Today, Tracy, Fathanee and I talked about Catholicism in Guatemala. I feel that Catholicism is drastically misrepresented and misunderstood by Protestants. For one thing, Protestants still try to dissociate themselves too much from Catholicism, yet Catholicism is a denomination WITHIN Christianity, NOT a separate religion! Protestants seem quick to forget that it came from Catholicism and thus is guilty of much of the sins that the Catholic church has committed over the centuries.
The intentions of the Protestant Reformation were excellent, to reform the Catholic church of its corruption, but the much later result of the Reformation by Protestant churches of this century separating themselves completely from any form or Tradition is a substantial (and catastrophic) loss.
Wouldn't it be loverly?
National Champs!
Welcoming Parade: tomorrow afternoon 3pm, Reser Stadium, police escorts. Be there. I know I will be.
Way to go Beavs.
Sorry for all the sports news, but the OSU mens Baseball team are in CWS (College World Series)...yes that means they are playing best of 3 for the National title. They lost their first game Saturday, but tonight they came from behind, 5-0, to win it 11-7. The final game is tomorrow evening starting at 4pm. They haven't made it this far since 1955.
Cool sidenote: The 2nd baseman, Chris Kunda, a Philomath High School graduate, was a friend of mine. Actually, he was my homecoming date and chemistry partner junior year. It's fun to watch him play now. He was even named Pac 10 defensive player of the year. It's Beaver Fever here in Corvallis. Go Beavs!
It was an early morning at the Christensen house today. My cousins, Alicia and Sara, and Sara's fionce had all spent the night, and were up early in anticipation of the US-Ghana game at 6:55am. At 6:30, we were all huddled around the TV to see the pre-game coverage. It was a morning of promises and hope as US stood to defend their future in the World cup. 
But the result was devastating (for the best playbacks, check out: video highlights). US fell behind due to a Ghana striker breakaway in the middle of the first half. They did come back in the 43rd minute with the first US scored goal (Italy game was a self-goal) of the 2006 World cup. A penalty kick put the US down again, and despite attempts they couldn't catch up.
It is disappointing, but in all honesty, the US's performance in general this year was weak. They played with heart during the Italy game, when they were down 2 players, and they had moments of energy in this last game. Overall though, they didn't play agressively, lacking an offense during their first two games. Nevertheless, great effort US men.
From Group E, Italy and Ghana advance to the next round.
(When we visited a sinkhole, a local place of Mayan Worship)
Carefully stepping down in the darkness, the peaceful scent of incense enters my lungs. I take a deep breath and let the ?tranquilo? overtake my body. Such a journey to embark on to offer a prayer! What sincere faith it must require to desire this sacrifice.
prayer Originally uploaded by ericantonrice
I stop in complete awe, hypnotized by a row of humble candles. A feeling of evil overtakes my being and I sense for a second the syncretistic darkness present in Mayan culture (and religion, which are one in the same). It is overpowering. The weight of it forces me to my knees and I cry out to God. Little do I know how to pray for these people; little do I know their lives; yet still I know this is in His hands alone. I realize my smallness and feel very humble. I am nothing in this world, one tiny piece of a complex, confusing universe that I cannot fathom.
Deep is the corruption of these mountains, and impossible the problem to meet. Yet I am amazed, Lord, at the work You are doing through Impact Ministries. Every couple hours, I turn to hear of another school they are able to open. The amount of work these servants are accomplishing is incredible?work of eternal rewards...in the hearts of the Pokemchi. School upon school, opened through You. Increible!
