The best roommate I can ask for

I will miss not having you around the house. I will miss you reading me the Bible. Te quiero mucho, hermano.

like you and me...

Gracias
Ashlee for loving and caring.
Courtney for your HUGE heart.
Kelly for your silent love.
Melanie for your smiles.
Becky for loving and caring.
Sarah for your simplicity.
Taylor for your energy and passion
Meeker cuz when I moved in you made me feel at home.
Justin for your words always full of wisdon.
Jason for your heart and love.
Landry for loving me and giving our friendship another try.

This is who I am

There came the time when things are going to change again. I don’t feel
devastated though. On the contrary, I feel joy in my heart. The stint year is
about to end and the Stinters are coming back home, some of them for good,
others just to spend some time with their families and friends.
And they are also coming back to raise support to be able to stay
for another year down here in Argentina.
I will admit that I will miss Landry a ton, (and I am not saying I wont miss
the other guys, but this is different). We have had our good times as well as
our bad ones. And my guess is that the Lord used and allowed all those
situations to teach us both.
Landry would use his favorite word with me: “expectation’. He might be right or wrong, it doesn’t matter that much now. What really matters is this process of learning we went through. I rediscovered how much God loves me and takes care of
me. Salvation is not an issue any longer. God crushed Satan under my feet.
I found that I don’t care what other people may think about me...who I was or
who I am. I know who I am in Christ, that’s all!
It’s funny because Landry and I were studying Galatians. We never finished it.
The last chapter we read but we never discussed was about being a child of God,
the adopted ones, and the importance of grasping those concepts.
I was not able to define my idea in a few words. Yesterday, on our way to Tigre
we talked a little bit about it, and I think he had the perfect words to describe what I found...my identity in Christ.I concept I had talked to Jessica,(SP girl), one time but hadn’t realized very well. Last night when I got home that idea got stuck in my head. I came to the conclusion that that is what happened.
The way is long and tough but I am not scared any more. I know the outcome is
way better than anything or anyone.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
I am not a good Christian...(Cassandra is right, there’s no such thing) but I will be an obedient Christian, a true servant of the Lord, I will be whoever my Lord wants me to be.

The great I AM

I am really stunned by the way God is teaching me some stuff lately. He is allowing some situations that are bugging me right now, but strange as it may seem, I am not mad at Him at all. I am resting on His faithfulness. My guess is that He is building my character, my confidence.
I won’t deny I am confused sometimes.
I am a Castellano/English teacher, and sometimes the methods I use may not seem very adequate for my students. They probably think that I need a little bit of this, a little bit of that...more reading, more listening, more conversation. Sometimes, I ask them what they feel like doing, or if they have any suggestions, something that can improve the class. And I like it when they participate and contribute. However, there are times when I don’t ask what they want to do, and it’s not because I am a dictator, but because I know that we have to go through some heavy stuff in order to master the language, for instance, subjunctive, the different aspects in the past, or just simple exceptions to the rule. I know they don’t like it or at least they don’t enjoy it that much, but I know that studying them will perfection their “Castellano/English.”
I feel my walking with the Lord is exact the same. He bestows so many blessings in my life: sunny days, clothes, a warm bed, food, a family and a bunch of good friends. Things I pray for and thank for every day. However, there are times when He allows some kind of “sufferings”, place me in some spots I don’t have a clue what for. Things I don’t ask for or I didn’t pray for. Now I know why He does it, and I am not scared or upset any more. I know He won’t hurt me. He wants me to master my relationship with Him. He is telling me every single second: Fabian, trust me...I will never let you down. I gave my only son for you. Would I lie to you?
I was in church a couple of days ago and the pastor said a simple truth. Do you want to see God? Take a look at the Bible, that’s the best portray of God. His almighty power is there, His love, His character...
So, here I am...let Him work in my life. I know that that will bring some changes but if that is the price I have to pay for being with Him, I will do it...no matter how many people or things I lose on the way.
In the end, it’s all about Him.

Do I struggle with acceptance or do I struggle with the fact that I cant stand the idea of not being loved by someone, not matter who that person is.
Is my pride being hurt?
The point is, what should I do? What decision would I have made in the past? would I have been really worried for not being loved by someone?
I always had this idea that nothing that is not worthy for my life has to be thrown away. Is it really what I have to do? Is it right if I am or I act like a perfet jerk? I loved doing that in the past. (sorry Lord for I've sinned)
One step away...

and they finally made it! Welcome to Argentina! Marie is taking the picture
( I guess! )

Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight.

what's missing??

Fabbie talking to himself...
I dont wanna lose heart!
I want to believe, like (wallace) does.
I will never be on the wrong side again.

(Braveheart's line)

If only I could turn back time...

This is me, fabbie...and I am completely out of my mind…I have gone nuts…I have a screw loose…I am insane…I am crazy…
We all have moments when we wish we could change something…right or wrong…correct a mistake...just do it all over again...
What would I do if I had the chance to change something from my past?

Would I do it? should I do it? Wouldn’t I be acting selfishly trying to fix things that didn’t work out that well, just for the sake of not feeling guilty? Wouldn’t I be playing to be God? Why to change something that was meant to be? Would it make any sense being the only one who can witness those changes? No mistakes means perfection…is that what is it all about? Are we so cocky as to think that we deserve the right to experience that “gift”?

Come on Justin! It's just a picture for my blog.

Billy and me. Gosh! those were awesome times!

Billy and the new daddy Jason

I miss you all guys!

The only thing wrong about the picture is the sign...well, now that I think about it, you didnt cross the border...you stayed from the Argentine side. A full!

Yeah! this is me!

There was a time when I was re-heavy y re-jodido!

Mission Trip to Salta-Part lll

I was thinking of writing about the team I work with. Truth is that I rather keep all those memories for myself.
This experience showed me who are the persons around me... and allowed me to get to know those who I might have taken for grated for a long time.
Above all, the person I got to know the most was my savior Jesus Christ.

Mission Trip to Salta 2005-Part ll

Ok, time to keep updating my trip to Salta. What I have written so far happened the very first week.
I have to say that we had a day off and it was on Sunday…and me and a bunch of argentines (some of them sort of whiny) plus some Americans went hiking that day…it was awesome…I really enjoyed it.
Next week would be different in a sense, because the whole team would remain together and we would be assigned different spots or locations to visit but we would go to these places and get back the same day.
On Tuesday, six of us went to a place called “Las Pailas”… The main idea to go there was to show Jesus movie. The shocking thing about this place was that they don’t have electricity…the church was the only “building” that has it…that nite was amazing after the movie a lot of people came to Christ…young people and not so young…Gosh! They just want to be loved!!! They don’t care about material possessions and stuff like that…They just want to know that there is someone up there that is taking care of them or that will give them the hope they are looking for…unfortunately, they believe more than in our Lord. Trigger by their traditions they also believe in the virgin Mary or what is worst they believe in “la pacha mama”, it is sort of adoration to the earth…weird, isn’t it? I guess it is!
The good thing about it is that we where there to tell them the truth and that is the coolest part…having the chance to do it.
I will deliberately skip many details that I want to keep for myself from our second day up there in “Las Pailas”…those persons are INCREDIBLE! God knows they are…pray for them to be the chosen people and that God put in their hearts the desire to seek Him everyday and that they would surrender their life to Jesus.
The next days were interesting; a guy from the same team and me would go to play soccer with the idea of reinforcing the contacts already made the past week. I don’t like soccer at all but I must say that at some point I enjoyed doing it…I was short of breath so many times though.
I am so proud with my ministry up there…I wish I can come back next year…there’s so much to be done.
My team? That’s for the next time

The Golden Chance

Carpe Diem:
Carpe Diem, is the expression that means seize the day, means that one should take advantage of every minute of this life. Many people do not succeed because they are scared about life. It is very difficult to accomplish anything in this life if they do not risk themselves or do not do anything to get what they want. One should enjoy this life in a responsible way. My particular carpe diem philosophy is do the right thing at the right moment...
...Carpe Diem means "seize the day", but for me it has another deeper meaning. The meaning for me is that one should take advantage of opportunities with wisdom and care, analyzing each move we make, not making precipitous decisions and not thinking only about the effects that will cause us that decisions, but also how decisions will decisions affect the ones who surround us. Opportunities only knock once at your door. Be there and do not slam your door, or be afraid to open it. Seize the chance!
question: should we care about how these decisions will affect the ones who surround us?

Mission Trip to Salta 2005-Part l

I am a member of a Christian university student movement called “Vida Estudiantil”, which is the Spanish equivalent for Campus Crusade for Christ down here in Argentina (a Christian Organization worldwide). I have been collaborating with them since I became a Christian. Tons of times, I had the chance to go to Summer Camps and Mission Trips but I never took those chances till this past year. I don’t really know the reason for this decision but never mind at this point.
Summer Camp was an experience I am not ready to “think out loud “yet. I am cool though with the idea of sharing what happened three weeks ago in “Los Valles Calchaquies”…in Cachi (province of Salta) to be more accurate.
I don’t think it really matters when we left from La Plata (Bs As) and when we got up there. What really matters is my time in this small but stunning place called Cachi…
I’d like to say that even when I had never been to Cachi before I was really aware of the social situation this province and this small place located 2000 mts over the sea are going through. Now that I think about it, I should have kept a journal (like Nathan did), I am pretty sure many memories will vanish from my mind while writing this blog.
The first two days were pretty hard for me. Although I was with some guys from my same place, I got to know new faces. Extroverted as I may seem, let me tell you that getting to know a lot of new people all at once, makes me not shy, but it takes me a while to open, mainly when I think that I probably wont see most of those persons again…Once in Cachi, the whole group that was sent there, was divided into three smallest ones and I got to stay there with only one person I knew…I felt kind of lonely sometimes, but it was not a big deal…I tend to be a “whiner” sometimes. However, I had no time to think about me…I didn’t want to think about me this time….I was there not for me, but for the people…
…Its weird…I was there for them, I was focus on them…but at the same time, I was thinking about myself…something I don’t usually do because as I see it, it is a clear example of selfishness…not this time though. I followed Martin’s piece of advice: focus on your job and on the Lord…not on people I would be working with, and it worked.
Mariano (a guy from Tucuman) and I were in charge of the sports stuff, ironical if you know me…I am not much of a sports person…I like few of them though. Anyways, we used soccer as the “bait” for the new contacts. That was hilarious, I aint no clue how to play soccer…but I had to do it. I was in the goalie…needless to say…I suck! Mariano played like a real player or at least he tried to do so…seriously, he is good at playing soccer. We got to talk to a couple of guys that were kind of respected among all the “cachenses” that were there.We were part of many other activities, but soccer was our area.
Evangelism was the main point and that was what the whole group would do late at night…because most of the young people hang out in La Plaza after 10:00pm. There were many that accepted Jesus in their hearts during those nights.
Natalia, Lidia, Mariano, Hebe, Mel, Teo, Hernan , Leticia, The Miller’s, and me remained in town for the first week. What a team! We had a great time together, but apart form them there were Cecilia (the lady that cooked for us), Carlos her husband and Elias and Ezequiel their children.

Jon, Jason and me.

It's amazing when God places people like you guys in my life. Thanks for so many wonderful times. I will miss both of you.

D'you like my teeth? (this is Tincho)