why lempira?

just a few short weeks til I'm leaving the city, county & country for my new adventure. Thanks for all the prayers and support you've given me so far. I feel so loved :)

Just wanted to give a little insight into the meaning of my chosen blog name.
As some of you know, a lempira is a unit of Honduran currency. You might be thinking...'oh yeah, she's doing microfinance so, a money related title...that makes sense." And you would be right...almost.

 The currency was named to honor the 16th century ruler of the Lenca people. In Honduran folklore, Lempira is held in high esteem for his heroic efforts in resisting the Spanish conquistador forces as they tried to invade Honduran territory.

So the meaning is two-fold: first to relate to the work I'm anticipating with MCM in Tegucigalpa. The second refers to my desire to learn more about the culture and history of Honduas. It's not just about small things I might do through economic work, but the relationships I hope to build and the cultural immersion that will be an important part of this endeavor.

So that was your brief history lesson for the day. And now you know why I chose a weird name for the blog. Just hoping it would be more clever and memorable than "charissa goes to Honduras"...

*and thanks to my good friend DM for his input with the title ;)

giving update

Got some great news today...
First giving update from MCC--and I am very much on target to meet my goal for support!

I cannot say enough thanks to those of you who have given to MCC in support of me and my work ahead in Tegucigalpa. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends and family. I know others of you are unable to give financially but have been lifiting me up in prayer--and that is so wonderful! Please don't stop any time soon :)

slightly out of context, but fitting anyway...a word from the word:

 ¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
       and praise your glorious name.
 ¹⁴ "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
                                                                ~1 Chronicles 29:13-14

Muchas gracias por todo hasta aqui :) No hay bastante palabras para decir...thanks!
<3
C :)

Dear friends and family...

Some of you already got this info from me, but it's on the blog so people who I forgot to tell, or those who stumble on my blog in a few months, or stalkers on facebook know what's going on (:


So...I'm leaving my job and the country for a year! Want to know why? Read on:

I have worked for over 2 years in the Admissions office at Messiah College. While I have enjoyed my time there, I’ve had a deep sense of God’s call to do other things with my passions for economic development, cross-cultural ministry and language study. I have been in prayer about the next step and have felt God’s leading to service with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) in the SALT (Serving and Learning Together) program.

I am excited to share with you that I accepted a 1-year service term in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The dates of service are August 12, 2010 to July 25, 2011, so I will be working at my current job into July. There are several reasons I am so excited about this opportunity. For one, I am very eager to live in a Spanish speaking country to better hone my Spanish skills. The position is “Income Generation Program Assistant,” which involves oversight of a microfinance program in the outskirts of Tegucigalpa. MCM provides small loans to groups of women to help them with any needs they may have—sending kids to school, starting a business to generate income, or paying for life-cycle needs in their community. This work, known as microfinance, is something I have been interested in for many years, and I am excited to have the opportunity to work directly with an organization that provides Honduran women and their families a chance to improve their economic viability.  It is likely I will have a chance to do other tasks as part of this assignment, such as helping to start a small scale insurance program, offer business workshops, provide training to the loan officers, and even start a business mentoring program with local high school kids. I am sure there will always be “other duties as assigned,” but look forward to trying some new things and expanding my knowledge and skills in this field.

So, as people who are important in my life, I wanted you to know what I’m up to and have you share in my experience. You have already made it to "the blog," which will record my thoughts/experiences as I prepare for Honduras and throughout my time of service. I will try to send some email updates regularly too. If you are interested in either of these, email me and I will add you to the list.

One big thing I need is PRAYER! I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I continue through this door God has opened for me. A few things you can pray for right now: focus to finish out my time out Messiah well; that all the details of leaving for 1 year (car, bank, apartment, etc.) would come together; that God would begin preparing me for my time of service, and for whatever lies ahead in terms of work, host family situation and safety. Your support in this way is greatly appreciated.

Another way you can support me in this endeavor is financially.  One requirement of the SALT program is that I raise a one-time amount of $4500 to cover part of my living expenses for the year. I am grateful that MCC heavily subsidizes this program, but would appreciate help if you feel led to partner with me in this way. 

Donations can be made online @ https://donate.mcc.org/salt. Make sure to check the box that reads, “I would like to make this donation in Memory, in Honor, or in Support.” Choose “In Support of -- SALT” and where it asks for "Full Name:" enter "Charissa Zehr ID# 617916."

**If you prefer to send a check to MCC, let me know and I can give/send you a donation form with the instructions and address.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. I could not do this without knowing each one of you is standing behind me. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.