Friday, June 01, 2007

My Thoughts

I just returned from my doctor's office. We had to take a back way as the barricades are only one block from our house. There were HUNDREDS of soldiers with painted faces and the military jets were buzzing over head for a few hours earlier this morning.

I am calm, but there is a tension in the air. It is not something you think about every moment, but it is an underlying reality. You plan your day around where you think there will be demonstrations. You don't always get it right.

I am resigned, because the government will just wait it out! The students are trying, but, the power is all with the other side.

I am angry, because I just saw a NY councilman, Charles Barron, saying Chavez is great! He was on fox news, Cavuto's World, and it hurts me to think someone so ignorant could be elected in my country to any position of government.

I have been following Adam Housley of Fox news as he actually is at the demonstrations. When he tried to cover a Chavista demonstration he was threatened.

Our car was painted on by the opposition in support of free speech, then my husband had to get out and clean it off before we headed into a Chavista barrio to avoid confrontation. It is nice that we have very dark tinted windows on the car so as not to show our gringo faces.

It is a balancing act one must use daily, careful where you go, careful what you say, careful who you talk with... it becomes emotionally tiring.

We are fine. We are having problems getting our stuff shipped out of Caracas due to all the riots, we have not been able to get to all the offices to acquire the needed paperwork.

I am a little depressed by it all as these are not how I wish to spend my final days in this country. However, I understand the frustration and impotence felt by the people.

I found this poem and it has been an encouragement.

I AM
I was regretting the past
And fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I AM"

He paused. I waited.
He continued,
"When you live in the past
With its mistakes and regrets,
It is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,
With its problems and fears,
It is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment
It is not hard. I am here,
My name is I AM."


Helen Mallicoat

16 comments:

Liz said...

Querida Rita,
No dejes que el odio y el temor que están tratando de inyectarnos, te toque.

Recuerda los momentos hermosos, recuerda el trabajo tan bello que ustedes hicieron en este país.

No dejes que la memoria de casi la mitad de tu vida se diluya, por lo que acontece en los últimos días.

Como dicen en mi familia: "paciencia es la ciencia de hacer PAZ" y "todo PAZ-hará"

Un abrazo y pa'lante!

Liz

Rita Loca said...

Querida Liz,
teines razon! Ellos no me pueden quitar todo lo bueno! lo que paso, paso! Siempre Venezuela sera para me un hogar lleno de gente buena!

Susan said...

Oh I love that poem. He is very much a NOW God. Our faith is NOW, our salvation is NOW, our breath is NOW, our heart beat is NOW. He is and was and always shall BE ever and always the Present GOD.
Amen!!
Susan

Susan said...

Love the poem! I think I'll copy that and put it somewhere where I can see it. Glad you're still safe - be careful!

Linds said...

I love that poem too. A wonderful reminder. Today my reading was from Luke.... Our God is the God who smiles when we think things are impossible. He is the God of the possible!
Take care and be safe. Praying for you all.

memememe said...

Sé optimista. Sin el optimismo de los "mayores", nosotros los estudiantes no podremos hacer mucho. Hoy estuvimos todo el día manifestando por los derechos civiles tomando la paz como nuestra bandera. Hemos cosechado algunos logros y creo que les hemos dado algunas lecciones tanto al gobierno como a la oposición. De nuevo sé optimista, sabemos que nuestra lucha va a ser muy larga, muy lenta y llena de problemas; pero le va a brindar un respiro a Venezuela, si los mayores también nos apoyan y nos acompañan. La Venezuela que vos y yo conocíamos ha desaparecido, no queríamos que muriera y nos aferramos hasta el final. Ahora hemos de construir una nueva, tenemos miedo pero por primera vez, un poquito de esperanza.
Ps: I thought it was better to write it in spanish, sorry.

Anonymous said...

JM: I'm so sorry, you're having to go through this. I can't wait for you to get out safe and sound. The poem is so beautiful. Thanks.

Rita Loca said...

Julia; Fuerza! Soy mayor, eh?

Anonymous said...

Rita, you are so tightly held in the palm of I AM! Although it is difficult for those of us in the states to even begin to imagine this life you lead day to day we are believing for your safety and for your protection. May God surround you with his hedge of protection and may he send out his angels to encamp in front of you and behind you everywhere you go. May he give you the wisdom you need in each and every circumstance you face to do the right thing and always be his servant as you remain in this country.
We will stand and intercede for you on your behalf.

Always On Watch said...

Wonderful poem! It reminds us, once again, to trust Him. He delivers!

Bob's Blog said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and giving us an update. The poem is so appropriate.

Abouna said...

Jungle Mom: People like NY councilman, Charles Barron get elected here because we have way too many politicians (in both parties) who are more than ready, willing and able to sell out our freedoms and national sovereignty to a hellish socialistic One world government. I believe that I may have stated in one of my comments on your blog that what is happening there in Venezuela is coming here to the United States.

Just a couple of days ago, Hillary Clinton made the statement, in one of her speeches, that it is time for us to stop acting and thinking as individuals and start acting and thinking globally. Even G.W. Bush, whom I voted for twice, is now forcing us into a North American Union which will make Mexico, the U.S. and Canada all one with open borders.

There are a lot of loud mouth, know nothing jerks in Hollywood who think Chavez is the cat's meow.

Seeing what is happening here, makes me want to cry, because no matter how hard I try to educate people as to what is happening, they just don't care and they don't want to hear about it. They just seem to want to be led like sheep too the slaughter.

I hope and pray that those brave protesters there in Venezuela have the courage to see their fight through to the end. they are showing more guts and courage then the majority of people here.

Unknown said...

I just had a thought. Perhaps since things are so chaotic and ugly right now, it will make it a little easier to leave it when the time comes for you to do so. Just a thought, trying to help. I know it won't be easy leaving your friends and years of work behind. Perhaps that is partly why you are feeling a little more down.

Use discernment and stay safe!

Yekwana Man said...

His name is I AM,
thanks Babe! Loved it!

Flag Gazer said...

You are in my prayers daily. Stay safe.

That confrontation with Adam Housley and Charles Baron was something! Baron was lucky that Adam was so far away. You are right, Baron is an embarassment to any clear thinking person, but people continualy vote for him.

Caraqueña said...

Rita, Liz, y Julia: Uds. me hicieron llorar. Yo me siento igual que Rita, muchas veces resignada, porque en realided no se ve un final feliz a este conflicto. Gracias, Rita, por el poema...nuestro Dios en verdad es EL Yo Soy...a pesar que otros crean serlo. Liz y Julia, como Venezolanas, yo si las quiero en verdad, aunque no las conozca en persona. Los venezolanos son mi gente favorita, mas querida, y "paz"se lo que pase, siempre lo seran...bendiciones, mis queridas amigas. Como las "gringas", yo se que Rita esta de acuerdo en que yo diga, "estamos con uds!"