October 26, 2007
I am beginning to wonder if I am hallucinating. Twice today I felt like I was looking at snow, but of course I was not. The first was on my drive back to camp this afternoon. It was around 4:30PM and the sun was already getting low in the sky. As I neared camp I noticed that the mixture of white and dark clouds made the mountains in the distance appear as if they were snow covered. Dark peaks (which were really mostly the dark clouds), seemed to poke their heads above the snow and low level clouds. It was a beautiful sight in spite of the fact that it was 76 F and the world around me was green as could be.
My second snow sighting came as I opened a saturated and slightly moldy, cardboard container of salt. When I returned from the States, I discovered that my house at camp was very damp and many things were getting moldy. Looking in at the salt, was like looking at a wet snow. Large snow crystals sticking together – perfect for a snowball. I should have made a “snowball” with some of the salt because it contains so much moisture I cannot imagine it ever drying out without becoming a brick. I transferred the salt to other containers and put some spaghetti noodles in with it to collect some of the moisture. The previous noodles were so saturated that they appeared “cooked.” I cannot imagine that I will have any other “snow” sightings soon. It is probably better if I do not. I am glad to be back at camp for more than a day which is what last week’s trip here was. I was able to chat with the other staff this evening and catch up a bit on life. I have a lot to do here before I head back to the city next week
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Basketball, begging, and bananas
October 25, 2007
Oh the bliss of training and exercise! For the first time in months (other than my time in the States the other week), I actually worked hard and felt tired. This evening I made it to my first basketball practice. It brought back memories of high school days when I did not just play basketball, I had to train for it. There were the laps around the gym, the 3 man weaves, etc… . I had forgotten a lot. I felt very clumsy and uncoordinated half of the time but it was fun. Practice did not start on time because there was only one other girl and I there (in the end there were a total of 4 of us) but that proved to be a blessing because we were able to chat and I found that though we are different ages and in very different phases of life, there are some common interests. Even in the short time of conversation I noticed that she seems to have a lot of faith questions and I hope that with time, we can discuss that more. She is concerned for her daughter too as she heads off to college without strong principles in place and without knowing what she believes. I am looking forward to getting to know the family more the mom speaks decent English, we should be able to communicate in one of the 2 languages, even in deeper conversation.
As for other events of the day, I now have Internet in the house I am staying in here in the city. Yeah! I was supposed to buy a vehicle tomorrow but the owner has to work now so the final paperwork may be pushed off until the end of next week. That actually could work better for me anyway except for the fact that it means more waiting once again.
This afternoon I heard the doorbell ring and since I am the only one at the house for a few days, I went down to check it out. There was a woman there and she tried to explain some situation about a car and her son, but with the barking of the dogs at my feet and the Spanish, I could not understand very well. In the end she made it clear that she was asking for money. I told her no, but wanting to at least do something I offered her some bananas. At first I thought that she said no, but in the end she wanted them. Her son was with her but neither looked hurt or even malnourished. The woman looked like she was capable of working so I am not sure what her story was. When I brought the bananas out to her, she wondered if she could have my flip flops since hers were being loaned to her. Again I declined, partially because they were the only ones that I had in the city and partially because she did not seem truly needy. I do wish that I had stood and talked with her and tried to listen a little more but all the while I was thinking about the fact that the door was open to someone else’s house for which I am responsible. She left with the bananas. It was probably good for me to give them away because it cost me slightly since they were the only ones that I had left for breakfast tomorrow. Going to the store for just bananas is not worth it and I can do without a banana with my cereal.
I always find it difficult to know how to respond to the people who are begging. Hardly a day passes without seeing someone begging at a street corner or more likely in the middle of the lanes of traffic. I need to remember to pray more in the moment for discernment in knowing how God wants me to respond to each individual person. It is too easy to lump all beggars together when in fact each has some kind of need. I have lots to learn yet about what it means to walk as Jesus did.
Oh the bliss of training and exercise! For the first time in months (other than my time in the States the other week), I actually worked hard and felt tired. This evening I made it to my first basketball practice. It brought back memories of high school days when I did not just play basketball, I had to train for it. There were the laps around the gym, the 3 man weaves, etc… . I had forgotten a lot. I felt very clumsy and uncoordinated half of the time but it was fun. Practice did not start on time because there was only one other girl and I there (in the end there were a total of 4 of us) but that proved to be a blessing because we were able to chat and I found that though we are different ages and in very different phases of life, there are some common interests. Even in the short time of conversation I noticed that she seems to have a lot of faith questions and I hope that with time, we can discuss that more. She is concerned for her daughter too as she heads off to college without strong principles in place and without knowing what she believes. I am looking forward to getting to know the family more the mom speaks decent English, we should be able to communicate in one of the 2 languages, even in deeper conversation.
As for other events of the day, I now have Internet in the house I am staying in here in the city. Yeah! I was supposed to buy a vehicle tomorrow but the owner has to work now so the final paperwork may be pushed off until the end of next week. That actually could work better for me anyway except for the fact that it means more waiting once again.
This afternoon I heard the doorbell ring and since I am the only one at the house for a few days, I went down to check it out. There was a woman there and she tried to explain some situation about a car and her son, but with the barking of the dogs at my feet and the Spanish, I could not understand very well. In the end she made it clear that she was asking for money. I told her no, but wanting to at least do something I offered her some bananas. At first I thought that she said no, but in the end she wanted them. Her son was with her but neither looked hurt or even malnourished. The woman looked like she was capable of working so I am not sure what her story was. When I brought the bananas out to her, she wondered if she could have my flip flops since hers were being loaned to her. Again I declined, partially because they were the only ones that I had in the city and partially because she did not seem truly needy. I do wish that I had stood and talked with her and tried to listen a little more but all the while I was thinking about the fact that the door was open to someone else’s house for which I am responsible. She left with the bananas. It was probably good for me to give them away because it cost me slightly since they were the only ones that I had left for breakfast tomorrow. Going to the store for just bananas is not worth it and I can do without a banana with my cereal.
I always find it difficult to know how to respond to the people who are begging. Hardly a day passes without seeing someone begging at a street corner or more likely in the middle of the lanes of traffic. I need to remember to pray more in the moment for discernment in knowing how God wants me to respond to each individual person. It is too easy to lump all beggars together when in fact each has some kind of need. I have lots to learn yet about what it means to walk as Jesus did.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Aguaceros
October 23, 2007
"Aguaceros" is another name for a shower, often a downpour. The past 2 days I have had plenty of those. On Sunday I was thankfully in the house when the aguacero came. It was only about 30 minutes of heavy rain but when I left the house a little later to visit with a friend, I found a lake on the dirt road just in front of the house. As I drove, the roads got worse until I saw one of the main highways that was up to the curb in water and it was beginning to spill over into the traffic lanes going my direction. It seems like there are some issues with the drainage system. I realized that even if I did not have to drive on dirt roads in the country and thereby need a vehicle like an SUV or pick-up, there would be days when a car even in San Pedro would not be the best. They sat quite low in all of that water. Three hours later the streets were almost dry and you would not have known that earlier that day they had been a river.
Yesterday I made the drive to Santa Rosa de Copan, a town 2 1/2 hours from the city. I was taking the Associate Ministries Director of LAM there to meet with some other missionaries. I am friends with them from Language School in Costa Rica, so I was glad for the chance to visit them. Some of that joy disappated with the drive though. We got left a little later than planned and so by the time we had reached the mountainous roads, it was beginning to get dark. Part of this was due to the sudden "aguaceros" that we found ourselves in. Driving through a torrential downpour on unfamiliar mountainous roads, filled with deep potholes is not the most enjoyable. I eventually followed a sometimes slow, moving delivery truck, because the driver seemed to know the road and where the potholes were. Though it was a slow pace, I was in less danger of hitting a bottomless pothole. Because it was my first drive to Santa Rosa, I had this fear that I had missed the town. In the end it would have been impossible to miss because of its size.
When we arrived in the town, I discovered that it is very much a town on a hill. I went into 4-wheel drive after sliding a bit in some mud. One of hills was so steep that I felt like I was on initial climb of a roller coaster. Upon arrival at the Wards, I discovered that I ached from the tension of the drive. It did not help that because of sickness from something I ate on Sunday, I had only eaten crackers during the day. I went to bed by 8:00 because of the exhaustion. Thankfully today dawned with sunshine and much beauty. The view from the back porch is great and it has been good to fellowship again with the family.
"Aguaceros" is another name for a shower, often a downpour. The past 2 days I have had plenty of those. On Sunday I was thankfully in the house when the aguacero came. It was only about 30 minutes of heavy rain but when I left the house a little later to visit with a friend, I found a lake on the dirt road just in front of the house. As I drove, the roads got worse until I saw one of the main highways that was up to the curb in water and it was beginning to spill over into the traffic lanes going my direction. It seems like there are some issues with the drainage system. I realized that even if I did not have to drive on dirt roads in the country and thereby need a vehicle like an SUV or pick-up, there would be days when a car even in San Pedro would not be the best. They sat quite low in all of that water. Three hours later the streets were almost dry and you would not have known that earlier that day they had been a river.
Yesterday I made the drive to Santa Rosa de Copan, a town 2 1/2 hours from the city. I was taking the Associate Ministries Director of LAM there to meet with some other missionaries. I am friends with them from Language School in Costa Rica, so I was glad for the chance to visit them. Some of that joy disappated with the drive though. We got left a little later than planned and so by the time we had reached the mountainous roads, it was beginning to get dark. Part of this was due to the sudden "aguaceros" that we found ourselves in. Driving through a torrential downpour on unfamiliar mountainous roads, filled with deep potholes is not the most enjoyable. I eventually followed a sometimes slow, moving delivery truck, because the driver seemed to know the road and where the potholes were. Though it was a slow pace, I was in less danger of hitting a bottomless pothole. Because it was my first drive to Santa Rosa, I had this fear that I had missed the town. In the end it would have been impossible to miss because of its size.
When we arrived in the town, I discovered that it is very much a town on a hill. I went into 4-wheel drive after sliding a bit in some mud. One of hills was so steep that I felt like I was on initial climb of a roller coaster. Upon arrival at the Wards, I discovered that I ached from the tension of the drive. It did not help that because of sickness from something I ate on Sunday, I had only eaten crackers during the day. I went to bed by 8:00 because of the exhaustion. Thankfully today dawned with sunshine and much beauty. The view from the back porch is great and it has been good to fellowship again with the family.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Culture Shock
October 20, 2007
Time to backtrack a bit to my initial travel day in the State -- October 8. Actually Saturday the 6th I was stopped by the Honduran police at one of their checkpoints and the man carefully scrutinized my passport and tried to tell me it was expired. I pointed out that I still had 3 days and finally he let me pass. A little ways down the road I realized that technically I only had until the 7th since two of the previous 3 months had 31 days but I prayed that customs would not bother counting. They did not, and I left the country without a problem.
I flew into Dulles Airport in DC, and it was not until the night before that I actually had all of my travel plans lined up. I took a bus from the airport to a metro station downtown (the Washington Monument loomed in my view both as I entered and left the country), the metro to another bus station, and then another bus to BWI. At BWI my cousin picked me up, delivered me to her house in the city and then an aunt picked me up from there. And I arrived in Lancaster that night. And of course I still got up at 5:11AM the next morning to play basketball. I hate to miss the opportunity to play though with the lack of practice in the previous 3 months and lack of sleep, I might as well have stayed home.
Taking public transportation in the States is a fairly new venture for me and so I double checked with some of the people on the bus to make sure I was headed the right direction. The woman sitting beside me graciously offered to show me where to buy the ticket in the metro. During the bus ride we got to talking and I learned that she is from France and had just returned there for a visit. I asked her if she experienced culture shock each time she went back, and she said “no,” the culture shock for her came each time she re-entered the States. Apparently she has been here for 12 years teaching French, mostly because she lost her job in France many years ago. She struggles with the differences in culture and is not fond of DC, where she is currently living. As I listened to her talk I realized that it would be hard to be in another country because you had to be. I have experienced culture shock in Honduras and frustrations with the differences many a time. If I was there only for a job, I would probably give up and return home. But thankfully I have the Lord to rely on and to turn to in those tough moments when everything around me is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I know that my being in Honduras has a greater purpose than paying bills.
As for culture shock while back in the States, I pretty much avoided it. I did discover myself saying “Gracias” to a man who stopped his car so that I could cross the street in Harrisburg. I also reached many times to hit the horn, since I have learned to use it while here in Honduras. The one time I did use it as a gentle reminder to the person in front of me that the light was green and had been green for a while, the guy was not too impressed. I managed to obey the no passing signs and not pass on the stretches of road that would be considered “wide open for passing” here in Honduras but in the US are clearly marked with a double yellow line. So all in all, the culture shock was not too bad. I think though that a week and a half is barely sufficient for really re-entering a culture.
Time to backtrack a bit to my initial travel day in the State -- October 8. Actually Saturday the 6th I was stopped by the Honduran police at one of their checkpoints and the man carefully scrutinized my passport and tried to tell me it was expired. I pointed out that I still had 3 days and finally he let me pass. A little ways down the road I realized that technically I only had until the 7th since two of the previous 3 months had 31 days but I prayed that customs would not bother counting. They did not, and I left the country without a problem.
I flew into Dulles Airport in DC, and it was not until the night before that I actually had all of my travel plans lined up. I took a bus from the airport to a metro station downtown (the Washington Monument loomed in my view both as I entered and left the country), the metro to another bus station, and then another bus to BWI. At BWI my cousin picked me up, delivered me to her house in the city and then an aunt picked me up from there. And I arrived in Lancaster that night. And of course I still got up at 5:11AM the next morning to play basketball. I hate to miss the opportunity to play though with the lack of practice in the previous 3 months and lack of sleep, I might as well have stayed home.
Taking public transportation in the States is a fairly new venture for me and so I double checked with some of the people on the bus to make sure I was headed the right direction. The woman sitting beside me graciously offered to show me where to buy the ticket in the metro. During the bus ride we got to talking and I learned that she is from France and had just returned there for a visit. I asked her if she experienced culture shock each time she went back, and she said “no,” the culture shock for her came each time she re-entered the States. Apparently she has been here for 12 years teaching French, mostly because she lost her job in France many years ago. She struggles with the differences in culture and is not fond of DC, where she is currently living. As I listened to her talk I realized that it would be hard to be in another country because you had to be. I have experienced culture shock in Honduras and frustrations with the differences many a time. If I was there only for a job, I would probably give up and return home. But thankfully I have the Lord to rely on and to turn to in those tough moments when everything around me is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I know that my being in Honduras has a greater purpose than paying bills.
As for culture shock while back in the States, I pretty much avoided it. I did discover myself saying “Gracias” to a man who stopped his car so that I could cross the street in Harrisburg. I also reached many times to hit the horn, since I have learned to use it while here in Honduras. The one time I did use it as a gentle reminder to the person in front of me that the light was green and had been green for a while, the guy was not too impressed. I managed to obey the no passing signs and not pass on the stretches of road that would be considered “wide open for passing” here in Honduras but in the US are clearly marked with a double yellow line. So all in all, the culture shock was not too bad. I think though that a week and a half is barely sufficient for really re-entering a culture.
Friday, October 19, 2007
And then there was basketball
October 19, 2007
So, I guess that catch up on writing will take a while. My first day back in Honduras I spent in the city, running errands. I was late in leaving the city, considering that it gets dark so early, and then ended up sitting in traffic for half an hour before even nearing the toll booth at the edge of the city. I decided not to risk getting caught out on the roads past dark so I turned around and went back into the city for another night. Staying overnight allowed me to go and investigate being a part of a women’s basketball team. They are actually in the middle of the season so I cannot join the team but I can participate in their practices which would be great for some exercise and fellowship. Having played basketball again this past week while in PA, I was reminded that I definitely enjoy the game and would like to be more active again. Watching them play last night reminded me of high school days with the refs, foul shots, and pressure of the score and the clock. It has been ages since I thought about actual plays on the court. The team I will practice with is a mixture of girls from the US and Hondurans. Because I am not living in the city all the time, my attendance at practice may be a little sporadic, but that seems to be okay.
So, I guess that catch up on writing will take a while. My first day back in Honduras I spent in the city, running errands. I was late in leaving the city, considering that it gets dark so early, and then ended up sitting in traffic for half an hour before even nearing the toll booth at the edge of the city. I decided not to risk getting caught out on the roads past dark so I turned around and went back into the city for another night. Staying overnight allowed me to go and investigate being a part of a women’s basketball team. They are actually in the middle of the season so I cannot join the team but I can participate in their practices which would be great for some exercise and fellowship. Having played basketball again this past week while in PA, I was reminded that I definitely enjoy the game and would like to be more active again. Watching them play last night reminded me of high school days with the refs, foul shots, and pressure of the score and the clock. It has been ages since I thought about actual plays on the court. The team I will practice with is a mixture of girls from the US and Hondurans. Because I am not living in the city all the time, my attendance at practice may be a little sporadic, but that seems to be okay.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Comparison of the woods
October 16, 2007I fear that I will actually have lots of entries to write since it has been so long, but for now I will just start with my comparison of the Northern woods and the jungle at the camp in Honduras. This past week I have had the opportunity to be back in Lancaster and I took several hikes in the woods at Black Rock Retreat. I love the fall season with the changing leaves, the colors, and the crunch underfoot. To my disappointment the temperatures when I arrived in PA, gave no indication of autumn and the colors were not too noticeable. Thankfully the temperatures dropped and so it felt like fall even though the colors were still lacking.
Regardless of how much it looked or felt like fall, I loved the short hikes and time sitting by the creek at Black Rock. Having just spent most of my time hiking around my camp in Honduras which has the tropical feel, I noticed many differences. The temperature was an obvious one but I realized that the northern woods are more subtle in the sounds and colors. The call of the birds was more gentle. Their size and color blended well with their surroundings. Although the cardinals and bluebirds are around, the birds in PA tend to be less flamboyant and loud in announcing their presence. I have become accustomed to the loud calls of the birds of Honduras, their bright colors, and also the fact that the jungle changes every week. There are always new flowers or new fruits popping up. C
hange is slower and seemingly more organized in the northern woods where most things bloom and die around the same time. These are all generalizations of course and there are tons of exceptions but I found myself thinking of the beauty of both worlds and thankful that I can experience both.(RIGHT: Passionfruit flower, Honduras)
Friday, October 05, 2007
Traffic Jams and Culture
October 5, 2007
Yesterday as I was leaving the city, I saw an interesting sight. The traffic going my direction was practically stopped and looking ahead, it seemed like the wait would be long. I guessed that probably there had been an accident. The road that leaves the city has approximately 3 lanes going each direction. It is not limited access though so the left lane can come to a stand still because of people turning left and the right lane can have parked cars so you never really know what it will be like on any given day. Well, I looked over at the opposing traffic on the other side and noticed that some of the cars traveling my direction were over there. Of course this meant that the opposing traffic was jammed up too. I thought to myself that I would not want to be the lead car that was going against the proper flow of traffic. We continued to creep along at a slow pace, as did the traffic going my way on the other side. I eventually saw some police but no sign of an accident and then the road cleared and we were moving again. I cannot say the same for the traffic on the other side. They were creeping along still because there had never been any policemen directing the cars to change over to that lane. Someone had simply decided to try a quicker route and other followed suit. But now that lead car was head to head with the oncoming traffic and had to wait until one by one the cars merged over into the right lanes. It was going to be a slow go for those cars.
The incident reminded me of culture though, and the very common cultural clashes and misunderstandings that can happen when in another country or place. Yesterday morning I had met with a woman in leadership in the church to have her review and proofread the program I am sharing tomorrow with deacons from the church while they are at camp. It was a very helpful meeting because I needed to reword things or express my ideas in such a way that they could be understood from the Honduran culture. One of the challenges of my work is to learn how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, His work in my life, and a love for God’s creation in a way that fits with the Honduran culture and brings out the best of their culture.
Yesterday as I was leaving the city, I saw an interesting sight. The traffic going my direction was practically stopped and looking ahead, it seemed like the wait would be long. I guessed that probably there had been an accident. The road that leaves the city has approximately 3 lanes going each direction. It is not limited access though so the left lane can come to a stand still because of people turning left and the right lane can have parked cars so you never really know what it will be like on any given day. Well, I looked over at the opposing traffic on the other side and noticed that some of the cars traveling my direction were over there. Of course this meant that the opposing traffic was jammed up too. I thought to myself that I would not want to be the lead car that was going against the proper flow of traffic. We continued to creep along at a slow pace, as did the traffic going my way on the other side. I eventually saw some police but no sign of an accident and then the road cleared and we were moving again. I cannot say the same for the traffic on the other side. They were creeping along still because there had never been any policemen directing the cars to change over to that lane. Someone had simply decided to try a quicker route and other followed suit. But now that lead car was head to head with the oncoming traffic and had to wait until one by one the cars merged over into the right lanes. It was going to be a slow go for those cars.
The incident reminded me of culture though, and the very common cultural clashes and misunderstandings that can happen when in another country or place. Yesterday morning I had met with a woman in leadership in the church to have her review and proofread the program I am sharing tomorrow with deacons from the church while they are at camp. It was a very helpful meeting because I needed to reword things or express my ideas in such a way that they could be understood from the Honduran culture. One of the challenges of my work is to learn how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, His work in my life, and a love for God’s creation in a way that fits with the Honduran culture and brings out the best of their culture.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Enter October
October 1, 2007
Amazing to think the year is almost over! October is usually such a pretty month that I welcome it. In Central America it means lots of rain though, which at times is not so pleasant. This year I will get to experience both the rains and the changing colors of autumn leaves since I have a last minute trip to the States coming up. The joys of visas that expire and paperwork that is still lacking the necessary signatures!. The Lord definitely gave me a clear answer though to my prayer about whether to go to Costa Rica by bus or to the US for my trip out of the country. With the paperwork still not in place, I thought I needed to return to the US to take care of more details. A discussion with the Honduran embassy this morning changed some of those views, but I already have the ticket so I am leaving in a week. And I think that God wants me back there for a short time for some reason so it will be exciting to see what He does.
As I look back on the day I cannot say that it was the best entrance of October in my life. On a day when I needed to find lodging and plan for my stay in the US as well as prepare for a group this coming Saturday, car troubles were not really welcomed. Yesterday driving into the city water started dripping into the car from above the windshield. I planned to get that fixed today but ran out of time because I ended up having to buy a new tire since one had a hole and was irreparable. If things continue like this, I may be in the city longer than I had anticipated for the week. I am also getting settled into the house where I am will be staying for the next 3 months when I am the city. Another time I will have to write about my recent thoughts on living conditions, expectations, and missions. A book I just read made me appreciate even what I have at the camp much more. And so in the midst of the challenges there is always a positive side (where I was when I got the flat tire, people around with the tools to help, it did not rain anymore today so the windshield did not leak…) and I am trying to look for the good and not be overwhelmed or discouraged by the trials.
Amazing to think the year is almost over! October is usually such a pretty month that I welcome it. In Central America it means lots of rain though, which at times is not so pleasant. This year I will get to experience both the rains and the changing colors of autumn leaves since I have a last minute trip to the States coming up. The joys of visas that expire and paperwork that is still lacking the necessary signatures!. The Lord definitely gave me a clear answer though to my prayer about whether to go to Costa Rica by bus or to the US for my trip out of the country. With the paperwork still not in place, I thought I needed to return to the US to take care of more details. A discussion with the Honduran embassy this morning changed some of those views, but I already have the ticket so I am leaving in a week. And I think that God wants me back there for a short time for some reason so it will be exciting to see what He does.
As I look back on the day I cannot say that it was the best entrance of October in my life. On a day when I needed to find lodging and plan for my stay in the US as well as prepare for a group this coming Saturday, car troubles were not really welcomed. Yesterday driving into the city water started dripping into the car from above the windshield. I planned to get that fixed today but ran out of time because I ended up having to buy a new tire since one had a hole and was irreparable. If things continue like this, I may be in the city longer than I had anticipated for the week. I am also getting settled into the house where I am will be staying for the next 3 months when I am the city. Another time I will have to write about my recent thoughts on living conditions, expectations, and missions. A book I just read made me appreciate even what I have at the camp much more. And so in the midst of the challenges there is always a positive side (where I was when I got the flat tire, people around with the tools to help, it did not rain anymore today so the windshield did not leak…) and I am trying to look for the good and not be overwhelmed or discouraged by the trials.
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