Economic Dependency and Canadian Vacation

It has been almost two weeks since I wrote my last blog so its about time for an update.

Here is an example of the interconnectedness of the world's economies:

Over the past few months we have begun to see the recession hit the developing countries that HOPE works in. I find it fascinating how long the economic downturn was delayed from reaching these countries. It is also really interesting to see how interconnected everyone is in the world, no matter if you are a commercial banker in the United States or an agrarian farmer in a third world country. The world economy is so intertwined now that nearly everyone is going to feel this economic downturn. The difference between the affects of the recession in the United States and developing countries around the world is huge. Note: I don't want this to discount the struggles that many people are having around the United States today, but I want to try and provide insight to how the recession affects lives overseas. Here's an example: Lets say that individual A works in a factory in Nairobi, Kenya. He makes widgets that are exported to countries like the United States, Germany, and France. Since demand for these widgets is down, exports are also down, and so Individual A is fired. Before Individual A was fired, each day he would stop by Individual B's mobile vegetable cart to pick up food to take home to his family. Now that Individual A and other Kenyans have lost their jobs in Nairobi, the demand for Individual B's vegetables has dropped significantly. Individual B is stuck because since he planted his crops months ago, his supply is high, and he cant sell it all to make any sort of profit. On top of his business struggles, each night he has to ride his vegetable cart two hours back home where he does his farming.

Individual A and Individual B are struggling to stay alive, losing a job or not selling what they have harvested means that they are one step closer to falling off the cliff of poverty. This economic recession potentially can be a mass killer in the developing world. It is important now more than ever for international development around the world.

On a brighter note, I went on an incredible trip last weekend to Western New York, Niagara Falls, and Ontario, Canada. We left immediately after work on Thursday and drove 6 hours north to Rochester, New York to stay at Sandy's (one of the interns) house. Waking up on Friday morning to the smell of bacon in a comfortable house was surreal (despite sleeping on the floor). It was the start to a nice vacation from life in Lancaster. We got to Niagara Falls around 11 AM. I was really excited to see the waterfalls and then we went on Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes you right up next to the falls.

We ate lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and were surprised how many taxes there were on our lunch. It was also interesting how many places in Canada only took MasterCard. Next time it might be a good idea to bring some cash instead of the Visa card. We left Niagara Falls around 2 and started the drive to Georgian Bay where we (Sandy, Cameron, Mike, Michael, and myself) were going to stay for the weekend. It took us about three and a half hours to get up to the marina where we met Sandy's family. At the marina we hopped on their boat and took a 45 minute ride out to their island. Everything is green and beautiful up there. On the island there are a couple sleeping cabins, a main cottage, and a boat house. We spent a lot of time barbecuing and eating a lot of food that we don't get at the house in Lancaster. On Saturday we went cliff jumping, took a nap on the dock, went kayaking, climbed up some small waterfalls, fished for a while, read books, and ate a ton of food. While we were on the island I didn't shower once and never knew the time. Swimming was our form of shower. We woke up when we wanted to, did whatever we felt like during the day, and went to bed whenever we felt tired. It was a much needed relaxing weekend. When Sunday came around I did not want to leave. I still wish that I was back on the island relaxing. Sunday we left the island just before noon and hopped back on the boat. After 10-11 hours of driving, we were back in Lancaster. The work week was less than 8 hours away, but it was all worth it!
I am ready to go back to Georgian Bay...

Week Five and the Summer is Rolling

It is incredible how fast this summer has been flying by. I started my fifth week of work on Monday and the week is almost over. The majority of the other interns only have another 4 or 5 weeks because they start school in August. Myself and two other interns will be staying on until later on in the Fall. Right now I feel blessed to be staying on longer because I am not ready to pack up and head home yet.

One of the greatest aspects of working at HOPE has been the amount of responsibility that they give the interns. I am treated as if I am a normal member of the staff and am expected to give my opinion in meetings. Each week, the founder of HOPE/my boss and I take a potential donor out to lunch to talk about HOPE. These are people that have established relationships with Jeff already. Before my first lunch, I was afraid that I would just be the intern sitting off to the side, but that isn't the case. Jeff and I take turns talking about different aspects of HOPE and what we are asking of the potential donor. I have loved the opportunity to try and pump other people up on what HOPE does. Each lunch that I go to, I get a little more involved, confident, and excited for the opportunities in which the donor can help HOPE fight poverty around the world. That is one of the most rewarding pieces of my job. On my last lunch, we took out a huge national company who is interested in making HOPE their primary charity in Central Pennsylvania. The contact we met with wants me to spearhead this and talk with their marketing department in Philadelphia to see how we can make this happen. It is projects like this that have and will stretch me while I am working for HOPE this summer. These opportunities get my blood pumping and make work even more enjoyable.

This past 4th of July weekend was extremely tiring. Friday is our day off of work, but as soon as I got up, myself and another intern Mike helped a couple move into an apartment. They had just moved back from working for HOPE in Rwanda and are relocating to the headquarters in Lancaster. Later that evening, the other interns and I went downtown to get Mexican food (my first time since being in Lancaster). On the first Friday of every month, all the art galleries downtown are free. One of our friends from HOPE has a friend that owns a gallery and we went and visited his gallery. It was cool to see his art and how he runs his gallery. HOPE is having an art auction at one of the galleries so we also went to that preview. On Saturday, all the HOPE staff was invited to a 4th of July party at a HOPE donor's house. It was an insane party. There were a couple hundred people there, a pig roast, and one of the biggest fireworks shows I've ever seen. Apparently, people back East are more patriotic because they celebrate the 4th of July on the 5th of July too. We went to Longs Park to watch a fireworks show. They had civil war cannons that they shot as well as an Army orchestra that was performing. It was an awesome experience. There wasn't much down time over the weekend, but I am grateful for the opportunities to go out.

The first 5 weeks out here have been exciting. I truly have had answered prayer in many different areas. Coming out here from San Diego was a hard decision because of the strong relationships I had, awesome bible studies, and a church that I truly feel I can call my home. I kept wondering, why would I leave a place where I feel life is going well? I've prayed a lot about finding friends out here, finding bible studies, and not having to sit around on my butt wishing I was back in CA. We have 2 different bible studies at work that foster spiritual growth for me. I've lost count of the number of HOPE staff that have had myself and other interns over at their homes. Many of the younger HOPE staff hang out with us outside of work and plan events that we can do. The fellowship that I've had with HOPE/Keystone employees and people living with me at the Millersville International House has been such a blessing. I feel comfortable here and am very content living day by day. I am happy for the day that I've been given and am excited for what tomorrow will bring.

This verse constantly comes to the front of my mind...Psalms 118:24 - "This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it." This is my prayer!