Build Day #2

 On Monday, 4 families received new homes. Tuesday, was our second build day, and another four families saw their new homes get built!! Every family and every build day has it's own characteristics and this was no different. We are thankful for the smooth efficiency of the day, which allows us more time to connect with the people in the community and with each other. If laughter is a reliable metric then today was a success. 

It is rare, in our experiences, to find very many husband-wife families. Too often we hear the sad stories of moms being left behind with their children.  However in all 8 families so far, we have encountered a husband and wife together in each home. Some have been together for a short number of years, others have been together for decades. 

More than this, one of the common threads of the four families today, was the intergenerational connections at each home. Three of the four homes were younger couples with small children.  However, they all had a close relationship with their parents.  There was respect, there was mutual care and there was the evidence of honour for the older generation.  The fourth couple were older, having been together over 40 years.  The wife's health is failing (she likely has some form of degenerative muscular disease). Her husband cares for her, and has for many years. He has been unable to find consistent employment because he chooses to be available to care for his wife.  Though they don't appear to have relationship or connection with their children. Sadly, they don't know where they are, which also means their children have neglected to connect and care for them. However, in this absence, and with their need, they speak highly of how their community shares in checking in on them, and taking care of them!

There are always reminders of hard things that exist in this or any community: like the constant threat of women (particularly women who live alone) being victimized, or the reality of having your stuff taken. In fact many of our families sleep outside to protect their building materials until their house is built. 

Oh, we also had a visit from the three police men and an armed military officer.  No, we didn't do anything wrong, nor was there anything unsafe happening around us.  In our conversation they shared, how they heard that we were working in the area and wanted to come by as a means of community service.  They asked how we felt when they showed up, and we replied, that we always feel safe in our communities, in part because of the good work that they do, so when they show up and present themselves like this it further reinforces that sense of safety. They were delighted to hear more of our work, and the change that we see as a result, in the lives of people and in whole communities.   

All in all, it was another well spent day. Despite the heat of the hot sun in a cloudless sky, these families gave us a beautiful picture, a picture that reflects the heart of God, a tangible demonstration of a love for God that is revealed in a love for our neighbour. 

You Get Up at What Time?

After previous trips to El Salvador, I would try and explain to my family what this country was like based on my experiences. I thought I did a good job of describing the city we stay in as well as the communities where we build houses.

This year I was blessed to have my 14 year old daughter (Lily) join me on this trip. I just asked her if my descriptions in past years were close to what she is encountering this week, her response “no, not all”…….She is enjoying the experience and is appreciative of what God is showing her. It’s amazing how trips like these can affect us all differently and how we see God at work in different areas. I think Lily has already used the drill and put in more screws than my last 2 trips combined!

As we get to know the families of the homes we are building, I am constantly encouraged of the love they have for one another. Today we heard from a father who gets up at 4am everyday (along with his sister and mother) to catch the bus at 5am so they can make their shift at the textile plant and they don’t get home until 7pm. Only then does he get to spend time with his wife and child, while very tired. I wish I didn’t need the reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of others to focus less on myself and more of others - but I did. 

Thanks for the prayers and support!

Scott

Nexus vs Immerse

As a participant in both previous trips to El Salvador and the Virtual mission trips (Nexus) over the last few years I could not help but compare them and felt that Nexus was lacking. I guess I felt that the ability to make a personal connection with the family was somehow limited because I could not be present and I could not feel the the same emotions I get being present. I had even questioned the value of Nexus.  Our first day here God showed me those feelings were wrong and that indeed Nexus was fulfilling God purpose the same as the Immerse personal visits.  

Sunday we had the opportunity to visit two of the families that we received homes from our 2020 Nexus mission and Julia has already blogged about one of these homes and the personal connection for her. The other family was a mother of three girls. One of the first questions someone asked was if she recognized any of us from the Nexus chats and she quickly identified several of us. I realized that to her she was going to remember the faces of people God had sent with this great blessing. She went on to describe how meaningful the house has been to her family as she now has to leave her daughters alone every week while she goes into the city to work as a maid at one of the hotels.  Her girls can be left alone and be safe because of the house they received. 

While visiting El Salvador personally is different and may bless the families, the workers, and ourselves in different ways I can witness that God is using both of these methods to bless his people and bring hope to these communities.

Pat