FIJavierSouzette

Bill, I wrote my paragraphs in Spanish. We agreed with Souzette so. We think it's a good opportunitiy to practice your High School Spanish. :). Let me know if you don't understand my writing. I have it in English as well. Javier

For this paper, Javier and I have decided to pose our reflections from the local and global perspective. More specifically, my thoughts will focus on what is happening in Southern California, the San Gabriel area and Javier's perspective will center outside of the United States. Hence, for each of the three points we will make in this paper we will speak from two perspectives, which I refer to as the Intra-US perspective and the Global perspective. But throughout this collaborative process we will reflect on our respective faiths which coincidentally are (Christian) Baptist, the English and Spanish congregations respectively.

The San Gabriel Valley Baptist (SGV) is the church which I presently call home. I am impressed by the Congregation's genuinely kind nature. This church marks a departure from the churches of my youth: Nazarene, EV Free and Assembly of God. Although I am a relatively new member I have always been made to feel welcome. Through technology, SGV can achieve its Missions' focus, both local and abroad. Even if I'm sick and miss a Sunday, the church makes podcasts of its sermons available to anyone who cannot attend. Also, by the end of the sermon members can buy CDs to share with friends and family. SGV has integrated these technologies to reach people well. Other examples of their Missions work are as follows. On Saturday, 2/28/09 I attended an invitation from the church outreach to make potstickers, and then eat lunch afterwards. It was a blast, making the potstickers and talking to fellow Christians. Around November of last year, the church was gearing up for its First Harvest Festival. This event was meant as a way to bring in members from the local community. I also learned that the church had adopted Don Julian Elementary School, and that these students and their parents were also intended targets as potential mission fields. Throughout the year I have seen other ways in which, SGV has indirectly ministered to the students of Don Julian. In September, their was a huge backpack collection drive. Members of the congregation were asked to bring backpacks and/or school supplies with which to fill the backpacks. More recently, SGV has started asking members to bring in white collared uniform shirts for those students whose parents cannot afford to buy them for their students. I am truly impressed with the kind and giving hearts of the congregation. Moreover, as a teacher I appreciate that they are targeting students, who may be neglected in their homes or by local mission projects. I've also recently learned that one of our members runs the local prisons ministry throughout Los Angeles, through our church. This means that for the past twelve years he has visited one of the 12 jails everyday. Our church even attempts to minister to those individuals society outcasts. It is a privilege to attend this church.

En la experiencia que se tiene del registro de las misiones en America del Sur, se puede reconocer dos grandes organizaciones como son: Foreign Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) ubicado en Richmond, VA. y HCJB Global, sede central ubicada en Colorado Spings, CO. El trabajo de los misioneros bautistas estadounidenses en America Latina y el resto del mundo comenzó a finales del siglo 19, con la llegada de las familias misioneras extranjeras, especialmente a los puertos marítimos de America del Sur, por ejemplo, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Guayaquil, Barranquilla, Callao y Maracaibo, expandiendose luego al resto del territorio continental. Debido al dominio del ámbito religioso local de la Iglesia Católica por casi cuatro siglos, el trabajo para ellos fue difícil y muy sacrificado, pues tras aprender el idioma local que es el español, tuvieron que aprender la cultura y las costumbres. Las estrategias misioneras y las tecnologías utilizadas para alcanzar a los no conversos hasta el día de hoy se puede clasificar en: 1- Ayuda Social, a través de Campañas de salud, atención medica y alfebetización, 2-Evangelismo personal, 3-Evangelismo masivo, a traves de campañas masivas de predicación 4-Formación teológica, creando seminarios y centros de capacitación 5-Proyecciones de películas con equipo de proyección importado 6- Fortalecimiento y levantamiento del liderazgo local, 7-Fundación de iglesias, 8-Utilización de la Radio, y 9-Traducción y entrega de la Biblia a la población.

HCJB Global fue fundado en Ecuador a principos del siglo 20, es la emisora cristiana con mayor extensión en el planeta, utilizando las ondas radiales para informar, entretener y principalmente evangelizar al mundo en más de 22 idiomas. Al principio se utilizó la Onda Corta para llevar la señal en un complejo de antenas con tecnología de punta ubicado en Quito, Ecuador. Hoy el Satélite y la transmisión por internet son primordiales en la propagación de la fe cristiana a través de la radio.

Talking to people of different faiths has revealed that we all seek something to fill a void in our lives. Louie a family friend, was a former seminary student, who dropped out to lead a carefree life. During this time he has dabbled in many youthful pursuits which did not satisfy him: the nightlife, numerous girl friends and fathering six children. Throughout this time, as I saw him jumping from one activity to another I perceived he was searching for something missing in his life. I've always felt that he would come full circle and experience God as I have. Recently, Louie was diagnosed with a terminal illness which is shocking given that he is still young, 38 years old. This may be the impetus that he needs to return to his initial religious inclinations. Throughout the various stages of his life, I have always perceived Louie to have a noble heart, and have perceived him to extend his hand to fellow brethren in need, despite his incessant need to engage me in verbal banter. Unfortunately, being human, I too have cracked jokes at his expense. This is the nature of our relationship, and it has worked, although each one of us respects the other's spiritual nature. I consider myself fortunate to have befriended other people, who perceive God differently, yet demonstrate his ways in their thoughts and actions towards people. In this category, I would put a Buddhist herbalist doctor who has given me different combinations of herbal remedies. to improve certain physical afflictions. Yet throughout our association, Dr. Zho has not asked for exorbitant renumerative compensation. When I've asked him about his religous beliefs, he is very private. Nontheless, his actions towards me, are similar to those of fellow Christians in my church. Despite my gratitude towards, Dr. Zho, I sense that he too searches for something in his aesthetic life. Perhaps through association with me, he will perceive how God has worked in my life.

Por mi caracter, tuve la oportunidad de relacionarme con muchas personas en mi vida cristiana. En America Latina la confesion religiosa con mas poder y extension es la Iglesia catolica, por lo tanto la relacion con catolicos es necesaria e inevitable. A pesar de coexistir por casi un siglo, el dialogo entre evangelicos y catolicos ha sido mas bien tenso. Muchos de los fieles evangelicos provienen de la fe catolica y se percibe este cambio como una amenza por parte del liderazgo catolico. Tengo muchos amigos catolicos con los cuales hemos discutido temas doctrinales, y ha sido enriquecedor escuchar su perspectiva de los santos, la Virgen Maria, y la confesion como un instrumento de limpieza de los pecados, ademas de la gran labor social de esta iglesia, de la cual dependen jovenes, ancianos, viudas y desamparados en general. A partir de mi epoca de universitario, he compartido con budistas, hinduistas y ateos (especialmente de Europa), es interesante observar el respeto por el medio ambiente y los ancianos por parte de las religiones orientales, en el oeste del mundo este respeto se ha perdido totalmente. De los ateos he aprendido su gran vocacion intelectual, de estudiar y observar la realidad con los pies puestos en la tierra.

Naci en un hogar cristiano, mi papa es pastor y he visto como el predicó la verdad por mucho tiempo, con sacrificio y con dedicacion. Nos heredo a mi y mis hermanos esa pasion por la palabra de Dios y la necesidad de hablar de nuestra fe con la gente que no conoce a Jesus como su salvador. He usado la estrategia de hablar persona a persona, y por los medios de comunicacion masiva y el internet a traves del web y el chat para entregar un mensaje de esperaza a aquellos que lo necesitan en la red.

Although I feel God has worked wonders in my life, I have at times been shy about approaching people with my religious beliefs. I hope that God's spirt in me will be revealed through my actions towards people. It's more of a challenge for me to speak to people whom I've just met, because I don't walk to get into a religious debate about my beliefs. I cringe at the thought of spending an inordinate time going back and forth about whose beliefs are correct; when I know mine are correct. They have always helped me get through tough times.As a teacher, I am also interested in teaching my students about the hidden curriculum. It is through this area, that I try to teach my students compassion, self-worth and empathy for each other. Although, I also cannot delve into my religous beliefs in the classroom, I also let my students perceive my beliefs through my actions and words. It is my hope that as I become more proficient in the different technologies, I will be able to share my beliefs to other using this venue.

Para concluir, a Souzette y a mi nos une la misma fe aunque tengamos diferentes experiencias, ella dentro de los Estados Unidos y yo en America Latina y el resto del mundo. El futuro esta abierto para las nuevas tecnologias en la entrega de un mensaje positivo al mundo. En esta hora de crisis en todos los aspectos, como es la economia, la moral y el trabajo, el internet con Twitter, Skype, Wikispaces, etcetera, pueden ser una plataforma de fe para muchas personas.