Study Abroad

blog post by Brian Davis The team has arrived in Northern Thailand! We were able to hike to the land border between Thailand and Laos. The Mekong River provides the border between much of Thailand and Laos, but there are a few places where the border becomes land between the two nations. The picture above is one such place, where the Mekong begins to flow into Laos and a mountain range provides the border (just in case the Lao government is captivated by reading this blog, I must say we dared not cross the arbitrary line marked by the jagged rocks in the picture... but are hopeful to have the opportunity to travel legally into Laos in a few days). As you can see from the photo, the area is absolutely breathtaking. To be standing in N. Thailand looking over the Mekong River at Laos on the other side is quite humbling for reasons I can't fully articulate. We have been working with and hosted by the Khmu (more on these great people in another post), one of the people groups who call this region home. I can't help but think back to my own elementary school where I was able to make friends with some of the Hmong people there. My Hmong friends grew up with their parents and grandparents telling stories about the Mekong - eventually having to flee across the great river into refugee camps in Thailand during the secret war(s) (and then finally on to the U.S. under political asylum). Despite the 8,000 miles that physically separates Fresno from N. Thailand, Fresnans are connected to this area, and it has been a wonderful experience already for us to visit the place the Khmu and Hmong people call home.

blog post by Brian Davis Greetings from Thailand! The FPU team has had many incredible experiences in Thailand already, including visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok on the very first day. The team was awestruck at the magnificence of the Palace, which once served as the residence of the Royal Family and currently as a Temple to many Buddhists in S.E. Asia. Within the walls of the Palace, in the inner-court, is the famous Emerald Buddha. It was a new experience for many of us to see people worship something other than the God of Christianity. We have used Acts as a guide to our time here, and the similarities between the context of the first century Mediterranean world and this one are many. One of the questions we have been asking is, "what does Jesus offer a Buddhist?" The question is a good one as we think about the nature of conversion in the New Testament and today in a context such as this. If a Buddhist is going to become a Christian, are they only exchanging one set of religious beliefs for another? Or, is there something more? We have attempted an answer for this question by reflecting on the nature of reconciliation. It is common in Christianity to say humanity is alienated from God, and in need of reconciliation. Yet, too often we only think this 'reconciliation' comes on the last day, leaving us feeling and behaving as if God is distant from us. We compared reconciliation with God to the reconciliation between a husband and wife who had been in a disagreement. When the married couple is reconciled, they get to enjoy the benefits of the relationship together now; they get to cook together, eat together, laugh together, cry together, and generally enjoy each others company. That is a picture of our life as Christians. At our 'conversion,' we are not simply exchanging one system of belief for another, we get to enjoy the very presence of God throughout our day. As Christians, that is what we can offer the world around us, whether we are in Fresno, or living among the Thai's in S. E. Asia. Stay tuned for more updates!

Kid’s Ministry

Being in the tiny town of Andagolla which has approximately about 3 million citizens, it was clear that the fruits of the Spirit were present. As we got off a bridge that entered the city, children followed us to the soccer field. The kids there were very welcoming and loving. Their passion to live in the moment  was shown in their actions. There were many kids without shoes kicking the soccer ball, running through the rocky field with a big smile on their face. That smile came to represent peace, their welcomeness came to represent their love and their desire to endlessly play with us came to demonstrate their joy. Seeing a countless amount of children from all ages getting along at all times whether they were winning or losing against each other was a phenomenal experience. We were all moved and encouraged by their beautiful attitude of life. These kids are found in a tiny little town filled with poverty yet filled with so much richness. When our time with them came to an end they were all sad and so were we. However we left with much more than what we anticipated; hopefully they were as well. This day has been one of the most heart warming here in Colombia thanks to all those kids.

Vianey Barraza & Anahi De La Cruz

4/23/15

Finca Esperanza

After switching drivers and a motor we headed off down the river in a boat filled with twenty five people. Even with three drivers the boat managed to stall every five minutes, so we wobbled our way up, zig zagging through the bends of the river. The bumpy ride up the river was only the beginning, we had to jump out into the dirty river-water to reach the shore, only to start our fifteen minute walk through the swamp-like terrain in ankle-deep mud. Our destination was Finca Ezsperanza, a banana/cacao plantation funded by MCC. We hiked up like army ants through the Colombian jungle eating freshly cut cacao fruit pulp, it tastes like mango, hearing the testimony of the farmer who traded the illicit life of planting cocaine plant for a cocoa plantation. We were attacked by mosquitos, bitten by ants, were knee deep in mud, and were sweating gallons but I can assure you that  it was the best experience we have had so far. The tropical rain washed away some of the stickiness of the day and we waited by the shore for our boat to pick us up. We waited there eating passion fruit and mandarines.

by: Vianey Barraza & Anahi De La Cruz

Change Starts from Becoming Aware 

by: Valerie Ayala

Studying at a different country is undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have ever made. Without such an experience one's world is merely but a glimpse of a huge spectrum. My world has expanded tremendously through my experience in a foreign land. It went from watching the news and listening to horrible violence that occurs afar, to listening to the voices of children a few feet away speak about the violence they experience firsthand every day. It's surprising how much of an impact their words are having over my life. Violence, crime, and corruption is a norm in these children's lives. Grasping and holding on to their words and the lectures that have been taught has definitely opened my mind and filled it with a burden to help these communities. A burden necessary to create change. Learning about our own country and how it affects other countries around the world must become our norm. Sometimes being informed is all that it takes. Oblivion might be bliss for us, but knowledge means survival for others.

Well, 29 of us managed to make it to LAX, to Venice, to Milan, and now--finally, to Lake Como for a relaxing break 4 days into our journey. Our trip has already managed to fit in several dazzling moments, such as Venice's Grand Canal at sunset, the exhilarating steps out of the Vittorio Emanuele Galleria to view the Duomo in Milan, and the show-stopping first glimpse of Lake Como. Oh yeah, and two of our trip's participants became engaged while on a Gondola. Teaching psychology is rarely this fun. We will check in soon. With photos!

Church with Our Colombian Brothers and Sisters

by: Marlene Villaseñor  

Sunday, May 17, 2015

We drove to the outskirts of Bogota. Although bumpy, we enjoyed the ride as our heads bobbled all the way to the “Iglesia Menonita del barrio de Santa Marta.” We had no idea what awaited us at our destination. As soon as we entered the very humble church, we were greeted with an overwhelming feeling of hospitality and the presence of the Lord abundantly filled our hearts. We had the privilege to introduce ourselves and worship along our brothers and sisters. Worship was led by a group of young people, they filled our spirits with songs of joy and happiness. As soon as they ended worship service, the Pastor came up to speak to the congregation. She explained to us that her sermons are interactive with the congregation. As she spoke to us the word of God, we were allowed to comment, agree, or even disagree. Not only were we fed spiritually but after service and an uplifting prayer, they were very kind and offered us a meal. We had rice with a piece of bread and their very delicious typical hot chocolate. Everybody was having a great time while fellowshipping and enjoying their meals. We stepped outside the church, the children were eager to start a game of fútbol (soccer). They were laughing and having a good time running up and down the steep street that they were using as their soccer field. As our trip to the church came to an end, we all gathered at the door of the church and took a picture of the group and the church members to make sure we documented this memory.

Welcome to the Thailand 2015 blog. Our FPU team will be posting soon on their journey. Make sure you check back often!

Welcome to the Italy 2015 blog. Our FPU team will be posting soon on their journey. Make sure you check back often!

Welcome to the Columbia 2015 blog. Our FPU team will be posting soon on their journey. Make sure you check back often!