I just had about the best shower that I have EVER had. I spent the last 36+ hours in El Paisnal, a small, poor town about an hour away from our hotel in San Salvador, which includes spending last night in the community. I have so much to process that it wouldn't do it justice to give a cursory answer about what the past two days have meant to me.
One huge reason that I wanted to come to El Salvador has to do with the fact that when I went to Guatemala in 2005, I had a life-changing experience that I will never forget. I left part of my heart in Guatemala, and began so see our US American culture with new eyes. In general, we have no idea what the term, "dirt poor" really means. Yet, as the people I met in Guatemala, and those here in El Paisnal lack monetary wealth, they are richer than I am in many ways. I wanted to return to Central America, because I wanted to remove the shroud that covers my eyes after living in the USA.
The people in El Paisnal are truly beautiful people, and in so many ways I want to be more like them... so pure in heart! I thought often of the past couple of days of the scripture passage from the beatitudes in Matthew: "Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are the meek... blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... blessed are the pure in heart"
Here are a few stories, as well as photos and videos:
We gave books and "prayer pockets" to each child that is supported by our scholarships during a special service when we arrived:
This little girl is named Tatiana (on the left) and she is the daughter of the couple that Alexis and I stayed with last night. Whenever I showed her the video, she would laugh. Each time she laughed harder... Hilarious!
Tatiana finds a creative use for the book... and the prayer pocket!
Alexis does a great job interpreting... Here he stands with Don as Don brought some initial words of greeting in Spanish, and especially when I was asked to preach with very little notice at 3 p.m. yesterday! I have a sneaking suspicion that some people who had gone before knew that would be a possibility, but neglected to tell me.
Here are some pics of us planting trees with the people in the community today, the main part of our project (although the relationships are the primary focus for us!):
Como se dice "dorky hat" en Espanol?
I will have another entry later tonight about our spending the night in El Paisnal!
By the way, PLEASE leave comments, etc. for us!
We would love to hear from you when we are so far away!
~Gregg
4 comments:
Gregg,
We have tried several times to send our comments with no succsss, but let's try again.
It has been wonderful to receive your comments and pictures on a current basis. We are thankful for all of you being willing to establish a personal connection with our brothers & sisters in Buenas Nuevas.
Our friends in El Salvador can teach us much about deep faith and radical hospitality.
Tell Don we love his hat.
Love & prayers,
Gary & geri
Hi Gregg,
I was so glad to see pictures of Balbina. She is the grandmother of my Godsons. Did you happen to see them? Alexi and Jonathan. Isn't Pastor Chema great?I am so envious of you all! Enjoy the rest of the week. Look forward to the blog. Good job!
Love, Kyle
Gotta love the showers. And even more, Praise God for hats that cover greasy heads. Don, you might be loco en la cabeza (crazy in the head) but you don't have loco en su cabeza (crazy ON your head.)
Keep up the good work team.
What new Spanish words did you learn today? Post a list so we can practice for your return home.
Hasta luego,
Sarah
Hi Gregg and all the rest of the Covenant team,
It has been wonderful to see your photos and read your descriptions...almost in real time. It sounds like the people of El Salvador are working their magic on you, and I am thankful for the gift of yourselves which you give to them as well. Love and support from all of us back home,
Sue Shaw
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