Month two has come to a close. There are so many good things that came out of the time I spent in El Salvador. I developed closer relationships with my team and the other team we were working with. I was stretched during ministry doing things I had never done before. Things like teaching English, going into hospitals to pray for healing, going door to door in poor communities to pray for the needs of the people and to show them Gods love. I saw things I had never seen before. Things like crowded market places with people who are all trying to sell variations of the same thing, children running around streets made of dirt and rocks with no shoes on, women washing clothes in the river, and God healing people in the hospital.
I experienced many new things throughout the month, I had a chocobanana for the first time and got more ant bites on my body than I ever thought possible. I stood in line at the grocery store for over a half hour. I mopped the floor with a broom that had a cloth over the top of it. Ate some of the best popsicles, got my nose pierced, made pasteles and sold them in the streets. Had little fish bite off the dead skin on my feet, learned how to make Pupusas which is a traditional food in El Salvador, saw 2-4 year olds being served hot coffee at school. Saw people selling random things on every corner and walking around with baskets on their heads yelling out what it was they were selling. I found joy in so many things throughout the month. It was a great experience to live life in a new way and in a new culture.
One of our contacts in El Salvador was named Gustavo. He was my age and full of life. He barely knew any English but was an expert at charades. He was always happy and smiling and telling jokes I barely ever understood. He had a Spanish/ English dictionary that he would take out often and try to communicate with us using it. I laughed so many times being around him with his high intensity and entertaining animation. Gustavo loved to sing. It seemed like he would sing from the time he got up until he went to bed. He would sing in the shower using a cup as a microphone, sing while he cooked, sing just to sing. His joy came from the Lord; it was an encouragement to me to be more joyful. I realized the more often I looked for reasons to be joyful the more often I would be joyful. Being on the World Race requires a good attitude; I didn’t come here expecting everything to be as easy and convenient as my life was at home. Even knowing that sometimes a bad attitude can creep in when things are uncomfortable and I can think about what is difficult or what I don’t like about a situation. Having a bad attitude will not change being uncomfortable but only hinder the joy the Lord wants to fill me with. It is helpful to be surrounded with people who encourage me and help me keep the right perspective. Gustavo seemed very childlike in his outlook on the world. His life hasn’t been easy but he sings for joy daily because of the redemption he has found in Jesus.
Me and Gustavo At the fish pond
Selling pasteles View of the clock tower
El Salvador was a time for new experiences, challenging myself during ministry, and connecting with great people that have a heart to serve God. I left the country feeling blessed and feeling like I am a little closer to understanding how to live a joy filled life.
I am currently in Xenacoj, Guatemala; pronounced (Zen a coh). We are living in a Mayan village helping a ministry which helps orphans and widows. I know this is going to be an awesome month!! Keep my team and I in prayer as each month presents new challenges. I am also in need of raising $2,000 by the end of this month to stay on the field. Prayers are appreciated!!
