July 18, 2007
Since finally reaching camp last Thursday, my days have been very busy. There was a Honduran family visiting for a few days, the family that will be staying on camp while the Williamsons go on furlough, so I ended up eating with them and chatting. On Sunday I had my first nature program for a group of 10-12 year olds from the church that owns the camp. I spent most of my time preparing for that but in my spare time was trying to finish up a really good book. Thankfully I finished it yesterday and it will no longer be a distraction. Anyway the program itself went pretty well – definitely a learning experience for me. I had the lesson written out and detailed because I needed to make sure that I knew all of the Spanish words. In the end though I could not follow it verbatim and had to branch out when other thoughts came to my mind and of course I then stumbled through with my Spanish. I think that the children learned something though both about erosion and about how are lives are to glorify God.
Monday I took off most of the day, having worked the weekend. In the evening I went down to Pinalejo with the Williamsons to attend a farewell party for a missionary couple who I only slightly knew. I was glad that I went because first of all it allowed me to meet some of the people from the town (including young adults) and second, I saw how God had used the missionary couple to touch hearts. The couple’s Spanish was very limited and yet it did not bother the people. They loved the couple because they saw how the couple loved them and were truly investing in their lives. And the couple did not worry about how their Spanish came out. They simply spoke from the heart whether that be in Spanglish, broken Spanish, or in English. The entire evening left me with some things to evaluate in my life and approach and hesitation at times to use my imperfect Spanish. I have a lot to continue to process.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Chasing Cows
July 17, 2007
This morning I discovered another area where my gifts do not lie -- herding cows. I had gotten up early to run and have some extra time to pray but of course things did not go as I had planned. After the run I was walking down to the stream to sit but I ran across a bunch of cows on our property. I found one of the staff to come down to help and together we attempted to direct them to an exit. The problem was that I had no idea where they had entered the property since both gates were closed. At one point I ran ahead to open the gate to the road while Leonel herded the cows in the direction of the Archery ravine (which exited near the gate). But the cows never came out the other end and so I went down there to find them and without Leonel to help, the cows headed back in the direction we had just directed them from. The dog, Cappachino, could only help so much since he had no idea where the cows were supposed to go either. Eventually I met up with Leonel again and we directed the cows through the creek to where there was a gap in the fence. I think he later went back to fix. Hopefully so because that is the second time in 4 days that the cows were here and well, I cannot see much future for me in the herding of cows. At least I did not kicked in the head like I did many years ago. I guess I am a little taller now. So the adventures are back!
This morning I discovered another area where my gifts do not lie -- herding cows. I had gotten up early to run and have some extra time to pray but of course things did not go as I had planned. After the run I was walking down to the stream to sit but I ran across a bunch of cows on our property. I found one of the staff to come down to help and together we attempted to direct them to an exit. The problem was that I had no idea where they had entered the property since both gates were closed. At one point I ran ahead to open the gate to the road while Leonel herded the cows in the direction of the Archery ravine (which exited near the gate). But the cows never came out the other end and so I went down there to find them and without Leonel to help, the cows headed back in the direction we had just directed them from. The dog, Cappachino, could only help so much since he had no idea where the cows were supposed to go either. Eventually I met up with Leonel again and we directed the cows through the creek to where there was a gap in the fence. I think he later went back to fix. Hopefully so because that is the second time in 4 days that the cows were here and well, I cannot see much future for me in the herding of cows. At least I did not kicked in the head like I did many years ago. I guess I am a little taller now. So the adventures are back!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Not According to the Plan
July 11, 2007
One would think that I would begin to remember that I cannot expect my plans to unfold as I had planned. I guess that my week in PA caused me to forget some of what I had learned. I arrived back in Honduras on Monday evening and discovered that I could catch a ride out to camp yet that night, but I passed up the opportunity, planning to travel the next day after a good night’s sleep and when I could take all of my luggage. But Tuesday mid-morning I received a call from Cindy saying that the Montero had 2 flat, irreparable tires and the village did not have what he needed. Basically Wes could not make it to San Pedro to pick me up that day. The other vehicle was in the shop here in San Pedro. So I stayed put in the city and finished up the task of getting all of the new programs installed on my computer and my e-mail switched over. I got to attend a Bible Study last night, and I also made lots of calls about pick-up trucks. Today I set up appointments for checking out some trucks but of course, I forgot to plan for the typical delays that postpone or prevent altogether such appointments. Being prepared for any and all situations here often means needing more than a backpack of supplies at one's fingertips (and I do not even have my backpacks with me right now-- I have been without them for a week and a half now, a very long time for me).
My plan is to take any vehicle I am considering buying to a shop where they can do an inspection for a reasonable price. I have already discovered how pointless it is for me to look over a pick-up truck because I really do not know what I am looking for. Nothing like feeling helpless. With today’s truck, I think I was able to pick up a few incongruencies in the sounds and operations though. Unfortunately the person who does inspections is out sick, probably for the rest of the week, so I will have to see what vehicles are still available next week. Buying a car is definitely much worse than buying a computer because I am not even glancing at new cars which means that any car I buy has a story behind it – and probably one that goes untold.
The “plan” at the moment is to return back home to camp tomorrow, but we will see. I look forward to unpacking and being able to finalize preparations for Sunday’s program with the children from church. Thankfully there are many people gracious enough to offer me lodging while I am in the city. I have been very blessed in that way.
One would think that I would begin to remember that I cannot expect my plans to unfold as I had planned. I guess that my week in PA caused me to forget some of what I had learned. I arrived back in Honduras on Monday evening and discovered that I could catch a ride out to camp yet that night, but I passed up the opportunity, planning to travel the next day after a good night’s sleep and when I could take all of my luggage. But Tuesday mid-morning I received a call from Cindy saying that the Montero had 2 flat, irreparable tires and the village did not have what he needed. Basically Wes could not make it to San Pedro to pick me up that day. The other vehicle was in the shop here in San Pedro. So I stayed put in the city and finished up the task of getting all of the new programs installed on my computer and my e-mail switched over. I got to attend a Bible Study last night, and I also made lots of calls about pick-up trucks. Today I set up appointments for checking out some trucks but of course, I forgot to plan for the typical delays that postpone or prevent altogether such appointments. Being prepared for any and all situations here often means needing more than a backpack of supplies at one's fingertips (and I do not even have my backpacks with me right now-- I have been without them for a week and a half now, a very long time for me).
My plan is to take any vehicle I am considering buying to a shop where they can do an inspection for a reasonable price. I have already discovered how pointless it is for me to look over a pick-up truck because I really do not know what I am looking for. Nothing like feeling helpless. With today’s truck, I think I was able to pick up a few incongruencies in the sounds and operations though. Unfortunately the person who does inspections is out sick, probably for the rest of the week, so I will have to see what vehicles are still available next week. Buying a car is definitely much worse than buying a computer because I am not even glancing at new cars which means that any car I buy has a story behind it – and probably one that goes untold.
The “plan” at the moment is to return back home to camp tomorrow, but we will see. I look forward to unpacking and being able to finalize preparations for Sunday’s program with the children from church. Thankfully there are many people gracious enough to offer me lodging while I am in the city. I have been very blessed in that way.
A Brief Pass Through Pennsylvania
Although it was a very short trip, I had a good time in PA last week. I spent most of my time with my extended Hess family, all of whom were in the area for my cousin’s wedding. On the 4th of July we went down to the Chesapeake Bay and had the opportunity to water ski. Most of our time during the week was spent chatting (and occasionally having “honesty circles” as my sister would call them). But we found some time to play basketball, Kubb (however it is spelled), and board games. I, of course, got to Black Rock Retreat and visited with the staff, played early morning basketball, and walked the trails. I was able to visit with a few of my other friends during travels to and from the airport or breakfast. The trip made me appreciate again my family and the fact that even the aunts, uncles, and cousins all get along and enjoy hanging out. The cousins are beginning to think it is time for another road trip. I think it might have to include planes this time since 5 of us will be out of the country. I do miss that fellowship when I am in other parts of the world. Yet I was glad that although it is never easy to say goodbye again, I knew that Honduras was where I was to be and not Lancaster, PA. It is strange to leave PA though having no idea when I will return for another visit. Every other time I had at least an idea of when I would be back, but this time I have not a clue.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Musings from the roadways
July 1, 2007
Well, I should be getting used to dogs by now but I still cannot say that they are my favorite. I have been staying at a couple’s home in San Pedro and they have 2 dogs, one of which is quite big. They both want attention which I will sometimes give but not with great excitement on my part. I feel rather bad about that, but…
Yesterday I went to a nearby town to visit a girl who is working with Environmental Education. It took me a while to find her but eventually we met up and went for a hike to a nearby creek and dam. The mountain views and smell of fresh cut pine, made a beautiful setting for a hike. I did come close to facing death on the return hike though when a mango chose the exact moment that I was passing by to fall within a foot of my head. I heard the sound of one plummeting through the leaves and did duck. In the mornings at camp I run through the “graveyard of rotting mangos” where they have all been crushed underfoot omit an odor that is not the most pleasant.
The other lesson I learned while driving to the town of
Over the course of my travels this past week I passed many people walking along the highway with loads of firewood on their head or in a cart or perhaps they were on their bike with several people. Often it was in the intense heat of the day or in a downpour. Every time I passed such people, I would feel bad for them and wish that I could stop and offer them a ride. But then I began to realize that one of the reasons I feel bad for them is because what they are doing is so slow. It takes hours to cover a distance that would take minutes in a car. And to me, who is used to moving quickly and trying to be efficient, their long journey appears agonizingly slow. Yet they may actually be content with their pace of life and my offer of “help” might in a sense ruin that contentment. There are times when I am sure help would be appreciated and a very good thing, but I need to change my perspective that the fastest way between Point A and Point B is the best way. (Indeed I do like stairs better than elevators and escalators, but that has more to do with setting my own pace than depending on the pace of the elevator and I like to compete with whoever is taking the “fastest way”). There is a lot to be gained from a more tranquil pace of life. Anyway, I think I have some more processing to do of this whole idea.
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