I cannot believe that our last day has come. It has already been a full day, with church and everything. We went to Beth´s church, and she wanted us to speak. Untill last night, we thought we would have a translator, but we found out that we wouldn´t have one! This was somewhat of an obstacle for us, because we are not comfortable talking in front of people, especially in a different language. But we did it, and hopefully everyone understood haha! After church we went to Burger King on the way home. It was the first American fast food I´ve had down here. I loved it because I got to see some of today´s world cup game! I love that we are here during it. The celebrations and fiestas are awesome everywhere we go, and I have loved to be a part of it. Beth brought a movie for the girls to watch on her projector. Because of this, I found a few minutes to get on the computer!
I am going to miss these people so much! I definitely hope that I will be able to see them again soon. This trip has been amazing, and I am so grateful that God gave me this opportunity. I pray that my life would make an eternal impact on this world. Not that I would ever be able to do it, but that Christ in me would become more, and I would become less. I pray that this trip was ultimately glorifying to God, and that He used us to touch these peoples lives.
We come home tomorrow, and it will already be a very long day of traveling, plus we have to say goodbye. That will be very very difficult, and I am already not looking forward to it! We are going to have pupusas tonight with everyone, so that will be a fun last time! Well, I am going to go spend as much time with the girls as I can! Adios! and thank you for your prayers!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 9
It seems like the time is flying by here in El Salvador. For some reasons, I do want to come home, but when I think about the people here that I love, I wish I didn´t have to leave them ever. I wish more than anything that I could take these precious children and friends with me. I love them so much, and it is hard to imagine leaving. This is going to be a short post because I don´t have much time, and it´s also getting past my early bedtime haha. Just wanted to let you all know we´re doing good. We only have two days left in the centers, which is kinda sad because I love going. Though I love it here and all that we do, it has been a rather tough and long week. Long story short, at lunch on sunday, Danielle and I got Naranja Limonada (orange lemonade) which by the way tasted wonderful. But it was not worth the result. Apparantly, it was made with the water, and it made us sick. It caught up with us yesterday when we woke up. I had two glasses of the drink, so I had it worse. I ended up having to stay home yesterday from the centers because I was feeling so bad.. plus I wanted to be okay for the rest of the week because we are leaving on monday! I went all day today, and I am doing much better (minus small and random stomach pains). Danielle is feeling much better too I think, so that is also good. Hòpefully I will be able to update you all soon, and in more detail, but if not I will definitely blog more when I get back.
For those of you praying, pray that my stomach feels better. More importantly, pray for the girls in the house and at the centers, and for all the people we have made relationships with. Pray that they would have been impacted by God using us here. Pray for their situations (which are very difficult and trying) and their future (which is unknown and can be very scary). Pray that God would draw them unto Himself, and that the Holy Spirit would move greatly in El Salvador!
For those of you praying, pray that my stomach feels better. More importantly, pray for the girls in the house and at the centers, and for all the people we have made relationships with. Pray that they would have been impacted by God using us here. Pray for their situations (which are very difficult and trying) and their future (which is unknown and can be very scary). Pray that God would draw them unto Himself, and that the Holy Spirit would move greatly in El Salvador!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Day Six in El Salvador
hola!jkghy...that was Glenda typing haha. Just goes to show how difficult it is to blog in this house. hyfdtfgftyhohbinm,mmmyhujhj8ui9uj8hiujijjnubb6hykl omjmiuyyyhyhuhjhjgt6yy..that was Glenda again. She thinks that she is saying johana princessa bonita and samantha beautiful, and daniella beautiful. haha it is so funny so I left it in for you all to see. She asked me what my mom´s name was and then said,¨ohh bonita (beautiful). ´Tatiana es bonita´..she typed that with my help. Tatiana is her mom and since we´re already talking about her, I would like to tell you about them to pray for today. Tatiana is about my age, and she is a great mom. Tonight she made us dinner. She made cheese pupusas especially for Sam, Danielle, and I. They were perfect, and tasted even better than the pupuseria.
This morning we went to church called CIA. I think the website is ciaelsalvador.com if you want to see it. It was nothing like what I expected, but I really enjoyed it. It was so nice, perhaps nicer than most churches in America. They had great music, and sang a lot. There were even a few songs that we know in english. It was a really cool experience to be able to worship God in a different language, but saying the same thing. How awesome is it that no matter what language, no matter what ethnicity or race, and no matter what age, we can worship God! They also had dancers with tamborines, which I thought was so neat. After we sang, they had a drama, which was comical, but had a moral. It was about a couple who wanted to divorce and went on a tv show. The actors were really funny, but in the end, the message pointed to Christ. A man told them that they needed Jesus in their lives. The power went out, but it was okay because they have backup power. The only thing that didn´t work was the air conditioning, so it got pretty hot, but we´re used to that now. The first thing I noticed when we first arrived at the church was how nice all the people were. They even set us up with a translater so we could fully understand the message. They are starting a new series called Áconsejar Christo´. The message was really good and I loved how much scripture the pastor used. He talked about how many people look to God´s will as Him filling a void, or something they need such as a job, relationship, or financial needs. But God´s will for us is what He wants us to be. Also, He said that Christ is our everything, like it says in Colossians 3, Christ is our life. He doesn´t show us the way, He is the way. He doesn´t just speak truth, He is truth. The gospel isn´t just words, Christ is the living word. He is ¨the way, the truth, and the life¨(John 14,6). I am so happy that God knew that we would be going to this church, it is just what I needed to hear. The pastor also said that some people believe, while others think they believe. If you depend on things other that Christ on a day to day basis, you aren´t believing. One of my favorite things he said was that when you ask God for wisdom, He will give you more of Christ in you, as with other things you ask for. Lastly, he said something which I think is important for everyone to hear. When you pray for help with a sin that maybe a habit which you keep falling into, know this..Christ in me will never do that sin, and I ask that I would not live this life, but Christ in me, because Christ is my life. I know that was a lot of little random points from the sermon, but I wanted to share them and remember them.
After church, we went back to the Promise House because Jorge had to drop off some of the girls from the Hope House. We ended up going to the restaurant at the end of the street with hermana Marina for lunch. It was a huge treat for her, because it was a pretty nice restaurant. She had a kind of crab soup, and we had quesadillas. I had orange lemonade to drink and it was delicious! Danielle and I ended up ordering one to go, and it was funny because they gave it to us in little bowls! When we got back to the house, we all took a nap, which was much needed. It was really hot today, so our room was much hotter than usual. After a while, Beth (the missionary down here) came, and brought her laptop and projector. We watched Éver After´ with the girls and that was a ton of fun. Beth bought platanos con leche, and I tried one. They were pretty good actually. After that, we watched Tati make pupusas, which we may try when we get back!
Tomorrow we begin to go into the centers again, and will be there all week. We will be at CISNA in the mornings with the girls in the prison, and CIPI in the afternoon with the orphans there. For those of you praying, please pray that the Bible lessons we do each day will impact the lives of those who hear them. Also, pray for the girls and babies in the Promise House. Pray that God will be glorified in everything we do this week, as it is our last. Hopefully I will be able to update more often, but you never know in this house!
Thank you so much for praying!!!
This morning we went to church called CIA. I think the website is ciaelsalvador.com if you want to see it. It was nothing like what I expected, but I really enjoyed it. It was so nice, perhaps nicer than most churches in America. They had great music, and sang a lot. There were even a few songs that we know in english. It was a really cool experience to be able to worship God in a different language, but saying the same thing. How awesome is it that no matter what language, no matter what ethnicity or race, and no matter what age, we can worship God! They also had dancers with tamborines, which I thought was so neat. After we sang, they had a drama, which was comical, but had a moral. It was about a couple who wanted to divorce and went on a tv show. The actors were really funny, but in the end, the message pointed to Christ. A man told them that they needed Jesus in their lives. The power went out, but it was okay because they have backup power. The only thing that didn´t work was the air conditioning, so it got pretty hot, but we´re used to that now. The first thing I noticed when we first arrived at the church was how nice all the people were. They even set us up with a translater so we could fully understand the message. They are starting a new series called Áconsejar Christo´. The message was really good and I loved how much scripture the pastor used. He talked about how many people look to God´s will as Him filling a void, or something they need such as a job, relationship, or financial needs. But God´s will for us is what He wants us to be. Also, He said that Christ is our everything, like it says in Colossians 3, Christ is our life. He doesn´t show us the way, He is the way. He doesn´t just speak truth, He is truth. The gospel isn´t just words, Christ is the living word. He is ¨the way, the truth, and the life¨(John 14,6). I am so happy that God knew that we would be going to this church, it is just what I needed to hear. The pastor also said that some people believe, while others think they believe. If you depend on things other that Christ on a day to day basis, you aren´t believing. One of my favorite things he said was that when you ask God for wisdom, He will give you more of Christ in you, as with other things you ask for. Lastly, he said something which I think is important for everyone to hear. When you pray for help with a sin that maybe a habit which you keep falling into, know this..Christ in me will never do that sin, and I ask that I would not live this life, but Christ in me, because Christ is my life. I know that was a lot of little random points from the sermon, but I wanted to share them and remember them.
After church, we went back to the Promise House because Jorge had to drop off some of the girls from the Hope House. We ended up going to the restaurant at the end of the street with hermana Marina for lunch. It was a huge treat for her, because it was a pretty nice restaurant. She had a kind of crab soup, and we had quesadillas. I had orange lemonade to drink and it was delicious! Danielle and I ended up ordering one to go, and it was funny because they gave it to us in little bowls! When we got back to the house, we all took a nap, which was much needed. It was really hot today, so our room was much hotter than usual. After a while, Beth (the missionary down here) came, and brought her laptop and projector. We watched Éver After´ with the girls and that was a ton of fun. Beth bought platanos con leche, and I tried one. They were pretty good actually. After that, we watched Tati make pupusas, which we may try when we get back!
Tomorrow we begin to go into the centers again, and will be there all week. We will be at CISNA in the mornings with the girls in the prison, and CIPI in the afternoon with the orphans there. For those of you praying, please pray that the Bible lessons we do each day will impact the lives of those who hear them. Also, pray for the girls and babies in the Promise House. Pray that God will be glorified in everything we do this week, as it is our last. Hopefully I will be able to update more often, but you never know in this house!
Thank you so much for praying!!!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Day Five in El Salvador
I am so happy that I found a minute to finally spend some time in updating my blog. It is so crazy and loud here at the Promise House with 7 girls and 7 babys (well not all babies, but children..well younger anyways.) Today we were planning on going to the beach, but the forecast predicted rain from the storm that had passed through the week before we arrived. Instead, we decided to go to the market today, and perhaps the beach next saturday (hopefully..pray for no rain!). The market was a lot of fun, I loved to see all the different little shops and the things they were selling. It was closer than we thought so we finished at the market somewhat early. We went back to the PH to get some money for the supermarket and lunch. We got some of our favorite El Salvadorian treats..like pan dulce and chickys (a type of cookie), along with some bread and water for the week. For lunch, Hermano Jorge took us to the mall (which is really nice) to eat at the food court. We ate at a place called los cebollines, which was really good. There was a lot of food but we weren´t too full for dessert. Sam has been telling me about a place called Jungle Snow since she got back from ES last year. It is an ice cream place where they give you a ton of ice cream for a low price. We ordered ¨chocolate king of the jungle¨ and ¨watermelon snow¨. SO GOOD! we should definitely open one in the U.S...i suggest you look it up to see the menu! When we got back to the Promise House, we met Beth, who is a missionary here and went with her to the park. We took a few of the girls and kids there to play. It was fun to take pictures of the kids enjoying themselves and playing around.
For now, I have to eat dinner..frijoles of course! haha but I like them. Pray for the upcoming week, that we would be effective in the prison and orphanage as well as the house. I thank God for you who are praying and I pray that He would be glorified in everything we do here, especially as we start a new week.
For now, I have to eat dinner..frijoles of course! haha but I like them. Pray for the upcoming week, that we would be effective in the prison and orphanage as well as the house. I thank God for you who are praying and I pray that He would be glorified in everything we do here, especially as we start a new week.
Friday, June 4, 2010
a mi me encanta el salvador!
It is friday night, and I have the time and opportunity to be on the compu! How exciting! Sorry my last post was a little choppy, it is difficult to write a post without being interrupted by los ninos or las chicas in the promise house. Although I wouldn´t trade it for anything. I love it here. Right now Glenda and Alondra are on my lap! We just listened to our new favorite song, ¨Creere´¨ and it was one of my favorite times. Sam was trying to sing with it, and Danielle was dancing like a ballerina, and everyone was just watching and laughing. I don´t have much time, but I want to tell you to read Sam´s latest post for a details on what we all did so far.
I just really want to let you all know that we are doing well, and God has blessed us thus far. I love everything about this place, well maybe I could do without a few things, but I do for the most part. I am starting to be able to talk to the girls more in spanish, and that is SO exciting for me to do! I think my spanish is getting better too. It is funny because everytime I begin to say something, even if it is to Sam or Danielle, I say it in my head in spanish! I am trying not to think about only being here for such a short time, but I am so happy that God has given me this incredible opportunity. My favorite thing to do during the day is going to CISNA, and hanging out with the girls there, it is so much fun. We do a small bible study, and then we do arts and crafts. I love when they teach us how to do their favorite things. We are teaching them, but I think I am learning so much more than I could ever teach by being here in El Salvador.
I love everyone I have met here, and I wish I could somehow stay here and come back at the same time. I know that doesn´t make much sense, but it´s almost like being in a different world down here. I am so thankful that I am here, and that God has already taught me so much! Maria just asked me if I liked her hair, because Tatyana (who is going to be a cosmetologist) just did it for her. I wish I could express in words the love and joy these people bring me, but I don´t think that would be possible!
I am writing in my journal each night, and I am going to do more blogging when I get home about the trip, when I can fully pay attention haha. Please continue to pray for us, and especially for the people in the house that have chicken pox. Like Sam said, baby Nicole has it really bad. Also, pray that though most Salvadorians know about God, that they would actually know Him, and understand what it means to be saved and live for God. Thank you so much for your prayers! Hasta luego!
I just really want to let you all know that we are doing well, and God has blessed us thus far. I love everything about this place, well maybe I could do without a few things, but I do for the most part. I am starting to be able to talk to the girls more in spanish, and that is SO exciting for me to do! I think my spanish is getting better too. It is funny because everytime I begin to say something, even if it is to Sam or Danielle, I say it in my head in spanish! I am trying not to think about only being here for such a short time, but I am so happy that God has given me this incredible opportunity. My favorite thing to do during the day is going to CISNA, and hanging out with the girls there, it is so much fun. We do a small bible study, and then we do arts and crafts. I love when they teach us how to do their favorite things. We are teaching them, but I think I am learning so much more than I could ever teach by being here in El Salvador.
I love everyone I have met here, and I wish I could somehow stay here and come back at the same time. I know that doesn´t make much sense, but it´s almost like being in a different world down here. I am so thankful that I am here, and that God has already taught me so much! Maria just asked me if I liked her hair, because Tatyana (who is going to be a cosmetologist) just did it for her. I wish I could express in words the love and joy these people bring me, but I don´t think that would be possible!
I am writing in my journal each night, and I am going to do more blogging when I get home about the trip, when I can fully pay attention haha. Please continue to pray for us, and especially for the people in the house that have chicken pox. Like Sam said, baby Nicole has it really bad. Also, pray that though most Salvadorians know about God, that they would actually know Him, and understand what it means to be saved and live for God. Thank you so much for your prayers! Hasta luego!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
we're here!
I am so excited to be typing this from la computadora de la casa de promesa! I love it here! It has been a great trip so far and we are blessed to have had such safe travels. I am so overwhelmed with emotion and mucha cansada (tired) but I wanted to just let everyone know how it's going so far. First of all, i LOVE the kids here in the house, and everyone i've met already has a special place in mi corazon (heart). Being here is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I am so happy that i got to come. I really want to write more, but I am journaling and will probably update that to my blog when i come home! Today we went to the Detention Center for girls at CISNA. We made pulseras y tarjetas (bracelets and cards), then we went to the orphanage SIPI and made more bracelets with the girls there! It has been so much fun meeting these girls and being able to talk to them. My spanish is definitely out of practice, but i am hoping that i am improving and will continue to do so. If anything, the language barrier has been hilarious, because we mix up words sometimes haha.
God has been teaching me a lot, especially this morning in my devotions. I brought a few different devotionals along with my Bible, and they all told me the same thing today: trust in God no matter what. How perfect for this time! Also, I read in Colossians 1 to "walk worthy of the Lord". Isnt that our prayer no matter where we are in the world? I hope it is mine, and I am focusing on that while I am down here, striving to be worthy of what I am called to do. How awesome is it that while I alone cannot be worthy of my calling here in El Salvador, I can depend on God and His strength and grace to help me to be. I will hopefully be updating soon! i love you guys. Gracias para tus oraciones! (thank you for the prayers!)
God has been teaching me a lot, especially this morning in my devotions. I brought a few different devotionals along with my Bible, and they all told me the same thing today: trust in God no matter what. How perfect for this time! Also, I read in Colossians 1 to "walk worthy of the Lord". Isnt that our prayer no matter where we are in the world? I hope it is mine, and I am focusing on that while I am down here, striving to be worthy of what I am called to do. How awesome is it that while I alone cannot be worthy of my calling here in El Salvador, I can depend on God and His strength and grace to help me to be. I will hopefully be updating soon! i love you guys. Gracias para tus oraciones! (thank you for the prayers!)
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