Back at the Ranch

I have been back from my 4 week hiatus for about a week and a half now. After spending a few weeks in Haiti, and then a bit more time at home in the States I have finally returned to Rancho Santa Fe in the beautifully sunny, yet scorching hot Honduras! We've entered the dry season here. Its incredibly hot and the Casa Suyapans are unbelievably sweaty but I am still very happy to be back in Honduras!

Being home in Holland for a little while. I had some time to see my family and friends, rest and relax, and prepare myself to go back to Honduras. After being in Haiti, I was exhausted! I don't think I was at home long enough to experience any of the reverse culture shock that people talk about. It felt like no time had past, like I had been away for a long weekend! The only times I think I felt culture shock were 1) at a Tim McGraw concert (the epitome of all things America), and 2) at Target. I wanted to buy everything in my field of vision. Even things I have no practical use for now or ever! Luckily I did not give into my desires considering my volunteer stipend only allows for approximately $100 dollars a month. Overall my time at home was wonderful and relaxing! I had the chance to spend some quality time with family and catch up with some of my favorite people.

Top 5 favorite things about being at home
1) Obviously spending time with family and friends
2) HOT SHOWERS! I had to reexamine by unconscious to discover that this did not actually outweigh the joy of seeing my family and friends.
3) My dog Benson
4) Food. All food. Period.
5) Being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet.

Although I was excited, I was also a little apprehensive about coming back to Honduras. I was gone for quite a while and I was not sure if things would be the same when I got back. While I was in Haiti a group of old volunteers and, some of my best friends, finished their year or longer of service and left. Also, a whole new group of volunteers came. I was worried that it would be a difficult readjustment. This uneasy feeling lasted for about a day, but the moment that I saw my kids from Casa Suyapa I knew that Honduras is where I am supposed to be right now! I missed them so much in my time away. They were so cute and funny when they saw me. I was tackled and knocked over with hugs and kisses and asked so many hilarious and innocent questions about Haiti. Some kids told me that they had thought I died! Others told me they prayed for me everyday and the people that I was taking care of. Within a few minutes of being there I felt like I was home. Many of the kids were very interested in what I was doing in Haiti. They asked tons of questions and wanted to see pictures. I showed them a few photos that were not graphic just so they had some kind of idea. After I finished showing them the photos of Haiti a few girls said "and now Ana, the photos of Chile!" I explained to them that I did not go to Chile, but they were confused. There was an earthquake in Haiti and I went, so obviously I went to Chile too since there was an earthquake there! I'm still not sure they understand that I did not go to Chile.

Things in the clinic have been going well. Last week a medical brigade from Minnesota came to our surgical center to do orthopedic surgeries for people who otherwise do not have access to this type of health care. I worked with the brigade as a nurse and translator. It was a lot of fun and a great transition back to life in Honduras. The brigade performed 30 surgeries over a span of four days. Along with people from the community, a few children from NPH had surgery. One being Jesus from Casa Suyapa. Jesus is a little boy with spina bifida who does not have any sensation and very little movement below the waste. His legs were extremely contracted and spastic. He had surgery to release the tendons in his knees so that his legs can be stretched outright. The hope is that with the surgery his legs will be more easily movable, and that he will be able to use the splints he has to walk with a walker. He was such a trooper through the whole thing and flirted with the nurses from admission to post-op. He will be casted for 5 weeks following the surgery. So far he has done extremely well and the surgery seems to be very successful!

I hope to update my blog more regularly in during the remainder of my time here! If you do not see an update from me for quite some time, please feel free to harass me via e-mail!

Also, I posted some photos from Haiti on picasa and I plan to update it with Honduras photos as soon as I have a chance! Here is the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/115605534828513780863

peace,
Anna




“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if I told you.” Habakkuk 1:5