“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.” Genesis 32:28

To start off, I hope that through this post, you may witness two things: one, God delights in using the small acts of His faithful followers as miracles which change the lives of others; and secondly, God can only place gifts in those hands which are truly open. This year, though unquestionably blessed by moments […]

A new adventure “in joy and…peace” Isaiah 55:12

Though not entirely aware of this at the time, I came to Ecuador with many expectations—wanting answers to questions which I have never dared to fully ask, an escape from the North American culture which I both love and hate, and the distraction of adventure. Yet, ironically, I also desired a closer relationship with God. […]

Makeup, machismo, and mountains

As I now enter upon my second week with my home-stay family in north Quito, I am relieved to note that my childhood in the Philippines has cushioned many of the cultural stress elements which otherwise might have surprised me greatly. Ironically enough, I almost felt more stress during the transition to living in a […]

Eyes to See, and Ears to Hear

The friendly barista rattles off 30 seconds worth of words…blank stare, mouth opens, mouth closes…his lip twitches as he again tries to convey his inquiry…I respond by biting my lip and with slumping shoulders offer an appealing look to my roommate who understands a much more extensive amount of Spanish than I do. That encounter […]

A few praises, a blessed heart

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” I looked up from the sidewalk as we turn into a gravel road with an open and spiked gate. The outside isn’t much and even inside with the ornate lighting and professional sound system. Many things struck me as distinct. The walls were masses of sturdy cement […]

El SENOR es mi pastor, I shall not be in want

This is the excerpt for your very first post.