Update!

I can hardly believe that it has been three months since I arrived back to Arlington, VA! It has been awhile since I've posted, so I wanted to send out a little update so that you know that I am alive and kickin'! While being in a time of 'transition' and having more questions than answers can be unsettling, overall, I am doing really well and I feel blessed for all the ways God has been providing. The initial 'cultural shock' of being here has passed (meaning I can walk down the cereal aisle at Giant without getting overwhelmed) but I am still in the process of re-building my life here and figuring out my new niche in DC given my changed perspectives and attitudes.

I spent most of September seeing friends, family and donors and getting set up with a cell phone, health insurance, a temporary place to live etc. In October, I began work (part-time) with Five Talents and have been enjoying meeting with donors, continuing to work on some projects with ECLOF-Peru as well as get to know their other partners' programs through a spiritual transformation project that I am spearheading. My contract with Five Talents is just until the end of the year, so I've been doing a lot of job searching/networking and sending out applications for a full-time job come January 2012. I am hoping to continue to work in the area of entrepreneurship in Latin America; either on a policy/trade level with USAID, Commerce, IADB, World Bank etc. or on a grassroots level with a microfinance organization or NGO working with Latino populations in the DC area.

In addition to re-connecting with friends, one highlight from being back has been connecting with the Latino community here through various hispanic Christian ministries at Harvester Presbyterian, Alexandria Presbyterian, Truro and Casa Chirilagua. This week, I will also be starting to volunteer with the Hispanic Committee of Virginia and will be helping Latino entrepreneurs with their business plans. I can't wait to get involved!

I've been blessed by SO many people here who have helped make my transition a smooth one, but I want to mention a few who have been instrumental helping me re-adapt to DC life: Irene Yung for providing a place for me to stay and being my pop culture re-entry coach, Nina Neubauer for letting me borrow her car, Brad Lips for providing me with parking passes, Aldo Ortega and Marc Wachtenheim for being good friends when I am missing Peru, Julianna Hutchins and Kelley Cantrell for always being there if I need something, my Dad and brother for storing/bringing me my stuff, Suzanne Schultz and McKenzie Butler at Five Talents who have been 'my rock' for the past two years and absolute joys to work with, Bev Halberg for understanding my guy drama and to Sara Ortiz and Katherine Halvorson who just 'get it' because they have been in my shoes in the past. Thank you!

Your names are too numerous to mention here, but I want to extend a special thank you to each of you who have donated to help me during this time of transition. It can be scary to come back and not have a steady paycheck, but a lot of new expenses like health and car insurance and other start-up costs. Your donations have helped to ease my anxiety and really made me feel supported, so thank you!

Just to let you know, as of December 31, 2011, SAMS will no longer be accepting donations on my behalf. If you have any questions about your donations or account with SAMS, please let me know. Thank you to each of you for being so generous in supporting me with your financial donations, encouragement and prayers.