En route: Pennsylvania

We made several stops on our way home from Bolivia. The first was in Akron, PA at MCC headquarters. There we got some sleep after a long trip, tied up some logistical loose ends, and also got to introduce our Anna to Ramont's folks, who drove up from Harrisonburg (and very, very helpfully lent us their car). Another highlight was to visit Lynn and Laurie Longenecker and family in Lancaster. Four years ago we met them at MCC orientation in Akron, flew on the same flight with them to Bolivia, and came to appreciate and immensely enjoy our times with them - including a Christmas in Charagua. How great to see them in their U.S. life, and also to have the most flavorful and fresh meal in their back yard (photo above).

 

Maria Longenecker was a great hostess for (a sometimes unwilling) Jonathan.

We then attended a "re-entry" retreat for workers returning from assignments with MCC, Mennonite Mission Network, Eastern Mennonite Missions, and Virginia Mennonite Missions. It was held at the Black Rock retreat center, not far from Lancaster. The place as uber-air conditioned, which felt both ridiculously cold and nice - nice because it was steamy outside. This photo of Anna is hazy not because it was a warm and fuzzy moment, but because the camera lens had condensation on it. We were waiting to go swimming with the kids, which they both liked a lot.

Several reactions to the retreat.
- It was enjoyable, restful (except for the nights), and the food was incredible.

- It was fascinating to observe how "missionaries" and "development workers" view the world and their roles in sometimes similar, often different ways.

- It was grand to re-connect with a whole group of other Bolivia MCCers with whom we overlapped in the last years.

- It was probably too early to attend this event, as we were so busy snarfing down tasty, rich North American foods that we hadn't yet begun to process some of the bigger issues.

Altogether, we're grateful that MCC offers this for returning workers and that we had the opportunity to attend. Below is a photo of most of the group from a worship service on the last day.