favorite things

can you tell I'm missing fall? I decided to give the blog a little refresh...and what better than fall leaves? I miss them so much! I was lucky to get a brief taste of fall last year (thanks to PG's wedding!)

Some of my favorite fall things include...

the leaves!

apple cider

warm scarves and jackets on a chilly, sunny day

pumpkin anything and everything. mostly lattes.

sleeping under a feather tic on a cold night, but leaving the window open

ooh. im getting too fall-sick...!

But its good to remember there are good things about living in eternal summer!
Here are some of my favorite things right now...

lychees or rambutan!

plato tipico


refreshing thunderstorms


pineapple and mango almost all the time

kebabalicious!

watching soccer games in a crowded mall food court and feeling the energy and excitement of qualifying for the world cup!



grilled steak with all the fixins (like avacado)

ok, so now im noticing how many of these revolve around food! But seriously--so many good things to be thankful for and appreciate, and learning to be satisfied with the place I find myself.

beach break

After a hectic September, I was really excited to have some vacation time. Last Saturday we celebrated the wedding of two great friends, Allison and Franklin, in Tegucigalpa. Allison became a very close friend when I lived in Nueva Suyapa. Not only did she show me the ropes of living in Teguc but we helped each other through many ups and downs and she really made my first year in Honduras so wonderful. Franklin was a co-worker in the bank program who also became a close friend. He loved to spend time talking about all sorts of intellectual things, and was always a positive encouragement. It was so fun to support these 2 great friends in the next step in their relationship.

helping the groom keep it together

Elise and I were asked to be "coordinators" which meant keeping track of the schedule, making sure everyone was where the need to be, and that all the wrinkles were ironed out. This is a tall order in a North American context...you can only imagine the chaos of this in Honduras where weddings are notorious for never starting on time (think hours different from what the invite says!). It was tiring, but we got it done! The things we do for our friends, right??

coordinating is serious, just ask elise

The day after the wedding some friends had convinced me that I really needed some vacation and I should join them for a beach get away in Roatan. Roatan is one of Honduras' 3 bay islands in the carribean. I have heard so much about it but never really took the plunge. It is very touristy and can be rather expensive, but Groupon and off-season make for a winning combo :) Here are a few pics of our tropical paradise.

where did it go?

I am sitting here trying to figure out where the time has gone! Only one post in September--sorry about that. The month passed by in such a whirlwind I can't believe it's October now!

September involved: a 2 week visit from my boss, a workshop with all of MCC's current partners, a team meeting with the new workers that came on board in August, partner visits in Teguc and a general assortment of reports and plans due to MCC in the US.

whew.

I get tired all over again just reading that list.

I did manage to take some pictures along the way so here is a look at the last month in more of a photo-essay style :) Oh, and the rodeo was the very last weekend of August...

the copaneco ready for the rodeo & fair, notice boots & belt buckle.
it is serious business.

the bulls for bull-riding

at our partner workshop, keeping ourselves awake :)

teaching some BIC pastors how to play dutch blitz. hilarious!

another "stay awake" activity. I promise we did do a lot of work

the participants at our partner workshop

preparing our reactions for the Honduras goal in the world cup qualifier that night.
sadly they didn't win.

oh--here is the proof we worked at the workshop...

hanging out at team meeting

our whole Honduras team (for now)

Thankful that TOMORROW I head to the capital city (once again) for a weekend of festivities for the wedding of two really great friends! Taking some vacation to enjoy the celebration, and a little beach trip on the side before I return to reality.

face to face

You may have heard the news story about the train in Mexico that derailed, killing many migrants riding on top who were trying to find a different life up north. I have read a lot about immigration and the long journey Central Americans have to overcome just to reach the US border, let alone get across it. You can check out a summary here and here.

john moore/getty images

But the images presented in this photo essay are haunting. They give a different glimpse of the struggle many people go through to find a better life. Real people--with names, families, histories. They have favorite futbol teams and favorite corner restaurants. They aren't just numbers in a system. They are real people. I know people just like them, who have made this same perilous journey and lived to tell about it. Their stories are incredible and scary. But they aren't told enough.

I hope you'll check out this moving photo essay.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/08/an-immigrants-journey/100573/

hope de l@s jovenes

I looked around the table at 6 eager faces, all with bright eyes and genuine smiles. Discussing "honduran-isms," regional dialects, and unique foods, the conversation was animated and lively.  We were sharing a meal together at what is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant in San Pedro and getting to know each other better.

4 of us are young people serving with MCC in Honduras; the other 3 are young Hondurans who will be sent out from the Mennonite church to serve in the IVEP and YAMEN programs of MCC. It was fun to talk about what they eagerly anticipate and what scares them about leaving home. Mostly...the food (read: lack of beans and tortillas) weighs heavily on their minds. Will Canadians be nice to them? Will they only eat bread? Will Bolivia be too cold? Will they make new friends?

We had a great time together that afternoon at a "pre-orientation" before their staggered departures to the great unknown. I laughed a lot and appreciated the thoughtfulness and sense of humor they have brought along with them for their adventure.

When I think of what gives me hope for Honduras, their faces come to mind. The spirit of curiosity, "disponibilidad" (availability?), gentleness and humor that they exude while talking freely of their love for God and commitment to their church makes me so proud. Proud that they will represent MCC Honduras and the Honduran Mennonite Church. Proud that people will be able to put a kind face with the stories they have heard about Honduras. With so much negative press, skepticism and high crime statistics from Honduras, it is exciting to meet young people that know they can play a part in making their country better. I know they will be great ambassadors for Honduras and make contributions in each of their respective assignments.

Please pray for these young people (2 going to Bolivia with YAMEN, 2 going to Canada with IVEP) and all the other participants (SALTers too*) around the world who are taking a huge step of faith this week, leaving their comfort zone to try something different. May they be richly blessed by their endeavors and return to bless their families, churches and community with what they will receive from others.

*shout out to my cousin who is taking off for Burkina Faso soon with the SALT program! much love and many prayers A.Z!

copaneca de corazon

^ it means: "in my heart, I'm Copaneca" or from Copan.

Yesterday we wrapped up the project with ACDIM in two of my favorite communities. It was a bittersweet day, but filled with so much happiness, so much of the "normal" ridiculousity of my co-workers, and SO. MUCH. FOOD.

In good Honduran fashion, we all shared palabras (words) reflecting on our 2 years with the women, encouraging them to keep moving forward and continue working towards their goal of having a small business. In return, they shared beautiful words of how much they appreciated our friendship, the time we spent with them every month, and the things they learned.

you know how i feel about soup. but this really was delicious.

the soup wasn't enough.
she had to buy her own chickens to take home.

one of my favorite vistas in Honduras

My heart was so full (as was my stomach). We were offered the same hospitality we have always received in these places and shared a fun day with our friends. It is hard to know I won't be going back for awhile.

And I couldn't help but think...no matter where I live in Honduras--I am Copaneca in my heart.