home sweet home

As many of you already know [from seeing me live, in living color :) or seeing my pictures on Facebook] I just made a flying trip to the States and back in less than 2 weeks.

 The main impetus for going to the States was to be part of the wedding celebration of a very dear friend, Paula and her (now) husband, Pete. Paula and I found each other at Messiah because of our major and mutual interests in travel, economic development and microfinance. What has held us together through college and beyond has been our shared sense of humor, love for adventures and a kindred-ness in all aspects of life. I love this girl and was thrilled to be able to share in the festivities of her wedding weekend.



The bonus of participating in the wedding was that it was in Pennsylvania, where I also know a lot of wonderful people...so I got to see many of them too! And my amazing family made the trip from other states to come and see me...triple bonus! It was also a beautifully chilly autumn week...quadruple bonus!

All in all, it was a jam-packed week of eating, talking, talking some more, eating, answering lots of awkward questions about Henry, eating more, dressing up, eating, driving around in a car, drinking and eating everything "pumpkin spice," and getting very little sleep. It was exactly what I wanted--I love spending time with people and that was all I had to do, for a whole 10 days! Although I did not have enough time with anybody, it was a great treat to catch up with each one.




As always, it is hard to jump back and forth quickly from one culture to the other. The first 3 days were a fog--I couldn't really believe I was in PA...then the last day, I didn't compute that vacation was over and I was going to be in Honduras so soon. It is a crazy feeling...and I still can't quite get over it. Part of me loved being "at home" in PA and being surrounded by so many people I love. But just as quickly, I was back in a taxi, speaking Spanish and I felt "at home" in a country I have come to know and love over the past 2 years.


My heart is continually split into little pieces, always longing to be where I am not. I guess it's partly of my own choosing but I also feel that it is where God has called me to be for now. So, I can't really decide what place to call "home" but instead carry pieces of home in my heart where ever I am. Thank you to each person who took time to see me, who paid for my coffee, who lent me a car, or just gave me a welcome back hug. I miss you. But I definitely missed Honduras too.

in print

This just in: my face can be found in the "On Assignment" corner of MCC's quarterly magazine A Common Place.

I am still waiting to get my copy in print (the mail is a bit slow in these parts...) and Oscar is eagerly awaiting to see my face in the magazine. I will have to translate the article for him, so of course I will make it sounds much more fantastic...and perhaps leave out the "challenges" part. Someone joked that I could have just listed him as my challenge ;)

Here is the online version if you want to check it out.

I'm excited that MCC Honduras got represented in the magazine, and that the work of ACDIM can be highlighted in this small way.

Women’s development worker

I love seeing women take initiative and leadership . . . — Charissa Zehr

Assignment: I work in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, with the Christian Association for the Integral Develop­ment of Women, a small organization that provides capacity-building workshops and small business development for women’s groups in four rural communities.

See the full thing here:  http://acommonplace.mcc.org/acp/2012/10_12/on_assignment.html

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.

life-ful

When I lived in the US, there were a lot of things I got used to having, doing and buying on a regular basis. Moving to Honduras and living on an MCC budget has  forced me to cut back and live with a lot less, but in many healthy ways.

This is not to make you think that I am above impulse purchases--that hard find, often dreamed of chocolate bar that randomly shows up in the grocery store?? In the basket, in under 2 seconds. Nor is this meant to give the impression that I live in austerity. My life in Honduras is rich and varied, always with new things to be discovered and joy to be found in surprises along the way.

Take for instance, what used to be my morning drive to work…in my own car, with my own choice of radio station, and climate controlled interior. A wonderful luxury to have my own car, perhaps even a necessity in a place where public transportation is very limited.

Now, I walk 3 blocks to the office, assaulted by many noises, smells, and sights along the rutted cobblestone street of Santa Rosa. Talking parrots at the corner, the smell of fresh tortillas from the ladies down the block, hammering, sawing, taxi horns and reggaeton music all meld together to serenade me on my way to work.  

And when work requires leaving town to head for the campo? Even better. Fresh air, the cool fog leaving its mark on us as the moto slices through the mountain passes, dust, cattle, trucks, bicycles, bright sunshine, shady coffee plantations and rolling green hills set the backdrop for the ride.

My life here in Honduras is a lot different than my life in the States…

Can I just google a new restaurant on my iPhone and drive there for dinner? 

Nope. I have to ask 4 different people if they’ve heard of the restaurant, and where (in their opinion) it is located, then figure out where the former Copan Dry factory used to be (that was at least 15 years ago) then locate Don Mario’s house that is a block “up” from there, turn where the lady is usually selling tamales (is she today? Who knows?) and hang a left…and maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll find some kind of restaurant (probably not the one I was looking for).

Can I just go to the store and buy cottage cheese when I want cottage cheese? 

Nope. I have to check 3 different grocery stores (one requiring a taxi ride), scour the shelves for any kind of cheese or cream that resembles cottage cheese, try to describe what cottage cheese is to a Honduran store boy who has no idea what I’m talking about and finally resign myself to finding a manageable substitute.

Can I just walk down the road to clear my head and get some fresh air? 

Nope. First of all, if there is a road that doesn’t have much traffic and leads to a forested area, it’s probably not safe. And as a female, if I walk anywhere, I am bombarded by stares, cat-calls and general annoyance from most male presence.

Would I say there are a lot of things I miss about living in the U.S.? Certainly.

Are they all necessary to me living a full life? Not really.

Oh sure, there are things that would make life easier, but there are so many things I enjoy about life here.  And despite all the drama, there is a surprising amount of normalcy in my weekly routine. The ups and downs in my job that everyone experiences on some level or another; sharing with friends and co-workers the funny (and not so funny) moments in life; going to the gym, cleaning, cooking and going to the movies. But what keeps me on my toes is the never ending learning curve of living life in a culture that is not your own.

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!

county fair

It's been a busy week and a half and I just wanted to share some pictures and updates.

The month of August is the annual fair in Santa Rosa and it has a lot of traditions. I was able to go the last weekend and enjoy some time at the fair with Henry and his family. I also took in a parade and a "carrera de cintas" or a "tape race" (ok, doesn't really translate).

It was fun to eat some good fair food, play the shooting game (yes, I rocked it, much to Henry's dismay) and take in the local tradition of an old-fashioned campesino horse race.

chuleta at the fair...complete with mariachi band serenade

i know, so pacifistic, right??

having fun at the shooting game

his "annoyed" face when I was doing better than him ;)

we won so many prizes! and they are all lame!

with Henry's parents at the fair

Henry and Oscar...about to enjoy the horse "race"

setting up the rope for the race...very official

there were so many horses from the campo...

setting up the rings on little velcro "hooks." The contestants take a running start
and try to get their "pencil" through one of the rings to win a prize.

its hard to catch good action shots, but this is much harder than it looks.

lunging for the prize

enjoying some cotton candy

All in all it was a fun weekend, though I was still battling my cold. I enjoy having new and interesting things to do that don't happen every day. The race with horses lasted several long hours...but at least it was some good clean fun in the pueblo.

Coming later...updates and photos from our MCC team retreat this past week.