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)