones here in South America. The fact is that while English is taught in most schools as early as 1st grade- 93% of the Colombian “English teachers” do not know English! So kids in all areas of the country are graduating with the knowledge of “Hi, mi name es Jose,” and nothing more. One might say “so what’s the big deal that they don’t know English, I mean come on, its South America!” Well, Bob Smith might be right for a few people, but the reality is that English equals money. Strategically, this year’s Colombian placements are all in areas of both tourism and trade! It can be stated that if you take two Colombians (in these areas) who have the exact background and education but one knows Uncle Sam and the other doesn’t- the one who knows English will earn up to 30% more money per year! If you just watched Romancing the Stone or possibly Clear and Present Danger and think these people are living large off emeralds and cocaine- not so much my friend. This country is poor and I am learning from Colombian officials and just about every poor sap on the street, education is to blame. A few global educational statistics rank Colombia comparable to some African countries! Yikes!

So with all of that said- they beat us up to make sure we don’t drop the ball here. At one point the Minister of Education in Colombia herself gave us a pep talk! We usually started the day off with 1-2 hours of Spanish class. I was put in the lower class…no surprise there. I must also admit that I felt like I ran a marathon after that class- geez! Then it was 2-3 hours of ESL teacher training, Lunch, and 3-4 hours more! We practiced all educational components and were given the opportunity to student teach at a local school (where the children may have been smarter than me…now). They also threw in classes around culture, history, safety (thanks US Embassy for scaring the crap out of us), and social issues. We got the opportunity to see famous Bogota sites as well as breath taking fieldtrips outside the city. Nothing like 23 Americans getting out of a sweet air conditioned charter bus with digital cameras flashing. I am shocked none of us was kidnapped (I’m kidding Mom…kind of).

Though it was intense, WorldTeach put together one of the best orientations anyone could ask for. I think this whole group feels well prepared and incredibly motivated to carry out this mission! I am excited to begin teaching and the doors He will open up to witness within this community.

As for the title to this blog today…there was a change in plans for me! Originally, I was supposed to be in the beautiful city of Cartagena where I would be teaching university students. However, a cool girl in the Isla Baru placement was not comfortable with the situation there and asked to switch. When no one was willing to do so, I prayed over it, and when the big wigs at WorldTeach said it was a go, I accepted the switch. What does this mean? Well, Isla Baru is only 45-90 minutes (depends on mode of transportation) South of Cartagena which means I will still participate in the IMB ministry with Kendall on the weekends! These people need Jesus more than they need English. Isla Baru is also close to the beautiful Playa Blanca (Google that!) which is awesome! But I have to admit it’s the extreme opposite of Cartagena in that it’s the ghetto. These people are amazing, but the small communities of 4000 people live in absolute poverty. This is one of the reasons “the switch” appealed to me because I know this community has its hands out asking for help in so many ways (possibly more so than Cartagena)! I will write more about the fascinating dynamics here and hopefully post pictures soon!

Hope everyone is well but I need to go outside and see why these donkeys insist on mating right outside my window! Gotta love Baru! Stay tuned…

E

First Day of School- Again

2010-01-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone out there who enjoys packing? If I ever strike it rich, you better believe that right alongside me having someone whose sole job is to scratch my head (weird…I know), I will also have a personal packer! Without getting hosed by all my female friends, I will say that my packing habits may be slightly similar (that’s all I’m saying). I tend to bring a lot more than I should which was may have been the case for this next year to Colombia. I simply comment to this because as I write this entry, I am staring at a huge heap of clothes, shoes, hats, and a bunch of random objects that somehow managed to find its way into my bags! Did I mention that I already have another bag waiting for me in Cartagena- thanks JD and Laura! Ha! I am like my Mom after all!

A special shout out to my parents who drove from Maine for Xmas, take my truck, and my beloved dog Ellie! Even though I was certainly not myself the last few weeks before I left, it was such a blessing to have them with me. On top of just being around them- they kept me focused on everything I needed to do before I boarded the plane! This was huge for me, because as I experienced every emotion one would feel before leaving the country, I often found myself not wanting to think about leaving. So hence, I was not that productive. If you are Ed Financial- I plan to defer my loans- thanks! Yet, as I hugged my parent’s goodbye and gave my very special 4-legged loved one a nice smooch, I entered the airport super excited to start this next journey.

Over the last few months I have know that there were going to be almost 20 people going with me to Colombia. All of us have been placed into teams that would teach in Isla Baru, Cartagena (Me), Barranquilla, and 2 placements in the beautiful Quindio region of Colombia. I also knew that the whole group would spend 2 plus weeks together in Bogota for our WorldTeach orientation. Having moved out of my “old school” shyness bit, I was pretty excited to meet everyone, but possibly a bit nervous.

Growing up, I absolutely dreaded the first day of school. One, because it was school and I thought it was created by Satan himself (now I’m teaching…wow) and two, because I had to endure the awkwardness that it meeting new people when all you would rather do is play basketball, be fishing, and watching Michael Jordan highlight films. But I guess I have grown up a bit because as I hopped in bed, and in the last time for a while, told Ellie it was “time for nigh nigh,” had her jump up, give me a kiss, and very gently pulled back the covers and curled up to the back of my legs (again weird- but cannot tell you how I miss that), went to bed without much problem. The night before Ironman was like being on crack but leaving everything I have known in Nashville resulted in a ridiculously good night’s sleep- hmm?

I met the group in Houston and the rest was history. I cannot tell you how cool these people are! You ever been at a weird gathering with long lost family, telling your story, answering redundant questions, all the while secretly wishing a comet would come down and remove you from this world? Well, needless to say I have had not in one moment felt anything along these lines here! I have heard this was the most competitive year WorldTeach has ever had and after meeting these people and getting to know their experience, I certainly feel privileged to be here. I can tell you that the regions in Colombia that WorldTeach and Volunteers Colombia have partnered with- are going to be blessed.

I remember in 2nd grade crying behind the Eastman School cubbies the first day of school, after my Father literally dragged me into the school, wishing bad things upon the man who invented learning! But here I am once again, coming full circle, studying hard here at our Bogota orientation with a group of people I have only know for 1 week- excited to go to my teaching placement in Cartagena! I know this country has a drug problem, but has anyone tested the water because I’ve been feeling pretty good.

Please keep all of us in your prayers as we all part ways for our placements in the next week.

Adios!

The List

2010-01-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

This time last year I was staring down at my hands (in the classic hunt and peck typing style I have perfected) writing down everything that I have always wanted to do but never made it a priority or had the opportunity to do. As this insanely enjoyable euphoric experience came to an end, I had successfully identified 68 things to which I hoped to accomplish in 2009.

My friends thought I was crazy and unrealistic and while this was true in my ways, it was amazingly refreshing for me to do this. While such things as reading a Henry Thoreau novel while canoeing Walden Pond, getting a tattoo (you’re welcome Mom), or back packing Europe were never accomplished- I was able to knock down the list considerably. My cousin Mike and I went vegetarian for a whole month, I completed Ironman Florida along with a few other athletic goals, I learned an authentic Hispanic dish from an authentic Hispanic family, and just a few days ago I competed in a Krystal eating contest to which I gluttonously ate 20 of those nasty little things in 15 minutes (don’t recommend that one)! While I only accomplished half of this crazy list, my perspective on life was somewhat shattered.

Through this experience I came to believe there are few barriers that can effectively get in the way of our dreams and desire. More powerfully I came to believe there are no barriers that can get in the way of Gods desires for our life if we rest in Him. The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If we are able to crawl into His enormous hands each day, is there truly anything that might thwart the plans of the Creator God who wants to give us everything He perfectly designed for us?

While I still want to learn how to scuba dive, start a wine collection, and create my own holiday and celebrate it, I know that deep down the happiness I receive from such accomplishments pales in the comparison to the complete joy of walking along the path He had created for me.

I’m now sitting here in Bogota, Colombia where my life has come full circle. I am with a great organization and 20 awesome people who truly want to be a positive light to a country where the needs are obvious. In a few weeks I’ll head to Cartagena and begin work at the University and with the IMB mission team there. While I know there is so much from language acquisition to teaching proficiency that will need some serious work, I am really happy! I am blown away by the doors He has opened for me and I am very excited to follow His lead here in South America.

Was uprooting all that I have known in Nashville for the last 10 years to pursue this next chapter in Colombia part of my list? The surprising fact is that it wasn’t but that as I have drawn closer to God over these last years- in amazing cool fashion He revealed His list for me! So while I encourage everyone to make your 2010 dream list (it was fun!) above all things delight in the Lord and be prepared to have your world turned around for the better!

Hope to post a video update from the “Athens of South America” in the next few days! I miss you all so much…and my awesome dog Ellie!

Going to Colombia!

2009-12-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

On January 4th, 2010 I am leaving Nashville for South America. I have been accepted into Harvard University's International Development program WorldTeach. When the plane touches down my life will have come full circle to which it began. I am part of a team who has committed to teach English among various regions throughout Colombia. Having been adopted from Bogota, words cannot express how special it will be for me to do this. I am committed for one year at La Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar in Cartagena.

Earlier this spring I was visiting my best friend Kendall in San Juan del Obispo, Guatemala. She was there studying Spanish as part of her missionary training with the International Mission Board. One morning I walked her to school and than made my way back to the family I was staying with. These wonderful people also ran a small school for local children out of their home and I was excited to help. As I walked back down the few blocks to their home, it was hard to ignore the poverty and oppression these people were in. A couple Guatemalan children run by me and I find myself looking through their eyes imaging what life could be in such a scenario. Its something God has done before to me in Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and many instances in the United States. He simply reminds me of who I am, where I came from, and His desire for my life. Yet, unlike the other experiences, this one hit home. This one affirmed the others and brought it to another level.

Being born an orphan in Bogota, Colombia, it is hard to think about what my life would have been like if I was not adopted. Yet, God had plans for me and it started with my amazing parents who traveled from New Hampshire to take me as their own. They afforded me a real opportunity to live, dream, and hope. They provided a safe and supportive environment held together by unconditional love! They lived out their faith in an amazing God and by their example I came to my own understanding of Him. My adoption was certainly a gift but it was part of the plan. It was my beginning but never the end. I see myself in these children because I know He has called me to work with them. To humbly be His hands and feet among the nations.

This next year will be the start of an awesome journey! I will be teaching English to underprivileged children and adults within a University placement in Cartagena, Colombia. We will be involved in cultivating multiple community projects to which I have plans around a sports league and a possible swim team. Lastly, I am hopeful that on the weekends I will be involved in a kids sports ministry and church planting efforts that are directed by the International Mission Board. I certainly feel blessed to be able to do this and am excited to share these adventures with everyone!

Already there are many people who have supported this journey in so many ways. For those interested in joining these efforts, I first ask for your prayers and thoughts. Going from my comfortable surroundings of Franklin, TN to a foreign country like Colombia will certainly be challenging. Yet, I am excited to get there among these people, and this beautiful culture. I will also be doing a variety of community and missions-based projects that need support. For those interested in helping financially with these efforts, my church has created an opportunity to send tax-deductible support to a designated account there. All support will be used to help fund my community projects and missions! Thank you to all who have supported me and this endeavor. I'm excited to share this experience!

Grassland Heights Baptist Church
2316 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-6220
Memo Line: Eric Seguin- Colombia

Ironman Florida- Game Day

2009-11-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

Its less than 14 hrs from when I am expecting a cannon to sound and 3000 rabid triathletes begin Ironman Florida together. Yet, as sit down on the sofa of our beach side condo, I am simply thankful for friends. Over the years, life's story took many loved ones away to pursue medicine, ministry, adventure, and family. Yet, as I look around the room, my story involves new people that God has brought into my life for a purpose and I smile. "John- John" throws a terrible 2's tantrum while his Dad drinks a beer and pretends not to hear it but that's impossible. His 4 year old brother James threatens to "pile-drive" me so I lock him into the "Boston Crab" move I learned from Nintendo WWF and perfected on my sister. Stacey tends to the little guy so that there Mom Amy might keep some sanity that is foreign to most mothers who have a 2 and 4 year old. Kelcy, Laura, and Hannah are all laughing at the little boys while asking me crazy questions regarding how athletes "relieve themselves" during such a race like Ironman (I'll save that for another day). And my long lost friend Erin finishing up her amazing pre-race meal of lasagna, salad, and garlic bread, to which I successfully added a whole lot more butter to in a moment she wasn't looking. I end the night spending a few minutes responding to texts and calls from friends and family. I assure my Mom that I will be fine but don't stop praying, and that Dad should sell my triathlete bike (my most valuable possession) but must keep my dog if anything goes south. Than I reflect on the good people He has surrounded me with and I see that in some of life's coolest moments, you are rarely alone.

After a restless nights sleep, the alarm goes off at 5 AM and I know the Ironman is finally here. In my OCD preparation, I have already prepared everything for that morning. I simply walk 2 feet, and all my gear, clothes, and food is laid out for me. I am anxious, nervous, but excited. I am not thinking Julie Moss, but Dave Scott and Mark Allen (both 6x winners of Hawaii). I feel good and after eating some food, its time to get this party started.

As I walk down to the race site, you can feel the energy in the air. Its absolutely crazy! Athletes from all over the world and there families have migrated to Panama City Beach, Florida to compete in what many call one of the toughest endurance events in the world. My mind is flying so I cannot recall what I was thinking but I see my heart rate is fricken 123 bpm (resting: 47 bpm)! Task number 1 is to pump up my tubular wheels which is a process that may have stole some sleep. After the anxiety attack of trying to fill the disc wheel (not a bad problem though- thanks Bruce!), the bike is good to go. Green and looking hot- I may or may not have kissed it multiple times. I throw my slick aero helmet in my bike bag (thanks Rachel!), grab my wetsuit and meet the crew for some pictures. Its now 20 minutes from the 7 AM swim start and a long day in Florida.

Swim- 2.4 Miles

Its a beautiful morning in Florida. The air is crisp, slight wind, and its all blue skies! I notice the "pancake flat" waters of the days before are gone. There is a good chop which should make the swim a bit more challenging for everyone. After goodbyes to Stace, Amy, and Erin, its time to jockey for position among the 3000 lined up over a football fields length along the beach. I talk to this Australian guy before we started and some calming quotes from Dumb and Dumber came into my head which was nice ("That's a lovely accent you have. New Jersey?", "Austria", "Austria! Well, then. G'day mate! Let's put another shrimp on the barbie!") As a good swimmer, the game plan was to be in the first 3 rows of my area, hammer 400 meters and see what was going on. If I could find the "60 minute group" to swim with- do it. After what seemed like eternity (2 minutes), the MC who was telling everyone "if you are not good at swimming, be in the back of the pack or risk getting swam over", gave us the 10 second countdown. Soon a cannon sounded and Ironman Florida began! To understand an Ironman swim, imagine taking a seat inside your washing machine, adding a few pairs of shoes, and hitting the wash cycle. Everyone thinks they're Michael Phelps but in reality they're probably more like Michael Jackson. So as planned, the field thinned by the first turnaround buoy, as reality hit for many "swimmers." The waves were challenging but I liked that because I knew others did not. I got into a decent rhythm where I felt pretty smooth, tried not to get kicked in the head, and finished the first of two 1.2 loops in good form. The second loop was easier than the first minus some big ogar who about scissor kicked my head off, but I was out of the water in 58min and some change which put me in 72nd place overall- don't want to build any suspense- that did not last!

Swim to Bike Transition

Got out of the water, this Nazi "wetsuit stripper" yelled at me to lie down. So I did. She quickly ripped it off, handed it back to me, and said "Go!" So I did. Seriously felt like Forrest Gump in a few unique ways. The rest of transition felt like a sheep being led to the slaughter. I was just following the masses and did what they told me. Put my cycling shoes on, helmet, food in jersey, and got the green machine and was off on what would be a interesting long ride!

Bike- 112 Miles

As I jumped on my smoking hot bike/ girlfriend for many years, I settled in for the long haul. This course was flat and fast, which was good, but as a result prone to a few things: wind and cheaters. Put those two together and you have a very frustrating combination. For the record, I am a decent cyclist, yet each race this discipline is where I lose the most time to my competetors. I blame my Colombia genetics as they are generally known to be great "climbers" and not the best "time-trialists." But in truth, I am just lazy and never lift weights thus I am not that strong (145lb weigh-in!). Having a good swim and being in front of quite a few people, I quickly realized that regardless if I was Lance (well maybe not him) but say a better cyclist, I could never compete with the masses of cyclist working together (cheating). So I settled into my own race, fought the 15-20 mph headwind myself, and may or may not have let a few comments out as these "peletons" passed me. What was hard to swallow, is that I knew a few of these athletes, but I made the decision to do it "fair!" Screw them. On another note, I would not care if I never drank another bottle of Gatorade again. My nutrition plan was perfect though and much love and credit goes to being the case study for 12 awesome dietetic interns at Vanderbilt. Lucky me! My plan of 40 oz/ hr of sports drink and water, accompanied with 300 calories (Clif Bars, Shot Blocks, and Gels) went very well. My stomach felt great the whole ride, wish I had better legs, but was happy to get back home and start the Marathon slightly frustrated, yet in good spirits.

Bike to Run Transition

Just happy to be off the bike- got really bored the last hour. Again, like sheep to the slaughter but had a really funny conversation with the "helper" in transition. During our 90 second conversation, while I took off come cycling gear and put on running shoes, we laughed and made light of such a long race. Wish I knew his name, because he really gave me the lift and perspective I needed in that moment.

Run- 26.2 Miles

The course again was flat and familiar to me as I did an early season race on it. Its just the idea of running a marathon after 5 1/2 hours on a bike that's a tad daunting. Yet, coming out on the course I saw my gang! I gave them all a hug, took a picture, and headed out feeling energized. I settled into an easy pace that I knew I could maintain for hours without much trouble. The emphasis was on eating, staying hydrated, and having fun. I ran with this German guy for the first 13 miles which kept me sharp...kind of. We talked about family, beer, racing, and poked fun of other racers. I felt like a moran when I initially asked him if he was from Boston...to which he replied "Germany!" I also asked if him if Germany hated us for our steroid-infused picture of Drago in Rocky IV...to which he replied "Soviet Union." Not sure how sharp I actually was in that moment. Yet, we'd run through aid stations asking for "Cerveza" and this made me laugh. After 8 hrs I still had no problem smiling and enjoying the moment. I ran the next 10 miles with a middle school principle from Alabama. He had 3 boys and another on the way. At one point on the course, you run over this mat which identifies who you are. In front of you is a big jumbo screen where encouraging comments from families and friends appear (if they typed them in at the expo). Nothing for me, but my little man (seriously maybe 5 ft 2 inch's) had some great stuff from his boys. It read "Finish quickly Dad! We miss you and can't wait to see you!" We'll my man starts crying as we run. Feeling touched but somewhat in an awkward moment...I tell him "to save that water- he might need it later in the race!" The sun's seriously going down, and my body is actually feeling awesome. My pace has been solid but much slower than my pre-race goal. Maybe I was scared to "blow up" ala Julie Moss, but I'm guessing the harder than expected bike was the culprit. Yet, I figured I would drop the little principle and hammer (faster shuffle) the last 3 miles to ensure I finished under 11 hrs. Coming back into town and reaching the masses that surround the finish line, I feel both overwhelmed and relieved. My quest to conquer the Ironman is finished. I cross the finish line pointing up to Him with my hand across my heart. He has allowed me to do this, provided all my strength, and has taught me so much in these moments together. This endeavor was finally over yet I know the journey has just begun!

Special thanks to my family, friends Kelcy, Laura, Hannah, Stace, Erin, Amy, Bart, Chris and Sarah, the lil ones, Kendall for the support and also leaving the country which gave me a great reason to do IMF, my awesome swim coaches Carol Carr and Chris McPherson, Trace Bikes (they are the best-seriously), Bruce, Rachel, Ed, Cory, Zafer, VUMC Dietetic Interns and Charlotte, Will (training, racing, challenging me), and all of you whom I may have missed and who deserve a hug- thank you.

If you made it this far- January 4th will make a huge chapter in my life. Hope to reveal that to everyone in a few days...

Ironman Florida- Pre-Game

2009-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

Its Tuesday November 3rd and I am wide away. I turn over and my digital clock, which could be large enough to land a plane, is telling me its almost midnight. I close my eyes and instead of sheep jumping over a fence, I see fellow athletes swimming over me. I see myself tearing off my wetsuit only to have forgotten my racing uniform and thus scarring many innocent bystanders. I see myself running to my bike and the tires are slashed from another competitor who was jealous of my flaming green bike. I see myself stumbling out onto the marathon, passing out, only to wake up with Jesus giving me a high-five in Heaven. With the race in 4 days from this moment, I would have taken any pill, said any prayer, licked an amazon frog, to find some relief from the insanity that was my mind!

After what was a very interesting night's sleep, complete with vivid nightmares, my uber alarm clock tells me its time to get ready to go. Erin, a beach virgin, is on her way to my house to pick me up. When she heard about Ironman and I heard she had never saw the ocean, it was no brainer that she was coming to Florida. Erin could take care of this major blemish in her resume called Life, and I could have someone to wipe the drool from my mouth after the race! Score. So after what seemed like a 12 round fight with the bike rack I borrowed from a friend, it was finally time to get on the road. On my Facebook I write: "Dear Ironman Florida, I'm going to destroy you! Wait...I didn't mean that, can I take it back? Please be nice to me!"

After a night's stay at my swim buddies Fletch's house (thanks!), we stayed at a really cool place about 1/2 mile from the race site! It had an 80's tropical theme that was both scary and calming. The ocean was flat as a pancake and the weather amazing. Soon friends from both work and church came down and over the next 48 hrs I would occasionally forgot why I was there...until I walked into Walmart. How about every other person looking ripped, walking around in some cheesy triathlon related shirt, shaved legs, and carrying various forms of gold...I mean pasta. Or the sports drink aisle looking like the milk fridge at a Nashville Kroger's when 1 inch of snow is forcasted! And lastly the beer lane, ravished, for what many may use to enjoy the pure bliss of such an accomplishment or bury the un-holy pain that accompanies 140+ miles.

On Thursday Will and I went over to the site to pick up our race packets. Crazy! We played "guess the European" way too many times. Some french dude strutting a "grape smuggler" and a t-shirt about ran his little crepe into me while I was buying some gels, almost vomited. After waiting in the long registration line, Will and I somehow get chauffeured into the main tent, because this lil old lady, who thought Will was my dad (he's 30), was on crack. We took advantage and zipped to the front of the line and made it official. Awkward moment inside the tent- we had to weigh in. So I gladly stepped on the scale, did my De La Hoya flex for the crowd, and shamefully told the lady I weighed 145 lbs! Seriously...apparently the Kentucky Derby will be next on my list!

Friday Morning I met Will for a little jaunt in the gulf. The water felt great and I began to realize how much I love swimming open water. There is something about having the waves lift you up, the slight right to left current, salt-water buoyancy, unlimited depth of sight, and jelly fish! Actually the last thing kind of wigged me out as I pictured my months of training going to waste because of some boneless fish I can't eat! However, my intuitive open water skillz came into play, and I moved right on Will's toes. The man had a wetsuit on, I was pretty much naked! We met up again to "check-in" our bikes and transition bags. Wow. Have you ever second guessed yourself? What is it called when you do this say 87 times? My bike and run transition bags had everything in them. From endless amounts of yummy (sarcasm) foods to my shoes, socks, and hat. You can only imagine how jacked we became questioning our preparation. Will, I, and Holly (Will's Girlfriend) headed out the door to the race site. I cannot describe in all my rambling words the pit that was in my stomach. If I ever get married, walking down that aisle will be no problema! I looked over at Will to which he states "I think I want to vomit." We check in the bikes, bags, and my soul. Will goes to get taped and I make the lonely walk back to my place. Time to anticipate, time to reflect, time to prepare, but more importantly time to pray. Through this adventure God and I have had some pretty amazing times together and this moment was no exception. You know when Rocky yells outside of the Father Carmine's window, asking for a blessing, before he fights Apollo in Rocky II...it was kind of like that minus the whole Catholicism thing. As I talked to Him, I received a calming peace that was pretty amazing! God is good and even in the face of the blatant conflict/ idol that is triathlon training, He was with me and was excited for me. Than I stepped on one of those prickly seeds on the beach, lost that feeling, and now had a few things/ words to seek forgiveness for! T-Minus one rough nights sleep! More to come!

Ironman Triathlon...Seriously?

2009-11-14T11:41:00.001-08:00

Well over a year ago, my friend Will Hager suggested we should take our mediocre triathlon talent to the next level and the ultimate stage. He suggested we should sign up for an Ironman-distance triathlon. For me, when I thought about doing Ironman images of Julie Moss doing the 1982 Hawaii Ironman flashed in my head. If you have not seen her jaw-dropping deconstruction where she eventually crawls over the finish line- check it out on YouTube. Yet, for some jacked-up reason it took me about 1 minute on the phone to take the bait and decide to sign up. Maybe it was my long ago adopted motto I learned doing this sport, that "you pass out before you die" which gave me the inner-peace of knowing I wouldn't feel a thing if things went sour that day. Or was it my unknown Colombian genetics which may have involved some guy who loved the thrill of smuggling drugs or possibly just taking them, that enabled me to make such a quick decision? Either way, Will and I agreed to play the game that is trying to register online, 1 year in advance, for a race that usually sells out in 3 minutes. Crazy scenario but unfortunately we won, and were now 2 of 3000 people who got a slot for the 140 mile (thats 226K for my euro buds)race known as Ironman Florida.

How does one prepare? You tell your girlfriend, friends, family, dog, and life that you love them, but you'll see them in a year. You tell your accountant that I you understand the expenses equal a good down payment on a home. You tell your body that sleep is overrated and that God sent down manna from Heaven because they were carbohydrates and He wants you to marry them for 12 months. You tell people "I hate you" for them asking you why you are so skinny all the time. Yet you tell yourself, "only the insane do this", and in that notion a smile always forms and everything is justified.

There is something to be said about the feeling you get when you notice someone reaching for a coffee early morning to wake up, and you've already ran 10 miles and swam 3000 meters. Yet, one will always remember the sick feeling of seeing a family enjoy a nice picnic on a beautiful Tennessee day, and you got a date with your triathlon bike(that cost more than your life) for the next 5 hours! However, through all these moments, you begin to love it. You love how you body changes from a wannabe slob to a regimented machine. You love the fact that in a weird way you begin to feel like Jason from the Bourne Identity. You love the camaraderie of the OCD community that is endurance athletes. You love how after running 20 miles on Sunday you can eat 30 fried chicken wings, drink 4 beers, and finish it with 3 bowls of Moose Tracks ice-cream w/ chocolate sauce! It may not be a life for many, but for those who embark on this strange sport and event called Ironman, its kind of fun!

So after 10 months of solid training and preparation, 3 half-ironman races, 2 olympic-distant races, 1 sprint race, it was time to tackle the Beast. Was I going to reap the benefits of hard work or was this thing going to put me in the fetal position like it did Julie Moss and many others who were probably much more prepared than I? Stay tuned as I'll give everyone the race report from a fool who didn't really know what he was getting himself into but for some reason was really glad to be there!

Welcome to E's World

2009-11-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

Like many people who begin a blog, you wonder if your life is really that interesting to start this in the first place! I can honestly say up this point, there have been only a handful of events that were worth posting. The time I ran into a tree at camp and woke up 25 minutes later in front of 300 kids. My Mother questioning if I liked guys because I hated this girl after a breakup. An emergency room visit to remove a sweet 4 inch fishing lure from my thumb. The moment I got caught in the dark with the preachers daughter by the preacher only to tell him we were having a "bible study" and him believing it. The adventure that was going to a conservative Christian college because of the preachers daughter of earlier reference. The amazement of having God find you in a dark place in your life and reveal himself to you. The glimpses of a journey that He reveals to us when we finally and stubbornly submit to His authority. So with all that said, here we go! After many years, I can honestly say I have now arrived to a place where maybe more than my Mom will be interested in what I am doing. Life is about to change and a new adventure will begin. Stay tuned and hopefully you can laugh, learn, and live with me as I begin this new chapter in what I feel should be a hilariously awesome good time!