A Wrinkle in Time, A Warp in the World.

Hello Again,

I know it's been a while since I've written. My fingers are a bit stiff. What with the magic of jet travel. those first days back in the US, we felt like we'd wandered through C.S. Lewis's wardrobe. It was hard to find any connection with the life we'd just been living. Now and again we have a moment of clear focus on Honduras. I just received a message from a friend who is striving to bring some positive change to the country. He seemed distant from those celebrating the election of the rightist candidate, ( a number of opponents boycotted the election and the former president is still holed up in the Brazilian embassy). I have heard that things are much tougher economically for the country. Opposition radio and press are largely shut down or suffering harassment. I have friends on both sides. If they can talk to me, can they talk to each other? Can a man be a bridge?

We have been back to our apple orchard in Discovery Bay. After several days chopping blackberries and cutting grass, we got together with friends to squeeze cider. It felt like an old harvest festival, ripe apples falling, autumn leaves swirling, and salmon leaping. We made a lot of cider, enough to share with our neighbors up and down West Uncas Road. It wasn't apple pies, but some remarked how it reminded them of how my Mom used to share with everyone the fruit of her trees and her hands. We are still hoping to rent the house, but for now are enjoying having a place in the country.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with 4 refugee friends, a Burmese couple and their baby girl and a young Iraqi man. We skipped the turkey but enjoyed the main part of the holiday, we were thankful for our friends . Thanks, also to lots of leftover free Halloween pumpkins we had plenty of curry pumpkin soup. Later that day I found a message in my e-mail from our friend who has been working as a translator where there has been much violence. We had not heard from him for months and had feared the worst. He is OK! Thank you God!

Both Jane and I have been looking for work. I had been able to get some temporary employment, but finances have been dwindling. I am happy to report that I've found a new job at a nursing home in West Seattle and that I'll be starting next week. One drawback is that the schedule is 4 on 2 off, so my days off will continually be changing. We'll see how it goes.

We look forward to meeting some of you in these next weeks. We have missed you. Though our hands are cold our hearts are warm. God has blessed us, now where and who will we bless? Till later, Gil.