The flight from Manila to Bogotá via Los Angeles took 20 hours (13 hours from Manila to L.A., and 7 hours from L.A. to Bogotá). This is not just my first time to be in Colombia but also my very first to be in the South American continent. I am in Bogotá to facilitate a workshop on Web Design using free and open source software. The fifteen workshop participants are all Colombian MSC seminarians.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) have been in Colombia since the 1960′s and they have established themselves well in the capital city. The main focus of their ministry here is to administer parishes and to help the poor by initiating housing projects for squatters and giving scholarships to deserving students who cannot afford to send themselves to school.
Colombia is the land of birth of Shakira, Botero, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And this is something the Colombians I have met never fail to tell me. They are also proud of their rich history, their tasty coffee, and the beauty of their country. I have not been to all the calles and carreras yet, but so far I can attest to the fact that indeed their coffee tastes great and that Bogota is one beautiful city.
One of the first few people I have met on my first day in Bogota is a man named Fernando. He is a web designer and to my pleasant suprise he uses Joomla, a free and open source content management system (CMS). I have said this a million times before but I will say it again – Joomla is my most favorite CMS. Fernando showed me his website and told me that he uses other popular free and open source applications such as OpenOffice.org and Firefox.
The following pic was taken at the famous Monserrate mountain. A shrine devoted to “El Señor Caído” (The Fallen Lord) makes Monserrate a popular pilgrim destination. It is also a tourist attraction because from the mountain one can see a panoramic view of downtown Bogotá. It made me forget that I have just flown for 20 long hours.
Hola! Maybe by now, you can already speak Spanish well. I’m impressed with what MSC is doing there. I’m a firm believer in education, in making a difference and in giving brighter future for those deserving youth. Don’t forget, you too are making a difference by sharing your knowledge with your fellow priests. I’m sure you can “wow” them with your workshop. Keep up the excellent work that you are doing. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe.
Actually, I’m still grappling with the language. I can understand Spanish but I cannot speak it fluently. In the workshop, I speak to the participants both in Italian and Spanish, plus a little English. It’s crazy, I know. But they seem to understand me just fine.
Hello Fr.Stephen! You are still on the best of both worlds: understanding Spanish and speaking in Italian and English. Im sure with your prowess and very inventive talent, your participants would find it easy to grasp. Keep it up! You are doing great being there in person!
wow! lovely view! great mission you are doing in my opinion. maybe you’ll be needed to share your knowledge and travel to all the MSC’s houses around the globe. Good luck. By the way, I am a fan of Botero
Hi Fr. Stephen,
Wow, what I beautiful view! Seeing your picture makes me feel I’ve been in Colombia too. God bless your ministry. Take care.
ONLY YOU
Only You would leave heaven for a manger bed
Only You would leave a throne to walk this lowly world instead
Only You would want to save the very once who pierced your side
You forgave the once who cried out, “Crucify!”
Only You brought forgiveness to my troubled soul
Only You could speak the words hat will heal and make me whole
Only You could touch my eyes and ow I finally see
that You would have come to die for only me
Chorus:
Only You, Lord Jesus, Only You
Only You would care about my needs
You’re the King of Kings
The Lord of Lords
You’re the Savior of my soul
You’re the Mighty King who came to die for me
In your death, You brought us life
Amazing Love we don’t deserve
Only You are the King the King who came to serve
Who came to serve..
Repeat Chorus
You’re the King of Kings
The Lord of Lords
You’re the Savior of my soul
You’re the Mighty King who came to die for me
You’re the Mighty King who came to die for me
Hi Father. This is Andrea.
haba naman… hmmm… peace!
Salamat, Andrea for posting the lyrics of ONLY YOU.
[...]a very nice post..nice story….)[...]
I sang the song “Only You”. At more than one church. I am hoping when i turn 15 i can go to American Idol to make it and spread the word of God through song.