A few pictures

I haven't been able to take many pictures because I don't have a camera. These were taken from my little computer during the first week while at school. I think I have a fantastic view of the city from my window. Sometimes docile cows and soaring birds come and visit.

What are friends for?

Innumerable times this month, I have given thanks for friends. One month ago today, I arrived in Honduras, and I know that my survival has been contingent on God's grace and the army of people that have supported me in prayer. Every online chat, email, skype phonecall, and encouraging word has been one enormous blessing. As I was preparing for my class, I found this poem, whose simplicity captured me immediately, a testament to friendship. Although I still find myself in writing paralysis much of the time, somewhat a result of a new teacher-like scrutiny of my scribbles, writing has become a great outlet, providing, inviting me into a process of catharsis that rejuvinates my life. Now warned, you may proceed with caution.

A few updates:
Vini, vidi, vichi. Well, as far as cooking is concerned. Although hours are poured into this art, I still find much personal satisfaction in my novice cooking skills, especially when it yields spicy curry, tasty salad creations,delightful marinated chickpeas, and widly popular home-made salsa ( Ryan Kruis should be given credit for the latter). Currently, I am brimming with excitement because in my fridge lies loads of fresh, colorful vegetables. All week I have been scheming about the endless possibilities.
Buses are a great place to think and laugh. Last Sunday, I was late to church and thus, in a hurry to catch a bus, but I thought it would be wise to pass up the approaching bus that was spilling out with people (I kid you not). Turn away a potential passenger- never! I was quickly ushered inside only to be placed to stand right next to the driver, momentarily moving my legs to one side every time he needed to shift gears. I had this huge grin on my face the whole time because honestly, when else am I going to get a real front row seat on a bus?
My students continue to test my patience and I find every time I draw for more strength, God is there to give it to me. That said, I was jubilant when one of my tenth graders, the ever garrulous Valle, put his talents to good use and led the class in a discussion about fatalism in poverty, social injustices in society, and Christian stewardship. I could hardly contain myself and reluctantly pressed forward with the rest of the lesson that did not include equally exhilarating topics.
Watch your step when you run. I ran into one of my students the other day while running,and I thought he would be impressed as I began to run the steep hill before us, but instead I must have stepped into a pile of something because he broke out in laughter. So much for that. He was nice enough not to mention it in class the next day and must have taken pity on me because he lingered after class,helping me put the textbooks back in order. Maybe I am making a logical fallacy of some sort, but perhaps embaressing moments can bring people together. Brian, you know what I am talking about here.
I miss libraries. Anyone who knows me, beyond superficially, is aware that I have an abnormal affinity to those great warehouses of inspiration and dreams people dully refer to as libraries. On good years, I tend to be a voracious reader, but even on the odd one, I continue my journey of connecting with another unknown mind through words,imagery, and,story. Now my attentions have turned to Latin American literature. Every day after class, I race home to read another short story by the highly acclaimed author,Gabriel Garcia Marquz. I haven't gotten the nerve to read 100 Years of Solitude,but there is still time.
I am also beginning Spanish classes-yes, I do need them because my Spanish grammer and mechanics needs an enormous overhaul, just ask my former Spanish professors-with the much loved and respected Pablo. I am anxcious to actually advance beyond middle school vocabulary and feel more conident in my Spanish writing. Maybe I will start doing some blog entries in Spanish as well. The more scrutiny, the better.

Oh, and here come the much anticipated poem that is a gratuitous ode to the friends who have, in kindness, poured the love, peace, joy, and hope that God has placed in their hearts, into my life. Melanie Hebert, this definately includes you. Thank-you.

What are friends for?
by Rosellen Brown

What are friends for , my mother asks.
A duty undone, visit missed,
casserole unbaked for sick Jane.
Someone has just made her bitter.

Nothing. They are for nothing, friends,
I think. All they do in the end- they touch you.
They fill you like music.




Love, Love, and more Love,
Grace

Last week was a long time ago.

As I slowly walked down the hill home today, I found my thoughts turning to Carlos.
Carlos was born in New York City, but now he lives in Tegucigalpa. Among the sea of blank stares in 10th grade English, he is a bright spot in my class. He animatedly shares his thoughts, opinions, goals, songs, and even favorite dance moves with a quiet confidence.

He recalled today, in response to the unsavory doctor character in the book, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, that in the history of the United States, blacks were considered to be only on-third human. Amazingly, his thoughtful, but off-the-topic comment, was an open window for me to talk about how people, like our villan, can dehumanize other people because of the color of their skin or their social class. Then the skies parted and magically we transitioned into talking about foreshadowing and the importance of looking for clues in the actions of the characters in order to predict the unfolding of the story.

I quite possibly might have been beaming in class.

After asking me if we would do poetry this year, Carlos informed me that he in fact was a poet. He quickly made an addendum to his statement by adding that he was actually a " rapper-poet." His enthusiasm soundly convinced me that he wasn't joshing me. His participation in class( and his varied and eager responses)is undoubtedly one of things I look most forward to in the day. It makes me think I might be of use to somebody here afterall.

Thank-you all for your prayers and thoughts while Hurricane Felix mostly quietly came and left Honduras yesterday. Although, the damage was minimal in Honduras, our friends in Nicaragua did not fare as well. Of course, the most affected were the Miskitia people on the coast of the two countries where, due to the remoteness of the area, officials found it difficult to evacuate many. Continue to pray for the families of this group of people as some, upon being found unconscious, were hospitalized. Eventhough there were many survivors, as the hurricane blasted them, some some were caught in their boats; those rescued have mostly recuperated ,but bodies are continuing to be found washed-up on shore.

President Zelaya called off school for two days and it was an opportune time to catch-up on many things including:
-cooking a good meal. I introduced some of the teachers to Peruvian cuisine. The joy in my mom's voice as I called her for the recipe was enough enouragement to attempt this recipe that for some reason took me two hours to prepare. To my defense, I was sharing stories from my trip to Peru and manuvering a tiny stove at the same time, and we all know how well I do with multi-tasking
- running for the first time after my dengue fever episode. I asked my friend why she thought we kept getting gawked at by people, given that I had concluded that running outside wasn't an oddity since I had seen several runners throughout the weeks. She promptly reminded me that we were 1)women, 2) running, and 3)wearing shorts. Newsflash: being a woman, running in shorts is a sight to see. I was reminded why being a women in Latin American can stink sometimes.
-doing some awesome devotions from a book that I realize only now that I stole from Calvin's Service-Learning Center. Oops. Sorry Jeff
-doing a hilarious Pilates video
-sleeping.... but I actually still woke up at 5 am automatically. Strange.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the movie,Transamerica. The main character sullenly reflects on the recent events of his life and bemoans," Last week was a long time ago." Well, last week was a long time ago and I can't believe I survived all the Job-like challenges that God threw at me.

I read this poem and thought it fit. I guess I can get enthusiastic about poetry as well. I, unlike Carlos, don't think I am a poet, but I like the emotions that are evoked in this poem for me.

The Bridge by Leopold Staff

I didn't believe
Standing on the bank of a river
Which was wide and swift ,
That I would cross that bridge,
Plaited from thin, fragile reeds
Fastened with bast
I walked delicately as a butterfly
And heavily as an elephant,
I walked surely as a dancer
and wavered like a blind man.
I didn't believe that I would cross that bridge
And now that I am standing on the other side,
I don't believe I crossed it.

"So, that means you had Dengue," the doctor informed me.

Queridos amigos y familia!
I was told this afternoon by the school doctor that I most likely had Dengue Fever this last week. To recap a bit: I had my first day of classes this last Wednesday. School was delayed by two days because of a predicted strike and transportation hold that was sure to follow. I made use of those two days and barely finished my lesson plans. I also on the way, must have gotten bitten by a friendly mosquito, carrying dengue, that made its way into my room because of the gapping hole on the side and courtesty of the conveniently nearby pila, a cesspool for mosquitos, I am sure, outside my room.
Well, I was quite sick last week, but I figured it was the flu and just trudged through the week since it WAS my first week of classes.The doctor says since I show signs that dengue is leaving my system, it would be pointless to run any tests to confirm it. Dengue is an epidimeic in Honduras , especially because of the rainy season we are in currenly. The up side is that now I am immune to this one strain of Dengue for one year. Of course, since there are four types, I can always get the other three and feel like death all over again. I am taking all the available precautions so that doesn't happen again.

Please pray for my housemate Allie and I since we are both since recovering from being sick. We had different symptoms mostly, but it looks like we are both on our way to good health again. Also, please pray for the kids in my classes as well. Obvisously, I was sick so that made the week worse, but it was an extremely trying week regardless. I am gaining more and more respect for teachers everywhere.

No poem today since I can't think of any poems that talk about dengue fever.:(

Mucho amor