In the event there is anyone out there still following the blog, you are likely surprised at this renewed activity. After all, as I see it, I have not posted for almost two years.
There were good reasons for stopping and are probably questionable ones for restarting. Indeed, I make no commitments as to the frequency of posts at this point.
But, I was asked recently about the blog and the questioner gently inquired whether I had any intention of taking it up again. This prompted a couple of thoughts and 'reasons' to return to it.
1. I enjoy writing and the blog gave me an excuse and outlet. I have others, of course. Articles for church, the odd book review. Those are fairly well-defined. The blog gives me a space to write freely just for practice about anything that interests me.
2. It also occurred to me that after three years here in Honduras what I see has changed. That first year blogging was filled with the oddities and excitement of first year experiences of life and ministry. The blog gave us a place to process some of those and share them with those of you who care about us. The number of quirky things we notice has dwindled with time, as one would expect. But with that and the passing time, we are in a position to see other things better, things about life and ministry that we didn't see before. And we still benefit from having a place to process through them, whether or not anyone is reading.
And so, we're back. Maybe. We'll see. I don't have a plan or a schedule for the blog. I may drop it again soon. It may change focus. We'll see. Either way, you're welcome to tag along.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Home is...where?
We recently returned from a trip to the US and Canada. At the US/Canadian border I was asked where we live. In the past I probably would have answered "Nebraska", since we receive mail there and that's what our driver's licenses say. I've even put "US" on the line for "Country of Residence" on the immigration forms for the last couple of years. (I hope that admission doesn't get me in trouble with those government agencies that are trolling the web for terrorists).
However, I decided that honesty was no more complex than ambiguity and just said, "Honduras", whenever the question arose.
Honestly, this has only added to a problem I've experience for years. Where am I from? Where is home?
In the frequently changing international and expatriate community where we live it is a frequent question, "Where are you from originally?" I usually semi-deflect the question by saying, "My mother." This rarely puts people completely off the topic so I say that it's kind of complicated. At this stage in my life I'm not really sure where "home" is. What are the options?
There is a final option. We could be from here. Honduras could be home. From the beginning we have tried to live that way. The clearest evidence of this is that we brought most of our books. ("Where your treasure is there will your heart be also"?).
But as others here will tell you, it is difficult to speak of this as home. Not so much because we don't feel it is home but because others in our lives don't think of it that way. So when we are readying ourselves to return to Honduras after a visit in the states, we think and speak about "Going home." But our friends and relatives think we have just been home and are going back on a trip to Honduras. It is almost as if they regard our time in Honduras as an extended vacation, a long visit.
I just don't think that is a psychologically healthy option for us. This is where we are. This is where we are living and making life now. It is not vacation. It is not a trip. This is our life.
Will it always be this way? Probably not. We will someday move somewhere else, probably stateside. But not because it is home but in order to begin the processing of making it home.
However, I decided that honesty was no more complex than ambiguity and just said, "Honduras", whenever the question arose.
Honestly, this has only added to a problem I've experience for years. Where am I from? Where is home?
In the frequently changing international and expatriate community where we live it is a frequent question, "Where are you from originally?" I usually semi-deflect the question by saying, "My mother." This rarely puts people completely off the topic so I say that it's kind of complicated. At this stage in my life I'm not really sure where "home" is. What are the options?
- Well, I was born in Buffalo, NY and lived 13 or so of my first 18 years there. (We had a 5 year sojourn in Florida). But, I haven't lived in NY since then, really, and my parents no longer live there. (Besides, they left my childhood home when I was a freshman in college).
- My parents live in Nebraska and my wife's in New Jersey. That's fine, but except for a year we haven't really lived in Nebraska and my in-laws are in the same town but not Debbie's childhood home. Besides, who wants to say they're from New Jersey?
- Then there's Wisconsin. We lived in Wisconsin for 14 years, the bulk of our married life so far. We have longstanding friendships and church relationship there. We try to visit when we can. But we have no family where we lived there, no official ties.
There is a final option. We could be from here. Honduras could be home. From the beginning we have tried to live that way. The clearest evidence of this is that we brought most of our books. ("Where your treasure is there will your heart be also"?).
But as others here will tell you, it is difficult to speak of this as home. Not so much because we don't feel it is home but because others in our lives don't think of it that way. So when we are readying ourselves to return to Honduras after a visit in the states, we think and speak about "Going home." But our friends and relatives think we have just been home and are going back on a trip to Honduras. It is almost as if they regard our time in Honduras as an extended vacation, a long visit.
I just don't think that is a psychologically healthy option for us. This is where we are. This is where we are living and making life now. It is not vacation. It is not a trip. This is our life.
Will it always be this way? Probably not. We will someday move somewhere else, probably stateside. But not because it is home but in order to begin the processing of making it home.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Cost of living
Several people have asked us about cost of living here in Honduras and we give what is, I'm sure, a dissatisfying answer. We usually say, "Well, some things cost more and some things cost less," which I'm sure the more astute askers of the question could have figured out. Part of the problem is that we can't just come up with specific examples off the top of our heads very often. Yes, coffee is cheaper and cereal is more expensive but that doesn't provide much of a perspective. Perhaps this will.
We have been having problems with our water pressure. So today two plumbers* who have done some work at the church stopped by. They worked at the house for about an hour and a half: removing the pressurized tank, draining it, removing the rubber bladder, checking it for holes, reinstalling it all and testing the system thereafter.
The charge? $35.00.
Can you even get a plumber to show up for that?
* Calling these guys plumbers is a bit unfair. They also do electrical, carpentry, and bricklaying.
We have been having problems with our water pressure. So today two plumbers* who have done some work at the church stopped by. They worked at the house for about an hour and a half: removing the pressurized tank, draining it, removing the rubber bladder, checking it for holes, reinstalling it all and testing the system thereafter.
The charge? $35.00.
Can you even get a plumber to show up for that?
* Calling these guys plumbers is a bit unfair. They also do electrical, carpentry, and bricklaying.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Further firsts, friends, and fare thee well
Our first year of life and ministry here in Tegucigalpa, Honduras passed without much event on August 17. The very next day we welcomed our first visitors. Perhaps contrary to expectations, they were not family members but, rather, a group of Stephen's former students come to experience life in Honduras and tour the plethora of ministries represented in the church. We had a fantastic week with Laura, Wendy, Katie, Sarah and Carly. We enjoyed many bumpy miles traveling about seeing the sights and experiencing many ministries.
This first visit gave us our first "team" experience, something many in the congregation go through regularly. We also had our first visit up to the Christ of the Picacho statue that overlooks the city (where the above picture was taken.)
We also had our first visit to Immigration this week. Up to this point our paperwork has been handled by a friend (may the Lord bless him). However, we have reached the stage in residency proceedings where our presence--or at least that of our faces and fingerprints--were required. We now have residency status though it will be a month before we are issued our cards.
But, in truth, the "firsts" are few and far between now. We are experiencing far more "seconds"--Ellyn's second first day of school, second fall ministry kick-off--many other "multiples", and yes, a few "oh, not that agains."
And so, I find it time to bid our tiny yet faithful blog reading audience adieu. After all, the subtitle of the blog did warn that it was only intended to chronicle our first year. And I need not point out how sporadic posting has become anyway.
We know that many of you will continue to follow us in various ways in the months ahead, for which we are thankful. We are grateful for the support and encouragement we have experienced from near and far in this first year. We look forward to God's continued provision as we continue in kingdom labors.
This first visit gave us our first "team" experience, something many in the congregation go through regularly. We also had our first visit up to the Christ of the Picacho statue that overlooks the city (where the above picture was taken.)
We also had our first visit to Immigration this week. Up to this point our paperwork has been handled by a friend (may the Lord bless him). However, we have reached the stage in residency proceedings where our presence--or at least that of our faces and fingerprints--were required. We now have residency status though it will be a month before we are issued our cards.
But, in truth, the "firsts" are few and far between now. We are experiencing far more "seconds"--Ellyn's second first day of school, second fall ministry kick-off--many other "multiples", and yes, a few "oh, not that agains."
And so, I find it time to bid our tiny yet faithful blog reading audience adieu. After all, the subtitle of the blog did warn that it was only intended to chronicle our first year. And I need not point out how sporadic posting has become anyway.
We know that many of you will continue to follow us in various ways in the months ahead, for which we are thankful. We are grateful for the support and encouragement we have experienced from near and far in this first year. We look forward to God's continued provision as we continue in kingdom labors.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
This one's for Papa
We have been meaning to post this for a long time for anyone's enjoyment but especially Ellyn's Papa from Nebraska. This is a nearby fire station.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Catracho Pride, part 2
Around my birthday I posted about my wife's gift to me of a Honduran national team futbol jersey. I don't wear it often because I feel just a tiny bit self-conscious in it here in Honduras because I fear it makes me look like a gringo trying to be culturally relevant or something.
However, I had no qualms about displaying it publicly during our recent visit to the states because, quite frankly, I'm sure most people have no idea that it represents a country, never mind which one.
To my surprise, on two occasions when I wore it it occasioned comments from others. The first took place in a Chipotle restaurant in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I had the following conversation with one of the employees.
On another day, this time in Harrisonburg, Virginia, I vaguely heard someone say something behind me. A second later they tried again and I caught the words, "Hey, Americano Catracho!"
However, I had no qualms about displaying it publicly during our recent visit to the states because, quite frankly, I'm sure most people have no idea that it represents a country, never mind which one.
To my surprise, on two occasions when I wore it it occasioned comments from others. The first took place in a Chipotle restaurant in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I had the following conversation with one of the employees.
"Where'd you get that jersey?"It turns out that he was born in Tegucigalpa and lived here until he was in his early teens whereupon he (and his family I presume) moved to New Jersey. We later had a bit longer conversation about the country and his and our thoughts about it.
"Honduras."
"What? You been there or something?"
"We live there."
"Don't tell me you like it there?!"
On another day, this time in Harrisonburg, Virginia, I vaguely heard someone say something behind me. A second later they tried again and I caught the words, "Hey, Americano Catracho!"
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A sad day and a happy day
Ellyn has a children's version of the crucifixion and resurrection entitled "A Sad Day and a Happy Day." That title could serve pretty well for our day today.
It was a sad day because today was the last Sunday in Honduras for a few of our members. In one sense it is just a part of the ministry here that people come to the country and the church for a few years before moving on, so the church is used to it. On the other hand, I don't know that you ever completely get used to saying goodbye to people.
It was a happy day because in addition to our regular service and communion, we celebrated a baptism followed by an "end of the year" picnic. It was wonderful to participate in so many Acts 2 activities in one Sunday.
It was a sad day because today was the last Sunday in Honduras for a few of our members. In one sense it is just a part of the ministry here that people come to the country and the church for a few years before moving on, so the church is used to it. On the other hand, I don't know that you ever completely get used to saying goodbye to people.
It was a happy day because in addition to our regular service and communion, we celebrated a baptism followed by an "end of the year" picnic. It was wonderful to participate in so many Acts 2 activities in one Sunday.
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