Mi tiempo en el paiz de Honduras: Reflections From My First International Missions Trip

“God bless you.”

Three simple words that we Americans use so casually, and in such varied circumstances — for health, general reflection and even in simple greeting — that it has become a trite phrase.

After a week-long mission’s trip to Honduras I, along with my Grace Church team members, have developed a new outlook on the meaning of the term.

First, some background about my personal involvement — prior to the week of July 2, I had expressed no intention of attending the trip; my mother and sister had been planning their participation for about two months, a decision which I supported, but my current status as a recent college grad had not left me in the best financial state, specifically to afford an estimated $2,500 missions trip.

Unexpectedly, I found out Wednesday of that week that one of the attendees had cancelled and his pre-paid ticket was still available for a mere $100. Fortunately, several elements fortuitously came together at the last minute to afford me this unique opportunity, the first of many blessings I received on the trip.

Our group of 13 departed on Saturday, July 7 from Newark Airport at 9:15 a.m. and flew four and a half hours to arrive in San Pedro Sula, the second largest city in Honduras. This being our church’s first international missions trip, we were all relieved that our traveling went smoothly, besides a few slight hiccups (including lost baggage, one of our members having to undergone additional security screening due to his knee replacements and the San Pedro Sula airport experiencing a power outage while we were going through customs).

It was at the airport that we were introduced to our host, Victor Almendarez, the missionary sponsored by our church’s Missions Board for the past 10 years. Victor, who has been involved with spreading the gospel for 17 years, oversees 30 churches in the country. Speaking to us through a translator, he served as our guide for the week (as well as a gracious soundboard for us to try our broken Spanish).

Meeting Victor (Back row, 2nd from right).

Victor is a remarkable man — he is truly passionate for evangelism; the spiritual fervor he evokes in his sermons was inspiring, and his compassion and dedication to his flock were unparalleled. 

From the airport we drove two and a half hours to the city of El Manguito, Copan to the hotel where we spent most of our week. 

That initial ride through the country provided our group with the first big eye-opener: witnessing the stark contrast between the Honduran countryside (roaming mountains, endless sugar cane fields, beautiful foliage) and the impoverishment of its people — families crammed into dilapidated, windowless dirt shacks; children wading through sewage water, collecting plastic bottles to salvage for money; malnourished stray dogs roaming the streets, etc.

Most of us younger team members, having attended numerous mission's trips in the United States with our youth group, thought we had previously experienced poverty firsthand. However, the dissimilarities in the standards of living between our two countries were truly shocking. As one of my friends said, “Seeing the difference between [the concepts of] ‘poor’ and ‘destitute’ is remarkable.”

We settled into our hotel, the Sula Inn, on Saturday night without a hitch. The area consisted of an enclosed two-story pavilion, connected to a restaurant and small courtyard. The hotel proved to be a unique experience for our American sensibilities, as none of the rooms had hot water and we had to brush our teeth using bottled water, as it wasn’t safe to drink from the tap. We also had some unexpected house guests (lizards and the occasional cockroach). Nevertheless, we all were reasonably comfortable and felt extremely blessed in comparison to the conditions of the surrounding area.   

Our residence for the week

On Sunday we attended a church service hosted by one of Victor’s congregations. Located about 15 minutes away from the hotel, we also wanted to see the building project some of us would be working on during the week.

The location of the church site, at the top of the hill. 

The environment we were introduced to was one of thankfulness and anticipation. We were greeted by a group of about 20-30 children, as well as several adult members. That day’s service was held in the courtyard of a house, and contained the barest of materials — plastic chairs wooden benches, one microphone and a podium. However, the lack of amenities did not dampen the spirits of the people — everyone was so excited to see their “amigos de los Estados Unidos” (friends from the United States).

Los ninos!

Everyone in our missions group was touched by how passionate our Honduran brothers and sisters were in their worship; even without instruments, they joyously sang their praises to God unashamedly, and their genuine love for Christ was evident.

Following the service, we were shown the church construction site, which was located just behind the house, up a steep rocky incline. At this point, the church was in its basic stage — just a dirt floor, along with four five-foot-high walls in about a 30x60 foot space. The intent was to get the walls up to 12 feet, along with laying the cement floor and setting up the roof before the end of the week.

The great beginning...

I’d like to think that the foundation of the church site represented the burgeoning hope for the congregation, both for the help we would provide them in the construction and for the spiritual nurturing we were bringing for their children, and their anticipation was palpable.

From Monday to Thursday, all the members of our team worked tirelessly in two locations.

The majority of my week was spent at the church site with most of the male members of my group. Our primary job was transporting the raw materials for the construction, around 2,000 cinderblocks, and two five-foot-high piles of sand, up to the construction site. We also helped the builders mix cement, and constructed a wire frame from the outer wall of the structure.

Brick by brick.

This work was absolutely grueling; hauling 45-50 pounds of material up a 200 foot incline for six hours a day was quite a physical challenge.

The ladies also worked diligently, hosting a Vacation Bible School down the road from the work site from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. each day. They lead a group of about 70 local children in a variety of games and activities related to the week’s topic, “Putting on the Armor of God.” Highlights from their efforts included having 35 kids accept Jesus, as well as distributing a new pair of shoes to each child.  

Both of our teams were extremely tired by the end of the week, but the fruits of our labor were well worth the sacrifice, as we gathered with the community in a bonfire celebration and developed wonderful relationships with the children and their families.

Bonfire celebration

Friday was our relaxation day — we drove three hours southeast to Gracias, Limpira, to see Victor’s home and meet the rest of his family, as well as get lunch and do some souvenir shopping. My favorite part of this day was in the afternoon, when we went to “Baleneario Aguas Termales,” some volcanic hot springs in the mountains. There were five different pools of water, each heated by an underground fissure, basically offering a natural Jacuzzi. After four days of intense labor, was such a relaxing and cathartic experience!

Ahhhh....

At the end of the day on Friday, we returned to the construction site to see the completed building. As we said our goodbyes, it was so touching to see how nearly every child came up to us ask, “cuando se le devolverá?” (When are you coming back?)

Dedicating the finished building.

As I reflect on my time in Honduras, I think back to all the benefits the trip has provided me.

First, I have gained a the new outlook on life — seeing the comparison between Honduras and the United States has highlighted for me the selfish, complacent attitude we in America frequently hold over the mundane aspects of life. Residing in a country with such a high standard of living, we have been spoiled, an attitude about which this trip has lead me to feel convicted.

Second, I have been reminded of the idea of Christian fellowship. The most memorable moment of the week for me occurred on Tuesday, when nearly everyone from the congregation, including elderly people in their 70s, to young children no older than seven, helping us carry sand up the hill, and did so happily. Witnessing this collaborative effort made me remember how essential it is for us all to be more involved with both our churches and community — together we can accomplish greatness.

Finally, I have experienced a renewing of my faith. I thought to myself during the week, “If the people of Honduras can be grateful with so little, how can I not be content?” I have decided to attempt to be filled with the joy of the Lord at all times, regardless of my circumstances.

Our wonderful team!

My trip to Honduras was a life-changing experience, and I am grateful to have been able to work with fellow members of Grace Church helping those in need. As I look to the future, I am considering, based on the recommendation of Victor’s son Issac, returning to a Spanish speaking country to teach English.                                                        

After all, aren't we Christians called to use our gifts to help others? 

In the words of our Honduran brothers and sisters:

“Dios le bendiga!” (God bless you!)

"The Cabin in the Woods" Review

Greetings, Whedonites! Having attended the midnight release, coupled with my body’s general refusal to rest (due to being hyped up on caffeine, candy and unabashed fanboy euphoria) over 22 hours later, I felt the need to compose my thoughts on my favorite aspects of the excellent production that is “The Cabin in the Woods.”



My ticket... to Paradise!



***Be warned mateys, thar’ be spoilers ahead!*** (said in my best pirate voice)

First off, let me say that the plot of the film is the most refreshing take on the horror genre I’ve seen in a long time. I absolutely loved the bait-and-switch of the opening — having the credits roll while images of blood and Satanic rituals cascade down the screen mimics the title sequences of films like “Freddy vs. Jason” and lulls you into thinking “Cabin” will be a standard hack-and-slash.

The audience, expecting the sequence to cut to a group attractive twenty-somethings engaged in some form of debauchery, is instead surprised to see a bunch of run-of-the-mill scientists stressing about their social lives and discussing their work on a vague “project” (Coincidentally, why is it that Amy Acker plays a scientist IN EVERY SINGLE PRODUCTION?! She’s more typecast than Christopher McDonald as “the douche”).

In fact, we aren’t even introduced to our main characters until about five minutes into the movie. Having this unexpected transition lets us know that “Cabin” is playing on a more clever level than your standard horror fair, and immediately grabs your attention because of it.

Throughout the film, Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard skillfully allow us a unique perspective on the events, as we see the two locations — the college kids at the cabin and the scientists manipulating the situation from the bunker — simultaneously. This interplay allows us to become more invested in the plot, as we root for the former group while they slowly uncover the mysterious outside forces and we are on the edge of our seats when the two settings inevitably converge. 

The bunker and the characters of Richard and Steve reminded me of “The Truman Show” and the character of Christof. I thought the casualness of the “Cabin” scientists about the brutal ritual, specifically with the morbid betting pool, echoed “Truman’s” criticism of our culture’s general desensitization, as well as the folly in “playing God” with people’s lives. 





The cast of the film really sells the movie as well. If you’ve seen any horror film, you know that the five main protagonists fulfill certain stereotypes (a plot point which later fills a much larger role), but the performances are all so earnest that they rise above these conventions. I was also specifically made me think of the cast of “Scooby-Doo” with the character’s distinct personalities (which I GUESS would make Jesse Williams a “Rule 63” Velma, and Kristen Connolly a human and much more attractive Scooby, but I digress).

As the main character of Dana, Connolly reminds me of more subdued Felicia Day, both in looks and personality — she’s a shy, compassionate and generally sweet gal. At the start, she’s played as the “straight man” of the group — the level-headed one who only reacts to situations. However, as the film progresses and her friends are offed, she is forced to become more proactive, such as when she saves Holden or unleashes the monsters on the facility, and is an assertive character by the end. Her arc is reminiscent of Sarah Connor from “The Terminator” or Ripley from “Alien” (which is why I think Whedon’s casting of Sigourney Weaver was intentional… and AWESOME!).

I was especially impressed with Chris Hemsworth. Although his “jock” persona fell into the standard traits of being sex-obsessed and arrogant, he truly cared about his friends and was noble and self-sacrificing in his efforts to save them (although I WAS disappointed he didn’t show the goods like in “Thor.” :(

Fran Kranz, as the character of Marty, was absolutely wonderful as the comic relief. He was always my favorite member of the “Dollhouse” cast, so it was especially nice seeing him here with his sarcasm intact, as well as the fact that he unexpectedly returned about three quarters of the way through the movie (Damn you Joss, and your brink-of-death twists! I’ve already conditioned myself to expect characters I love to bite the bullet — my blood pressure can’t take these inconsistencies!).

Whedon and Goodard, already known for their love for the horror genre, pull out all the stops here in their homages. Besides the setup of the first 35-40 minutes, which serves as a direct reference to Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead II,” the later reveal of the underground bunker allows them to do callbacks to countless other scary movies. As a horror hound, I had a blast seeing the nightmarish creatures in the containment areas, and trying to decide which films were being referenced; my personal list included “Hellraiser,” “The Grudge,” “Stephen King’s IT,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Night of the Living Dead,” “Friday the 13th” and “The Howling,” but I’m sure there’re countless others that I missed.

With Whedon’s signature witty dialogue and humorous sensibilities, the entire plot of the movie is structured like a self-aware joke. By having almost every mishap that befalls the protagonists the result of an outside force, the film serves a satire on the “stupid college kids” genre trope. Dana, Jules, Curt, Marty and Holden, unlike their idiotic counterparts in most horror movies, generally make smart decisions in tense situations, a fact which keeps us in the audience from needing to scream at them for their situational stupidity (DON’T DROP THE CAR KEYS! DON’T WEAR HIGH HEELS WHILE RUNNING! DON’T LEAVE THE SAFETY OF THE GROUP TO HAVE SEX IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT! … oops…)

This pic was hard to take- I was performing cartwheels of joy in the lobby:)

In fact, Marty’s warning against the group touching the creepy paraphernalia in the basement harkens back to the character of Randy Meeks from “Scream,” when he discusses the rules for surviving a horror movie. Whedon and Goddard also provide send-ups to other general clichés — I especially liked the scene where the off-putting gas station owner calls the government facility, and the two operators mocked his religious ravings on speaker phone (take that, creepy rednecks!).

Finally, the film has satisfyingly pulse-pounding third act- you really feel that the scientists are getting their just desserts for their actions (and seeing all the different types of monsters in one setting and wreaking havoc just made me positively giddy!). I also liked the end reveal — with Weaver’s monologue, Whedon causes us to question everything that’s transpired in the movie before, and truly question whether “the ends justify the means”.

Overall, “The Cabin in the Woods” is a darkly funny, creative and thought-provoking film, and fans of Whedon’s productions will not be disappointed!

Final Rating: 5 out of 5 Stakes

The "War" on Christmas

The holiday season has been turned into a battle zone. Statements such as “peace on earth” and showing goodwill towards others have been drowned out by controversy, as political pundits, such as Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly, renew the outcry against the “secular media’s censorship” of the word “Christmas” in advertisements and corporate America’s supposed “discrimination” against Christianity.

I am reminded of the scene in the 1966 animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” where the title character is bombarded by the imaginary cacophony of The Who’s musical instruments: “Season’s Greetings” and “Xmas” and “Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!”

By nitpicking over the semantics of advertisers, advocates of the “War on Christmas” are completely missing the true meaning of the holiday.

It is enormously arrogant to assume that all businesses that use the phrase “Happy Holidays” are doing so to distinctly target Christians. America, a “melting pot” nation, is composed of a variety of people groups, languages and worldviews. With the steady increase of religious diversity in the 21^st century, it is wise for companies to attempt to reach the broadest demographic possible.

Furthermore, it is highly offensive when groups demand that businesses advocate Christmas to the exclusion of all other festivities. On Nov. 11, 2009, the American Family Association, also known as AFA, called for a two month boycott of Gap Inc. for “the company’s censorship of the word ‘Christmas.’” In an attempt at appeasement, Gap launched an advertising campaign the following day which featured multicultural dancers singing about Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice, or “whatever holiday you wanukkah.”

However, despite the company respecting their request, the AFA took offense at Gap Inc.’s  new commercial for its “cavalier approach towards Christmas,” specifically “(comparing) Christmas to the pagan holiday called "Solstice”…  which is celebrated by Wiccans who practice witchcraft.”

Not only is the latter statement a broad generalization about an event that has numerous cultural significances, it calls to attention the AFA’s, and “War on Christmas” defenders’, “my way or the highway” mentality when it comes to Christmas observances. The AFA’s response to Gap Inc.’s commercial is akin to a child asking her parents for vanilla flavored ice cream and being dissatisfied when she receives Neapolitan — having exactly what she asked for but being unhappy with the presence of additional material.

Gap Inc. specifically stated that the intention of the new commercial was never to deny the significance of any holiday, but to affirm all celebrations.

"(Gap Inc. has) always been (an) inclusive, accessible (brand)… we embrace diversity across all of our customers, and more importantly respect their beliefs …. We recognize and fully appreciate that many… customers celebrate different holidays around this time… so we (focused) our marketing on the joys of the holiday season as a whole,” Bill Chandler, Vice President of Corporate Communications of Gap Inc., said in an email to USA TODAY.

The campaigns initiated by groups such as the AFA against inclusive advertisers merely amount to strong-arm tactics that attempt to force businesses to practice favoritism. If Christmas advocates truly wanted to restore Christmas as the preeminent holiday, rather than addressing the "problem" of marketing language, they would go attempt to reach the individuals who hold to alternative religious beliefs-- the very people advertisers are trying to reach with their broad commercials in the first place!

Is it unfortunate that some businesses specifically exclude Christmas in their commercials during December? Yes it is, but this fact should not devalue the meaning of the holiday for Christians — spreading joy and hope to others while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Passionate believers would do well to not place so much emphasis on the media’s depiction of the holiday in a market already obsessed with consumerism. Rather, they should remember that what’s on TV does not always reflect their personal beliefs and in no way infringes on their right to celebrate in whatever manner they please. By solely focusing on the material world, it merely proves how shallow and misdirected "War on Christmas" people truly are.

I am once again reminded of the Grinch and the important lesson he learns at the end of the book: “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more…”

“Comedy and Cancer:” How Rogen and Gordon-Levitt take a Humorous Approach to a Serious Subject.

Young people can be very short-sighted about the transience of life —most twentysomethings, the majority of which are healthy and in their prime, do not dwell on the inevitable ending of human existence. How would someone in this age group react when confronted with the prospect of death? The new dramedy “50/50,” seeks to answer this question in a humorous, but thought-provoking manner.

The film tells the story of Adam, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a typical young adult with a comfortable life — a steady job, a fun-loving best friend, played by Seth Rogen, and long-term girlfriend. During a routine checkup, he learns from his doctor that the back pains he has been experiencing are actually the result of a tumor. The movie chronicles both Adam’s personal journey as he undergoes the difficult medical procedures dealing with his disease, such as chemotherapy and dialysis, as well as the ways his loved ones react to the news and their methods of supporting him.

Although a serious subject, Gordon-Levitt and Rogen effectively interject humor into the material. Directed by Jonathan Levine, “50/50” is based on a true story, as Will Reiser, the real-life best friend of Seth Rogen, was also diagnosed with cancer in his twenties and wrote the script based on his experiences. Based on this source material, the interactions in the film feel genuine and the funny situations that arise, such as when Rogen’s character persuades Adam to use his condition as a way to pick up girls, serve as believable interactions between good friends.

Gordon-Levitt carries the entire film, providing an empathetic protagonist who, as the movie progresses, has to face the harsh reality of his own mortality — the movie title refers to the chances Adam’s doctor gives him for a life-threatening operation. As a reviewer with a family experience with cancer, I can say he perfectly captures the emotional turmoil of dealing with the disease, as his reactions range from acceptance, to denial, to anger.  Some of the best dialogue from the movie comes from the exchanges between Adam and Katherine, an inexperienced psychologist who helps Adam as he progresses through the stages of coping as he reflects on the unfairness of his situation.

“[E]veryone has been telling me since the beginning, ‘Oh, you're gonna be okay,’ and ‘Oh, everything's fine,’ and like, it's not... It makes it worse... that no one will just come out and say it. Like, ‘Hey man, you're gonna die,” Adam says to Katherine in one of their sessions.

Cancer is a serious subject, affecting many lives. With its down-to-earth characters and realistic situations, “50/50” provides both a heartfelt and heartbreaking look at the disease and serves as the perfect marriage between emotion and humor. In the words of the famous phrase, “Laughter truly is the best medicine.”

From Humble Beginnings...

This blog is inteneded as another medium by which I may express my love of everything pop culture-related-- movies, books, TV shows, comic books, etc. I will primarily be posting reviews of media I personally view, but may also write opinions on general trends. With my schedule, I will only post sporadically, so hang on my every word!