I want to take your word and shine it all around, but first help me just to live it Lord.
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.
Replace the lamp of my first love, that burns with Holy fear.
A New Creation.
Love this reflection on Art and Christianity:
“What I want to propose, as we reach the end of this book, is that the church should reawaken its hunger for beauty at every level. This is essential and urgent. It is central to Christian living that we should celebrate the goodness of creation, ponder its present brokenness, and, insofar as we can, celebrate in advance the healing of the world, the new creation itself. Art, music, literature, dance, theater, and many other expressions of human delight and wisdom, can all be explored in new ways.
The point is this. The arts are not the pretty but irrelevant bits around the border of reality. They are highways into the center of a reality which cannot be glimpsed, let alone grasped, any other way. The present world is good, but broken and in any case incomplete; art of all kinds enables us to understand that paradox in its many dimensions.
The artist can then join forces with those who work for justice and those who struggle for redemptive relationships, and together encourage and sustain those who are reaching out for a genuine, redemptive spirituality. The way to make sense of it all is to look ahead. Look to the coming time when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea’ and then live in the present in the light of that promise, sure that it will come fully true because it was already fulfilled when God did for Jesus at Easter what he is going to do for the whole of creation. Gradually we are glimpsing a truth which cannot be overemphasized: that the tasks which await us as Christians, the paths we must walk and the lessons we must learn, are part of the great vocation which reaches us in God’s word — the word of the gospel, the world of Jesus and the Spirit. We are called to be part of God’s new creation, called to be agents of that new creation here and now. We are called to model and display that new creation in symphonies and family life, in restorative justice and poetry, in holiness and service to the poor, in politics and painting.”
NT Wright, Simply Christian
This has spoken a lot of truth to my present project, the EMI anthology book. It is my goal for the book to “celebrate the goodness of creation, ponder its present brokenness, and advance the healing of the world.” May it be a celebration of the new creation now and in the future. May the people who view it see the clear mission of EMI and glorify the Lord because of it.
We decided on a name for the book a few days ago, and I think it ties in with what is being said by NT Wright. The name of the book is, Kaleidoscope: Reflecting on 10 years in Latin America. May the faithfulness of God in our small works bring forth abundant light and reveal the living color of the Kingdom of God and the dynamic reflections of who He is today and tomorrow.
I cannot WAIT to share this book with you all and show a small glimpse of what EMI has been doing in light of God’s future glory and kingdom. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Keeping an eternal perspective, Kt.
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It’s always our self we find in the sea.”
- E.E. Cummings -
Just got back from a glorious trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama. The gang and I gettin a lil craz-ay :)
A Day in the Life.
I know you all are probably wondering what a typical day looks like here in Costa Rica. I have had to practice this in Spanish many times, but I will save you the hassle of translating and describe my day in English :)
Ah, the life of a Tica (what they call Costa Ricans here). Little by little I am falling more in love with this culture and place. It is so tranquil down here. Life seems to go at a slower pace. I find myself noticing the small details in life. The shadows on the sidewalks create unique geometric patters, the details in the plants and flowers become alive and I am overwhelmed with how many different types of plants there are here! In contrast, I am also amazed at the vastness and depth of the country. From the sea to the rain forests, I feel so small in the presence of God’s creation. Journeying to the sea has been a rejuvenating time for me to think, pray, and listen. The more I find intimacy with the Lord, the more these details and vastness turn into worship to my Father.
“By reading the scriptures I am so renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet.”
- Thomas Merton
My day begins when I hear the rosters crowing and the dogs barking outside my window around 5:30am. You would think this would be miserable (and it was for the first month), but now it’s my natural alarm clock. I am immediately immersed in the hassle of getting ready with the rest of my family. My wonderful Tica mom always has a welcoming breakfast ready for me. A typical Costa Rican breakfast is Gallo Pinto; rice, black beans, onion, and this amazing Lizano sauce. I usually have a mound of that with an egg or homemade tortilla. O and I can’t forget the coffee. I think my love for coffee has intensified since I have been here. Que rico, café! Some days I ride in the taxi with my siblings and Tico dad to the center of town, but most days I walk to work. I love walking here. It is another time to be still, notice details, and pray before work starts. It’s about a 30-minute walk.
I start work at 8:00am. As an office, we have morning prayer, devotional, and worship. It is so cool so start off the workday with this! After our morning meeting, I go straight into designing for the anthology book. We have a break around 12:00 for lunch. I’ve had the chance to try some amazing Tico food! Tamales, huevos revueltos, casados, frutas, refrescos, arroz con pollo. Mmm, all so good. After lunch, I design again all afternoon. The book is coming along slowly but surely. The organization of the book has been the hardest part. There are mounds of pictures and stories from the past ten years of the EMI-AL office. Figuring out how to condense it all into one book has been tough. I am beginning to feel the pressure, as I am the only designer on this project. However, the Lord has given me a creative mind and the dedication to finish strong. I am excited to see the final outcome and share it with you all!
After too many hours of siting, work ends around 5:00pm. I usually like to workout, update my blog, and catch up with friends after work. I head home around 7:00pm and my Tico family immediately greets me with kisses (besitos) and hugs (abrazos). I love how warm and friendly Ticos are! My wonderful mom always has dinner ready for me. Usually the dinners are pretty small. I have salad a lot, soup, or unique vegetable dishes. After dinner, I usually practice Spanish with my family, read, and then hit the hay. By 9:00pm I am exhausted! At first, it was a little challenging to get into this routine, but now I love it.
We also have a lot of get-togethers with the staff and other interns. On Thursday nights we have Bible study where we get to cook different meals that we miss and crave. We also have family dinners once a month where we catch up with the staff families, play games, and eat huge meals :) I am beginning to see how we are becoming one big EMI-AL family. It will be sad to leave.
On the weekends, I spend my time visiting with my Tico family, going to church (I have been helping out with the children’s ministry!), and traveling around Costa Rica. We have had the chance to go to different beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls. This weekend, the other interns and I have planned a trip to Bocas del Toro, Panama. I need to renew my visa so we will journey to the Caribbean Sea for 4 days. I am stoked!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! Sending tons of love.
PURA VIDA!
