Today

January 31, 2008 (But really February 3rd)

Since yesterday I did an entry about tomorrow, I think that today I should do one about today. These past few days God has been bombarding me through Scripture, quotes, and sermons about the importance of today. I was looking through my quote book (of quotes I have been collecting over the years though largly neglected the past 5 years) and found several quotes that stuck home again. I thought that I would record a few here.

"Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now." ~Elisabeth Elliott

Excerpts from C.S Lewis in The Screwtape Letters
"Our [devil's] business is to get them away from the eternal and from the present. With this in view, we sometimes tempt a human (say a widow or a scholar) to live in the Past. But this is of limited value... It is far better to make them live in the future... Also it [the future] is unknown to them, so that in making them think about it we make them thinnk of unrealities. In a word, the Future is of all things, the thing least like eternity."
"Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead."
"To be sure the Enemy [which in the book is God] wants men to think of the Future too -- just so much asis necessary for now -- planning the acts of justice or charity which will probably be their duty tomorrow... He does not want men to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasure in it."

And finally God's Word,

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.... Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Hebrews 3:13-15

I think I am being reminded to live each day and face the challenges of the day without getting caught up in worry about tomorrow or in the dream that it will all be so much better.

Since it is now February 3rd when I am finally posting this, a little update. I have moved into my apartment much to my relief. I have a matress to sleep on, a fridge to store food in and a toaster oven to cook in so that is enough to make it livable for now. There are many more details to take care of but at least I am partially settled. I have gotten to go on 2 runs in the area and felt safe. This morning I went to get my license plates and it took only 30 minutes! That is a record for sure. On Saturday I was with my roommate Emily while she "ordered" a gift certificate from a local restaurant. We waited for 45 minutes while they made the certificate, printed it off, and did who knows what else. Needless to say not much got done on Saturday and I was reminded of why I am behind on everything. Right now I am waiting for the oil to get changed and then this afternoon I head out to camp. I had wanted to stay for a few days but I cannot because of meetings I have tomorrow evening for the camp that is happening this weekend. So life continues with a flurry of activity and I try to stay organized, patient, and optomistic in it all.

The Pieces Coming Together

January 31, 2008

At long last, I feel as if some progress has been made. Emily and I signed the apartment lease today and I even moved a few things in. Tomorrow the furniture should arrive. I have been blessed to have been given various furniture items from people in the Spanish church where I go. Through the course of conversation with the landlord, I have found a possible inside connection to the Department of Motor Vehicles which means my process of getting my license plates might not be an all day affair. When ever you can drop names, things get done much quicker.

This afternoon after signing the lease I had to drive out to camp and back because my title for the car and other such documents were there which I need for getting the plates. I was frustrated at having to make such a long trip for an hour's time at camp but in the end the timing was good. I met the guy who is supervising one of the construction projects on camp and discovered that he has a business recycling paper (well, collecting it and shipping it to a plant in Guatemala). He also had questions which I could pass on to the Williamson's in the States. I had just enough time at camp to chat with the staff and take pictures of the ropes course elements. It looks like someone I knew from my camp in PA is able to come down and help with the new construction and repairs, and a few of the things I can do with my uncle.

So with the apartment finally in place and progress made in finding help with the ropes course, I feel like I am moving again. I must say that in my random moments this week of frustration when having to find certain documents that I had hidden in one of my suitcases (whether where I have been staying or back at camp) I often ended up finding something else I had been looking for -- a business card, my allergy shot record, etc.... In many little ways I have seen God at work even in the midst of the frustrations or waiting. I am looking forward though to having a little more oranization and less living out of suitcases.

Manana

January 30, 2008

Well, I cannot spell the word correctly because the program is not letting me put the line above the n. Manana is a word I am hearing a lot lately and is not one I like so much because it means tomorrow, but really it does not mean tomorrow at all. It is more like, whenever we get to it or it happens.The manana for me seems to be this whole apartment thing and signing the lease. On Saturday they told us be Monday or Tuesday the Air conditioners would be in and it would be clean. Yesterday they told us we could sign this afternoon but this afternoon the story is "manana". I have discovered that when you are always waiting for tomorrow, it is hard to live in the "today." That is my struggle right now as I figure out how to get my work done and yet still be ready to sign the lease at what seems like it will be a moment's notice. And perhaps that is where I need to learn to make other people wait and say that we will then come when it suits us best. To add to my list of things to do, I happened to go to the newspaper on-line today and I saw an article that said the police were going to start fining people who do not have a license plate -- a fine of about $50. I still do not have my real plates because they were not making them as of 2 months ago. I have not gone back because I knew I would have to stand in line just to get an answer. I am not sure if this new law means that they are now making plates again but I am not so sure that my laminated plates in the windshield and back window are going to suffice anymore. The article said that the government office had extended its hours and had more staffing in an effort to curb the long waits. I will soon be able to test the authenticity of the description.

And so I enter into "manana" not really knowing what it holds as far as the apartment or delivery of furniture goes, but I am ready to go about my work and then go sign the lease when it is also convenient for me. I would imagine that tomorrow just might find me standing in a long line too. We will see how it all works out.

The Car Locked Me Out

January 28-29, 2008

The car locked me out. It is nice that in Spanish you can put the blame on the car instead of oneself and it sounds a little better than in English (At least if I remember the grammar correctly). I thought that this week was off to a better start since everything yesterday went smoothly. But this morning (Monday), events changed that. My plan was to run to a hardware store and price some equipment that I still need for the ropes course in order to know whether to buy it here or have my uncle bring it down in a few weeks. Well, I carried a few things to the car and popped the hood so I could check the oil. I do not remember closing the door (and it was only partly closed) but when I returned to open the back door, it was locked. Fear set in as I realized that my keys were not on me. No, they were sitting on the front seat. It is so rare that my car will actually lock automatically that I generally do not worry about locking the keys inside, but for some reason it decided to lock itself today. (And for this reason I chose the opening sentence).

I stood in disbelief for a few moments because it was just too much. After a week of getting nothing done because of long meetings, continual delays, changes to schedules, sickness, power outages and waiting I could not believe yet another problem was in front of me. Well, I could believe it, but I did not want to. After talking with Joy (whose house I am still at because I am still waiting to sign for an apartment), I was reminded that perhaps it was not safe for me to be on the road to camp when I had planned and so God was slowing me down. Quite possible though I also know that Satan likes to discourage us and that was all I needed – one more thing go wrong. I decided that I needed to vent by going for a run and having some time to talk to God which I did and it helped a little. I do not usually run in the city but I took to the streets anyway. When Joy’s husband Mark returned home after four hours of standing in line, he brought out his tool for breaking into cars. (I had chosen a bad day to lock my keys in the car because he also had a migraine). We soon discovered that it is not so easy to break into my car. I feel quite good about its security now, even when it has to sit unattended on a street. Because of the tinting I had to watch from the other side of the car to tell him when the lock was jiggling. After probably half an hour, he found the right point and with much strain, popped the lock at which point the alarm took over.

I eventually got to the store and late afternoon left for camp. When I reached Pinalejo, I looked up a nurse there to see if I could get my allergy injection which has been overdue. The nurse has been caring for her neighbor who is dying of cancer so I was not sure whether she would have time to give me the shot. She did so I stayed there for the allotted time needed for assuring I would not have a reaction. I ended up talking with the nurse though and soon it was well past dark. Even though the camp is only a few miles up the mountain we decided I should maybe just stay at her house till morning. Considering that there was no electric in the town or at camp, I did not mind staying where a generator provided light. I was also there to stay with her children if she had to go next door during the night. And so although I was disappointed at not being able to visit with the staff at camp that evening, I was thankful to be safe and get a few things like laundry done. It is now Tuesday evening and other than a cold, things are definitely going better. I am praying that this week will be a little smoother and more productive than last and most important that I will have a better attitude no matter what the circumstances.

A Whirlwind Week

January 18, 2007

As the week nears its close, I look back and wonder how I fit in all that I did. Sunday I spent most of the day either at church or in a course that I am taking which has to do with camps. Monday morning I ran around town looking for supplies for repairing the ropes course at camp. Monday afternooon I headed to camp to be able to see the staff and get some information that I needed for future work. While there I got in a run, a quick soccer game, and a Bible Study with the staff. It was Monday night that I learned from my lawyer that yes I needed to leave Honduras by Thursday so that I could renew my visa. 

Tuesday morning I returned to the city and began the search for a possible cheap plane ticket. None surfaced and I spent a good portion of the day in a meeting that I was anxious to have end so that I could finalize travel plans. That afternoon I connected with a missionary girl who had just arrived to the city and was also looking for an apartment. After about an hour of chatting, we decided to go ahead and look for one together. She was flexible enough to do the chatting while I drove to the bus station for my ticket. But upon arrival I discovered that they had all been sold. With a bit of anxiety and yet an overall peace I headed to a dinner and Bible Study knowing that I really should look for a plane ticket right away. Using the computer at the pastor´s house, I found that there was now a special price for a ticket to Costa Rica which made flying an even better option than the bus would have been, all things considered. And so I made my purchase and thanked the Lord that He had control of the details all along.

Wednesday I spent visiting over 7 apartments with Emily. At the end of the day we discussed the options and prepared to chat via computer once I left for Costa Rica. Thursday morning I arrived in Costa Rica where familiar sights welcomed me. I took a bus downtown and then changed buses to arrive at a landmark near my friends´house where my friend Jen then met up with me. A trip that would cost $30 by taxi, cost a little over a dollar by bus. I was so excited to be on a bus again and to walk downtown, even entering a store or too without the same concern for safety. In San Pedro I would probably not walk anywhere with a backpack, let alone two. 

The rest of Thursday I spent mostly reconnecting with my friends Matthew and Jennifer and their boys, one of whom is new to me since he is only 5 months old. The most challenging part of the day was trying to discern from a description whether the apartment Emily had looked at that day was a better option than the ones from the day before. Tonight we finally reached a decision of which to pursue with a back-up plan in case the first choice one has been rented. 

Tomorrow I head by bus to the camp I volunteered at while in Costa Rica. I am excited to spend some time with God in a place that has a beauty and climate much different from Honduras. I am only beginning to discover the beauty of Honduras and so perhaps there are similar places in some of the cloud forests and mountains. For me though, the camp will be deliciously cold. We will see if I have enough warm clothes for the occasion. But more than the climate, it is a place of friendship, of ministry, and a place to be still with God.

So the week has been late nights and early mornings and general busyness. But it has been a good week as I have experienced God at work, renewed friendships, and finally made progress in the apartment search.  

Quirks of the city

So today as I was driving home from church I noticed some random and unusual sights for a city. I would expect the following in the country but not within city limits (actually I have no idea where the city limits are but even though this is a bit of a back road behind the city, it still has lots of developments and civilization).
1.) Sheep grazing on the soccer field of a university (perhaps it cuts down on the mowing but I would not want to be the one to fall while contending for a soccer ball)
2.) Clothes hanging out to dry over a long line of fences (in the drizzle no less)
3.) Clothes hanging out to dry right along the street on newly strung wire (not even right beside a house)

Those are the only things I can remember at the moment but I had to smile at the mix of the rural and the urban and the seeming clash.

Rainbows, rain, and random observations

January 6, 2008

I have so many blog entries composed in my head, but we will see what actually comes out in writing. I find myself thinking in blog entries a lot. But usually I am in the car or in the situation and cannot record my thoughts and they are then forgotten by the time I sit down at the computer.

This past Wednesday I headed out to camp, looking forward to having time to hang out with the staff, run, sit by the river, and get refocused on my work. I delayed my departure twice because each time a heavy rain shower was falling. And I thought that the rainy season was over! When I finally left, I took the “back road” out of the city. (It actually reminds me of driving on random roads in FL trying to avoid the main thoroughfares.) As I headed away from the house and was on the road bordering a river, I was delighted to see a full rainbow in front of me. It was a beautiful scene – the rainbow, the green mountain, and then the white and gray clouds and fog hovering over all. Noah saw his rainbow at the end of 40 days of rain. Apparently my rainbow came at the beginning (though not of 40 days).

I arrived at camp to even more rain but I settled in and got to work. The electric kept going off and on so I did not do much as far as cooking that night. By 9:00 the electric went off for good. When I awoke the next morning it was still raining and since there was no electric and hence no hot water, I stayed in bed and skipped the run. That afternoon I went down into the town for dog food and for the second time I realized that it was good I have 4 wheel drive. Although the road had been smoothed out the week before, the day and a half of rain had created lots of mud and I was sliding even with the 4WD. Had I closed my eyes, I could have imagined that I was driving on snow. It was that afternoon that I decided to see about postponing my return to the city until Saturday. I wanted to give more time for the roads to dry out and I wanted to have as much time at camp as possible.

Thursday evening the staff gathered for worship and Bible Study and everyone came in their jackets and winter hats. I had gotten my lightweight fleece out on Wednesday because it did feel as if winter had actually set in. I was loving the “cold”. I could hardly believe it when I felt like it was cold enough that I might soon have circulation problems with my fingers.

Friday morning it was still raining but not as hard and there was electric so although I had no desire to get muddy, I forced myself to get up and go for a run. As I expected the run was not as bad as I imagined it would be. It reminded me of college days and the runs in the not so pleasant weather. I also realized that I should have learned to love the mud runs back then so that I would be more willing to get muddy these days. Later Friday morning I had some enlightening discussions with the staff that helped me to understand some of the views and mindsets of the people here in Honduras – but more on that later, probably in a newsletter.

Saturday morning dawned gray and drizzly once again but I took the opportunity to run and enjoyed pushing myself. For once I did not have to make the trip to the city alone and got to chat with a fellow missionary from a town 45 minutes south of Pinalejo. It was good to catch up and share insights on work since we are both doing similar things. Once in the city we temporarily parted ways and I did some apartment hunting and errands.

But in the evening a group of us got together for dinner and we had also planned to play Settler’s. The latter never happened because in keeping with the way of life here, we did not finish eating and clean up until almost 9:00PM. It was okay though because it was good to just chat too and share experiences and insights from books we were reading. As I sat there, I had to think about how often new friendships overseas (from my experience anyways) often get to heartfelt, meaningful discussions more quickly. I had met the couple only once in passing before last evening, but the four of us were able to sit and discuss the challenges of life and issues of faith after just a few hours of conversation. I have not had time to really think about whether my observation is true overall, but I am thankful that in a short time with new people we could not just talk but also share a little more of real life.

A New Way to Enter a New Year

January 1, 2008

As I expected I was up very late last night and did not sleep in too late this morning so sleep is still on my agenda. The New Year's Eve Service and youth program were both good. We entered the new year in prayer and after a group prayer for family and Honduras the pastor called all "extranjeros" or citizens from other countries to the stage. I was hoping that I had misunderstood him because I really did not want to go up front but no, someone kindly nudged me to the front. At least I was not alone because there were people from Guatemala, Puerto Rico and other Latin countries. The pastor then prayed for each of us and our countries. It was a neat time.

This afternoon my friend Lourdes and I hiked up to the large Coca Cola sign on one of the mountains outside of the city. It was a nice walk up to the top and once there we discovered that we were the only ones there, though usually the picnic area is filled with people and trash. (Nearly everything in the city is closed down today and the lack of cars on the roads was wonderful). We enjoyed some tranquil moments and I was able to pull out my journal and Bible. It did not quite meet the need of being by water, but it was good and the Lord had some words for me there. After this hike Lourdes showed me the other safe place that she goes to in the city for quiet moments. Ironically it is the cemetary. The cemetary really was quite pretty since it is set up against the mountains and the grass was covered with flowers (though most were fake ones it provided lots of color). And so I spent part of the first day of the new year in a graveyard. I think that I will go back there to rest -- not permanently of course, but during those moments when I need to escape the city and cannot make it out to camp. As it is I look forward to returning to camp tomorrow morning and getting refocused. I need to be there again to remember the work I am doing. I have had too much time away from that place.

Random story from a few days ago. I have discovered two things about cooking. First of all, it is hard to cook in someone else's house because you never know if they will have all of the ingredients that you need. Over the weekend I was making a pie crust at the old house where I was house-sitting last month and when I added the vinegar to the dry ingredients, I suddenly realized that it did not smell like the kind of vinegar that I needed. It smelled like something for vegetables and indeed it said that it was a condiment. So I proceeded to scoop out the saturated part of the dough and throw it out and then waited until I got to the next house to finish up the crust.

For the most part the crust turned out okay though it would not win any awards. But the second lesson in cooking, do not bake when tired and think before you add ingredients. I was baking a apple pie because I needed to use up some apples. The first step was coating the apples with cinnamon and sugar -- certainly not hard. A 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of cinnamon -- or so I thought. Even as I poured out the cinnamon I thought that it seemed like a lot. I never put that much cinnamon in anything in comparison with the amount of sugar added. But oh well, I dumped it in. Only after dumping the cinnamon did I take a second glance at the recipe -- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Oops!! I scooped out as much cinnamon as I could but needless to say there was still cinnamon in abundance. Somehow the pie still turned out and is more than edible though it has a strong cinnamon flavor. On that note I think that I should head to bed so that I do not have any further cooking catastrophes in the days to come.