THAT IS TOTALLY THE QUESTION!
With super long, international bus rides with half of our squad, and my first semi-real "squatty-potty" experience, one really has to learn to discern. So I found myself asking these other questions too:
Is this pee going to make or break my day?
Is this pee really necessary?
Should I pay the .25 cents this local woman is requiring to obtain a tiny wad of toilet paper?
Would peeing my pants disturb the 18 other people who have to sit on this bus with me for 8 more hours?
I did bring a funnel, right?…
But after 9 hours of traveling through some pretty barren, but oober beautiful Guatemalan terrain, with bonzai trees {thought those only grew in Africa; shows how much I've yet to learn} and waterfalls and views of mountains and streams and dried up, dusty grass, and road-side food stands, cows butts here and there, and absolutely no hinderance from customs border patrol…
WE MADE IT TO EL SALVADOR!
THAT'S RIGHT, FOLKS:
SUZY HAS ENTERED MONTH 2 OF THE RACE!
We landed in the capitol city of San Salvador, to be exact, which is a city far more "Americanized" than I ever thought i'd see on this trip, {but a good reminder that we're really fine without all of the stores and extras we're accustomed to.} Still, it was a good jumping-off-point, as plans were changed, and our location/ministry was moved to San Vicente, El Salvador, 2 hours outside of the capitol.
God's plan is always best, but it's proven to be a month of more trials and extreme heat {I sweat when I'm just sitting. stationary. not moving at all} and cramped living quarters {6 women in one itsy bitsy room with no windows…I mean, let's talk}. And yet it's also proven to have a LOTof beauty and amazing ministry hosts {JC and Jacky} who have done nothing but love us, cook for us, make us laugh, and provide encouragement as we step into ministry here.
So what have we been doing throughout this first week, you may be asking?
Well, don't say "save the drama for yo' mama" because we can't. And we won't. It's our new middle-name.
It's true: I've had to tap into my dancing skills {somewhich are somewhat decent} and my inner actress {non-existent, in case you were wondering}, and have been performing lots of "dramas" and skits for kids in a local school who are ages 5-16. That's a vast age-range, so we've really had to think and pray about what's relevant to them, what will "meet them where they are" in life, and how the message can really permeate and provoke change in their lives. So far, we've gotten to talk a lot about Jesus and His goodness, share some of our testimonies, and sing worship songs in Spanish {not an easy fete, but i'm getting better}.
{so attentive.}
{totally unattentive.}
{"stick your head in, put your tongue out, and then you shake it all about!", with amanda gettin' funky & Juan on guitar.}
The kids have taken to us pretty well, especially the sweet, little ones, and they are SO adorable when they pray. We've also been doing street evangelism: going out into the community, knocking on doors, breaking down language barriers and just loving and praying for people as they need it, and inviting them to the local church we've been working for. They have multiple services throughout the week, mostly on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so we've let people know about those times and how they can get more involved. We're praying for miracles as they show up and feel God's presence there, and as our 3 teams lead the service {from greeting, to worship, to even preaching the sermons}. We know God is going to show up. It's been good, and it's just going to keep getting better, even when God humbles us as we stick out like foreign sore thumbs.
Mostly, we're just open to what God has for us here, and we know that won't always look cookie-cutter or appealing or be comfortable, for that matter. But as I sweat buckets and get my tan on, I know that Jesus has come before me and paved a way. I'm really grateful for that; He never leaves any of us alone, to our own devices. {And that's a good thing, because my Spanish sucks, but I'm proud to say it's getting better. Thanks, God.}
{naomi, jamming out on her air-guitar. so gnarly. ha!}
{antonio, with his snarky smirk, is often causing trouble. so antonio is also often mopping floors.}
{myself and some of the little ladies.}
And just in case we aren't buds on Facebook {which we really should be}, you may not be aware of how God really buffered our time between ministries by blessing us with a stay in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. I've posted some photos below from our weekend trip of time off between ministries to this world wonder {not really, but it should be}. It was absolutely stunning, breath-taking, and one of the most amazing places i've been yet.
{views from the bus trip as we left. bittersweet.}
{this little guy lived at a mini-pond in our hostel. turtles are my fave. i named him "Donnatello".}
{sitting on the dock of the bay.}
{me in my happy place. so peaceful.}
{my lovely team and i at lunch at La Casa Mundo Hotel. they make a great, fresh smoothie.}
{one of my favorite ladies, casey case and i on the boat.}
Our spirits and bodies were so grateful for the rest.
Finally, check out a video re-cap from our time in our first country of Guatemala, courtesy of my dear friend and amazing co-logistics leader, Nathan Hatton. It's so good to think back on what God has already done, but still stay anxious and excited for what's to come.
In His Love,
Suz
