Looking back...

I haven’t blogged in far too long. If I were a person who made New Year’s resolutions, I would say my resolution is to blog at least once a month in 2014, but as I don’t make resolutions (since they’re never kept) this statement may not come true. None-the-less I will try to make a better start by writing this first blog of 2014!

A lot happened to me in 2013, I mean a lot; a bunch of great things and new experiences, and also some times of tears and loneliness. Such is life, highs and lows are an integral part of the human experience.

To start off 2014, I’d like to share a few of the highs from the past year. This list is not in order of importance, nor is it exhaustive. I find it impossible to rank and summarize a comprehensive list of the ‘best’ experiences, and instead offer these few snapshots of some of the many things I’m thankful for from 2013.

Worship service at Berna Mennonite church

• People. One word with so incredibly much meaning. I really cannot find the right way to describe how thankful I am, how much it means to me, to have relationships with people who share their love and support. My family and friends at home who sent me with their blessing to Colombia. The MCC and MWC community who received me. The new relationships I started in 2013 with so many wonderful people in Colombia. It changes everything to have friends, to have close friendships, people I care about and who care about me.
• Church. Intrinsically tied to people, as the church is people. I want to mention it on its own, because it is such an important part of my life, my faith. God has chosen to work through his people, his church. Being a part of a church community has always been a huge part of my life, and the encouragement and love I get from Eben-Ezer means so much. And finding a church community in Bogotá has been a great change for me. Now I have a church family here, one that I can’t wait to see every week.
• Colombia… the land and its people. I’ve been blessed to have already seen a number of different parts of Colombia. Each region is beautiful in its own way, and has its own cultural differences. Some of my favourite trips have been when people from the area hosted me and showed me around, though being a tourist in other places was fun too!
• MWC and the YABs committee. When I took this position in Colombia, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go to the YABs committee meeting in May 2013, in Pennsylvania, USA. I knew I would have to leave my position on the YABs committee, and I really loved the work we did, and working with that wonderful group of people. That was actually one of the hardest parts of my decision. I never could have imagined that in my new role with MCC and MWC that I would still be able to go to that meeting, and stay on helping the committee as a consultant. Now I’m far more involved in MWC and I love it!
• Being Creative. My life here in Bogotá has a different rhythm than it did in Abbotsford, and because of that I’ve been able to spend times doing things that I hadn’t done in years. I’ve crocheted more than I ever had in my life (warm crocheted things are great in the Bogotá cold!). I’ve done more creative writing (though more does need to find its way to this blog) and I’ve started painting again. I’m also thankful for new skills and experiences, like learning salsa, merengue, and bachata.
• Feeling at home. It took a while, but after many weeks my apartment has turned into a home. I really do love living here. It feels wonderful to come home after a long day, or to invite people over as we have a great space for hosting. The kitchen is amazing and has lots of room to cook whatever ideas I get. And my roommate is pretty awesome too.

Once I start going I can write a lot, and this post is already longer than I planned. So let me finish by saying thanks be to God for all these blessings. I have much to be grateful for and thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me on this journey. Hoping you all have a blessed 2014!

One of the beautiful views in Boyacá

The best and the worst

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” –Charles Dickens

So it may seem rather exaggerated to begin a post with a Dickens quote, a very well know Dickens quote (though I have read that entire book!). But it sums up for me rather well how the month of August has gone.

I may not be the most consistent blogger, but I have blogged at least once a month, every month in 2013, but not in August. I didn't forget; I chose not to.

August was a month of highs and of lows. Several good friends from the MCC/MWC team were traveling, I was alone in my apartment and I was feeling rather more homesick than normal.

In my family, August is a big birthday month, first my brother’s and then mine 15 days later. We always celebrate each person’s birthday. Not extravagantly, but by being together and doing something special for that person.

This was my first birthday in Colombia, and I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I knew it would be different, and that’s ok, but part of me worried that it would be lonely. I didn't want it to be a big deal, but I wanted to celebrate somehow. But I wasn't sure how to share that with others.

So let’s just say that I had some very low days. I knew they would pass, and they did, but it was a very hard time.

One of the beautiful views in Boyacá

But August was also the best of times! There were good moments throughout, and the second half of the month was a lot better. I got to go with another MCCer to visit a Colombian MCCer’s home and family farm in the department of Boyacá. It was a wonderful weekend where I took far too many photos. I just loved walking and hiking in the mountains so much!

Then my birthday came, and it was great. The weekend before some of my friends from church planned something for me, which was stupendous! I enjoyed myself so much with them, and can’t describe how much I appreciated that they celebrated with me. On the day of my birthday (a Monday) we celebrated at the office too, with lunch and a cake. I got to spend time with friends in the evening and got several phone calls.

Feeling more at home in this beautiful city of Bogotá

This description makes the month seem rather normal, and in many ways it was. And that’s part of the beauty of it. I feel more and more like my life here is normal. There are still countless ways that I’m adjusting and will continue to adjust, but it feels so good to have normalcy; to have found a church community where I feel at home; to have made Colombian friends I can share and do things with; to feel comfortable in my neighbourhood and my home.

I wanted to share honestly, about how my life is going, and that includes that some days last month, I just can’t describe how incredibly sad and low I felt. And that’s part of life, here or anywhere. Life is the hard and the good, the best and the worst. And so I give thanks that life is also full of joys and happiness. I give thanks for the community I have found here, through MCC and MWC, and also beyond in the church and in Bogotá. Words fail me to express how touched and blessed I feel for this gift of community, for the gift of all these relationships that I have.