A Week to Remember

As our time in El Salvador is coming to an end I thought I would share a couple stories and some things that this trip has taught me. But first, I would like to share what it has not taught me- which is to drive. Whether it's passing a vehicle coming up to a curve, passing on the shoulder of the road, passing on a double line coming up to a hill, not stopping for stop signs, and even carrying cows in the back of a pickup truck down the road, they do it all.  I learned quickly not to take any driving tips from the drivers of El Salvador (or maybe I should).

What I have learned about being on this team is to appreciate everyone's differences. Some people might be good at building, talking to the locals, playing with the kids, or talking in front of  big crowds, but what makes a phenomenal, united team is all these things flowing cohesively together.

Personally, one of my favourite activities was playing with the local kids. Teaching them how to throw a frisbee is definitely one of the highlights of my week. The kids would also tap me on the arm, motion for me to bend down, and then whisper in my ear, something in Spanish which I could not understand. One time a little boy, named Christopher, tapped me on the arm. Expecting him to whisper something in my ear, I bent down. Instead of whispering something, he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug. It was a neat experience to play with the kids, one I will never forget.

One thing I have noticed is the lack of education, not because of the individual, but because of the lack of opportunity. While we were interviewing one of the women that we built a house for she mentioned that she went to a church named Acts 4:32. Curiously, my mom asked her if she knew the verse. Her reply was what shocked me. She said, "I do not know the verse because I do not know how to read or write".

It has been one of the longest and shortest weeks of my life. It has been the longest because of all the stories, experiences, friendships, and opportunities I have been blessed to take part in. It has been the shortest because it is already finished and I will miss it more than words can describe, for this is a week that I will always remember.

There are many more stories and experiences that I would love to share with you. If you would like to hear more, I would gladly take the opportunity to talk about it.

Silas