We made it safely to El Salvador and it is a far cry from where we have been for the last five months. We seem to have traded the lovely gentle peace-filled people of Asia for the exuberant chaos of Latino culture. Perhaps it is because we left a black Thailand mourning the loss of a beloved king that makes the colors of this country so brilliant. Showing emotion in public is offensive in Asia while here it seems to be the essence of life. Do everything with passion or do nothing at all is the unspoken code of these fun lovely people.
This month my team and I are living in the gated compound of the church Más Que Vencedores (translation More than Conquers). The walls keep out the gang violence that surrounds us as well as the wind and any hope of seeing a sunset… But we are safe and sound all snuggly contained within these four walls. An office was converted into a temporary bedroom for the six of us to call home. With three bunkbeds and our backpacks it is a tight fit, but it is comfortable as can be. Opportunity after opportunity arises for us to preach as every other day there is an event going on within the church. We have set up a rotation within our team so as to keep everyone of us on our toes and promote fairness.
For ministry the six of us are escorted to a school where we split into two teams of three. One team of three teaches English as a second Language to the younger students in the school while the other team of three joins the Physical Education Coaches to assist in coaching volleyball. I have loved volleyball for years and thought this would be a breeze for me… As it turns out having never been coached in volleyball myself has been a bit of a handicap for me. Like the students I am trying to coach I would rather not do the learning exercises and just play the game instead, but that is not the proper way to learn. We muddle through and have great fun doing it. The children are the sweetest little munchkins ever. After a good minute of rapid Spanish flying out of their mouthes in my direction they realized I speak about as much Spanish as an American German Shepherd. Now instead of trifling with words they come and give me the biggest hugs ever… I adore them all.
The food in Latin America is absolutely exquisite. Pupusas are the specialty of El Salvador and I can tell you that I have quite fallen in love with these bean and cheese filled tortilla pocket thingies. If you have no idea what I am talking about than pull up Google or Pinterest and find out. You won’t regret it I promise.
On first day off in this country a few friends from the church took us hiking in the mountains surrounding the city of Santa Ana. These mountains which can be scaled in less than an hour by an amateur hiker such as I are nothing in comparison to the treacherous terrain of Nepal. Though they are not as big as those we have seen in Asia they are gorgeous and so full of History. I loved every sun scorching second of that climb. Upon reaching the top we stood together as a mixed family and in English and Spanish prayed to same God for unity and peace in the city below.
It has only been a week since arriving in El Salvador, and already I have found that it is absolutely gorgeous!!!
All for now through the eyes of a storyteller.
