Chile

Chile: It's like America, but South. 
Feb. 14-21 I flew to Chile to visit my students who I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, but sadly they were on a summer holiday in southern Chile. I still had the most wonderful time of the whole year, and the sweetest couple (a sister and brother) allowed me to stay with them and explore their beautiful country. 

Scenes from the plane. Made a stop in the land down under (Australia) before flying over 12 more hours to Santiago. 

Found this amazing motorcycle in the airport. 😎

After landing and meeting my friends, we stopped by this fruit/veggie stand.

These watermelons were the biggest I've ever seen.

Then stopped by a fresh fish market for salmon.

Chilean breakfast is my favorite: avocado, ham, and cheese on Marquetta bread. Simple yet so delicious. Of course, one cannot forget coffee. :)

Sunday I attended my friend's church which is held on the most beautiful property of one of my student's parents. Hearing people sing to God in their own language is my favorite thing about visiting churches in other countries. So special and beautiful. 

After the service, I explored the property.

Saw these beautiful plum and apple trees. The fruit tastes absolutely fresh and sweet.

Then a bunch of brothers and sisters and I enjoyed the great fellowship at this restaurant owned by a student's parents. 

This traditional dessert is called Celestino. The ice cream melted a little because I was too engaged in talking. 😅

I spent Sunday afternoon relaxing outside, walking, and staring at the beautiful flowers and scenery. 

We at so much watermelon that week, which was just amazing. I also never drank so much coffee in one week. 😂 But that too was immensely enjoyable. Chileans drink coffee morning, noon, and night, and I love their coffee. It doesn't keep me awake at night either, just like Honduran coffee.

Also, since it was summer there, we were relaxed the whole time. Every day just woke up naturally, got ready slowly, no rush, savored breakfast and talking, walked around calmly with no real agenda except to explore, and with no specific time to be back home.

These 2 are the sweetest, realest believers I've met in a long time. 

Monday, we headed to the capital of Santiago by driving a bit, then taking the subway to get a full Chilean experience. :) 

The subway has an open platform, and everyone stands super close to the edge. 

This is a Catholic church we walked through.

I've explored many Catholic churches, and this is the first working confessional I've seen. It broke my heart to see the lady kneeling talking to this man. And even sadder, many people were waiting in line. How devastating that people don't know the true High Priest, Jesus, that offered the payment for sins ONCE and for ALL PEOPLE, and who is alive. This man can't actually give God's forgiveness, even if he says the words. 

Priests in the Bible were sinful and temporary; they had to first confess their own sins before interceding for the people. Hebrews explains why Jesus is so much better than humans. He is perfect and forever. He was sinless, yet still chose to pay our sin debt by offering himself as the payment. 

"For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself." ~ Heb. 7:26-27

Continued walking through the city and say the president's workplace, called Palacio de la Moneda. 

Viewed a Chilean artisan shop...

Police bike

Ate a Completo hotdog for lunch. 10/10 way better than American hotdogs.

Next, we explored the huge public library which is also a museum. 

This whole room was one man's personal library. Truly a book-lover's dream. Add a small kitchen, floor mattress, and bathroom, and I could live in this place with all my books. 😂

The biggest globe I've ever seen.

God's beauty through nature abounds everywhere.

Cafe shops are starting to bloom in Chile, and a new one opened recently near my friend's house that they hadn't gone to yet. We went 3 times that week. 😅

Cafe helado - the 💣. Reminded me so much of Mocachino (Moca frio) from the Espresso Americano cafe shop in Honduras. 😋

Feb. 18th we casually woke up and enjoyed a late breakfast with brother's sister. 

Such a lovely time, I miss it so much. We laughed a lot these days. 

After breakfast we went to visit Santiago Baháʼí Temple.  After a quick drive up the mountain and a walk up many steps, we arrived at the temple. The inside wasn't much to look at, and it was completely silent, but the views outside were stunning. Workers handed out little books when we entered that includes prayers. Actually, this temple is dedicated to the worship of one God and open to all people of any religion or background. The focus is unity and prayer.

Bahá’u’lláh was the founder of the Baháʼí Faith and is believed by his followers to be a messenger of God for the modern age. He taught that all people are one human family, all major religions come from the same God, men and women are equal, science and religion should agree, and the world should work toward peace and cooperation.

This guy is right on some beliefs, but not all, and this is why Christians need discernment - to distinguish between what is right and what is almost right. All religions don't come from God. Jesus said he is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE, and that NO man comes to the Father except through him.

Something else Bahá and followers believe is that God has sent messengers throughout history, such as Jesus Christ, Muhammad, and Buddha. 😒 No matter what temples I visit, whether in China or other countries, I always feel a deep sense of sadness because it's a display of how lost people are without the true gospel of Jesus Christ. ✝️

Coastal mountains

The Andes mountains

Inside the temple

Afterwards we went to a mall to eat lunch, and I met up with some younger fellow brothers and sisters to do some exploring. 😃 We rode a cable car up the mountain and saw spectacular views of God's creation. 😍

Being with these people showed me how much I miss fellowship with those around my age who also love God and have a heart for him. We just had the best genuine time and went straight into having meaningful talks, like we've known each other before.

Coastal mountains

Andes mountains

After the sky train ride, we hiked down the mountain with no directions, just following the guys's instinct, 🤣, then meandered through a couple malls before taking the subway home. 

Sunset. That evening we went back to brother's sister's house for coffee and a light snack. We stayed there talking and laughing till past 10 pm. 

Met up with the same friends again the next day, Feb 19th, Thurs. to play frisbee in this park. With the mountain view it was quite distracting but really fun. 🤪 Then we walked through another mall to find some fruit drinks and later sat outside. There were some tall hotels in the middle of the mall - so interesting.

I cannot be more thankful to have had the opportunity to visit this country and meet these amazing people. My soul and spirit really needed a break. It was so healing to be with people who love God, serve him true-heartedly, and know how to talk about him freely, who are comfortable in their own skin, and don't compare themselves to everyone else. There are 2 couples in this photo, and they don't know it, but their genuine love for their spouse was so healing and refreshing to see. No fake show, just pure, deep friendship and authenticness. I've actually never observed this kind of care or love in real life until now, and now I know it does exist still. 👏😊And the last guy and I had the best time talking on the walk to the subway. Actually, such easy conversation has never flowed before as it did with them. This is what real looks like. 

Another sunset

Feb. 20th, the last morning, brother, sister, and I ate breakfast at Tamar Cafe. It is the loveliest place with the best outdoor seating surrounded by multiple various plants. The food and coffee was 💯, and we enjoyed the best, deep conversation which greatly encouraged my heart. I thank God they opened their home and hearts to me and were willing to be vessels God could use to help heal my heart. They also taught me what a beautiful, healthy parent- adult son/daughter friendship looks like. 

This place is so dear and I miss them.  We also laughed tons this week, deep belly laughs, the kind where we're crying non-stop from laughing so hard. And all the people I met were genuinely interested in my life, in learning about China, in everything. And I was interested in everything about them and Chile and their life. This is just true, original friendship. 💜

My friends' community

I took a walk down the main road that afternoon, explored a couple small shops, met a really kind lady who helped me practice Spanish, and breathed the air in deeply. Also saw this cute bird in a tree and many beautiful flowers on the way.

We ate empanadas for a late lunch/dinner from a street food stall. Comparing Chilean and Honduran empanadas, I think Chile's are better.

This drink is a summer staple here and so yummy. It's a sweet juice with peaches and wheat berries (mote).

On the way to the airport, we stopped by the cafe shop from previous visits to enjoy fellowship and the great coffee one more time. This cat was sleeping, and I woke him up by saying "ni kan", which means "look." He wasn't very friendly. 😅

At the airport