December 1st

I've only been here for 4 days now and words cant even describe this experience. You wonder and ask yourself.. Why would these people go to these places? Why would they go to one of the most dangerous places in the world and leave their lives behind to build families homes. Well.. I can officially say I know. It takes a brave and courageous human being to do such a thing and I am lucky enough to have 14 right here beside me. Changing somebodies life is breathtaking and knowing what these people do day to day just to survive is absolutely astonishing. No matter what lies infront of you there is always an answer.  

-Shea 

Children of El Salvador

Today we were at a village building a home for a family of 5  A single mother and 4 children.   It was the oldest child probably 12 years old that touched my heart.  She asked her mother if when the people from Canada come will they build us a home and the mother said no they won't I have been too sinful but the little girl began to pray every night.  Then the mother said 2 weeks ago we were contacted and told we were going to receive a house. When asked the mother says she now believes. We told her once you believe in Jesus nothing you can do can make God love you more and nothing you can do can make God love you less God forgives your sins do you beleive this and she said yes she did.  Then the mother told us the little girl (Emily is her name) stayed up until midnight every night clearing off the land so that we could build the house.  A child of faith in that home a child of El Salvador such a precious little girl with the faith of a giant.  It was a rewarding day today thank you Father God for this opportunity .  
        Twyla

It's not all about me!

Today we head out to our first build sight, which was probably a 30-45 minute hike down the mountainside, after a two hour cattle truck ride from our hotel to the community.  And those of you who know me, probably know that given the choice, I will take the easy way out.  When we were getting ready to begin the hike, I was given the opportunity to ride a horse down the mountain side. Aside from being a really awesome experience, I did it because I didn't want to do the hike.  So we made our way down the mountain side, Tiffany and Julia along with me.  Finally we reached the build sight.  I was so grateful for these horses, and the young men who walked beside us, because we made it there without breaking a sweat or physical strain.

As we finished building the house, I was once again offered to ride the horse back up the mountain.  And knowing the struggle I had last year with the hike, I was very tempted to say yes.  But something inside me changed.  I don't know what, and I don't know why.  Perhaps it was watching all the young men and women working so hard building the house, after many had already been up and down the mountain 3 or 4 times, and went to work in their field at the crack of dawn. I opted to hike back up the mountain, about an hour hike maybe a little longer. I even turned down the offer to have my back pack be carried up for me.  If I was going to climb up the mountain, I was going to climb up the mountain on my own.  Even if it meant taking extra stops and water breaks along the way.

I am proud of myself for pushing through, despite how exhausted I was afterward.  It made the experience of building the houses so much richer.  Giving my all in helping these families who spend weeks and months giving their all preparing their land is a very humbling experience.

God wanted to show me something while I am here in El Salvador, and here's what it is...

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME!

                                                                                                                      -Britt