After a whirlwind adventure we were both looking forward to staying put for a while… in Santiago, Chile.

Our wonderful friend Scott connected us with a contact in Endeavor, a global nonprofit that transforms emerging countries by supporting High-Impact Entrepreneurs.  One type of support is to match experienced business people with such companies to provide additional needed resources over a period of time.

Based on our skill set, we were matched with an ecotourism/conservation company located in Patagonia.   Jon and I are helping out with financial valuation and accounting work, respectively, in their Santiago office until mid-November.

We reported to work this Monday, and it is true, the transition back has been challenging.  The first few days were a real struggle for us, but I think we’re getting back into the routine of getting up early and seeing the shadows change from the inside of a building.  The employees of the small start-up are very friendly even though they speak little English. 

We’ve rented a small, furnished apartment and have made it our home.   This is a different way of spending the second portion of our Sabbath Year, but we are looking forward to starting a routine in a new city and culture and learning to make it our own, even if for only a short time.   We have a lot of exploring to do.

Starting with my first snowboard experience in the Andes this Saturday.  Wish me luck! 

- joyce

for more info on Endeavor check out www.endeavor.org