Hello family and friends!
Once again we have had another great week full of excitement and adventure. From Monday to Wednesday we spent our time at a student's farm an hour and a half away from San Salvador. Definitely a culture shock, these 3 days were perhaps the 3 hardest of our trip. There was only 1 bathroom for 30+ people and with the heat, humidity, bugs, and lack of sleep we definitely were by American standards "roughing it". However the hospitality and kindness that was shown of our host family was absolutely incredible and we felt like for the first time we got to experience what El Salvadorian culture is really like, and we got to milk cows!!!
Americans are so caught up in our schedules and plans and that is definitely far from being a value in Salvadorian culutre. We often had to laugh because we found ourselves in the most unexpected circumstances all the time. A makeshift "schedule" was technically made for our 3 day adventure, but I can honestly say I don't think we followed a single thing on the schedule. Especially for someone like me who is slightly OCD about time, it has defnintely been a challenge for me to get used to the easy-going nature of the Salvadorian culture. God really showed us though how to bring God into every waking moment. When we didn't understand the prayers being prayed, we prayed silently to ourselves. When we were sitting around waiting for our transportation, we were learning to use that extra time for the Lord. It really was cool to see how much more integrated God is in the Salvadorians' lives. Instead of scheduling God in, they are alot better at bringing God with them everywhere.
Overall we had alot of fun and quality time to spend with the student leaders of Vida Estudiantil. One of the days we also got to go visit an old folks home and serve together. We did skits and music and dancing with the elderly and it was great to see them up and smiling. These abuelas and abuelos were mostly part of families who could no longer afford to take care of them so many of them were left on the side of roads to die. Jesus tells us that "whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done for me as well," and it was crazy to think that we truly were loving the "least of these." Discarded or deserted, you could tell that the elderly really appreciated our time and energy spent on them and that reality was extremely convicting.
This week we also got to spend time at an orphanage furthering our week of service. We got to hang out with kids of all ages, and I spent most of my time with the special needs children who were aged 2-6. It absolutely broke our hearts to see these young children who often called us mama or papa because they didn't know any better. We found out that 80% of the kids were actually not orphans. They had parents that were still alive but they either couldn't afford to take care of them, got separated from them or didn't want them. Our friend Ely works for an organization that seeks out information for these children such as their names, their relatives, Birth Certificates, etc. The organization builds a story for these children and seeks to reunite families and improve the living conditions with these children. If you could be praying for Ely and the work she does in these orphanages, that would be great!
Also at the orphanage, we were able to paint a mural that is an underwater scene and a mural that is a verse (Matthew 19:14--"Jesus said: Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these") with little children painted next to it. It turned out great and pictures are up on facebook!
This upcoming week we are headed back to campus! Students are back from their week vacation and we are ready to go for our last full week on campus. This week is our big outreach week and the theme of it is identity and security. Starting on Tuesday we are going to be all wearing shirts that say SOY (I am) _____. For example "I am saved". or "I am free". We will be having a booth with candy and snacks where students can fill out cards that say who they are. We will be taking pictures of the students with their cards and will be putting them up on the Vida Estudiantil facebook page. We also have a 4 question survey that responds with the theme of the week. The questions include, How would you define yourself? How would God define you? Where do you find security in? And how do you find eternal security? All week will be leading up to a final outreach fiesta on Friday with pizza and games. Although we will get to go back to campus next week, this really is our last opportunity to really connect with students and get them connected with Salvadorian leaders in Vida Estudiantil. If you could be praying for the success of the outreach event and that students would be responsive that would be fantastic! Our trip is coming to a close but we do not want to become weary! Please pray for our energy and that we would have courage and confidence in sharing with students.
Once again I really appreciate everyone's prayers and support! We definitely couldn't do it without you! Sending everyone in the states my love <3
Amy
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