En route to Portland, and I still haven’t really explained what I’ll be doing in El Salvador. First things first. Orientation begins tomorrow at Camp Myrtlewood in Oregon. We’ll cook, eat, sing, sweat, labor, worship, talk, clean, and play together for 3 weeks. I actually think it will feel quite a bit like an extended week at camp. On October 15, I and another BVSer, Malea, will travel to Guatemala for a smaller orientation, focused specifically on our work in Latin America. We’ll be in Guatemala for a week or so I believe, and then at the end of the month I’ll take a bus to San Salvador to begin my work with Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel and their youth center, Cal Pipil. Much of this information has materialized in recent weeks, and with packing and visiting and such, I’ve been quite busy … apparently too busy to update you. Sorry about that.
I’m really looking forward to orientation. I’m excited to be see friends old and new, and learn all about BVS. …I do know a bit already since I’ve grown up as part of the Church of the Brethren, but I think there’s only so much one can learn ahead of time. Now it’s time to do it.
I was visiting with some cousins a few weeks ago, and Suellen asked me if there were 5 things I would be taking with me to El Salvador that I couldn’t live without. Well, I had to mull it over a bit, and it made me think about other lists, like … 5 things I know I’ll miss. Or 5 things I’m looking forward to. So, I thought I’d compile a few lists.
5 things I brought with me that I couldn’t leave in Pennsylvania:
1 Chaco sandals
2) Journal (Ok, I actually have 2 … and will probably need a few more)
3) My computer (mostly for its webcam capabilities)
4) Recipes
5) Frisbee
5 things I know I’ll miss:
1) Hot showers
2) Spending time with family and friends in the US
3) Good beer/fancy food (Yes, a food and beer-snob I am, and I list these not because of BVS’ no-alcohol policy, but because they are two aspects of who I am that I won’t really be able to access … that being said, I am so looking forward to experiencing food from another perspective.)
4) My cat, Feste, whom I know is being well taken care of in Chicago at Sharon and Amber’s apartment
5) Driving my Toyota RAV4
5 things I am SO looking forward to:
1) Speaking Spanish. I heard a lot of Spanish in Houston on the way to Portland, and I just smiled.
2) Forming stronger relationships with my Salvadoran friends, and making new friends
3) Eating local mangoes
4) Salvadoran hospitality
5) Did I mention speaking Spanish?
Oh yes, I’m not sure how much I mentioned about what I’ll be doing while working with Iglesia Bautista. I don’t know much yet; I know that these things take time and usually just sort of come together, but currently I’m planning to be a co-coordinator for Cal Pipil, helping with different classes and events and networking with other youth groups and non-profit organizations. I think I’ll likely be teaching English. (And if any of you have materials you’d like to suggest, PLEASE DO SO!) I imagine I’ll be Pastor Miguel’s right hand every once in a while. He has a few “right hand folks” actually. Hopefully I’ll get to do some cooking. When delegations from the US and Canada come down for various work projects and tours, I’ll be helping out with their schedules, translation, etc. (Shameless plug: New Community Project is organizing a delegation for summer 2011 … Come on down!) I think that about covers it, at least for now.
I’ll have Internet access at Cal Pipil, and will be able to (I hope) check email every once in a while. I imagine I’ll suck it up and download Skype, even though I like Google Talk better. When I have a Skype name, I’ll let you know. If you’d like my mailing address, send me an email!
Google: sarahrhall
Email: sarahrhall@gmail.com
Hasta luego!
PS - Sorry the numbered formatting stinks. I'm still pleading "I'm new at this!"
