It's not everyday that you get to run through a terrential downpour just to use the restroom in a small, wooden lean-to with a tarp door and a wooden seat and hole in the ground. For some strange reason, though, I was filled with joy as I ran through the rainstorm. Just seeing the smiles on the childrens faces and a small little smile crack from children who were too shy to look up at you was enough to make the hardest of hearts melt. As an entire team, equipo as it is in Spanish, we really got to the heart and true meaning of service today. It was cold and rainy, but you wouldn't know that if you looked at the teenagers playing with children, playing ball, blowing bubbles, and trying to get a child to smile. While on the bus just sitting, we saw some boys who were waving and just looking at us. Some of us decided to get off the bus and play soccer with the boys. I'll never forget the sound of nine and ten year old boys throwing their arms in the air screaming "goalo!" as they scored a soccer goal between a rock and the curb on a cobble stone street that was flooding. Several of the boys ran around barefoot, and many of the team members were really filled with compassion for these boys asking the Nationals if we were allowed to take off our shoes to give to them. We were able to give a pair of shoes to a boy whose had broken. We also had enough extra socks to give them each a pair. Many of us had fasted lunch to pray for a team member who's sick, so we were filled with joy to be able to give the extra sandwiches to the boys. At the end of the day, I went home lacking a lot of the things I had started the day with but filled with so much joy and fulfillment in knowing that someone's life could be better because of our sacrifices. Now I'm dry and I have clean clothes and a stomach full of food, but I'm happy only because a dozen boys can go to bed a little less hungry and a little warmer tonight. I'm so proud of our team. I feel like today we got to experience giving food to the hungry, giving clothes to the naked, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. The trip is very different from what a lot of us were expecting. From the stories the other teams had shared with us, we were expecting something entirely different from what has happened. Even though it's different, though, I know God has a plan and a purpose for bringing all of us here at this time and place. One of my favorite phrases from the Bible is "for such a time as this." God has this exact team at this exact time at this exact place for a very specific reason. Our trip is still valuable and moving in it's own unique way, and I can't wait to see what God's going to do in each of our individual lives and in our youth group from this moment forward. We serve an amazing God who has surrounded our team with passionate Christ followers who have so much excitement and enthusiasm for serving the Lord that is contagious. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. God Bless. -Monti

Monday, June 28

This is Emma and Hannah. Sorry we haven't been keeping up with this - we have been pretty busy :) Thursday we packaged up 700 bags of food and clothes that we've been giving out this week. All this food came from the Gods side vision and it was really neat to see all the CLC supplies that filler the warehouse. We thought we would never get them done! But we did :) Friday we had an awesome day of training and learned all the dances and dramas. Jake, Amanda and Adam were our enthusiastic instructors. We are not professionals, but we have so much fun - we all have been singing the songs none stop :) Saturday was our first official day of ministry. We went to Miraflores which is about 3 hours away. First we went to a school with kids that were under 8 years old. We did our first program and saw 15 to 20 kids come to Christ. Next we went to a street conner in the rain and did a program. This was quite different from the school because not as many people came. That didn't keep us down!! We went back to the school and did a program for the older kids that were in school. This was a disappointment for most of us, we were laughed at by some of the kids and no one came down for the salvation prayer. But it's okey because we know God still wanted us there for a reason and still being used by him.After the school we went to a church and handed out the bags to the people who the pastor saw fit. We all connected VERY well with the kids here!! they were awesome and so happy! It made it all the harder to leave. Sunday we went to church. Don Triplet was the pastor. the service was almost 3 hours long but very intersting to see how they do things here. After the service we handed out more bags and played with the children. Later, we got to go the market.... we all have some fun and intersting stories = )Today we went and did some more ministry in Guatalupe. It was destroyed by a mud slide and now they are really struggling because it took out all there crops and a lot of their homes. We didnt get to do any programs because it was raining very hard and never ended, so this cut our day short and we headed home around 3. After handing out the bags we went to the bus to have some lunch. We noticed a group of kids hanging out and playing beside the bus. Some of us got off the bus and started playing with them, this turned into everyone taking off the socks of our feet and giving them to them. Abby gave a boy her own shoe laces because he didn't have any. God gave us the best nationals possible!! They are so awesome, Sarah, Oyin, Kenyi, Hosue, Caralina and Oscar are all of our new best friends!! The lanuage barrier really stinks but doesn't keep us from connecting with them = ) Even though we haven't seen any physical miracles in the people, we are seeing a miracle in our group and becoming more close and united. We are hoping to bring back this unity to the youth group. Keep your prayers on Paula, she is very sick and very weak. She has been in bed for 2 days and is slowly gaining her energy back. Thank you for all your prayers! We love and miss you all.

June 28th - Ministry Update

Pastor Kedrick’s call was short, but he wanted to ensure us that things are going well! The team had one 'ministry day' (doing street dramas and giving testimonies), and they have spent the rest of their time visiting churches and handing out supplies. The team also had the opportunity to spend a little time at one of the local markets, so I’m sure they’ll have lots of stories to tell of the local culture as well as their ministry experiences.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support, they are much appreciated!



In Christ,

Tara

Reason for not Updating

I just got off the phone with Pastor Kedrick, and the reason they have not been updating the blog regularly, is that they don't always make it to the building where there's internet access, and sometimes when they do, the internet if off for the day.

We were under the impression it would be easy for them to update regularly, I'm sorry it hasn't been. I will continue to update the blog when I hear from them, and the team will update if/when they are able.


Tara

June 28th

Hello everyone!


Many of you have contacted me regarding the status of the team. Aside from the blog update, I have not heard anything from them since they first arrived. I'm sure that they are just exhausted and unable to update as regularly as we'd hoped. Their schedule is very full while they are there.

I will update parents/spouses, and then the blog, when I hear from the team.

Thank you for continuing to keep the team in your prayers as they minister to the people of El Salvador!



In Christ,
Tara

June 23rd

The plane ride to El Salvador was a bumpy ride! We finally made it after 3 hours and met our nationals. Their names are Oyen, Kenji, Oscar, Josue, Sara, and Carolina. They are very friendly and really awesome. We were picked up outside of the airport by a white King's Castle bus.

The poverty here is very real. Just driving through San Salvador, we saw shacks made of scrap tin and other pieces of metal and cardboard just on the side of the road. Barbed wire lines the tops of buildings and fences, and there is graffiti everywhere.

About an hour into the ride, one of the tires on the bus shot out and we had to pull over and replace it, the tire looked like it had a huge tumor! We got to King's Castle -- it is really beautiful here! The camp sits inside of an inactive volcano! The center of the volcano is a huge lake with very blue water and black volcanic ash as the sand. We all went for a dip as soon as we got here, the water feels great. After washing up, we ate hamburgers and fries for dinner and then went to bed because we were all very tired from traveling.

-- Darion & Paula :)

Day 1

At the airport, waiting to check in...4am!
The entire team, all 21 of them!
Going through security! Off they go!

Hello everyone! Today has been a loooong day for everyone who went to the airport this morning, and even longer for the team, I’m sure. We arrived at the airport at 4:15 this morning to send them off. It was wonderful having so many people there to pray for, and encourage, the team! Parents, and many siblings, Pastor Adam, Pastor Shannon, friends of the team members, and former mission’s trip team members, were among those present for the send off. I know it meant a lot to the team to have so many people there cheering them on! Thank you to those of you who went out of your way to get up at the crack of dark, and pray for our students and leaders, as they begin this journey!

I received word from Pastor Kedrick that they arrived safely in San Salvador this afternoon. Thank you for your continued prayers!

In Christ's Love,

Tara