My time here in Honduras has had many ups along with more than a few downs and has taught me not only what real field work is really like, but much about the nature of people, culture, and faith. Let's begin with research. Field work, as anyone who has actually done it will tell you, can be one of the most rewarding and fun aspects of being a scientist. Unfortunately it can also be one of the most aggravating, nail-biting experience in which everything that can go wrong does so spectacularly an you are left wondering at night why anyone in their right mind would let you step foot outside the lab :). Fortunately, my field work has, on the whole, been more of the former than the latter, but it has not been wholly without its difficulties. I remember at one point, near the beginning, we were having a lot of trouble finding turtles and were already two weeks in with only a handful of turtles. During that time I also found out that because of our inability to find turtles outside the marine park, I would be unable to attach time depth recorders and radio tags to any turtles, which was a large component of my study. Needless to say, it was a rough couple of weeks, but gradually things began to turn around as we started to get an idea of the proper places to look for turtles.
Undoubtedly the best part of my research this summer, that I'm sure I will reflect fondly many years from now, is the ridiculous amount of diving I got to do. Everything about diving is incredible. The water, the equipment, being several stories under the sea yet breathing, seeing incredible creatures you've only ever heard about or seen on planet earth; yeah diving is pretty incredible. The turtles as well were (And are) incredible. Spending 15-30 min every day just staring at these incredible creatures (For a total of ~16.5 hours over the entire three months) gave me a deeper appreciation for these gentle reptiles. Sure, I had spent countless hours reading about turtles before I got to Honduras, but simple head knowledge pales in comparison to actually observing these creatures in the wild, seeing how they live, and observing how their very being glorifies the Creator. In addition to swimming with turtles I spent a fair amount of time talking and working with people, some of which were awesome and helpful, and others not so much. As weird as it sounds, my job is really as much about communication as it is about science, for unless you can get people on board with your project and convince them that it is actually worthwhile, your research will never get off the ground. During my time down here I talked to divers, dive shop owners, numerous NGO representatives, Marine Park volunteers, boat captains, village people, tourists, and a whole plethora of other assorted people I can't remember. Sometimes dealing with all these people all the time was a pain, other times a delight (I made a few friends down here I will attempt to keep in touch with after I'm gone), but always a crucial part of my research.
This Friday I gave a presentation summarizing the key findings of my research (Which you'll have to wait for a possible future post to find out, or simple talk to me in person). Finally, after 3 very long months in which I did 138 dives and spent over 100 hours underwater, I actually had reliable, meaningful data I could show to people who were interested (or at least appeared to be interested) in my work. It was a long meeting (4 hours when it should have been 1) but a good presentation and that night I slept soundly.
As I take off on a plane bound for home in a few hours (and yes this post was not finished last night as planned) I want to leave you with an exhortation based off my experiences in Honduras. Treasure the world God has given us, and take care of it as the truly incredible gift that it is. It is not enough to simply assume it will take care of itself, that things will continue always as they have in the past, or some "conservation specialist" will take care of the environment for you. I have seen firsthand in Honduras what happens when environmental stewardship is neglected and forgotten amongst all the other "more important" concerns of life. The results are disastrous and create a world that harms the creatures that call it home, and cannot glorify God in the way it was intended. And before you start ragging on the Hondurans for the deplorable state of their polluted beaches and rivers, you must realize this is not merely a Honduran or Central American problem, but a global one. Yes the symptoms of the sickness may be more visible in this part of the world, but the disease of environmental misuse and wastage are just as alive in the US as Central America. We simply hide it better. All one need do is visit any major city in America (Or minor one for that matter), or the poorer section of town (Environmental degradation is often the worst, I have found, for people who either do not have the money or the necessary knowledge (i.e. environmental education) to take care of the environment), if they want to contest my claim. I do not make these disparaging comments with the purpose of making my readers angry or despondent. No, instead, like any good doctor, I mention the disease so that the patient can hear about the possible treatment. Rather than despair for the state of the natural world, of which I have a deep abiding love, I choose to maintain an optimistic (Though somewhat tempered by reality) view of the environment, for God has not called us to a spirit of despair but of hope. I have done my best this summer to work towards that eventual world in the end times when man, beast, and the environment will exist in perfect relationship giving glory to an infinite loving God, and I can only trust that God has somehow used my feeble efforts to bring him glory.
Adios,
Christian
