Geckos chirp

My group of SALTers and YAMENers were the first to arrive at our destination, mid-afternoon on Thursday. We've had a whirlwind couple of days of in-country orientation after a week of orientation in Akron. Some of my first impressions: yes, it is hot! and humid! The MCC office in San Pedro Sula has air conditioning, so it's been an immense relief to step inside. I've seen and heard some local wildlife, including geckos (which chirp like birds), snail kites (Ellen, I'm watching birds for you!), a black widow spider, and of course, dogs and chickens.

We spent the last two days at the MCC farm for our in-country orientation. It was lovely there! It's the rainy season right now, and rain on a tin roof is just as loud as I remember it!

My major news is that I am no longer going to Azacualpa. Instead, I will be going to La Campa, which is near Gracias. I know you can find Gracias on most maps; La Campa is a bit smaller.... or a lot smaller! I will still be with CASM, just at a different location. I'm excited for this change, especially since the response most people here have is that "La Campa is cold!" I can cope with that very happily.

We're now on our way to Copan Ruinas for language study for the next week and a half. I am understanding more Spanish than I expected, although I need the speaker to speak very slowly. When I try to speak I butcher the grammar and speak with a French accent. I wonder what my French will sound like in a year...!

Love
Alison

The beginning!

All of my goodbyes, save two, have been said. My suitcase is packed, and I am here in Pennsylvania. My SALT orientation begins this afternoon at the MCC offices in Akron, PA. I'll be spending the next week here with 130 other young adults who are coming from all over the world and going all over the world. This will be a very interesting week!

My circuitous journey to Honduras begins (very!) bright and early next Thursday (Aug. 19), and I will arrive in San Pedro Sula in the mid-afternoon, local time. Luckily there is only a 2 hour time difference, so I won't feel the effects of jet lag as much as some other SALTers will. Once I arrive, I will spend about 2 weeks in intensive language training before heading to Azacualpa, the town where I will be living for the next year.

Here is the short description that I have received that details what I might be doing while in Honduras:

Assignment Description:

The SALT/YAMENer participant would be seconded to The Mennonite Social Action Commission (CASM). CASM is a historic partner of MCC Honduras. MCC Honduras was instrumental in the founding of CASM as a result of MCC and the Mennonite Church's work with the Salvadoran refugees in the early 1980's. CASM traditionally has worked in rural community development with a focus on community organization and agriculture. More recently CASM has been more involved at the municipal level in order to promote locally-initiated projects. CASM promotes Anabaptist values and ecumenism through their pastoral accompaniment program. CASM is very involved in issue of trade and globalization, and the effects of first world policy on the third world. CASM is also well-prepared and well-equipped to manage disaster relief projects.

Duties:
The SALT/YAMENer will spend time orienting to CASM's work in the region of Azacualpa and will work alongside CASM staff in some or all of the following areas according to the abilities and interests of the worker:

• Work alongside CASM personnel and members of local communities to promote the management of local water sources for better food security in the region
• Work to promote crop diversification and the implementation of organic agriculture within eight different communities of Azacualpa, Santa Barbara
• Work with already established CASM efforts to promote ecotourism within the region
• Work to organize and carry out environmental education in local schools among various age levels
• Work together with local citizens, CASM, and municipal government to promote better environmental policies in the region
• Participate actively in the life of a local congregation
• Participate in MCC team meetings/retreats, and provide plans and reports to MCC

I do not know what kind of internet access I will have when I get to Azacualpa. I will try my best to keep in contact, whether it be internet-based or snail-mail-based. I have been warned, however, not to neglect making relationships in Honduras by being too closely connected with people "back home." I will be working to find some kind of balance, as I want to be fully involved in my community.

Thank you for your prayers, your love, and your financial support. I have been greatly blessed with all three, and I leave for Honduras certain that this is where I am called to be.

Much love,

Alison