I’m finally here! After a total of 39 hours of travel and 4 counties I am here in San Salvador, El Salvador. I have been here for about 10 days now and I love it here. El Salvador is such a beautiful place, filled with people who love the Lord and are willing to follow Him in whatever that means. Before I go on any further about my time here, let me tell you about the journey I had getting here. I left Guatemala on November 2nd, with team Brady (the team I had been serving alongside in Guatemala). We were going to Nicaragua. I had to leave my team to go plan a debrief for the entire squad at the end of the month in there. After about 17 hours of travel and one night in Honduras, I was in Nica. God truly blessed my time there and totally provided us with everything we needed to make this debrief an amazing experience for our squad.
Here are a few things I was able to do while in Nica.
- I got to referee a game of dodgeball for a young life group of at least 70 teens, none of who spoke english (or that were willing to, haha). But it was so much fun.
- I was able to meet Charles (an amazing man of God) and see the ministry God has put him in. You will be hearing more about him and his ministry toward the end of the month.
- I was able to get to know a Christian money changer. His name was Angel, it was amazing to get to hear a small part of his story and see the love that he has for God.
- I got the experience of finding a way to El Salvador with my very very limited amount of spanish. What an experience that was (a very difficult one). God did bless me with a lot of help during that process. and there names were Don, Angel, and a German Girl (unfortunately we never exchanged names).
- I was also able to eat a salad, pasta, beef, rice, and have tea for what was about $2.05.
Let me tell you a little about the country of El Salvador.
El Salvador is very Americanized. A long time ago the country was struggling so America stepped in and provided them with some assistance, because of that they have great healthcare and and a great school system. back in 2001 when the twin towers were hit, El Salvador was one of the first countries to send us help in what looked like 500 of their own soldiers. America has a very good relationship with El Salvador, with is making for what looks like an amazing month.
Here are a few things about my time so far in El Salvador.
- I have had plenty of experiences and it has only been about 10 days. I love it. I am staying in a house again this month. God is continuing to shower my team with His blessings.
- While here I will spend most of my time working with and promoting a ministry called Teen Challenge.
What is Teen Challenge? – Teen Challenge is a ministry that focuses on helping people of ALL ages who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. They take people off the streets and give them a place to stay and food to eat, along with sermons every night.
- I have been able to go there once already and let me say “WOW”. When I first walked in the building it was amazing the presence of the holy spirit. I get to go back tonight, and I am so excited! My team and I will be leading the service again tonight. Please pray that the Holy Spirit continues to move.
- I have put on a skit with my team in a park in front of many people and have been able to talk and pass out brochures about God and Teen Challenge after (video soon, it takes a very long time to upload videos here).
- I have eaten this AMAZING food called pupusas. They are corn tortillas filled with pork, cheese, beens and topped with salsa.
- I have spoken on a radio station that is broadcasted over all of El Salvador and got to tell all about what the World Race is and my time here.
- I have been blessed with being able to stay with a family that has recently been called to do mission work in Brazil, and will be leaving to go in April. It was awesome to be able to pour into them. They are great stewards of what God has given them.
- I have been to the Mayan ruins
- I rode in the back of a truck for 6 hours on my way to San Miguel, to work with a local youth group. This was one of the games we played. It was crazy hard but so much fun. Casey you have got to play this with the youth. It’s easy all you do is link up like so in the picture and then have a finish line and first team there wins!
- I have seen the God’s beauty, and soaked in His love.
That is just a little taste of what this month is going to look like. I am very excited for my time here, and to be able to share this journey with you.
Below there is a kinda awkward video of me casa for the month. Enjoy.
and as always continue to soak in God’s love and sit in His presence. Search Him out daily.
P.S. Just so you know when Carlos wasn’t really Asleep. Watch the video, you’ll see.
