Thoughts

I'm blogging early this year!  Sorry it's taken me so long.  Apparently, all I need is several cups of Pepsi to finally transfer some thoughts to the blog!

Here's some of my thoughts after finishing the 10 houses this week:

- The incredible views and beautiful scenery in this country will never get old. God's creation here is breathtaking.

- Although the truck rides have been hard, trekking through the mountains of El Salvador with tools has been awesome.  We've been fully spent at the end of each day, but does it ever feel good to "labour for The Lord".

- During our hike to the last house today, I was following a 65 year old man who lives in one of the first houses we built this week, at the peak of the mountain.  He was incredibly spry.  The resiliency of these people is amazing, this man in particular stood out to me today.

- Similar to last year, I feel like this trip reminds me how important it is to be a good father and husband.  It's tough to hear the struggles of all the fatherless/husbandless families.  We know this isn't just a problem for the poor in El Salvador.  I was struggling this week; just craving for a story of a family this week that could provide an example of a dedicated father, breaking what seems to be the norm these days.  Tonight Stan told us about one of the men that we've been working alongside this week.  He has taken on the role of father and husband and provider for a widowed mother and her three daughters.  What a blessing it was to hear this story!  We pray that he can become an example to others of a Godly man, a leader in his community.

- I have to admit, I have really enjoyed the fact that we are working in a rural area.  Most of the families we have talked to rent and farm 1 hectare plots of land, producing corn, beans, and sorghum.  (And we've seen plenty of pigs, chickens, cows, and horses roaming the hills!)

- I've really enjoyed getting to know all of our team better through the week.  I enjoy all the late night conversations we get to have, working through this experience with them, having a unique discussions on furthering God's work here in El Salvador.

I hope I've been coherent enough tonight to make some sense!  Time to sleep!

Albert

Breaking new ground

Even though we had several unexpected challenges in the last three days we have completed the building of the 10 homes and yet the work is just beginning. These 10 houses are the actually breaking new ground as we worked in 6 remote villages that have never received homes in the past. While I am deeply moved by the love many of these people have for God even though living in extreme poverty, the sense of community spirit and caring for others outside their family appears to only be starting in these villages.  There is much more needed to continue to encourage the communities to grow in God's love and we leave this work to the local Pastors that have been working with us.  Let us pray for the messages that will be given tomorrow and the ongoing work of these men that this will only be the beginning of a good work in these villages.

It has been a great joy for me to again participate in mission and especially to watch these young men learn and build confidence working with these tools.  On day 1 I had to try repeated times to get one of the men to take the impact driver. The next day every time he saw Tiffany pick up the driver he would immediately take it and complete the work (sorry Tiffany).

Pat

Love- a small word with so much power

I read a phrase before I left that seemed to stick with me and I mulled it around for a while without much meaning until we got here. "Dreams inspired by God (italics are mine), driven by hope, empowered by love, change lives forever." These people have very few if any dreams and very little hope, neither of which I can do anything about, nor can I change lives, but I can love. I felt like God was telling me that these people needed us to show his love to them. I have felt strongly that these people know God loves them, but they needed something tangible. Our presence and the houses are proof to them that God has not forgotten them and does love them. I feel so privileged to be here, Thank you to all who have made it possible for me to come.
Karen