Saturday August 30
Today was a FANTASTIC AMAZING day that we got to spend with great friends before saying goodbye for the next year. We had time for shopping at a local market and then several hours at the beach. To top off the day we had a beautiful and meaningful baptism service for Vanessa, Jessica, Bethany, Gaby, Carla and Kim. Jessica had the amazing opportunity to baptize a very good friend (Gaby) who I've gotten to know over the past 2 weeks.
It's always hard to say goodbye but we're already excited for next year's trip. We have had Stefani stay with us for the past week so we had the chance to get to know her better. We also had more time to spend with Carla and Abby this year so it was a lot of fun even though it makes it harder to leave them behind.
We had dinner at Tony Roma's tonight and a LOT of pictures taken throughout the day. The entire team is so thankful that we all had this amazing opportunity to come to El Salvador. God provided for all our needs and took care of us through every adventure we had. Thank you to everyone who was praying for us back at home and around the world. Our prayer is that you would be as blessed as we were through all the prayers said on our behalf.
Thank you God for the way You met our needs even before we were aware of them ourselves. Please help us to be good stewards of everything You give to us and may we always keep You in front of us no matter where we go.
This post was written by Jess and Kim
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Mixed emotions
Friday August 29
Today was our last work day. We have a full day left here but we will be doing some shopping and sight-seeing so today was the last time we would meet early, go to a school and give our talks and hand out salvation bracelets. The morning was great. The kids were attentive to what we were saying and plenty of "photo ops" (opportunities for pictures) were there. We had the 3 sisters from Agularies with us for lunch; Stefani, Carla, and Abby are such amazing young ladies; they bless us every time we see them.
Then we went back to the school to give our final talks. Such a great time was had by all and we discovered more about each other even at this late date; who knew how many of our team had an overdeveloped sense of being ticklish?
On the advice of Vanessa, we went to a Mexican restaurant called El Zocalo and had a really great meal. It has become clear that in addition to Vanessa's other talents, she is a great restaurant critic. Whenever we need a different place to eat she always has a fantastic suggestion that everyone loves.
Today was our last work day. We have a full day left here but we will be doing some shopping and sight-seeing so today was the last time we would meet early, go to a school and give our talks and hand out salvation bracelets. The morning was great. The kids were attentive to what we were saying and plenty of "photo ops" (opportunities for pictures) were there. We had the 3 sisters from Agularies with us for lunch; Stefani, Carla, and Abby are such amazing young ladies; they bless us every time we see them.
Then we went back to the school to give our final talks. Such a great time was had by all and we discovered more about each other even at this late date; who knew how many of our team had an overdeveloped sense of being ticklish?
On the advice of Vanessa, we went to a Mexican restaurant called El Zocalo and had a really great meal. It has become clear that in addition to Vanessa's other talents, she is a great restaurant critic. Whenever we need a different place to eat she always has a fantastic suggestion that everyone loves.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Climb every mountain part 2
Thursday August 28
Today was an amazing day. We started off at a school near Tepecoyo where we had another climb to get to the classrooms. A few of us had sore throats so we could barely talk but the kids still heard the message we had thanks to the translator.
Then we went to a mall to have lunch and had coffee at a really great coffee shop...the owner was in a competition and was rated third best in the world.
Then we went to an orphanage where it is more like a big family because the kids are treated in a family atmosphere-like setting. We had a lot of fun with the kids, singing, doing salvation bracelets, and friendship bracelets and talking to the kids in English. We had a lot of fun and had dinner with the children and their leaders.
Today was an amazing day. We started off at a school near Tepecoyo where we had another climb to get to the classrooms. A few of us had sore throats so we could barely talk but the kids still heard the message we had thanks to the translator.
Then we went to a mall to have lunch and had coffee at a really great coffee shop...the owner was in a competition and was rated third best in the world.
Then we went to an orphanage where it is more like a big family because the kids are treated in a family atmosphere-like setting. We had a lot of fun with the kids, singing, doing salvation bracelets, and friendship bracelets and talking to the kids in English. We had a lot of fun and had dinner with the children and their leaders.
Wednesday August 27
Our entire team would be unanimous in saying that today was a GREAT day. There was shopping, connecting with friends here in El Salvador, and a young adult study that was very moving.
Natasha spent the day with her sponsor girls through World Vision and had a marvelous time. It had been 2 years since Natasha had seen Marianela and Noelia so it was a great time of catching up and having fun. The rest of the team went shopping at the Gallerias mall. This mall was built around a house and 1 floor of the house was built into a Starbucks. Vanessa described this Starbucks as the most beautiful one she had ever seen and, being the world travellor that she is, I am inclined to believe her. There were a few of us excited about going to the book store (I know, we're a bunch of geeks) since there were some books in English there.
We went to Agularies for the Wednesday afternoon service there and it was a great time of singing and Allan's testimony about a couple of miracles in his life.
Then it was back to the hotel for supper and a young adult Bible study led by Miguel and another lady from El Salvador. There was a great turnout; again we were expecting around 10-12 people but all those people invited a friend so there were 30 people. We moved the study into a salon here at the hotel since we had some space issues. It was a great time of singing and asking questions and hearing Allan speak again about a summary of what we talk about in the schools. The Latin America director for Youth for Christ was here so she, Myra, also talked at the meeting and answered questions from the young adults about the purpose of YFC.
We are all very thankful that with all of the challenges we have faced during this trip we had a day that we could honestly say was a day full of blessings.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Life is a highway
Tuesday August 26
Today we went to a school in Agularies and immediately upon arriving the kids swarmed around us. The returning team members were recognized but the first-timers were also welcomed. Having enough translators for three groups helped a lot since everyone would have a good time to talk or have their say in the classrooms. We loved seeing Carla and Abby in their class and having their sister Stefani in one of the groups; Stefani sang with Vanessa and Kim and we found out her new favorite song is also 10,000 Reasons- just like several of us from Canada.
When we were on our way back to San Salvador the van broke down. There were a lot of anxieties and nerves showing because we weren't in the best area and the sun was setting soon. While all of us with the exception of David got on a bus for 2 stops and waited at a gas station, David got the van up the hill until it finally stopped working altogether. A lot of prayers were being said, however, and God provided for all our needs. The van stopped in front of a pastor's house and so the pastor turned on all the lights in the house, called some friends and so there were always people surrounding him and protecting David, the van, and all the contents. We eventually made it back to the hotel and we all thanked God for taking care of us during this adventure.
Today we went to a school in Agularies and immediately upon arriving the kids swarmed around us. The returning team members were recognized but the first-timers were also welcomed. Having enough translators for three groups helped a lot since everyone would have a good time to talk or have their say in the classrooms. We loved seeing Carla and Abby in their class and having their sister Stefani in one of the groups; Stefani sang with Vanessa and Kim and we found out her new favorite song is also 10,000 Reasons- just like several of us from Canada.
When we were on our way back to San Salvador the van broke down. There were a lot of anxieties and nerves showing because we weren't in the best area and the sun was setting soon. While all of us with the exception of David got on a bus for 2 stops and waited at a gas station, David got the van up the hill until it finally stopped working altogether. A lot of prayers were being said, however, and God provided for all our needs. The van stopped in front of a pastor's house and so the pastor turned on all the lights in the house, called some friends and so there were always people surrounding him and protecting David, the van, and all the contents. We eventually made it back to the hotel and we all thanked God for taking care of us during this adventure.
Climb every mountain
Monday August 25
Today we were at a public school near Santa Ana. The school is built on the side of a mountain (or a hill depending upon your perspective). The classes we went to were all at the top of the school so we had a steep climb in the morning and again after lunch. But the whole team felt we had had a good day since we were allowed to mention God during the recesses because the children were able to walk away. But when we brought out the salvation bracelets all the children stayed and learned what each color meant. We have always explained what each color represents and then the child has to say it back to us.
The classrooms all have a lot of students; most of the time there are 50 students to 1 teacher. There are also a lot of rules including the fact that we couldn't talk about God except in relation to our own lives. Even though we were somewhat limited in what we could say and we only had 1 translator Pastor Jorge spoke for the group with Vanessa, Debbie and Kim and all of us clearly heard him mention God; although in what context none of us could say. But since we were allowed to sing that's what we did and each time the children clapped for us and listened sometimes more carefully than at the Christian schools. I believe that it is possible that we were able to plant some seeds that with God's help will be nurtured and could only be the beginning of a journey towards God.
Today we were at a public school near Santa Ana. The school is built on the side of a mountain (or a hill depending upon your perspective). The classes we went to were all at the top of the school so we had a steep climb in the morning and again after lunch. But the whole team felt we had had a good day since we were allowed to mention God during the recesses because the children were able to walk away. But when we brought out the salvation bracelets all the children stayed and learned what each color meant. We have always explained what each color represents and then the child has to say it back to us.
The classrooms all have a lot of students; most of the time there are 50 students to 1 teacher. There are also a lot of rules including the fact that we couldn't talk about God except in relation to our own lives. Even though we were somewhat limited in what we could say and we only had 1 translator Pastor Jorge spoke for the group with Vanessa, Debbie and Kim and all of us clearly heard him mention God; although in what context none of us could say. But since we were allowed to sing that's what we did and each time the children clapped for us and listened sometimes more carefully than at the Christian schools. I believe that it is possible that we were able to plant some seeds that with God's help will be nurtured and could only be the beginning of a journey towards God.
Sunday August 24
Today we had a wonderful day in the churches at Agularies and Santa Ana. It was very emotional at Santa Ana since this would likely be the last time we see the people there on this trip. Vanessa sang with Aaron and Carlos again even though she had a cold; but her voice carried through and it is always heart-warming to hear her sing. The entire team was asked to stand and we were prayed for in our future endeavors. Allan spoke and referred back to yesterday's amazing day with the kids from the community of Santa Ana and challenged the church to keep in touch and bring the youth into the church. It is the responsibility of everyone and not just the pastor or youth pastor. Then we went to Agularies where we were so early early, the pastor arrived just after we got there! We had another great service with Allan issuing a challenge to draw in the children and the youth in the community and for the mothers of the church to pray for their children.
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