Prayers and Pictures

Last night I was able to curb my politics addiction by watching the RNC with mi mama. It was a little difficult explaining Ann Romney and Chris Christie in spanish, but it all worked out. Either that or she still has no idea and is just super patient.

It's been a little rainy the past few days- and a few more to come according to weather.com. Still keeping thoughts with NO and Hurricane Isaac.

We've been taking advantage of the ever popular spot in town at a cafe. Mostly because we can get some free wifi and for the company of course! Here's some pictures of our view while doing hw. It's a bit distracting to say the least.

If you look real close you can see the clouds covering some of the mountains (more in the top photo). About 45 min. after these pictures were taken it was pouring and we were a bit stuck being literally inside a rain cloud. We found refuge in teaching the local baristas some good ol' American dancing. We're in the process of learning how to dance their way. It's a slow process.

Thought I would post up on some of the books we'll be reading throughout the semester.
Don't be Afraid Gringo by Elvia Alvarado. Story of a Honduran campesina. Read it and weep, seriously.
The Good News about Injustice by Gary Haugen. He's the founder of IJM (International Justice Mission) and only four chapters in and I'm thinking it's going to be a good one. If you have the slightest interest in justice issues, this is a must read.
Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. Subtitle: finding simplicity in a complex world. More to come on this one.

Below is a prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero. Anyone will benefit from reading. It really hit on my perspective of the Kingdom and how there's comfort in being finite.

It helps, now and then, to step back
and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that. This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen.

Thanks for reading, your comments, and certainly your patience! Take care all.