Welcome to the Mountain

One week ago I landed in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to start my time as a Long Term Volunteer at Montaña de Luz. I had barely been asleep two hours when my alarm went off at 3:15am last Wednesday. My luggage was packed and waiting in the living room: my whole life stuffed into three bags. Together my parents and I loaded up the car and drove to CMH. At the airport I met with a team from Youth Across Borders who I would be traveling with all the way to MdL. Their group brings individuals living with HIV to educate about HIV and work to reduce stigma of HIV in Honduras. It was clear from the crowd gathered on the steps when the bus pulled into MdL the kids were eagerly anticipating the group’s arrival. We were greeted with smiles and a sign from the kids welcoming me as an LTV. For the first two days I hardly spoke at all, in English or Spanish. I already tend to listen rather than speak, and this was only enhanced by my overwhelming surroundings. I knew if I wanted to improve my Spanish language skills I had to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and to learn from my mistakes I had to start making them. Early Thursday afternoon I was seated opposite Abi at the craft table. We exchanged greetings and smiles and sat for a moment in silence before I asked another question. Although sometimes choppy, the conversation continued for the rest of the activity. I was reminded how patient and forgiving children can be, and how willing they are to help when you ask for it. I also had to remember in Honduras they use formal you. For Spanish speakers, this means you always use the “usted” form when conjugating a verb, never “tu”. As the week continued I spoke more and more, with the kids and YAB group members. I even helped Anyssa, an LTV, interview several staff members. Anyssa has been here since June 2017 and has been working on developing financially sustainable agriculture operations and developing our transition home, Casa Luz. This week she served as director of the “grupo” and ensured effective communication between YAB group members and MdL staff and logistics for all group activities and outings. On Monday, Morgan, the director of MdL, and Brad, another LTV, flew in from Columbus. Brad has also been here since June and is primarily working in education, acting as a teacher’s aid to Profe Fani and helping with homework to the best of his ability. Brad spends most of his time on the mountain and helps the kids in any way he can. His humor has helped me adjust this week, and I know it will continue to make me feel more at home while I am here. For a few days it was a full house on top of the mountain. I enjoyed seeing so many smiling faces brought together by love for these kids. I imagine it is no coincidence I chose the same itinerary as Youth Across Borders and could not imagine a better group of people to help me transition into my time at Montaña de Luz.