The first day is always the hardest day. It is so hot. Hotter than you can even anticipate. We are not building so their is little physical effort, but it is challenging. A lot of times I found myself wondering how I got here. Riding on the back of the truck, careening down the streets teeming with activity, I at once feel completely at home and somewhat in shock of my surroundings. We visited the people we will build for today. That is always a treat. I try to make immediate contact. A touch on the arm, a smile, a hug. It is never unwelcome. The moment I lay my hand on their arm they grasp at mine. We share something. They know they are valuable and I know they are valuable. I see them. Do we not all long to be seen? To be known? To at least feel someone else cares?

One house we are building will be for a mother and her 5 children. When asked where her husband was she was overcome with emotion telling us that he passed away a year ago. Her pain became our pain as we listened and tried to convey our sypathy. A hug did not seem to suffice. The extra squeeze on her arm did not appease my desire to talk with her, weep with her. It was hard. I trust that the holy spirit whispered our prayers into her heart and offered a measure of comfort.

We had the honor to pray with a family whose daughter is in the hospital with severe, life threatening burns. To be able to share prayers, and tears with this family was a gift from the Lord. Our hearts were joined in sorrow and hope, and though there was little else to do it was enough.

Oh how mighty is our Lord. His heart is all consuming.

Joy and Joe

lessons

Today, as well as being able to see our building locations for this year, we got to revisit some of the houses that our team has built in the past. One of the families told us how they had to pray and trust God to even get the little corner of a field to build on which was an incredible blessing that they're still very happy about. It shows me how we forget the good stuff so quickly and focus mostly our dissapointments and don't appreciate the blessings God has given us. Another place we visited with a few houses our team built last year had really taken good care of their place; planting beautiful gardens and had a hanging plant made from wire lined with a garbage bag and a pet bird in a cage made from chicken wire. Then just up the road was another house with a few people there. As we got there they were talking to us and Carlos, our translator, wasn't quite there yet so we weren't quite sure what they were saying but it didn't seem to make sense and concerned us with the knife one of them was holding. We soon realized it was because the armadillo that was sitting out was caught last night and is supper tonight for them. So we were treated with a lesson in how to gut and prepare an armadillo for cooking. Surprisingly I found it rather fascinating and exciting to watch.
Heather
ps his little tongue was sticking out :P

Red Light---Green Light

Sunday night, when asked my initial thoughts on our journey thus far, I was at a loss for words. Not because of having nothing to say, but more the not knowing how I should express in words what I see with my eyes and and feel in my heart. For some reason, from the moment I stepped off the plane, to this very moment, I have felt a very real sense of familiarity with my surroundings. Is it because I've seen lots of pictures in the past couple years from the other teams, or is it the similarities I see in the landscape and in the peoples' faces that I saw in Bolivia a few years ago, or is it just that sense of recalling a passion for missions that I had experienced in Bible college? Perhaps, it is a little bit everything and maybe it's something that just hasn't happened yet. That's what keeps me on edge.

Reversing roles at the customs/immigration counter was enlightening. Knowing only 2 or 3 words in Spanish, the young man filled in all the blanks for me as I kept smiling and nodding my head at his questions. Then, when the interview was done, he said, "Welcome to El Salvador". How many people had I had the patience for over the past 15 years, and told them "Welcome to Canada"? Not many. Humbling experience number one. The red light green light experience is alive and well in El Salvador just like I had heard about Mexico from my friends and family! I got the green light! While waiting for our transportation to arrive at the airport, an armoured vehicle slowly drives by, with a young soldier perched on top in full camo at "the ready"! I assumed he wasn't looking for bear or deer; and I sure hoped he wasn't looking for any 'gringos' either! Humbling experience #2; meeting single moms who have multiple children to care for and number one on their list is trying to make sure that they are fed. Wow! Just thinking of all that money spent on travel hockey for Jared almost seemed like insanity. Through IJM I've already begun to realize that the number one job of most marginalized persons in developing countries is just to survive. Could I not work, and provide a home for my kid(s)? Would my family be there to help me? Would I still trust in God for everything, if I had nothing? It's pretty easy sitting in a padded pew telling the the Lord and others how much I care, while being surrounded by all the comforts that the North American lifestyle tells me I should have and which I deserve. However, it is very heartening listening to the stories of these folks that we will be building houses for. They are very good teachers.

Tracy