Cardinals' Nest

Kentucky to Quito

I looked out the window as my plane descended into Quito, Ecuador, some 10,000 feet above sea level. It was night and all I saw was a rolling sea of lights in the darkness with no end. The cold weather in the mountain felt great at first, after departing from the ninety degree weather in Miami.

Today I actually had the chance to see the city and meet some of the people in my study abroad program. All of the students come from an array of places: the U.S., Belgium, Australia, Mexico, Spain, France, and Switzerland to name a few. We explored the city today, and luckily the temperature was somewhat warm, but since it was in Celsius, I'm not sure how warm. It was perfect however, while we toured the Historic Old Town of Quito.

We toured historic cathedrals that were restored from the times of the Spanish conquistadors. Then we visited the Presidential Palace in the capital city. In one plaza a military band blew trumpets, while in another a local rock group performed in front of a large audience of teenagers. Every few meters different vendors sell food, CDs, arts and crafts, etc. Despite the size of the city, the people are all friendly and polite.

Quito is a contrast of the modern and the traditional, with the Historic Old Center surrounded by newer structures. It's a city where politicians and accountants interact with farmers and villagers from the mountain. The city still seems to have no end until your eyes meet the snow-capped volcano Cotopaxi in the background. But tomorrow we are leaving Quito for a day trip to visit the small crafts town, Otavalo.

Kentucky to Hawaii

16 more days until I go to Hawaii to study for the fall semester. It's an exciting 2 weeks. So soon.

I just came back from an 8 week mission trip with the Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM) called the Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who would like to grow in the Lord like never before. I was with other college students from other universities across the state who are also involved in the BCM. I grew and walked with some godly Christian college students.We went to Denver, Co for 3 weeks and worked with children and shared the love of Christ. Then we went to San Francisco and served some of the homeless and a sex-trafficking organization in San Fran, Because Justice Matters. It is heart-wrenching to think that I am in the confines of a comfortable life right now and there are girls and women who are being raped day after day after day who are as young at 10-14 when they are stolen from their villages. I want to do something about this. This is totally unfair. What would possess people to treat women like objects like this? Then God taught me that in each person is a soul, a soul that is broken and without Christ to heal the brokenness we are still broken. God is still healing me in the process called "life" but I am slowly being healed in my broken areas. Everyone is broken. Everyone has a story that makes them the way they are. Realizing that fact made me less judgmental of the pimps and johns (customers) who use these women. They are hurt as well. They are in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ. Join me in praying that this injustice would end.

I came back to Louisville last Tuesday and I still cannot get used to the humidity. But still, God is teaching me to be humble and to be grateful for what I have. There are many more humid and hot places all over the world. I am preparing for last minute things I need to do before I board the 13 hour flight at 7:15 AM. I am so excited to go to Hawaii with the purpose of growing in my faith. Things on earth are so temporary, even education (which I will still study hard). But God's truth stands forever.

I have a blog you guys can look at as well if you would like to see more up-to-date updates.

http://ourgodisgreater.blogspot.com/

Grace and peace be within you,

Jocelyn Yuen

Junior, Marketing major and International and Chinese Business minor