I am green....

a beautiful blend

As some of you know we will be heading back to Canada and arriving in Vernon on Friday. We have an opportunity to ship some of our things in a container that our friends in Calgary are shipping over to Roatan. We don't need much here but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ship over some tools, some gardening supplies, bible study books, and some household things that will be handy down here. We will also use this opportunity to see many of you and as well spend some time with the kids in Victoria.

As I head back to Canada I must admit it feels strange. When you live in another culture it changes you. Our friend Jeremy here in Roatan explained it really well. Let me try to express it to you.

As a Canadian, there are certain things that culturally set us apart. For the sake of keeping it simple we will mark our culture with the color blue. So I come to Roatan as a 'blue person' ... I am used to things being efficient, banks running effectively, going to the grocery store and getting whatever I need. I am accustomed to having certain 'things' around me (alot of things) I drive on roads that a well maintained and the city keeps them that way (for the most part) My culture emphasises accomplishments, goals, and success as a sign of doing well. When you ask someone how they are they are 'busy'. I am used to basing my significance on what i 'do'. Our culture likes to be on time and expect others to be on time. The stress level in our culture is high as we try to manage a mortgage, often 2 jobs, and a plethora of activities. We are used to being stressed and waiting for a holiday to help with that.

learning to communicate, learning to love

Roatan is a totally different culture. I will mark their culture as yellow. In Roatan there is a different emphasis. They are not typically driven by goals and success. It is very common for things to happen 'manana' (tomorrow). Few people wear watches here. Since the power is out they don't keep alot of food in their freezer. It is a more 'day to day' society. In the entire time I have been here I have never heard a Honduran ask me 'what do you do?'. That is not as important to them as 'who you are related to or who you know'. In fact people matter more then schedules. People matter more then anything. As a result, you need to be prepared to wait. You rarely hear people say, "well I have to go I have an appointment" They aren't in a hurry. I think I have seen only a couple of islanders actually run. Why run when you can walk? If they are crossing the street and you are driving up to them they just keep walking. An islander is happy sitting on the step talking to a friend. Often even in business you need to visit a few times before they will even consider doing a deal with you. Their lives aren't involved in alot of activities. There isn't alot of stress either. A sign of success is making enough money to get things to eat and keep their family clothed but often even that doesn't happen on a daily basis.

this is carlos. he drives around on his bike selling baked good that his wife has made. in reality he will do well if he makes about 20 dollars a day... if that.

different standards. still a home though.

So... as we have lived in this culture for 8 months I am starting to feel more and more like an islander. We go to an all island church. I have many island friends. I have adopted their ways quite readily. It was easy for me since even in Canada my personality type did not thrive on goals, plans, schedules and material gain. I think like an islander. I am actually starting to speak 'island'.

Over the months an interesting thing has happened.
I am no longer totally blue.
Yet I am not quite yellow either.

I am green. I have become blended. I have a mix of both cultures inside me.
It isn't easy being green.


So as I come back to Canada please be patient with me. I may be late. I may not have a plan. I may be just 'talkin' the day away...'
I know I look 'blue' to you but I am green.


But regardless of my color there is one thing that remains true. I love you.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.
Romans 13:8

ps ... just want you to know I won't be wearing curlers in public any time soon. :-)
it is very common to see women like this .. especially on friday as they prepare for sunday church.

Would you carry a cross for Him?

What would you do if you woke up one morning and the Lord asked you to do something really different? Like carry a large cross through a busy area of your town? would you do it?
would it be too embarrassing?

Bob awoke on Good Friday morning and sensed the Lord wanted him to make a cross and walk through West End. That is one of the most tourist populated, party areas on the island.

So what did he do?
He went.

the walk down to the end of west end and back was long and hot, but it was nothing compared to what He went through for us.

It was Bob, me and Jesus walking through that dusty road and along the beach.
~Powerful~

It was interesting to see people's reactions to the cross. I am sad to say that not one North American smiled or greeted us. They all looked away ackwardly. But the mainlanders that were visiting the island really responded to us. Especially the elderly. Many removed their hats in respect, they shook our hands. They pointed to heaven and smiled. They got the message of the cross. They received our blessing as we said, Dios te bendiga. (God bless you)

It really made me realize this: God knows cultures!! He knows how to reach deep into their souls. The spanish culture is used to processions, they are familiar with people walking through streets carrying a cross. We have never done this before! But it was suitable here.
Even as we walked by pubs one guy called out, "Respect man!" and gave us a thumb's up.

to many people the easter weekend is a time for partying and excessive drinking. cocktails at noon perhaps?

I had some wonderful conversations with people. Some people were really touched. One man almost cried and asked me to pray for him. I have and I will.

But there were people who sneered at us, who swore at us, who mocked us.
Was it worth it though?
Yes it was.

We served as a reminder that His death is still relevant. The cross is the way to the Father and His death means life for us!

It was the highlight of all my Good Friday's to date!

I am thankful I married a man who listens to his Lord.
It is good to follow His ways.
May you be blessed as you listen to Him and walk near Him.



The cross was heavy! It is honduran hardwood and it was a challenge to carry it.
These women ahead of Bob were really touched by what he did and they took his photo and thanked him for the reminder.

here he is resting....

This Easter morning we awoke early as the sky was still a blush of color and went on the beach to have a sunrise service. It was such a blessing to listen to Bob read the story of His resurrection and to express our deep gratitude in prayer!

He is risen, He is risen indeed!



HAPPY EASTER!

beach walks

One thing I do on a regular basis is go on a beach walk with Jeanette.. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday around 7:30 am. It is a wonderful way to start the day. We park (or walk) at the Sonrise Church, cut through the school to the beach road. We walk along the road til we reach Anthony's Key Resort, walk through there, along the quiet, dusty roads in the shade, weave along the sea's edge, and then head back. We are usually out for about an hour. I need to confess though, some of that time is spent taking pictures. We talk, we share our concerns and joys, we laugh.. it is one of the highlights of my day.

see the shade? as the weather gets hotter we enjoy this!

we weave in and out from the narrow roads to the beach. it is so scenic!

the beauty around just stops us and it need to be captured!

i am thankful for bathrooms along the way!!
we drink alot of water to keep hydrated!

sigh

I could do a book on fences i have photographed!..everyone in roatan has fences around their property. it is a bit sad because otherwise things would get 'taken' on a regular basis.

the water is so still some mornings.. that it is like glass!

here is jeanette capturing the beauty of the bougainvillea in bloom

when karen was visiting she often joined us.
what about you?
there is always room for more to join us on our morning beach walks!

I just want to say Happy Easter to all of you. It is a blessed time of year.. my favorite time of all.
I hope you take time to reflect on what He did for you. Take a

look

at this when you have time.. her image and her words say it best.

BLESSINGS!

saying farewell isn't really fair at all

On Thursday evening, we planned a farewell for Lindsay. It was a very hot day and no breeze. I thought I would die prior to people arriving because it was so hot it was unbearable. This place we are living is nice but it gets like a cook oven in the afternoon, and when they isn't a breeze it stays like that. If we look a little 'glossy' in the pictures it is a nice way of saying we were all sweating profusely! Such is life on the island sometimes!!

this is Jordie giving his gift to her. people are so kind and giving here!

We all knew this day would arrive when we'd have to say goodbye to Lindsay and let her go. Some people come to this island, stay awhile, we take them to the airport and that's that. But there are others, like Lindsay who embrace the island, who love the people, who manage the language (both spanish and island speak) who enjoy the pace and the culture and fit right in. While working at the clinic she soon showed herself as more then capable to not only help but also to have great leadership capacities. I know that she will be sorely missed there. Peggy said she is like having 3 nurses in one. That is good to a point but it often meant she was more exhausted then most.

But here is the remarkable thing about Lindsay.. she rarely complained. It is a gift to give and keep on giving. I know she will be blessed for doing that.

i took this picture after spending the afternoon at west bay, snorkeling, laying on the beach reading, visiting and watching the most awesome sun set! We had some great times together

Here are some pics of our evening together. We had some island friends, some neighbors, some doctors and nurses from the clinic and some snorkling/swimming friends!! :-)It was a full house!!! It was a good time to be had by all.

I want to make special mention of Tyson, the guy in the green shirt. He came in, and began cutting up fruit for us.. watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple.. he really pitched in and was a blessing to me!! Thanks for your help Tyson!!

One of my favorite parts of the whole evening was while we were visiting out on the deck. It was cooler there! Lindsay was talking to Luis. Marco and Zenola and I said... hey let me get a picture of you altogether and suddenly Luis stuck his hat on Lindsay, she went all ghetto on us, and Marco plopped a shell on her head!! My word I almost died laughing!

Islanders have such a great sense of humour as you can see here!!

We had alot of fun that night. Lindsay said it was one of the best parties ever! We ate, we told stories, we laughed, we played with the kids, we said sad goodbyes and we prayed that the Father above would keep Lindsay strong and sometime perhaps bring her back to the island.

We miss you Lindsay. I will miss our chats on the deck, walking together to the clinic, the sound of your 'hola' as you come in the door, hearing about your adventures scuba diving, watching the sunset again and again, eating meals together, laughing about the funny things in our days, and basically sharing life together!

Thanks for being the best houseguest anyone could ask for! xo
Remember: Phil. 2:4

some special kids in lindsay's world.. rebecca, edwardo, katie, and ricardo (up top)

the whole gang says goodbye we will miss you!

the east side

We love the East Side of the Island! It is unfortunate that many people who come to Roatan only take tours to West End or West Bay because they are really missing out on the pristine beauty and the amazing panoramic views of the other side of the island!



It takes about an hour to get over there. The road beyond French Harbor is very windy, full of large potholes but the views are astounding.



We decided to take Lindsay to Joneville for lunch, and that road is gravel, rutted and very dusty but it was worth it to get to the little seaside village at the end of the road! Jonesville, located a short distance west of Oak Ridge, is perhaps Roatan's nicest traditional community. By that, I mean it is almost completely populated by islanders and its only concession to tourism is one gift shop. It is a quiet, clean town with the biggest speed bumps and the narrowest roads!!

Most residents are in the island's fishing industry. The homes are built all along the 'bites' so the main mode of transportation is a boat. It isn't uncommon to see kids whizzing around in boats. What a place to live!!!

Most people know Jonesville because of the famous restaurant called "Hole in the Wall" but we decided to go completely 'island' and we got in touch with a local who has his own little restaurant on the water called Haro's Spot.



He came and picked us up from the dock in his small boat and brought us to his place. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. We had a delicious island meal of whole snapper (I asked if they could cut the head off mine because truthfully the sight of eyes on my plate really grosses me out!) plaintain and salad. It was really good!!






After we ate Harold offered to take us for a boat ride through the mangroves. The amazing thing was that he wasn't going to even charge us anything to do this. That is one of the things I love about this island.. people are so giving. I was thankful that Bob had left him a substantial tip ... that would cover the cost of gas.

Another place we discovered was Turquoise Bay. It is one of the most pristine places on the island: beautiful white sand beaches, lovely restaurant, pool and a view of the reef that is astounding!





It was a pleasant surprise! The wonderful part for us was that it wasn't very populated with tourists. I think there was maybe about a dozen people there! I shouldn't be blogging about this because it may be one of the island's best kept secrets!!