la vida en Puerto Rico: Buscan debajo de la superficie (Looking beneath the surface)...

The past week was full of visuals for us. Isn't every week a "week of visuals" for you too? Think about it. Everyday is another reminder of God's grace for each of us in all that we see and do. Just how much do we consider, think, ponder, and put into perspective, from a biblical point of view, everything that we observe? Being in a new culture, and having only one or two years to experience life in Puerto Rico, I have made it my objective to consider my surroundings, and all that we see and do, in light of God's greater plan.
~At the beginning of the week we took in the Puerto Rico Art Museo and a special exhibition of the islands most reknowned 18th Century artist, Jose Campeche. We received our very own private tour in english amidst a gallery of school children, and had a wonderful docent that gave us terrific historical timeline of life on the island through the beautiful work of Campeche. His paintings rival all the greats of the Baroque movement, including Goya and Moreau. It's been too long since I've walked through an art museum. This was a treat. How my God was moving through history is seen through the artists pallet. On the other hand, you can see how, and if, the artist responded to God's work through his pallet as well. Great lessons in biblical worldview through time periods in art!
~On Friday, we walked "Ashford Street", the main street, or hot spot, for tourist in the outer San Jaun area where we are staying. It is fun, either day or night, with all the shops, restaurants, and just for people watching. This particular day we encountered university students taking part in what, after we inquired, they said was "National Parking Day". I looked it up on Google and sure enough, it was a international movement. They explained that students all over the world were "protesting" the use of parking alongside municipal streets and showing alternative ways to use these parking spots. The teacher in me was quick to ask two of the female students if they had a solution to what they were protesting. Where should the cars park as an alternative to help beautify the streets? They enjoyed the exchange with me, because most young people enjoy debate, simply for the sake of debating, right? However, they didn't have a solution. They were just "protesting" the use of metered parking spaces simply for the sake of protesting and being part of a movement. I readily admit, they came up with some pretty creative uses of the parking spaces, as the photos will show, and we enjoyed seeing them from block to block. Remember, I'm taking in all I observe, and young people are creative, no doubt, that's part of being made in the image of God and being heirs to his creative genius, just like the artist Campeche that we viewed earlier in the week. Unfortunately, these university students were simply feeding the rebellious nature in all of us and what better way than to "protest" simply because their professor suggested they take part in this national university movement; no questions asked; I'm certain that if they would have asked questions, making sure their cause was worthwhile, they would have been able to answer mine, or better yet, ask themselves, "For what greater good are we accomplishing here?" But they couldn't. Again, we enjoyed looking at the different displays, and in the end it provided a opportunity to speak to my own about the truths of following "movements", and asking certain questions before we jump on the bandwagon.
~Saturday night we attended the Women's Pro Volleyball International Championship in Caguas, a large municipality on the island. We were given free tickets to the event and were eager to watch both Puerto Rico and the US women compete; the top 3 teams qualifying for the 2012 Olympics! This was all part of a series of events that happened after observing some girls, who looked to be about Naomi's age, practicing volleyball on the beach. I inquired about a possible volleyball club for Naomi and was put in touch with several different people. Consequently, we are waiting for the beach volleyball coach I contacted to start up his private lessons in the Fall; however, he called us back after our initial inquiry to give us the free tickets to the Women's Championship Saturday night. We were all excited to take in such a high profile sporting event, especially when he told us USA was the favorite to win! A quick internet search told us that we would be seeing some of the best VB teams in the world. Besides the US and PR, we saw Cuba, Canada, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. There were 9 teams in this regional competition, other Olympic qualifers taking place in other parts of the world this week as well. We were surprised by the low attendance for such a big event, nevertheless, we "took it all in" and had a great time. We cheered for PR against Cuba; Cuba being the victor. The US and Dominican Republic were the final match, being the top 2 teams. We were part of only a handful of fans cheering for the US. The most exciting part was the start of the game and observing the national anthems while each teams flag was displayed. Our very own "Old Glory" never gets old to behold, and add our national anthem in a room full of other flags and other anthems...WOW! I doesn't get more moving than that! Patriotism is a bless-ed thing and America stands out among the rest, a fact that cannot be denied. What I observed about this outing, however, (remember, I'm observing beyond the surface) was this: Patriotism is a bless-ed thing indeed, no matter what country a person is from. It's good for the soul, and I was glad to watch the other fans show their devotion to their own flag and nation. I realised that me, my mother, and my three kids were part of something much bigger in that colesium than an Olympic qualifying volleyball match. We were in a setting of different people and different races, representing different nations with nothing to separate us but our allegience to different flags. One day there will be nothing to separate us at all, as all nations and all people will share their allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Until then, may we all learn to compete with a proper respect for one another. Oh, and in case you were wondering...we won! The USA dominating in the first 3 matches!! Go team USA!!!! See YOU at the Olympics!!!!

Have a blessed week and remember to take the time to look beyond the surface of things all around you. I'll leave you with one of my favorite verses, of which my former students know quite well, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy of this world which depend on human trandition rather than on Christ" (Colossians 2:8).