glimpse of advent

Trying new things can be scary for anyone. I myself can testify to this when it comes to high ropes!

But learning new things, trying something you've never done before, and being adventurous for the sake of adventure are so highly valued in North American culture.

When I found myself surrounded by a group of women who were so afraid to learn a new skill, I was reminded again of this cultural difference. Although subtle, I think speaks a lot to why change is so hard to come by in this culture and country.

We were pleased to present one of our community groups with an industrial mixer this week as part of the year-end Christmas celebration (pictures/post to come later). It was an exciting moment, presenting the micro-enterprise with their first significant piece of equipment to increase production, and of course, revenues!

Being the only one with a basic knowledge of how a stand mixer works (thanks to my mom & sisters!) I was nominated to lead the training in how to operate the machine. I did my best, but every 3rd or 4th time, the mixer would not work. I was frustrated, under a bit of pressure (15 pairs of eyes, plus my boss, co-worker, church member, and a TV camera!) and unsure of what was going wrong.

Thankfully, a moment of insight led me to deduce that all security checks had to be in place or the paddle would not move. With that figured out, we wanted to have 3 or 4 women practice using the mixer from start to finish to ensure they knew how to use it.

It was like pulling teeth!
No one wanted to step up, and no one wanted to try it out.
They lady who lives where the mixer was going to be stationed was in the bathroom for about 15 minutes!

I marveled at how intimidating this process was for these women. Women who have known me and Ruth and Oscar for 2 years! Women who have invited us into their homes for coffee, snacks, and conversation. Women who have purchased their very own piece of land--from a bank account that started with 0 lempiras! I couldn't even compute why they were so scared to learn a new process that would help advance their business.

But I had to step back and recognize that it's not so easy for them. As much as they want to move forward, the new and unknown is exactly that--unknown--and it overwhelms them. While I was taught from a young age that the sky is the limit, they are raised with a stark reality that there are limits in life. The very geography of where they live limits them. The economic situation they are born into limits them. Their access to education has been limiting for them.

And I was brought back to why this process of formation is so important for the women we work with. You can't just throw money at them and expect things to change. It requires a lot of learning, re-learning, and learning from mistakes. Its a long, slow, often frustrating process of little baby steps.

But then one day...
you see a little spark of change.
It lets you know there is hope.
Hope that maybe these women will mark a difference in their lives and those of their children.

And that is a sweet glimpse of advent.
Right here, in all the darkness, the spark of hope that foretells of good things to come.

new and different

Every year brings new changes to our MCC team, mostly in the form of new service workers. We had to say good bye this year to the Stephens and the Troyers, but now we have been able to welcome new workers and get to know them.

Our September retreat for MCC Honduras was in the central location (central for all but me ;) of Siguatepeque. We were tucked away in a nice retreat center and were able to enjoy cooler temperatures and time together as a team.

What I was not aware of was this retreat center boasts a world-class co-op course and high ropes adventure course.

I would just like to say that in many years of liberal arts college-ing, camp counseling, admissions staff-ing and youth retreat-ing I have had my FAIR share of co-op courses. And I really really really don't need anything like high ropes. I would also like to preface this by saying that I had a bad experience my first weeks in Honduras with a tree, a hammock, and a nasty, um, tree-trapped situation.

So. Day 1, what do they want me to do?? Sit on the edge of a 8 meter high platform and "fall" off to swing and feel like I'm in a hammock. I tried to tell Kike (the guide, pronounced key-kay) that I would be much happier in a real hammock, about 2 feet off the ground, and still happy to reflect on taking risks and what we learn about trust from said situations...but he was not having it. I ALSO tried to get him to push me cuz I was too scared to throw myself off the ledge...and he told me firmly that he never pushes anyone. Ok Mr. I-eat-raw-eggs-for-breakfast-and-probably-walk-on-high-ropes-with-no-safety-ropes. You are of no help to me in my moment of need.

But since I had already climbed the 7 meter ricktey ladder that only Hondurans would tell you is completely safe, I had no choice. I wasn't going back down that thing!

So I fell off the ledge.

And I screamed.

And I was terrified.

And then I sat in a swing for a few minutes to take in the view.

And the little assistant man was like: "ok, but really...you liked it right? "

"NO!" I firmly responded, not smiling.

And it was in this moment I realized...I have spent a lot of my life pushing myself to do scary things. To step out of my comfort zone. To be brave and try something that makes me tremble inside.

But sometimes, you feel no different after you've done it. You think you will, but you don't.

And I've just decided that I'm not an adrenaline junky, and I don't like heights.

So eat that for breakfast, Kike!

Fast Forward to Day 2. Our whole team is to participate in the high ropes team building activities.

I was sick to my stomach. I was praying for rain. I wanted to do ANYTHING but that course.

Thankfully, life is not always as it is in summer camp, and you can say no. And people will respect you.
So, I calmly declined (after chatting with my supervisors) and was content to swallow my fear and watch all of my MCC colleagues from below. On terra firme. Oh, but of course I took lots of photos.

 Being brave is important. But knowing your limits can also be just as important. And I think I grew a lot in finally giving myself permission to be afraid and say "no. not this time!"

before the fall, with my newly un-afraid adrenaline junky "twin" Elise

the longest climb OF MY LIFE.

on the platform, kickin' it with with Keeks...we aren't really friends.

after the "fall" swinging around "enjoying" the view. but check that face.
 I am cosa seria!

to give you an idea of how the platform was ON THE SIDE OF A FREAKING MOUNTAIN

after the fall, had the feeling back in my hands, enjoying time with Mari,
a new MCC friend from Nicaragua

Mari's fall. It's about a 1/4 second after that you feel the ropes holding you

having fun with co-op games

the high ropes course!!

the brave ones. I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU ALL!

they had the hardest climb to get to "starting" point. Of course, Kike was their team leader...

a fall. exactly what I didnt want to happen to me. but she pulled through. so proud of Emily!!

one small step....

repelling down to safety ;)

2 happy 2 be done... 1 wanting more....

our new MCC team for 2012-2013 :)
love you all!

new heights

Every day brings new adventures.

Today's adventure involved driving...

...to the most remote community.

...on the worst road.

...up up and more up

...without either my co-worker or my boss!

Day 2 of our cooking class in Vertientes, my co-worker was called away last minute (kind of an unnecessary phrase in this culture) to accompany the pastor to San Pedro. This left me as the only driver.

I have driven half way to where we were heading today, but the 2nd half is definitely more complicated. Only made worse by rainy season and a truck without 4 wheel-drive.

But God is good. I went well-covered in prayer (from my boss and the cooking teacher who is the sweetest lady I know) and we made it safe and sound! Praise the Lord. I was SO nervous. And just to let you know, I really love driving, so for me to be nervous indicates the complication of my task at hand.

The women were all surprised when I showed up with only the instructor. "And Don Oscar?" they all asked. Only after a time did it come out that I did the driving. Apparently they thought we must have come with some chauffeur. Hahaha...made me laugh. I enjoy more literal lessons of female empowerment for our beneficiaries. Girl power, ladies!

It was a great day. I had a fun time observing, tasting, learning, and chatting with the women. Successful day of cooking, successful day of driving.



Grateful for continued safety and the chance to rise to the challenge each and every day!