Lists

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!"

Officially El Salvador bound!

I wanted to let you all know that I've received word from Brethren Volunteer Service that I will, in fact, be living in El Salvador for the next two years!  Most of those I've spoken with have said things like, "Oh that's great.  But was there ever really a question?"  The answer is no, I was pretty sure from the start that it would work out, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions.  So I had been telling people that I was about 98% sure it would work out. And it has!  Orientation begins September 26 at Camp Myrtlewood, Oregon, and ends October 15.  From there, I'll travel to Guatemala for a more specific orientation on Latin America, and then head south to El Salvador.  I'll share more as the journey continues.

Thoughts and a Recipe

During the last few weeks, I've been struggling a little with the different people and events that I'll miss when I start BVS. I know this feeling of doubt is normal, and I know that what I'm going to do in BVS is going to be good for me, from (finally!) becoming fluent in Spanish to working through the rolling waves of culture shock to humbly serving others. I also know that my service in BVS will give me so many new skills that will be essential in finding some sort of employment (or help me get in to graduate school). I can finally work on Latin American issues and have a little credibility, rather than just a strong interest and semi-strong language skills. I will not let these doubts and feelings overwhelm me. I am excited about this journey on which I'm about to embark. And there is always Skype.

And now, on to the recipes, as promised last time I wrote. In Central PA, peach season is in full swing! My mom and I "put up" 14 quarts of peaches today. I still can't quite get over people saying "put up." I've always said, "We canned 14 quarts of peaches", or "We froze 40 pints of corn" etc., but those of you with whom I've mentioned canning or freezing always say "put up." I just can't get that in my vocabulary. Anyway, I had to let the peaches sit outside for a few days to ripen, and I couldn't resist grilling a few the other night for dessert, especially since the grill was already hot. I added a little mascarpone cheese (left over from a fig tart I made last week that didn't quite have the right fig-to-cheese ratio I wanted; too few figs) and drizzled the peaches with honey. I think I found this recipe, or something like it, on the Food Network website, or perhaps Epicurious, but regardless of where the idea came from, it's delicious! If you don't have a grill, you could bake the peaches until they're warm and slightly soft, and then proceed.

Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone and Honey

I think 1 peach per person is probably a good portion but do whatever you like.

Ripe peaches, washed and halved

1 Tbsp or so olive oil, so the peaches don't stick to the grill

1 tsp mascarpone cheese for each peach half

Honey

Heat grill to medium heat. Cut peaches in half, remove pit. Brush fleshy side with olive oil. Grill 2-3 minutes on each side, until peach is easily pierced with fork and skin has blistered. Remove from heat, plate, and add 1 tsp or so mascarpone to each peach half. I put the cheese in the little indentation left by the peach pit. Drizzle with honey and serve warm.

**PS - I know the formatting for this post is strange.  I haven't quite figured out how to make Blogger do what I want it to.**

Beginnings

I probably should fill you in on a few things.

First, the title for my blog came from a project in Analysis of War and Peace while a student at Manchester College. One of our books for the class was The Moral Imagination by John Paul Lederach, and each of us was assigned a chapter to present to the class. My chapter dealt with what Lederach calls critical yeast: the necessary amount of committed people, resources, motivation, etc. to bring a social movement to fruition. As a bread baker, I thought it a good play on words; an appropriate link of what sometimes feels like two different lives.

As I mentioned in the About Me section, I'm writing this blog to keep you, glorious readers, updated on my travels, ideas, and experiences while in Brethren Volunteer Service. I'll likely post some updates beforehand, but I can't promise a specific schedule! You might even find a few recipes as well ... But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the summer!