One Word

As we wrapped up year 9 in El Salvador, each team member was asked to think of a name of a person or a word that would best describe their trip. It's a way of capturing part of what God has been teaching us in a easy to remember way. It's also a way that you can engage our team members, by asking them to share the story behind the name or word they have chosen.

• Tyson - Arjenes 
• Leisha - hope
• Scott - Rulbert 
• Pat - Community
• Silas - Hugo 
• Christine - uncomfortable
• Quinn - devotion
• Karen - similarity 
• Brittany - Gustavo 
• Amanda - determination 
• Deve - hospitality 
• Albert - Pablito 
• Theresa  - Gireli

Ask us about these names or words.
Thanks for your continued prayer, not just for us, but for the community of San Jacinto and the ten families that God has used to impact our lives. May God Bless your destiny. 

Uncomfortable

As it is my first time to El Salvador, I had some reservations.  I expected to be uncomfortable with many aspects of the trip.
I expected to be uncomfortable with the heat.  I have been grateful for shade and breezes.
I expected to be uncomfortable with building houses.  I have been grateful that I was able to contribute a small part to the homes.
I expected to be uncomfortable with sharing a room.  I have been grateful for sharing laughter and conversation with my roommates.
I expected to be uncomfortable with letting my hair go natural.  I have been grateful for compliments on my curls.
I expected to be uncomfortable with the food.  I have been grateful for meals that are quite enjoyable.
I expected to be uncomfortable with leaving my family behind.  I have been grateful for a husband who is willing to do whatever it takes for me to be here.
I expected to be uncomfortable with the cattle truck rides.  I have been grateful for many smooth roads and time to enjoy God's creation.
I expected to be uncomfortable with the Spanish language.  I have been grateful for translators.
Those who have been to El Salvador in the past would say that I have had an easy week.  It has been easy to find the good, to be grateful, despite being uncomfortable.  It has been worthwhile.  There are 10 families that received keys to their homes today.  Ten families that received Bibles today.  Ten families that heard about God's love for them.
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10
I expected to be uncomfortable with sharing my thoughts on this blog.  I am grateful that you are interested in what is happening with our team and in El Salvador.
-Christine

Everyone Likes A Good Horse Story....Right?

On Wednesday we had our last interview for the week. We were introduced to Juan and Vilma. A couple that had three girls and another on the way. Juan was orphaned at two years of age. His parents were killed by the gangs. He didn't share details of  how his life was growing up, except that it was very difficult. He wanted to share with us that he was a very hard worker and he worked very hard to care for his wife and girls.  He wakes up at three in the morning and milks 56 cows by hand every day. He was wanting to make sure he had enough money to care for his growing family so he got another job farming. Juan also wanted us to know about his hobby. He loved to ride and train horses. He owned five, each one had been named. He wanted to make sure we knew that he treated them kindly, also that a horse could be your companion. I was a little excited to hear this, I didn't expect to hear that someone here in El Salvador had the same horse philosophy as me. It seems to me that from observation over the years, animals here are either a source of income, a useful tool or just a nuisance. So I was pleasantly surprised that he viewed his horses as a source of pleasure.

From previous trips to El Salvador, I have noticed their horses here and have had questions about their care and how it would be different from how I care for mine at home. I was able to ask him some of the questions I had been curious about. He was interested in what our hobbies were as well and asked each of us to share ours.

It was nice to see this couple not just surviving but enjoying some pleasures in life.We haven't seen much of that in the past, I don't know if that is just something unique to this couple or this village or if hope is spreading and the people here are discovering some of their passions. I like to believe the later.

Karen

Thursday's Lunch

There is much more to write about Thursday's visit to the small city of Victoria in the North East corner of El Salvador. For now, here's a view from our lunch spot, where we looked out on the Rio Lempa and across into the mountain ranges of Honduras. The breath-taking beauty is inspiring; a reminder that echoes the words of the Psalmist, "O Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!...When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers..." (Psalm 8).