The third week was a success

I am still blown away by El Salvador. Last week was the first week with our regular schedule. Some of the activities I participated in included: painting, serving food, sitting in a Bible class, going to the circus, and teaching English. My Spanish is getting better because the reality is it cant get worse. Its funny a lot of kids scream any English phrase they know. They will scream out "I love you" followed by them running to their friends and laughing. Ha ha I have also been called a gringo so many times I cant count anymore. On time I was helping direct traffic and a women holding her daughter pointed and said to her daughter "look a gringo".
Life is different bu it has been a great time to learn. The days are getting longer which I personally enjoy. It is mind boggling I have almost reached my half way mark at my time in El Salvador. God is so good to use a foolish person like me. We are going to teach an English class to adults on Thursday. According to the sign-up sheet we will have over 50 people attending. So please keep me in your prayers about that.

A message I needed to hear from God

Faith in Christ is defined as reliance placed in the person of Jesus according to the promises of the Bible. Did you know going through trails and hard times is also a promise the Bible teaches. It's not easy going through the hard times sometimes it is actually painful. Faith in Jesus is not solely agreeing that He is God, but making the words we hear and read in the Bible a reality to the world by our lives. Why am I telling you this? It is because God has showed me that all I need is Him. But I mean it, these are not just empty words to me. God is my life. I make plenty of mistakes that would disqualify me if I was trying to win my way to heaven. But the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 which is referring to Jesus; "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." God is real and no matter how you feel about religion Jesus preached a freeing relationship in Him. No strings attached, we only have to take hold of His promised and let our faith work through our lives.

Looking to loving others

I had a great opportunity to minister alongside a team from the United States (picture above). I learned a lot from all of them. It is amazing to see people help others and enjoy it. One of the couples on the trip ministered to my heart when they told me that its not about being right, its about being loving. Wow that is a message I need to hear every day.

This country is impoverished in many ways but the Lord is moving all around. This past week I met hundreds of kids proclaiming the name of Jesus as their Savior. I was totally blown away by them. I official got schooled in soccer by a 9 year old. God is so good and so big it takes my breath away.

On Sunday I will be going to the circus with the boys from the Potter’s Field orphanage. I am really looking forward to it and don’t worry I will post pictures!!

Pictures from the first two weeks

El Salvador Week 1

Well with every change comes an enormous amount of unfamiliar things. It's funny because for a second I thought that all this change was thrown into my life, but really the truth is that I am the unfamiliar thing that is now in El Salvador. I am striving with all that I am and all that I have to keep the perspective that I am a learner and student of the local people. God truly has given me the opportunity to be blessed by His people in El Salvador. Just so everyone knows I am not out here in a foreign country all alone. First and foremost I have God and the confidence to say that I know this is where he wants me. Other than that two other students from Montana are out here. Trevor, Riley and I are living in a house in central San Salvador. I have many overseers including the pastors of the local church in san salvador. The overseer I have the most contact with is Strelize, who is also is a missionary and a foriegner to El Salvador but she is extremely insightful. She is always there to help us butat the same time she lets us learn through our mistakes (overcourse not at the expensense of our health and safty). Another person that has really been helpful is Violetta. She has been the one to guide us in the cultural, language, and food department.

    It has only been a week and truly my heart is overwhelmed. I had the opportunity to stay at the orphanage in San Martin for two nights. My desire to learn Spanish has grown immensely. It is amazing to live through learning a language. This week I have felt like my communications skills in Spanish equal that of a 4 year old. I get a chuckle to think about all the times I lodged my foot in my mouth this week. One day we walked over to the local mall to get lunch and get groceries. At lunch my roommates asked me to get them napkins. So I went up to the lady and asked for a blanket. When I realized that she was confused I diverted from words to hand signs.

Please keep the people of this country in prayer. They truly are impoverished physically, emotionally and spiritually. The 20 boys in the orphanage all came from different sad backgrounds. These children are learning to trust, to love, to read, to write and most importantly about the redemption that is found in Christ. The orphanage is a place of safety and peace for the local community. Also pray for all the students that are going back to school on Monday the 11^th especially the students that are returning to the private school that is located at the local Calvary Chapel. My Spanish is improving but it is far from perfect so I need pray in that area of my life. I also want to encourage all my readers to really take time today to reflect on all the things we should be thankful to God for.

Dios Te Bendiga (God Bless)