hello san pedro

It has been a week and a half since I packed up all my stuff and moved to San Pedro. I am getting settled in, slowly putting up pictures, learning my way around the neighborhood, and figuring out how to get where I need to go.

In Santa Rosa I could walk everywhere and had a lot of independence. Here I have to be more careful, and can't just walk wherever I want (or, I would die of heat exhaustion if I tried!). So the rapiditos (pronounced: rap-ee-dee-tos) have become a new twist on daily life, and I pay 8 Lps (about $0.40) to get to and from the MCC office.

I finally took some pictures of my place (didn't want you to see it when it was too naked :)

the living room (front door to the L and patio doors on R)

from living, into dining area, kitchen is beyond in the corner

view of kitchen from the bar

other angle of the kitchen (so many cupboards!!)

my bedroom w/ built-in closets (on the 2nd floor)

other angle of bedroom, a patio door, and the bathroom

taken from the 2nd flor, its open to the first floor! so much light...i love it.

the garden!

Its hard to capture in photos, but its a good little spot (even with mice incidents, heat, and some cucarachas). I have 2 other bedrooms and a storage room--soon to be filled by the out-going reps! Trying to make it feel like home even though it's not...yet.

where to next? Part II

As many of you may know, I have been in Honduras for 2.5+ years. My first commitment was 1 year in the SALT program and then I took a 2 year assignment with a different MCC partner in Santa Rosa de Copan. In case you were keeping track, that 2 years is up in July. So, many people have asked me--what's next?

A few months ago, I was approached about taking an interim assignment with MCC and staying in Honduras awhile longer, but moving (again!) to another city. This time to San Pedro Sula, the big, bad city, according to all Hondurans not from San Pedro! But I felt that God was opening a door, extending a new challenge my way, and after a lot of prayer, discussion, deliberation, etc, I accepted the position.

So, as of July 1st I will be the Interim country representative for MCC in Honduras! The contract is for 6 months, with the possibility of extending up to one year if they do not find new country reps soon. I will be packing up and moving to San Pedro in June, with the hopes of having a few weeks to settle in, have some more training with the current reps, and then start in July.

I am really honored that they chose me for this position and believe in my potential to fill some very big shoes and take on some very big responsibilities! Many days I wonder if I am up to the task, but I know that I will learn a lot and it will be great experience for whatever comes down the road.

Of course with any transition, there is always anxiety and nervousness about all the "new" to come. I have already learned my way around 2 cities and built a network of friends and "family" in these two very different parts of Honduras. To start again from scratch in a new place is a bit daunting. Also, knowing that it is short term (but not a clearly defined time) adds its own layer of difficulty.

Many also ask, "but what about Henry???!!!???" :) Well, he is definitely still in the picture, and he is very supportive of this new role, recognizing what a great opportunity this is for me. The plan is to take turns visiting each other on the weekends, but we will have to see how it works with our respective schedules and responsibilities. We know it will be a big change from living in the same town to being 3 hours apart, but we are both willing to make it work.

So for now, this is what I know, and this is what is next. I will get to go home at the very end of June and into July, mostly to attend some leadership training with MCC in Akron, PA...but also to meet my nephew who is arriving soon!! Very excited about that. As always, I appreciate your continued prayers and support as I wrap up my time in Santa Rosa and look ahead to all the challenges and changes of moving to San Pedro in the very near future!