Happy Easter!

I hope everyone is having a very blessed Easter. Brian and I are spending yet another holiday in a new way. Today for Easter we are quickly finishing up work on the computer before having to heading back to our site.

Brian and I along with about 50 other PC volunteers from our side of the country just spent three nights together on a skinny peninsula for our tri monthly regional meeting. Unfortunately it rained almost the entire time, which made the 1 1/2 hour boat ride quite interesting. We spent a total of 5 nights out on the peninsula for additional language classes and for our regional meeting. We were able to see what life was like out there for other volunteers who live in raised huts over looking the ocean. Brian and I enjoyed the first two days in sunny weather. One day we took a canoe out with the language teacher and a couple other volunteers. The second day I decided to stay back while the others, including Brian went fishing. I was glad I chose to stay behind when I found out from the returning volunteers as they chuckled back that Brian not only threw up but fed the fish 7 or 8 times!

Overall things in our site are feeling more and more comfortable. I can say we have adapted and can find comfort in our little cabin. I have really had a good time being creative with our dinners as I’m always trying to think of new things to cook without refrigeration, electricity or variety of veggies. It has been easier than I would expect.

We have a new pet named Spot. He has been our little bug disposal now for about a month or so. He lives above our door and eats any cockroach, spider, scorpion, or other critter we put in his web. Yes Spot is a huge spider. He looks a little dangerous but is actually harmless, (so we’ve been told). Spot has more than doubled in size since he has come to live with us. Brian loves watching him eat and experimenting with putting new critters in his web. I’m sure our family just thinks us even weirder, they just laugh.

The dry season is coming to an end. Originally we were dreading it, but have come to appreciate it more than the rainy season. We have enjoyed out time down by the stream washing clothes and bathing because it is quiet, cool peaceful and surrounded by a beautiful thick tropical forest. There is no mud and our clothes don’t mold.

Next week Brian and I will be heading off to Panama City with our counterparts to begin two new projects. Even though we are still waiting on our funding for the latrines, we will begin planning two new projects that we have found the community in great need of. Brian will be working on ways to improve our poorly functioning aqua duct system and I will be planning construction and funding for a library for our elementary school.

Brian and I have been able to get our hands dirty as we have built our latrine and helped our host family with a new kitchen. For me labor has been an awesome way for me to get a little recognition from the men in our community that I’m there to work as well and not just as Tochi´s (Brian’s) house wife. I think my labor has spoken louder than me trying to communicate verbally in my cave man Spanish.
Anyway, I found out that I love to dig. Brian and I dug about 3 meters deep with just a pick, shovel and bucket for our latrine. Then we spent a day cutting and caring 5, 15-20 yard bamboo we than spent the next several days cutting and using for our latrine walls and new dish washing station. Another several days we spent cutting and carrying huge palms for our host family’s new kitchen roof.

Our family has introduced us to many new fruits since we have been here and our new favorite one is the marañon, which is the fruit that cashews come from. You can eat the fruit and then take the seed that grows on top of the fruit, roast it, crack it open and then eat the cashew. I made stir fry once with them. They are sooo yummy!

Brian and I are continue to have good health and are well. Brian did get kicked by a horse the other day while they were both reaching for marañon. The horse did a side kick to his elbow which was quite swollen for a few days. His elbow has healed and he probably won’t try to compete for marañon with the horse anymore.

Brian is eagerly waiting to start studying for the LSAT. He will be getting his study books in about a week. In September he will take a week trip to the East coast to take the exam. I think it will bring him the type of outlet he has been missing.
I have found my outlet in daily yoga and scripture reading. I wake up early before anyone else and stretch for about 20-45 minutes and then read for about the same amount of time. I feel more alive, healthy, and clear minded. I have found the extra time to stretch, pray and read the Bible have been so amazing for me. It is my favorite time of the day. One of the verses I’ve been meditating on is 1 Thessalonians 5:8, ¨In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.¨ It has been refreshing for me to go back to the basic teachings of Jesus and meditating on them. I must say I have missed going to church, but I have found a new sense of focus and peace that I’ve gotten in silence without sermons or study groups. It has been very fulfilling.

We keep all of you in our prayers and thoughts. Please email us, send a note in the blog or even write if you get the time because we love to get updates on everyone at home. We miss you all tons!