Buenos!
I never thought that I would be going to yet another country….to El Salvador, but that’s exactly what I did for four days. We left on Monday and stayed until Thursday at this beautiful house that Elizabeth’s cousin owns. It had many rooms, but Hannah, Katy, Cheryl Leigh and I all stayed in one room. It was upstairs and had a balcony that overlooked the pool. From this balcony we had the most amazing view. Trees and mountains everywhere except to the right, where we saw the ocean. We were close enough to hear the roar of the crashing waves and see the tiki hut that the surfers stay in. There is a beautiful tree in El Salvador which has bright red flowers that bloom on it so every once in a while in the midst of green covered mountains we would see a patch of fiery red beauty. The purpose of this trip was just for vacation for the Allan family. They are constantly working and taking care of so many people and they needed a break- aren’t we lucky? The interns did do some work though. We were responsible for the cleaning of the house and most of the cooking. We also wrote some blogs for Tom and wrote thank you letters for people who have so generously given money to the ministry. The first night we even had to do some data entry so a group can bring medicine into the country for the medical clinics. It was interesting to see some of the administrative aspects that go into being a missionary. We got to swim in the pool a lot and see a little bit of the market in the city. We went to the beach twice; the second time Hannah took a surfing lesson! The sand is all black there and there are so many rocks that are scattered on the shore and in the water. The first time we went everyone ended up bleeding from the rocks. The waves are so strong down there and they beat us up! But then again, we were playing in waves that people next to us were surfing! Haha It is a big surfing area down there so we actually saw a good amount of gringos, probably Americans. We also got to climb these huge rocks that were in the ocean. I felt like the little mermaid because we’re sitting on rocks in the middle of the ocean and the waves are crashing against them and spraying thirty feet into the air. Do you know what I’m talking about? It was great. The biggest rock we never got to. When I say rock I mean a small island that is a solid rock. It’s huge. And it’s also covered with crabs! I was amazed at how many were covering the side of it and they were completely unphased by the waves crashing against them. We never got to go to San Salvador like we had planned to. It is the capital of the country and has some great markets like we have in Antigua. But I heard it’s a lot bigger. I was hoping to be able to get something from there, but I have nothing. Not even a stamp in my passport. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua are considered one country when you are going between them, so no stamp, except in Guatemala. I now have 3 stamps from this country…so strange. I did have to get out and have my temperature taken before going into El Salvador since I am an American. They were afraid we had swine flu. So here is all six of us with thermometers under our arms while tons of natives are staring at us and asking us our age. It was quite the experience. We had a lot of fun, but I must admit that I was kinda ready to be back at the ministry house. I really like it here and I missed it some. It’s my home away from home. I do miss Alabama so much, but I’m trying to keep reminding myself that God has a great purpose for us down here. He didn’t send us here to be exiled, but to bless other people and be blessed. Hannah and I have about 5 more weeks to complete the job that God has for us.
Today we had a team arrive from Georgia. There are six of them, 4 girls and 2 guys. They are great let me tell you. Immediately I took a liking to them. They are God’s children and they are here to do His work, what is better than that? We are going to be doing a lot of construction as well as all the other ministry activities. Jesus is really going to be giving us his strength because I don’t know how else we could be doing all of this stuff without passing out! Pray for this group that they are able to fulfill God’s purpose for them while they are here for a week. Pray for all of our strength and that we will listen to God’s voice and obey what He tells us. I miss everyone and I’m praying for you too! Dios le bendiga!
I never thought that I would be going to yet another country….to El Salvador, but that’s exactly what I did for four days. We left on Monday and stayed until Thursday at this beautiful house that Elizabeth’s cousin owns. It had many rooms, but Hannah, Katy, Cheryl Leigh and I all stayed in one room. It was upstairs and had a balcony that overlooked the pool. From this balcony we had the most amazing view. Trees and mountains everywhere except to the right, where we saw the ocean. We were close enough to hear the roar of the crashing waves and see the tiki hut that the surfers stay in. There is a beautiful tree in El Salvador which has bright red flowers that bloom on it so every once in a while in the midst of green covered mountains we would see a patch of fiery red beauty. The purpose of this trip was just for vacation for the Allan family. They are constantly working and taking care of so many people and they needed a break- aren’t we lucky? The interns did do some work though. We were responsible for the cleaning of the house and most of the cooking. We also wrote some blogs for Tom and wrote thank you letters for people who have so generously given money to the ministry. The first night we even had to do some data entry so a group can bring medicine into the country for the medical clinics. It was interesting to see some of the administrative aspects that go into being a missionary. We got to swim in the pool a lot and see a little bit of the market in the city. We went to the beach twice; the second time Hannah took a surfing lesson! The sand is all black there and there are so many rocks that are scattered on the shore and in the water. The first time we went everyone ended up bleeding from the rocks. The waves are so strong down there and they beat us up! But then again, we were playing in waves that people next to us were surfing! Haha It is a big surfing area down there so we actually saw a good amount of gringos, probably Americans. We also got to climb these huge rocks that were in the ocean. I felt like the little mermaid because we’re sitting on rocks in the middle of the ocean and the waves are crashing against them and spraying thirty feet into the air. Do you know what I’m talking about? It was great. The biggest rock we never got to. When I say rock I mean a small island that is a solid rock. It’s huge. And it’s also covered with crabs! I was amazed at how many were covering the side of it and they were completely unphased by the waves crashing against them. We never got to go to San Salvador like we had planned to. It is the capital of the country and has some great markets like we have in Antigua. But I heard it’s a lot bigger. I was hoping to be able to get something from there, but I have nothing. Not even a stamp in my passport. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua are considered one country when you are going between them, so no stamp, except in Guatemala. I now have 3 stamps from this country…so strange. I did have to get out and have my temperature taken before going into El Salvador since I am an American. They were afraid we had swine flu. So here is all six of us with thermometers under our arms while tons of natives are staring at us and asking us our age. It was quite the experience. We had a lot of fun, but I must admit that I was kinda ready to be back at the ministry house. I really like it here and I missed it some. It’s my home away from home. I do miss Alabama so much, but I’m trying to keep reminding myself that God has a great purpose for us down here. He didn’t send us here to be exiled, but to bless other people and be blessed. Hannah and I have about 5 more weeks to complete the job that God has for us.
Today we had a team arrive from Georgia. There are six of them, 4 girls and 2 guys. They are great let me tell you. Immediately I took a liking to them. They are God’s children and they are here to do His work, what is better than that? We are going to be doing a lot of construction as well as all the other ministry activities. Jesus is really going to be giving us his strength because I don’t know how else we could be doing all of this stuff without passing out! Pray for this group that they are able to fulfill God’s purpose for them while they are here for a week. Pray for all of our strength and that we will listen to God’s voice and obey what He tells us. I miss everyone and I’m praying for you too! Dios le bendiga!
Hey Andi. I am so glad that you had a great "vacation." We are working on your care package and hope to send it soon. Don't worry, it will be small even though we would like to send you more. We also want to work out paying for the package - the part you have to pay for. If we can't send you money, we will work it out when you get home. I am praying for you every day and can't wait to hear how God has blessed you and the people of Guatemala.
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