1st Day Build(ing Relationships)

We have two teams of 5 building along side the El Salvadorian people. Both teams built 2 houses today. The first day they are really shy. I tried air guitar, singing ( Day-O), and many “YA BABY! “ to lighten the mood, as they are very shy, and have some fun in the hot weather. 

We sat with the families and got to know them a little better. As we were talking to them I thought about how we are only here for one week. Yet the faces of the families from last year still appear on my mind. We will continue to pray for these families as their faces will be stamped on our minds and hearts as well. I’m sure ours on theirs also. 

Whether in Canada or El Salvador we serve the same God. They pray for us. We pray for them. How cool is that?!

Tim

The Table

 Day one is a period of adjustments. We adjust to time change, temperature change, food change, the adjustments of coming together as a team and the challenge of getting to know 12 families who have been eagerly waiting for this day to come. 

This week we are building in a community called Santo Domingo. It's about 30-40 minutes from our "home" in San Vicente. We can't tell you much about it, but the people were incredibly welcoming! Our van stopped on the street, and we stepped out and under two tents set up on the middle of the street.  No one else was going in or out of the community while we were there. As we walked into the tent there was a long table full of seasonal fruit. 

Following some introductions and "get to know you games" every one, Salvadoran's and Canadians alike could share in the bountiful buffet. Laughter could be heard as we all tried different fruit, noting the textures and tastes of the season.  I'm always reminded in these settings: a table under a tent in some rural community, on a mountainside in El Salvador, that God has prepared this for us. The words of Psalm 23 come to life every time: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

The enemies of hardship, material poverty, hard labour, heart-ache, suffering and loss are no match for the presence of the Lord and the reminders of his blessing. One of the leaders read from Philippians 4:11-13 - they have known what it is have little, but through Christ, they have learned the secret of being content, and are strengthened in that contentment. 

That table also is a reminder that those items that were on there came from the trees that were growing right around us. God provided for them, and they shared His provision with us. In our debrief tonight, the heart of gratitude and the recognition of the provision of God have already had a profound impact on us. 

Which means there are going to still be some adjustments, within, to be made.

Deve

Oh...also, we met this little guy wearing an Upward Basketball shirt (We'll be building a home for his grandma later this week)!!