Where to even start? My heart is so broken. Not in a bad way. In the best way possible. This month has meant the world to me. I asked the Lord back in Malaysia to give me the same love and joy I had back in Cambodia. As months went by I just wasn’t getting it. Then this month happened. I got to be honest. This month is tied with Cambodia for favorite spot. When we first got to El Salvador I had a really bad attitude. I thought this month was going to take forever because it was the longest month on the race. Five weeks to be exact where we usually spend three. I was so wrong. It ended up going way too fast for my liking. The first day we went to eat lunch at a bakery that a family that we know owns. It was fantastic! We got a tour of the two schools we had the honor of doing ministry in. We went to church the next day. It was kinda uncomfortable at first. I mean I didn’t understand the message. People were looking at us. We came in late. I actually thought to myself that I wasn’t going to go back. Then the Lord brought siblings who spoke English to talk to us. Allisom and Junior spoke pretty fluent English and they welcomed us and made me feel comfortable. So backstory. The day before when I was at the bakery I saw this guy working behind the counter. The Lord told me that I needed to get to know him because He is going to use the guy for BIG things. I told God no and that’s too uncomfortable for me and that the guy probably doesn’t even speak English so what’s the point? So I said a little prayer and went about my day. Flash forward to church and I look at the worship band and there is a guy who looks familiar. Then it hit me. It was the guy in the bakery! I laughed and thought “You are pretty funny God.” Then I felt my heart being tugged to talk to him but of course I didn’t. All that to say is that the guy is Junior. The Lord decided that since I wasn’t going to make the first move he would ask Junior to. I’m still laughing about it because everything I had told God no about Junior could and did. But anyways I tell you more about him and others later! I went to ministry that Monday exhausted and with a bad attitude. I walk downstairs and it’s flippin hot. I find out I’m cooking.. which those who know me I can only cook about five things. The two ladies, Ester and Silvia, i was with only spoke Spanish and the young man Samuel spoke some English. I was overwhelmed and not sure how the day was going to go. Then all of the sudden things changed. Only from the Lord this happened. I spent the whole day laughing and the heat ended up not being as bad. I could communicate easily with the ladies and guy. During that day the Lord told me that those two ladies were going to be my person for that month. Little did I know that all the people I’m going to mention were my people. So I spent the whole month switching between the school and the church cooking for kids and sometimes teaching English! I can now say that I am a pro at cooking tortillas and many other yummy things! So that’s that part of ministry looked like for me. Now I want to change gears and tell you about each person I absolutely fell in love with! Because I feel like they were part of the reason why I was there that month and was able to pour into while I was being poured into.
Silvia: Silvia cooks food at the church for the older kids. She has three kids! Two girls and one boy. Her and I clicked the moment we met. She always is quick to put a smile on people’s faces. The word when I think about her is free spirit. She is up for an adventure. Even though she may not do the activity she is willing to be there to support and video it all. She is absolutely hilarious. Silvia has a strong love for the Lord. She is very inviting and blessed us by having at her house to cook. Please pray for her and her family. Pray for blessings upon blessings.
Ester: this woman is amazing and so sweet! When I think about her, Motherly comes to mind. She has always been the first one to give me a hug. I’ve watched how she interacts with the youth in the church and she is always there to provide for the kids. Whether it be feeding them, inviting them to her pool, loving on them and many more things! I really felt like I had my momma in El Salvador. She is very giving! She helped teach us hot to make tamales! Please pray for her and her family.
Sigorny: fun fact about Sig! She is a missionary from the states! She is so sweet! I spent a lot of time eating food and going on walks with her! We talked about a lot of different things. When I think about her the word refreshing comes up. I remember there was a day where I was just feeling extremely depressed and went to watch the sunset and ran into her. Her and I ended up having dinner and had a great conversation. My heart was so filled and I felt so refreshed by being around her. Please pray for her as she is being a missionary and teaching kids that aren’t always the easiest. Pray for her as she is around the Spanish culture.
Daniel: He is nineteen years old. Goes to college and volunteers at the church. He teaches bible and computer class. This guy reminds me of one of my uncles. It was kinda difficult getting to know him because he only spoke Spanish. When I think about him the word that comes to mind is joy. There wasn’t a moment where I didn’t see him not smiling, laughing, or even angry. Please pray for him as he is studying and has big plans for his future!
Samuel: Samuel is twenty-four I believe. He also attends college. He is planning on opening his own local business. He also volunteers at the church. He helps cook food and he is in the music ministry. This dude has a great voice! The word I think about when I think about him is caring. I saw how he treated his friend and family. He made sure they knew their worth and showed them love. Please pray for him as opportunities are coming up and for his studies.
Gio: This man! He was our point man. He works at the church and sings in the band. He is in charge of the youth! The word I think about for him is pouring. He is always pouring into someone. He is always checking up on people and his big visions for his ministry. He is always full of joy and made sure to include everyone! Please pray for him as he works for the youth. Pray for his family and for his strength!
Melany: She works at the kinder. She makes food for the little ones. She treats those little ones as her own. We spent hours laughing because she didn’t speak a lick of English and my Spanish is horrible. The word for her is Gracious. She walks in grace and shows Gods grace. Please pray for her and her family.
Yolanda: This woman reminds me of someone I met back in South Africa. She always gave me hugs and joked with me about giving so many hugs. She also works at the kinder. Her son goes there and he is such a cutie! The word that comes to mind for her is strength. I don’t know much about her but I could tell that she is a tough cookie and has had to rely a lot on the Lord for his strength to shine through her. Please pray for her and her family.
Allisom: This girl is full of spunk. She is very soon going to be fifteen. She is hilarious and has a love for the Lord most people that age don’t have. She plays the piano at church and is very talented. She is very fun to be around! She is still young but I can tell that the Lord is going to use her for BIG things! The word for her that comes to mind is independent. This girl believes what she believes and doesn’t let anyone sway her. Please pray for her as she is growing up more and more and just pray for her future plans!
Junior: This kid.. he’s the one I mentioned earlier in my blog. It makes so much sense why the Lord wanted me to get to know him. I absolutely love this kid so much. Him and I are very similar. We grew up with the same background of being homeschooled… which I teased him all the time about. He dreams big. He has the same dream of going to Asia. He is planning on going to Japan and Vietnam. He plays the guitar and sings in the church. He translates for teams.. even though he sometimes doesn’t pronounce the words correctly. He works for his parents at the bakery. He is currently learning Japanese and wants to learn Hebrew. He is on fire for the Lord. He is very bible smart for a sixteen year old. The word that comes to mind for him is passionate. He is so passionate about everything he does or dreams about! The Lord is going to do such big things in his life. How do I know? Because the Lord told me! Please pray for his future plans for Asia and for the rest of his life. That the Lord will put people in his way to minister to and to love on.
So yeah. These are the amazing people I was able to partner with! I already miss them like crazy and can’t wait to see them again! Thank you for taking the time to read this blog!
Blessings,
Victoria Finlay
