It is strange that this is becoming my second "re-vamping" of this blog. It is kinda strange to be able to look back on a lot of amazing memories through this thing. If you haven't known me for super long or are just bored, please feel free to see what has helped to make me the idealistic, left swinging, person that I am today.
It may not seem that crazy to say that Peru has been on my mind a lot. I just bought some books on the history and the politics of the country and really want to know more about it. I think that I leave in 35 days which is completly crazy (well, leave for orientation). Just so we are all on the same page, I leave on August 24th to go to New York for a week of orientation and then on to Peru. Once there I will be working with two organizations. I will split my time between the the main office of our local NGO network (Red Uniendo Manos) and another called CENCA. I really don't know what either will entail, but am excited.
There are oh so many thoughts that have been going through my mind lately. One is how blessed I am to have the friend that I do. Ones that will loan you a car to drive halfway across the state on a whim. Friends who really make you happy. Friends that make you laugh. Friends that make you think. But most of all, friends that care about me. I will miss you all.
Ok, that is enough of being sentimental. I'm off to work. I am still in need of money. Please donate. I have only raised/had pledged $3,700 of my $9,000. Thanks to all of you for being involved. Prayer is good too.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Situation with Doña Argelia
During my time in Central America, I was always wondering how my life was going going to be related once I got back. The following are two emails I have sent about an issues that is happening with my Honduran host family. If you have any thoughts on it, let me know.
"Hey guys,
I just got off the phone with my host mom in Honduras. She was telling me about how she is having a stomach problem and needs to have an operation, but can't afford it. She asked me for $200 to pay for it. If it were just an interpersonal relationship, I would have no issues doing it because it is someone that I care about that I can actually help. but at the same time, I am getting the feeling that the Dad in the US who was sending remittances has been moving out of the picture and so I am really afraid of becoming a new source of remittances. I just would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much."
"Hey guys
Thank you to all of you who replied to this dilemma. I should give an update. On tuesday morning, my host mom called me again at 6:30 am, so I called her back a little while later and when I asked how she was doing, she started crying and telling me how much pain she was in. That is when I realized that I needed to help them out. So, tuesday afternoon I wired them $200 through Western Union. I haven't talked to them since then, but am trying to make sure that it is understood that this is just to aid her health and is a one time thing. I am still not sure whether or not it was the "right" thing to do, but at the same time, I don't know if there is one. There is just no way that I can say no to something that i can actually do to a woman who is in tears about her pain. I will definitely continue to be in contact with her and hopefully all will improve. Thank you all for your input and if you have more thoughts, please let me know. You are all very special in my life."
I also received some good thoughts from people. If you would like to know, let me know too.
"Hey guys,
I just got off the phone with my host mom in Honduras. She was telling me about how she is having a stomach problem and needs to have an operation, but can't afford it. She asked me for $200 to pay for it. If it were just an interpersonal relationship, I would have no issues doing it because it is someone that I care about that I can actually help. but at the same time, I am getting the feeling that the Dad in the US who was sending remittances has been moving out of the picture and so I am really afraid of becoming a new source of remittances. I just would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much."
"Hey guys
Thank you to all of you who replied to this dilemma. I should give an update. On tuesday morning, my host mom called me again at 6:30 am, so I called her back a little while later and when I asked how she was doing, she started crying and telling me how much pain she was in. That is when I realized that I needed to help them out. So, tuesday afternoon I wired them $200 through Western Union. I haven't talked to them since then, but am trying to make sure that it is understood that this is just to aid her health and is a one time thing. I am still not sure whether or not it was the "right" thing to do, but at the same time, I don't know if there is one. There is just no way that I can say no to something that i can actually do to a woman who is in tears about her pain. I will definitely continue to be in contact with her and hopefully all will improve. Thank you all for your input and if you have more thoughts, please let me know. You are all very special in my life."
I also received some good thoughts from people. If you would like to know, let me know too.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Krista Foundation
Some of you may know this, but I was accepted to be a Krista Foundation (KF) Colleague for the 2009 Cohort. KF was founded by Jim and Linda Hunt after their daughter Krista was killed in a bus accident in 1998 in Bolivia. Krista had gone on the Central America Study Program and then was living in Bolivia with her husband serving. This tragedy guided the Hunts to found the Krista foundation which provides a grant and even more importantly support for young adults who are serving their world. I knew about the foundation because of my time with the Hunts in Nicaragua, but had kinda forgot about it. Then when Anna, Rachel and I were flying back from Louisville after the YAV placement event, we ran into them and Linda basically started shaking me saying "you must apply" (ok a little exaggeration, but you get the picture). So I did and thankfully was accepted. So this last weekend, I was fortunate enough to go up to Camp Spalding for the conference. There are 17 people in my cohort (15 were able to make it). They will be serving everywhere from inner-city tacoma with AmeriCorps, to Chicago with Tony Blair's interfaith foundation, to Florida, to Nicaragua, Ecuador, Africa and South East Asia. It is pretty awesome to see the different ways that people are living out their faith. One of the most impressive thigns about KF is their commitment to keeping people invovled. So there were lots of other colleagues from the previous 9 years of KF. It was really awesome to see the different ways that people lived and continue to live out Jesus' callilng to "go." So we had discussions on "what is beauty," "how the church is changing in Africa," to how to just be present in wherever we are working. So, I want to say thank you to those who put it on and check it out if you're unaware of this work.
Friday, May 1, 2009
1 Year
Today marks the 1 year mark of being home from Central America. I really can't believe it has been that long. I guess that allows for a natural reflection on how I am living my last year. To being, I had to go back and look at my journals. This was my final reflection from CA:
"This is it. The adventure is ending, but it is also beginning. I write from seat 21F somewhere over the gulf of Mexico. Central America has changed me and created memories that will stick with me forever. I can't forget the tears in Flor de Maria or Argelia's eyes, the poor people on the street, the man at the dump, Juan Carlos, the people in Las Vueltas, Quebraditas, and every person I have met. I can't remember them all, but I can try to live for what they stood for.
Now, we are on the last plane off from Seattle. I feel as if I need to write something profound, but I really don't know how to do that. I don't know anything else to say except this is just the beginning. The change is just starting. Only God knows how it will affect me. I love everyone on this plane, seeing Dad and Callie in the airport. So now is the time to act. One quote, not necesarily the most important, but one/two "Apathy is the biggest sin of the society" and "the poverty of Latin America is Unbearable."
Thankful
When I returned from Central America I was definitely changed. I had been living in a world of groupthink and of the extremes being shoved into my senses all the time with almost no time to let it sink in. In that way, I know that there are some things that never sunk in. I honestly did not have time to really comprehend what I saw and what it meant for my life. But what I did come away from it all holding was the need to be intentional with my life. I needed to be intentional with my relationships. People are so important. Each one holds a story that is more unique and more special than anyone could imagine. I have met people and heard stories that no one in my culture would ever hear. I had spent 20 days living in a town where I was literally the second white person to ever enter and the previous had been 10 years prior. No one from our culture had ever heard a story of Quebraditas. I am literally the story sharer of the town (though you can find it on google earth). I was really pleased to see myself holding some amazing conversations with people during my first few days back. Holding them with a depth and focus that I had never known before because it was not important. I feel that is still important to me. I hate the majority of the conversations I hold with customers at Starbucks because they are so often fake and trite. that doesn't completely negate the fun of pointless interactions, but it is really hard to recognize the humanity of someone when the conversation topic is consistently about the weather.
One year away, I feel that I am doing a decent job of living up to my goals of simplicity and in harmony with the world God created. I do not own a car and instead commute around on a bike I found in the back of a shed at camp and was told to "get rid of." With the exception of the current gashes in my hands due to a little spill, this has been a wonderful experience. I still get everywhere I need to go in good time, but have not spent a cent on gas. I have lived basically every day in 1 of 2 pairs of chordoroy pants. We have a compost and have been recycling more than ever. So for a bunch of dudes living a post-college lifestyle, I feel that we are doing well. I would not say that this life is the most amazingly simple or that the environment is totally stoked about the way that I have been nursing it back to life, but it is OK.
This last year has been an interesting one from the political standpoint. Barak Obama and Mauricio Funes were elected. Does this mean that everything is going to be great and equitable for everyone, NO. I sadly feel that I have not been as active in creating changes in my society. That is one area where I want to do more. I do have time, but instead am more apt to spend it watching something stupid on TV instead of trying to utilize it for a good purpose. I know that my mom has written more letters to our senators than I have (since I've written zero). I get angry, but that is worthless without action.
An interesting thing about these experiences is that a year out, I am still searching for the best way to tell people about my life. It is strange working at a place where I am the most liberal, most traveled, most politically opinionated person. It is really had to talk about what matters to me with someone who loves Starbucks for Starbucks. When I got back from El Slavador in January, everyone was more interested in my tan than my stories. When I went to Louisville to see if/where God was sending me with YAV, the question was "did you see any horseraces?" How do you explain to people that you just don't care about that stuff? How do you say what matters in your life in a sentence so that when they move on, maybe, just maybe, something poinent will stick in their minds? I don't know how to do that. Now that I am going to Peru, how do I give my little speech about where I am going, what I am doing, and what I don't know without wanting to punch myself in the jaw for saying the same thing AGAIN? I guess this goes back to what I was saying about intentionality, the US culture is not good about it. I know this may seem ironic that I am saying this in a blog which may or may not be read by people. I will never really know. I hate twitter and facebook status because it is just telling people trite pieces of your life that they don't really care about but just are curious. There are no real interactions.
Now that I have written a ton, I probably should wrap it up. This year of being back in the states has been good. I loved my time at Camp Spalding because I was with people. I did forget about the issues that were so important to me when I returned, but it was a summer where it was the relationships that really mattered. I have enjoyed living in Spokane because I have been able to keep up on the relationships with the amazing CASPers. I have enjoyed working (that is something to be infinitely thankful for these days). I had a great trip to El Salvador/Honduras (for more, read those posts, just scroll down). I am so excited to go to Peru. I love my family and friends. I am still going to be on my bike (though it has some bent brake handles at the moment). So, CASP 2008 changed me and I feel that I am a better person for it (that is an understatement). But when I was on that plane from Seattle to Spokane, sipping a beer (funny enough, the best of the trip), I was afraid that a year from then I was going to have forgotten everything that was important to me. That hasn't happened. It has changed. I think that I am a little more realistic about it all, but still have so much more that I can do. Peru is just a step in this process as will be going to work tonight. My life keeps going and each step has shaped me into who I am and who I will become, but the experiences from Central America have become and will continue to be some of the strongest reminders of how to life my life.
"This is it. The adventure is ending, but it is also beginning. I write from seat 21F somewhere over the gulf of Mexico. Central America has changed me and created memories that will stick with me forever. I can't forget the tears in Flor de Maria or Argelia's eyes, the poor people on the street, the man at the dump, Juan Carlos, the people in Las Vueltas, Quebraditas, and every person I have met. I can't remember them all, but I can try to live for what they stood for.
Now, we are on the last plane off from Seattle. I feel as if I need to write something profound, but I really don't know how to do that. I don't know anything else to say except this is just the beginning. The change is just starting. Only God knows how it will affect me. I love everyone on this plane, seeing Dad and Callie in the airport. So now is the time to act. One quote, not necesarily the most important, but one/two "Apathy is the biggest sin of the society" and "the poverty of Latin America is Unbearable."
Thankful
- The Group
- Opening my eyes
- Safety
- Support Systems
- Central America"
When I returned from Central America I was definitely changed. I had been living in a world of groupthink and of the extremes being shoved into my senses all the time with almost no time to let it sink in. In that way, I know that there are some things that never sunk in. I honestly did not have time to really comprehend what I saw and what it meant for my life. But what I did come away from it all holding was the need to be intentional with my life. I needed to be intentional with my relationships. People are so important. Each one holds a story that is more unique and more special than anyone could imagine. I have met people and heard stories that no one in my culture would ever hear. I had spent 20 days living in a town where I was literally the second white person to ever enter and the previous had been 10 years prior. No one from our culture had ever heard a story of Quebraditas. I am literally the story sharer of the town (though you can find it on google earth). I was really pleased to see myself holding some amazing conversations with people during my first few days back. Holding them with a depth and focus that I had never known before because it was not important. I feel that is still important to me. I hate the majority of the conversations I hold with customers at Starbucks because they are so often fake and trite. that doesn't completely negate the fun of pointless interactions, but it is really hard to recognize the humanity of someone when the conversation topic is consistently about the weather.
One year away, I feel that I am doing a decent job of living up to my goals of simplicity and in harmony with the world God created. I do not own a car and instead commute around on a bike I found in the back of a shed at camp and was told to "get rid of." With the exception of the current gashes in my hands due to a little spill, this has been a wonderful experience. I still get everywhere I need to go in good time, but have not spent a cent on gas. I have lived basically every day in 1 of 2 pairs of chordoroy pants. We have a compost and have been recycling more than ever. So for a bunch of dudes living a post-college lifestyle, I feel that we are doing well. I would not say that this life is the most amazingly simple or that the environment is totally stoked about the way that I have been nursing it back to life, but it is OK.
This last year has been an interesting one from the political standpoint. Barak Obama and Mauricio Funes were elected. Does this mean that everything is going to be great and equitable for everyone, NO. I sadly feel that I have not been as active in creating changes in my society. That is one area where I want to do more. I do have time, but instead am more apt to spend it watching something stupid on TV instead of trying to utilize it for a good purpose. I know that my mom has written more letters to our senators than I have (since I've written zero). I get angry, but that is worthless without action.
An interesting thing about these experiences is that a year out, I am still searching for the best way to tell people about my life. It is strange working at a place where I am the most liberal, most traveled, most politically opinionated person. It is really had to talk about what matters to me with someone who loves Starbucks for Starbucks. When I got back from El Slavador in January, everyone was more interested in my tan than my stories. When I went to Louisville to see if/where God was sending me with YAV, the question was "did you see any horseraces?" How do you explain to people that you just don't care about that stuff? How do you say what matters in your life in a sentence so that when they move on, maybe, just maybe, something poinent will stick in their minds? I don't know how to do that. Now that I am going to Peru, how do I give my little speech about where I am going, what I am doing, and what I don't know without wanting to punch myself in the jaw for saying the same thing AGAIN? I guess this goes back to what I was saying about intentionality, the US culture is not good about it. I know this may seem ironic that I am saying this in a blog which may or may not be read by people. I will never really know. I hate twitter and facebook status because it is just telling people trite pieces of your life that they don't really care about but just are curious. There are no real interactions.
Now that I have written a ton, I probably should wrap it up. This year of being back in the states has been good. I loved my time at Camp Spalding because I was with people. I did forget about the issues that were so important to me when I returned, but it was a summer where it was the relationships that really mattered. I have enjoyed living in Spokane because I have been able to keep up on the relationships with the amazing CASPers. I have enjoyed working (that is something to be infinitely thankful for these days). I had a great trip to El Salvador/Honduras (for more, read those posts, just scroll down). I am so excited to go to Peru. I love my family and friends. I am still going to be on my bike (though it has some bent brake handles at the moment). So, CASP 2008 changed me and I feel that I am a better person for it (that is an understatement). But when I was on that plane from Seattle to Spokane, sipping a beer (funny enough, the best of the trip), I was afraid that a year from then I was going to have forgotten everything that was important to me. That hasn't happened. It has changed. I think that I am a little more realistic about it all, but still have so much more that I can do. Peru is just a step in this process as will be going to work tonight. My life keeps going and each step has shaped me into who I am and who I will become, but the experiences from Central America have become and will continue to be some of the strongest reminders of how to life my life.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The inconvienent truth
Ok, first of all, I need to apologize for the title of this post. Al Gore did his bit, but it just fit just too well not to jump on that band wagon. Please just laugh a little and we will move forward.
As most of you know, I am going to Peru this August with the Presbyterian Church. I will be going with 5 girls from across the country (yea, I'm the only dude). For more information, please see my previous post. The reason for this message is that I must raise $9,000 for this trip. When I first learned of that sum, I felt very overwhelmed, but I feel that God has reminded me of how he is involved in my life. He helped me make it through my Whitworth education with minimal debt and I have no doubts that he will guide me in this process also. Therefore, my first realization about this process is that I cannot rely solely on outside giving. During this year "in a holding pattern," I have been saving money to pay down/off my student loans. Therefore, I am confident that I can provide over half the sum needed for my YAV year. I feel that it would be completely unfair for me to ask others to make financial sacrifices if I were not willing to do the same. If you would like to contribute, the easiest way is through the YAV web donation site. Simply click my name at the bottom of this page.
If financial giving is not your thing or you are unable to monitarily support me, I still want to thank you. By simply reading this blog, you are being interested in my life and I am so grateful for that. Please keep this entire experience in your thoughts and prayers. I am truly unable to express my excitement for this experience (3 words that begin with "ex" in one sentence, alliteration overload!!!!). Thank you for being in my life and please be in contact throughout the duration of the year because I want to know what is happening at home as well as you want to know about Peru. Thank you again and please be informed about YAV and its purposes through the YAV site. You are all fantastic.
As most of you know, I am going to Peru this August with the Presbyterian Church. I will be going with 5 girls from across the country (yea, I'm the only dude). For more information, please see my previous post. The reason for this message is that I must raise $9,000 for this trip. When I first learned of that sum, I felt very overwhelmed, but I feel that God has reminded me of how he is involved in my life. He helped me make it through my Whitworth education with minimal debt and I have no doubts that he will guide me in this process also. Therefore, my first realization about this process is that I cannot rely solely on outside giving. During this year "in a holding pattern," I have been saving money to pay down/off my student loans. Therefore, I am confident that I can provide over half the sum needed for my YAV year. I feel that it would be completely unfair for me to ask others to make financial sacrifices if I were not willing to do the same. If you would like to contribute, the easiest way is through the YAV web donation site. Simply click my name at the bottom of this page.
If financial giving is not your thing or you are unable to monitarily support me, I still want to thank you. By simply reading this blog, you are being interested in my life and I am so grateful for that. Please keep this entire experience in your thoughts and prayers. I am truly unable to express my excitement for this experience (3 words that begin with "ex" in one sentence, alliteration overload!!!!). Thank you for being in my life and please be in contact throughout the duration of the year because I want to know what is happening at home as well as you want to know about Peru. Thank you again and please be informed about YAV and its purposes through the YAV site. You are all fantastic.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Peru
As many of you know, I have been looking for a way to serve God and other people with my life. So I have been applying with various international development agencies and churches. I am very happy to say that I will be going to Peru with the Presbyterian Church's Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program. I will be heading out on August 24 for orientation and then will leave for Peru on August 31. I am so incredibly excited. I am very happy to have an answer to the "what are you doing with your life" question. There will be 5 other YAVs traveling with me to Peru, including Anna Gray who also went on the Central America Study Program in 2008. We will be living with families for the duration of the year and will be working with organizations through a network of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) called "holding hands." At this time I do not know exactly what work I will be doing or where I will be living, but the sites are in the general region around Lima (within a few hours busing). I have to thank all of you for being supportive of me in my persuits and ask that you will keep me, the other YAVs (in Peru and other sites), and the general movement toward a better future in your prayers. Thank you all for being in my life.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.pcusa.org/yav
For more information, please visit:
http://www.pcusa.org/yav
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Life is amazing
It has been a while since I've written. I don't have much to say in particular and am watching a little of the first round of the tourney before having to get ready for work.
First, I just have to say how fopeful I am for the new administration in El Salvador. I really hope that Funes will be able to step out of the mire that has held the political establishment of that country for the last 20 and/or 200 years. He talks big, with thoughts a on reconciliation and directly quoting Romero's dream of a "preferential option for the poor." Wow, I hope that pans out. Right now Cheri, Allyn, Travis, and Glen are down there. If I hear from them, I may add some of their thoughts.
As for me, I am still in the processes about doign stuff. I am flying to Louisville next week to interview for YAV. Specifically, I am interviewing for positions in Peru and Guatemala. I am really hoping for Peru. I am really excited about the programs that they are working with. I have read some of the blogs of the current YAVs there and it gets me really excited. I am a little less excited about Guatemala, not because of anything specific, but it is based out of Xela and I am a little less excited to go back to the town I've already been to. I know it is kinda stupid and that it would be awesome if that is where God wants me to go, but just thoughts I'm having.
Well, I have to fid a way to shower and be ready in the next 45 minutes, but can't turn off the TV because the Cal State Northridge-Memphis game is amazing. I LOVE MARCH!!!!
First, I just have to say how fopeful I am for the new administration in El Salvador. I really hope that Funes will be able to step out of the mire that has held the political establishment of that country for the last 20 and/or 200 years. He talks big, with thoughts a on reconciliation and directly quoting Romero's dream of a "preferential option for the poor." Wow, I hope that pans out. Right now Cheri, Allyn, Travis, and Glen are down there. If I hear from them, I may add some of their thoughts.
As for me, I am still in the processes about doign stuff. I am flying to Louisville next week to interview for YAV. Specifically, I am interviewing for positions in Peru and Guatemala. I am really hoping for Peru. I am really excited about the programs that they are working with. I have read some of the blogs of the current YAVs there and it gets me really excited. I am a little less excited about Guatemala, not because of anything specific, but it is based out of Xela and I am a little less excited to go back to the town I've already been to. I know it is kinda stupid and that it would be awesome if that is where God wants me to go, but just thoughts I'm having.
Well, I have to fid a way to shower and be ready in the next 45 minutes, but can't turn off the TV because the Cal State Northridge-Memphis game is amazing. I LOVE MARCH!!!!
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