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.

here and there and back again

Sorry for the month long absence in my blogging! The last month included a lot of travel, a wonderful visit with my family in Ohio and a few weeks of training in Pennsylvania with MCC. I was very thankful to be in PA so I could connect with my relatives there and a few friends that I haven't seen for awhile.

The training was long and exhausting, but I met some really great people. I got some more tools to help me in my new job that I hope will see me through the next few months. I am looking forward to the arrival of 4 new team members in the month of August and getting to be part of their in-country orientation. It is also the start of a very busy time at MCC in Aug/Sept with lots of comings and goings--and as always--lots of reports!




On the home front, I had a great time with my niece and nephew (as you will see below). We had lots of quality time together and I got to know them both a lot better. My family also carved out a lot of time to spend with me, which was very special.

I came back to Honduras on Saturday and the outgoing reps left on Tuesday--it was a fast transfer, let me tell you! But, I was grateful for the time we put in back in June to cover a lot of important stuff. It's scary flying solo...but at least we are starting off easy with only 2 other workers in-country at the moment :)

Will continue to keep you updated on new discoveries and fun moments in San Pedro. Oh, and I will be going to Santa Rosa next weekend for the last meeting with our women's groups!! It will be bittersweet, but I am looking forward to having a good goodbye with them.

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.

goodbye Santa Rosa

It's my last week living in Santa Rosa so I've been trying to visit all my favorite spots and savor life in the pueblo before I move to the big city. I will be back for frequent visits...but at least for now I wanted to visit all my favorite spots before I left. Its been a crazy two years, but I really feel at home here.

In the midst of all my packing and cleaning and running around town, we made time for some sno cones...

 And dinner at Lenca Maya, my favorite restaurant in SRC.

...I had lunch with Ruth and Oscar at Weekend's Pizza...



...and the most crazy and hilarious goodbye party with the worship team and youth from my church at Pollo Bunny. "If it's not Bunny, its not chicken" (I kid you not, the actual slogan...)

I got a little teary on Sunday when I made the announcement at church that it would be my last Sunday singing with my friends on the worship team. Everyone is very supportive and I know they will welcome me with open arms when I make it back for a visit.


It's never easy to say goodbye to a place that feels like home...but you never know what's around the corner!