I used to think that 9:00am was early, but I've been waking up at 6:30 every day this month to the sounds of a local bread salesman parking his car outside my bedroom window so he can attract business by setting off his car alarm while relentlessly honking his horn like a madman. Keep that mental image, and introduce it to “the Tamale Lady” who walks down the street repeatedly bellowing “TA-MAA-LEEEEE” at the top of her lungs in an effort to be heard over the breadman. Ok, good: you’re mental image is building, but it lacks the finishing touch of some of the most obnoxious roosters you’ve ever heard, tastefully out of harmony with the barking of the neighborhood dogs. Ahh yes… music to my ears.
Debrief
We spent our first week in El Salvador on the beach in El Sunzal, where we held our month one debrief. We bonded as a squad by reviewing our first month, surfing on a beautiful beach, competing in a sand sculpting competition, and just chilling. As one of the people who helped coordinate debrief, I had my doubts about the cold showers and lack of air conditioning (debriefs are supposed to be a relaxing break from the standard World Race living conditions), but debrief turned out to be a huge success as everyone had a great time. Whew, what a relief.
Ministry
Our ministries here in San Vicente, El Salvador have included praying for hospital patients, door to door evangelism, and sharing our testimonies with students at local schools. (A “testimony” is basically just someone’s life-story that shows what God has done in that person’s life.)
Testimony
I’ve thought about my testimony before, but I’ve never had to formally share it with anyone before this month. Needless to say, I put a lot of thought into mine, and came to some new realizations. As someone who grew up in a Christian bubble, it was easy for me to have faith since everyone else around me was also a believer. When I graduated high school, I left that environment, and for some reason it became much harder to maintain that faith. I began to have lots of doubts, and couldn’t seem to find any answers that couldn’t be argued with. I still don’t have answers that can’t be argued with (I don’t think anyone does), but that time motivated me to do lots of research and discover why I believe what I believe. As Romans 8:28 says, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” and that’s something that God has done in my life: He takes my times of doubt & confusion, and uses them to bring about clarity.
