I am probably boring most of you with my talk of the Peace Corp but it will be a HUGE change for me. I am both scared and excited. To help you get a picture of what I am expecting, here are some tidbits I have learned so far:
Coconut cream is used in just about everything they cook. I am not a big fan of coconuts. Guess I need to learn.
Last year they had at least two Hurricanes, one earthquake and the volcanoes erupt pretty regularly
You are expected to drink Kava at all ceremonies. Kava is prepared by crushing the Kava root (or for a more fulfilling taste it is chewed by a young boy) and then squezzed for its juice. It taste like tar and looks like muddy water. Your first sensation is a numbed mouth. Then your senses are heightened to light and sound. It relieves all stress and helps open up lines of communications.
All deaths and weddings involve a 5 day ceremony where no one works. At the end, there is a massive feast and celebration.
There are malaria carrying mosquitoes all over you during the summer and the rainy season consist of 30 days of flooding.
The view from your hut will make you cry it is suppose to be so beautiful.
There are no strangers as everyone treats you like a member of the family.
Your survival depends on learning how to grow a garden, climb a coconut tree and kill/roast a pig.
Here are a few words from the local language called Bislama. See if you know what mean.
mixmaster blong Jesus Christ
Yufella i stap go.
Hemi gat bel.
Hemi gat gris.
Hemi gat sit sit wota.
Skills I need to learn before I go:
Horseback riding - I can buy a wild horse for about $50. No saddle or bridle included
Cooking - Thanks to Sarah and Jill for a cookbook.
Gardening
Drinking Kava
I will try to do a better job of blogging on this adventure in the future.
mate, their language seems a bit like 'Pigeon' which is what they speak in Papua New Guinea. On the plus side, you won't be too far from us, so you could come stay with us if you get any free time. Also, don't know if you know her, but she and her husband served in the Peace Corps in CHina. They are awesome people!
No, the Avon stuff is Skin So Soft. The Deep Woods Off contains DEET, which is supposed to kill mosquitoes(sp?) which carry West Nile. I can get you some Skin So Soft if you want. Barry Andrews uses eucalyptus oil, which is supposed to work really well. Plus, it's all natural.
Peace Corps a fully loaded experience and Pleo doesn't give enough space to describe it fully. i wouldn't put too much stock in what people tell you about a place or the generalizations you read until you get there. i remember some of the things we were told not being at all the ways things turned out. best short advice i could give: go prepared to have you relationship with God tested in new ways. without the support of a local body, it can be very difficult and is something worth praying about and considering. hope it goes well!!
it was a great and challenging experience for us. since i went as a married person, it was helpful to have a parner in faith. what will your assignment be?
There actually is not too much going on in my life right now. Here is a quick run down:
* I played flag football Saturday. Scored a touchdown, blocked a pass and hurt my finger. I am not very good at the sport so these are major accomplishments for me. I am also sore from running.
* The above note leads to my need to return to exercising. My plan is to walk everyday and do weights three times a week.
* My days are not as filled with the homeless shelter as I thought they might, so my mornings are slow. I am reading business and religious books and studying business journals. Any suggestions of what I else could do to stay out of trouble?
* We had a teen devo on Saturday. I had the brainstorm to throw marshmellows dipped in chocolate. It was messy and probably will not be a keeper in terms of teen games.
* I am still waiting to hear where my assignment will be with the Peace Corp. I know it is the Pacific Islands, I just do not know which one.
* I am learning that Father is with me in all things and always loves me even when I forget.
Ha. That game was fun. But probably too messy. Read the Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged). That will keep you busy for a while aaaaand it's really good. :D
How is the planning going for this Sunday? Did you get enough participation and drivers? Like I said before, Courtlyn can go only if she has a ride. We will not be back from FL until Sunday evening.
Also, Jared will be spending the day with Pam Zambito. If you need more kids to participate, I don't mind him going. He just doesn't fall into the "teenage" category yet. Try to let me know today about Courtlyn so I can tell Pam.
We didn't really get to hike any up there - my brother in law was having some back trouble so we just drove up to the top and walked around for a few minutes, then drove back down. It was pretty, though.
I realize that some of you may be getting tired of hearing about Standup for Kids. But, the more involved I get the more I realize how little I know. And even worse, how little I cared until now. So, I will continue to post little notes here and there to remind me that people are out there needing help both physically and spiritually.
Here is a link to an article about the founder of Standup and more info on the group and need.
