The past few days I have been working on translating the end of project report that ACDIM has to submit to MCC. It has caused me to reflect on various aspects of translation, language and the bridge-building that it requires.
words that don't translate well:
Now that I have been immersed in Spanish for a long time, there are many words and phrases I have come to know and use that do not have direct counterparts in English. There are also a lot of phrases we use in our work that don't always translate well...like "capacitation"--its like capacity-builiding wrapped up in a more succinct verb. This causes many delays in my translation.
papadas:
This is a word that basically means "something that is full of it." Or as I like to use it, describing the hot air that many Hondurans spout off on a regular basis; things that are said that will never actually happen or be followed through on (read: BS). When writing documents, Hondurans want to fill the empty space with lots of these "papadas" or meaningless phrases. Again, not easily translated to English, and it makes the English version about 1/6 as long as the Spanish one :)
a foot in 2 worlds: Through many years of study and hard work, I have come to learn the ins and outs of another language. The grammar and proper use, of course, but also the more subtle shades and tones in slang, joking, and daily interactions. This has given me so much insight into the culture that I live in and helps me get around, be more independent, and enjoy deeper relationships with people.
building bridges: this is what my fellow Honduras dweller Elise and I always talk about. We are privileged to have some experience and enough language skills to get a handle on the context here. It allows us to build bridges between Hondurans and people from North America. Whether it is a report that higher ups will read in MCC (a necessity for the funds for our work), or my family that comes to visit (a necessity for me to share my life with them), it is an honor to help them understand more about life here and communicate between the two cultures.
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
March 16, 2013
February 12, 2013
resilience
After living in Honduras for more than 2 1/2 years, I have heard many comments along the lines of "but how can you live in Honduras so long" or "I don't know how you do it" or "I could never do what you do."
And the honest truth is: I don't really know how I do it either! It's not always fun. It's hardly ever easy. I miss a lot of things living away from friends and family, and some days it adds up to a lot of stress.
I was reading an interesting report on international workers (here called humanitarian workers) and what enhances their resilience and drives them to stick with it--even when its hard; or why in some cases, people get burned out and make a major career change. It is interesting to read this study and consider what is it that brought me here. What is it that keeps me fueled for the work that I do? And what sustains me mentally and emotionally to keep on keeping-on?
Purpose, meaning, and loving a challenge:
“It helps if you believe in the purpose, but after a while that’s not enough. For many people that’ll get you a year, maybe two, before you’re close to burnout. That’s when you need people to genuinely enjoy many aspects of the job on top of believing that it’s meaningful. They need to love the challenge of actually doing the work and trying to deliver assistance to people who really need it despite all the hindrances in the way - government, bad security, organizational constraints, budget limitations, broken equipment, cross cultural miscommunications, feeling caught at a perpetual cross-roads between the urgencies of the field and the eternal demands from headquarters. You really have to love being challenged – maybe not every day, but most days."
Adapting beliefs (sounds wishy-washy, but stay with me):
"How humanitarian workers hold and change their beliefs also appears to be relevant to resilience. It is virtually impossible to witness suffering, violence, and great human need without having your beliefs and expectations about how the world “should” work challenged, and you only have a few options in the face of this sort of ambiguity and pressure. You can shore up your beliefs and attitudes to the point where they become rigid. You can become more able to manage ambiguity and nuance. Or you can abandon these beliefs altogether."
Learning (til your brain hurts):
"Humanitarian workers who were most resilient were described as those who take on the attitude of a learner and are not unduly threatened by having some of their important beliefs and ideas challenged. They are the people who find a way to temper their idealism with pragmatism, yet not loose that idealism altogether. They are the people who can acknowledge and recognize what they themselves are getting out of this work – how they are growing and learning – rather than those who claim they are only in it to serve others. They are the ones able to see and tolerate shades of grey around issues that may have once appeared a crisp black and white. “Being professional is not about being jaded. It’s about growing out of naive idealism and still maintaining integrity of purpose.”
Support network (a.k.a. real friends!)
"There is no single factor that will make you resilient, but good relationships may be about as close as we can come to a silver bullet. Supportive relationships that extend beyond mere acquaintances – knowing that you are part of a community of people who care for you and think well of you – is crucial. “It’s just so clear that resilient people are those who can attach and have strong relationships– both global networks and the ability to create some sort of connection and support wherever you are at the moment.”
There is something deeper that called me here, and something bigger than me that keeps me here. I couldn't be here if I wasn't at peace about God wanting me to be in this place--and there are many other factors that give me the resilience to withstand a lot of difficult things about living in Honduras. In reality, it is a whole mix of these things mentioned above: a hunger to learn new things; (often, not always) enjoying a challenge; and having people around you to support you in all of the ups and downs (you know who you are!).
*text quoted from McKay, Lisa. "Resilience" Building Resilient Managers in Humanitarian Organizations: Strengthening Key Organizational Structures and Personal Skills that Promote Resilience in Challenging Environments. People in Aid.
And the honest truth is: I don't really know how I do it either! It's not always fun. It's hardly ever easy. I miss a lot of things living away from friends and family, and some days it adds up to a lot of stress.
I was reading an interesting report on international workers (here called humanitarian workers) and what enhances their resilience and drives them to stick with it--even when its hard; or why in some cases, people get burned out and make a major career change. It is interesting to read this study and consider what is it that brought me here. What is it that keeps me fueled for the work that I do? And what sustains me mentally and emotionally to keep on keeping-on?
Purpose, meaning, and loving a challenge:
“It helps if you believe in the purpose, but after a while that’s not enough. For many people that’ll get you a year, maybe two, before you’re close to burnout. That’s when you need people to genuinely enjoy many aspects of the job on top of believing that it’s meaningful. They need to love the challenge of actually doing the work and trying to deliver assistance to people who really need it despite all the hindrances in the way - government, bad security, organizational constraints, budget limitations, broken equipment, cross cultural miscommunications, feeling caught at a perpetual cross-roads between the urgencies of the field and the eternal demands from headquarters. You really have to love being challenged – maybe not every day, but most days."
Adapting beliefs (sounds wishy-washy, but stay with me):
"How humanitarian workers hold and change their beliefs also appears to be relevant to resilience. It is virtually impossible to witness suffering, violence, and great human need without having your beliefs and expectations about how the world “should” work challenged, and you only have a few options in the face of this sort of ambiguity and pressure. You can shore up your beliefs and attitudes to the point where they become rigid. You can become more able to manage ambiguity and nuance. Or you can abandon these beliefs altogether."
Learning (til your brain hurts):
"Humanitarian workers who were most resilient were described as those who take on the attitude of a learner and are not unduly threatened by having some of their important beliefs and ideas challenged. They are the people who find a way to temper their idealism with pragmatism, yet not loose that idealism altogether. They are the people who can acknowledge and recognize what they themselves are getting out of this work – how they are growing and learning – rather than those who claim they are only in it to serve others. They are the ones able to see and tolerate shades of grey around issues that may have once appeared a crisp black and white. “Being professional is not about being jaded. It’s about growing out of naive idealism and still maintaining integrity of purpose.”
Support network (a.k.a. real friends!)
"There is no single factor that will make you resilient, but good relationships may be about as close as we can come to a silver bullet. Supportive relationships that extend beyond mere acquaintances – knowing that you are part of a community of people who care for you and think well of you – is crucial. “It’s just so clear that resilient people are those who can attach and have strong relationships– both global networks and the ability to create some sort of connection and support wherever you are at the moment.”
There is something deeper that called me here, and something bigger than me that keeps me here. I couldn't be here if I wasn't at peace about God wanting me to be in this place--and there are many other factors that give me the resilience to withstand a lot of difficult things about living in Honduras. In reality, it is a whole mix of these things mentioned above: a hunger to learn new things; (often, not always) enjoying a challenge; and having people around you to support you in all of the ups and downs (you know who you are!).
*text quoted from McKay, Lisa. "Resilience" Building Resilient Managers in Humanitarian Organizations: Strengthening Key Organizational Structures and Personal Skills that Promote Resilience in Challenging Environments. People in Aid.
December 15, 2012
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.
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.
November 5, 2012
heart-filled worship
Church has had its ups and downs for me throughout my time in Honduras. When I lived with my host family I felt obligated to attend a certain church and its ridiculously intensive weekly schedule of services.
Then there is the infamous church retreat that I posted about a few months ago that was very stressful in its own right, and left me pretty bitter about the way people are coerced into church attendance and spiritual experiences.
I often drag myself to services, without having my heart in the right place. Sometimes, if I humble myself enough to let go all of the distractions, frustrations and "different" ways of doing things, I am able to free myself to worship and learn something.
When I was home a few weeks ago, it was rejuvenating for me to attend my church in PA and worship in English, even sing songs that were new to me but had words projected so I could sing along. I felt at home in my pew, soaking it all in and even sharing in communion with my church community (something I rarely experience here in Santa Rosa).
But what I have slowly come to learn through all of these struggles--to find church community, find moments of worship and refreshment when sometimes all I want to do is run out of the church doors and crawl into my bed--is that it all depends on my attitude and my willingness to lay those frustrations and criticisms aside. I have to allow myself to be moved into a place where I can worship and appreciate the community I am part of for what it is.
A few months ago I was talked into practicing with and joining the worship team at my church in Santa Rosa. I had been resisting for awhile, but finally realized that not being involved in anything musical was a real void in my life here in Honduras, and maybe reason for feeling a void in my spiritual life. I have always loved music and find myself most connected to worship experiences through music.
It has not been easy, and I still wonder some days what I am doing, but I am enjoying the new challenge of it, and a new perspective on the church--literally (from the front platform) and figuratively. Leading others in worship has challenged me to consider where my heart is and how my own state of mind affects the ministry I am apart of. I am hopeful that this change will help me to have a more healthy perspective on the church and continue to teach me about a heart of worship.
Then there is the infamous church retreat that I posted about a few months ago that was very stressful in its own right, and left me pretty bitter about the way people are coerced into church attendance and spiritual experiences.
I often drag myself to services, without having my heart in the right place. Sometimes, if I humble myself enough to let go all of the distractions, frustrations and "different" ways of doing things, I am able to free myself to worship and learn something.
When I was home a few weeks ago, it was rejuvenating for me to attend my church in PA and worship in English, even sing songs that were new to me but had words projected so I could sing along. I felt at home in my pew, soaking it all in and even sharing in communion with my church community (something I rarely experience here in Santa Rosa).
But what I have slowly come to learn through all of these struggles--to find church community, find moments of worship and refreshment when sometimes all I want to do is run out of the church doors and crawl into my bed--is that it all depends on my attitude and my willingness to lay those frustrations and criticisms aside. I have to allow myself to be moved into a place where I can worship and appreciate the community I am part of for what it is.
A few months ago I was talked into practicing with and joining the worship team at my church in Santa Rosa. I had been resisting for awhile, but finally realized that not being involved in anything musical was a real void in my life here in Honduras, and maybe reason for feeling a void in my spiritual life. I have always loved music and find myself most connected to worship experiences through music.
It has not been easy, and I still wonder some days what I am doing, but I am enjoying the new challenge of it, and a new perspective on the church--literally (from the front platform) and figuratively. Leading others in worship has challenged me to consider where my heart is and how my own state of mind affects the ministry I am apart of. I am hopeful that this change will help me to have a more healthy perspective on the church and continue to teach me about a heart of worship.
October 1, 2012
election season
Since the US in the the throes of political campaigning, I thought it may be time to mention election season in Honduras.
Right now Honduras is also in campaign season leading up to internal elections in November. This means each party will vote for who they want to run on the ballot in the national elections next year (2013) for the newly elected officials to take office in 2014.
Here is my disclaimer: I am still new to all of this, and learning what I can from the newspaper, my (left-leaning) co-worker, television, and our neighboring office that has become campaign headquarters and invites me over for coffee. [I will not tell you which party joked about changing my residency card so I could vote in the election!] I also enjoy the catchy commercials on TV and my personal favorite: vans that drive around town with speakers playing a reggaeton re-mix of a very popular song, but with lyrics that say "vote for Yani." Very original! But I digress...
Politics are sticky everywhere it seems, but there is a lot of passionate discourse in Honduras. There are several contributing factors:
1) Ever since the coup in 2009 where a wealthy oligarchy was blamed for ousting the "people's president," the country has been deeply, deeply divided. Red vs. blue doesn't just come into play on CNN's magical touch screen...it affects the color of t-shirt people wear to the office and the businesses they will patronize because of political leanings.
2) Corruption: Honduras is infamous on the world stage for a lack of transparency, political and judicial corruption, and a corrupt police force, to name a few things. Politicians are very, very, very mistrusted--at all levels. Corruption factors into even the smallest details of life here, but people just accept it because when politicians rob millions and millions from people who have next to nothing, where do you begin to fight back?
3) Insecurity: Mostly known for some pretty terrible human rights violations, having the highest murder rate per capita and an equally astounding rate of murders that are never investigated does not help Honduras' reputation.
4) Drug trafficking: Really, this encompasses the other 3, because all of these things are intertwined and cannot be separated from the massive amounts of drugs and money that are laundered through Honduras en route to North America. The devastating effects are seen in rural and urban areas. No community seems to be untouched by this reality.
These things (and many more) are constantly on the minds of Hondurans because they live with the reality day in and day out. It is not just a pick-pocket in the seedy part of the "big city"...it is not just a couple of politicians taking bribes to smooth over a new law...it is not a few teenagers selling pot in the park. It is really big stuff. It impacts every movement of every day...and people are sick of it.
Hondurans know change does not happen overnight because they've been living in this manner for a long time. They know that corruption has no easy fix because they've been seeing foreign investment dollars line the pockets of the (already) rich for decades. They know that gangs and drug trafficking will not disappear with a bit more military pressure because it has been taking over slowly and steadily for years.
But as with any sort of political season, there is some shadow of hope. People desperately hope their new party will propose solutions to even a few of these issues; that their leader will be the one to turn this country around. That their next vote will be for someone honest, who won't rob the tax coffers and will do something to tackle the economic situation of this country.
Isn't that what we all secretly get excited about with a fresh political voice? A new charismatic speaker? We hope that it will be the change we believe the country needs.
It breaks my heart to see all of these seemingly insurmountable issues and think "but how can it ever get any better?" But I see Hondurans who are fiercely loyal to their families and communities and they want to see change, if not for themselves, for the next generation. Anyone who lives here can't help but hope that this next election could spark something different, and start to turn the country around.
Right now Honduras is also in campaign season leading up to internal elections in November. This means each party will vote for who they want to run on the ballot in the national elections next year (2013) for the newly elected officials to take office in 2014.
Here is my disclaimer: I am still new to all of this, and learning what I can from the newspaper, my (left-leaning) co-worker, television, and our neighboring office that has become campaign headquarters and invites me over for coffee. [I will not tell you which party joked about changing my residency card so I could vote in the election!] I also enjoy the catchy commercials on TV and my personal favorite: vans that drive around town with speakers playing a reggaeton re-mix of a very popular song, but with lyrics that say "vote for Yani." Very original! But I digress...
Politics are sticky everywhere it seems, but there is a lot of passionate discourse in Honduras. There are several contributing factors:
1) Ever since the coup in 2009 where a wealthy oligarchy was blamed for ousting the "people's president," the country has been deeply, deeply divided. Red vs. blue doesn't just come into play on CNN's magical touch screen...it affects the color of t-shirt people wear to the office and the businesses they will patronize because of political leanings.
2) Corruption: Honduras is infamous on the world stage for a lack of transparency, political and judicial corruption, and a corrupt police force, to name a few things. Politicians are very, very, very mistrusted--at all levels. Corruption factors into even the smallest details of life here, but people just accept it because when politicians rob millions and millions from people who have next to nothing, where do you begin to fight back?
3) Insecurity: Mostly known for some pretty terrible human rights violations, having the highest murder rate per capita and an equally astounding rate of murders that are never investigated does not help Honduras' reputation.
4) Drug trafficking: Really, this encompasses the other 3, because all of these things are intertwined and cannot be separated from the massive amounts of drugs and money that are laundered through Honduras en route to North America. The devastating effects are seen in rural and urban areas. No community seems to be untouched by this reality.
These things (and many more) are constantly on the minds of Hondurans because they live with the reality day in and day out. It is not just a pick-pocket in the seedy part of the "big city"...it is not just a couple of politicians taking bribes to smooth over a new law...it is not a few teenagers selling pot in the park. It is really big stuff. It impacts every movement of every day...and people are sick of it.
Hondurans know change does not happen overnight because they've been living in this manner for a long time. They know that corruption has no easy fix because they've been seeing foreign investment dollars line the pockets of the (already) rich for decades. They know that gangs and drug trafficking will not disappear with a bit more military pressure because it has been taking over slowly and steadily for years.
But as with any sort of political season, there is some shadow of hope. People desperately hope their new party will propose solutions to even a few of these issues; that their leader will be the one to turn this country around. That their next vote will be for someone honest, who won't rob the tax coffers and will do something to tackle the economic situation of this country.
Isn't that what we all secretly get excited about with a fresh political voice? A new charismatic speaker? We hope that it will be the change we believe the country needs.
It breaks my heart to see all of these seemingly insurmountable issues and think "but how can it ever get any better?" But I see Hondurans who are fiercely loyal to their families and communities and they want to see change, if not for themselves, for the next generation. Anyone who lives here can't help but hope that this next election could spark something different, and start to turn the country around.
September 10, 2012
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.
But sometimes, you feel no different after you've done it. You think you will, but you don't.
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.
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!"
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| before the fall, with my newly un-afraid adrenaline junky "twin" Elise |
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| the longest climb OF MY LIFE. |
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| on the platform, kickin' it with with Keeks...we aren't really friends. |
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| after the "fall" swinging around "enjoying" the view. but check that face. I am cosa seria! |
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| to give you an idea of how the platform was ON THE SIDE OF A FREAKING MOUNTAIN |
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| after the fall, had the feeling back in my hands, enjoying time with Mari, a new MCC friend from Nicaragua |
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| Mari's fall. It's about a 1/4 second after that you feel the ropes holding you |
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| having fun with co-op games |
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| the high ropes course!! |
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| the brave ones. I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU ALL! |
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| they had the hardest climb to get to "starting" point. Of course, Kike was their team leader... |
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| a fall. exactly what I didnt want to happen to me. but she pulled through. so proud of Emily!! |
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| one small step.... |
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| repelling down to safety ;) |
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| 2 happy 2 be done... 1 wanting more.... |
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| our new MCC team for 2012-2013 :) love you all! |
March 28, 2011
cultural-izing
Last week I sent an email asking friends and family for ideas about blog posts…mostly things they are curious about that I might be overlooking or neglecting to talk about. One friend asked how my own culturalization process is going, which has given me a lot to think about. My word processor is telling me that ‘culturalization’ is not a word…but I like it, so I’ll use it anyway. To me, it means, how am I adapting to the culture, what things have been a struggle, and what things are changing me as I learn more and more about how Hondurans live and think.
After 7 months in Honduras, I feel like I have pretty adequate expectations for how things will happen or what to expect. For example, I have become accustomed to the phrases “ya vengo,” “ya llego” and ahorita. All of these phrases, literally translated, communicate a sense of immediacy—‘I’m coming now,’ ‘I’m arriving now,’ and ‘right now.’ But over time, you learn that ‘right now’ can mean in the next 5 minutes, or next 55 minutes. This has definitely been an adjustment for me, a very punctual person; however, I’m learning that it’s not offensive to be late, as it is in my home culture. Hondurans are much more people oriented than time oriented, and I’m learning to love this mentality. I’m not late because I don’t care about you and your schedule…I’m late because someone else interrupted the plan and it would be rude to brush them off, so I gave them my full attention first. I appreciate the value placed on people, even when it does mean I spend 45 minutes at a bus stop waiting for my host brother to get around to picking me up!
I find it challenging to fully reflect on how I am adjusting and adapting to culture in Honduras because the longer I am here, the less “weird” certain things seem. The differences in culture are most highlighted for me when I have visitors from the states with me and they comment on all the things that I think are rather normal. This could range from my shower routine, use of water in the house, and food to home remedies when one is sick, church customs and even prejudices. All of these things are part of my host family’s culture and I have begun to learn how to adapt to all of these things, even though they may be 100% different from the way I live in the states.
November 16, 2010
stretchy stuff
Living in a new culture is a continual learning process. This may seem obvious, but humor me for a minute. Just when you get lulled into a false sense of comfort like...
"hey, I kind of know what I'm doing" or
"hey, I can actually carry on an intelligent conversation," or
"hey, I recognize where this bus is going"
...well that's when you have to be really on your guard. For it is in these moments--these fleeting fragments of life that boost your confidence and give you a sense of joy--that you must prepare yourself for what is next. It is a rule of the cross-cultural learning-time continuum, that just as your self-esteem is soaring for even the briefest of moments, you are undoubtedly due for a humility-check.
Honduras has made me very humble.
This was good practice for my trip to Guatemala.
Some of you know that I had the chance to attend a conference in Guatemala, related to microfinance and training small business owners in business principles. It was through the Chalmers Center in the US, and every so often they have international conferences for church workers, NGO workers and other missionary-types. I must give a grateful shout-out to Thrive, my favorite youth group of Dillsburg BIC Church, without whom this trip would not have been possible. Their generosity enabled me and my boss here at MCM to both attend this conference. I am forever humbled by hearts of these awesome high school & middle schoolers! (<3 you guys!)
The conference was a really great experience. I had hours upon hours to practice my Spanish with people from all over central America. We would talk for hours around the dinner table and share about our work and lives in our respective places. For me, being the socialite that I am, this was probably the best part of the conference :) It also did not hurt that everyone kept telling me how good my Spanish was. This of course was very encouraging and made me very happy. Many could not believe I had only been in Honduras for 3 months.
But of course, this could not last for long. Part of the focus of the class was how to teach adults...so of course, we had to practice our techniques for teaching other adults. On the 2nd day I had to prepare a lesson with a partner (who was amazingly sweet and patient) and together we taught about 12 other people (mostly native speakers, mostly middle-aged men) a lesson about business in Spanish! I was terrified! I thought I might throw up! I didn't think I could do it.
But--it turned out ok! I led a "dinamica" or game at the beginning of our lesson...was able to talk through most of what I wanted to say with ease and even confidently fielded some spontaneous commentary from the audience. It was terrifying...but I made it through. I wasn't sure if I could do it successfully, but I know now my Spanish is better for it. During the feedback time, one man did feel the need to suggest that I work on my Spanish...so you know, the victories are short-lived :) But I did have many friends at the conference reaffirm how well I did and that this man was out of line for saying that to me.
I have learned a lot about humility and not taking my Spanish-self too seriously. But the good thing is, through all of these experiences I am stretched...
...Stretched to get outside myself and just do what needs to be done, without taking time to worry about what might happen
...Stretched to try new things and meet new people who I might otherwise never have encountered
...Stretched to discover what happens when I stop trying to get it all right and just see what God does with what I have to offer.
It's kind of like when you sit in a bus for 15 hours and your muscles are so tight...it feels so refreshing to stretch and move around. I'm still in the stretching process...still learning to allow myself to be stretched frequently...and still trying to be thankful for the opportunity to stretch every now and then...or maybe every day in my case!
I am thankful for the learning I was able to participate in at the conference in Guatemala; thankful for safety on the long trip there and back; and thankful for a God who gives me the stuff, whatever that stuff is, that makes it possible to stretch.
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