8:45 AM
And still not much happening. . .
I know it has been awhile, but it hasn't felt like there is much to report. People are still sick and because of that we have down time. They are getting better, although now Randy's caught the flu(?) that was going around and he got it pretty bad. Hard to say how Chris is feeling; he isn't nearly better although he does seem to be possibly feeling better than before. Except it is hard to tell because the medicine Chris was prescribed basically knocks him out. (It's SUPER EFFECTIVE! Chris was put to sleep! [Sorry everyone, Pokemon joke. >_>;;;)
Colin and I did go to San Martin two days ago with Randy, Kayla and Jaymi, although the latter three then went home not feeling well enough to work after an hour or so of forcing themselves to at least stay and Colin and I hitched a ride home with the group from San Martin coming to pick up Chao later that day.
In all we actually managed to nearly finish a good part of the job between the two of us. Of course I nearly killed myself doing so and my last hour of work was spent very. . . less productive. Still productive! But. . . less so.
I really thought there wouldn't be a problem stepping it up because we'd be going home a few hours earlier than usual and probably wouldn't be coming back the next day with everyone sick. . . ^-^;
Oh! To explain the job: We were digging a ditch so some water pipes for the sprinkler system on the soccer field(?) could be installed a foot underground.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Nov. 11, Friday
[Odd. . . I didn't get this up for some reason, but it looks like I wrote it before finishing the mass upload.]
9:10 AM
Stool
The kind hospitals test.
We're having a hospital test ours to be on the safe side.
Yeah.
Everybody is sick. Except Randy.
Ironically it looks like we're sick with a multitude of things, so only some people with specific symptoms are getting this test.
At least one other person is getting tested for strep later.
Some people just didn't feel the need for a test based on their symptoms.
To make clear none of us are actually dieing, just a whole lot of different kinds of sick, and to be on the safe side we want to make sure none of us has amoebas or a parasite and are going to get worse.
9:10 AM
Stool
The kind hospitals test.
We're having a hospital test ours to be on the safe side.
Yeah.
Everybody is sick. Except Randy.
Ironically it looks like we're sick with a multitude of things, so only some people with specific symptoms are getting this test.
At least one other person is getting tested for strep later.
Some people just didn't feel the need for a test based on their symptoms.
To make clear none of us are actually dieing, just a whole lot of different kinds of sick, and to be on the safe side we want to make sure none of us has amoebas or a parasite and are going to get worse.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Nov. 11, Friday
4:25 PM
Upload. . . complete.
Everything is up! My blog is caught up! I am so sorry to anyone that would have liked to read everything but now have a months worth of journals they'll never get through!
I wuv you.
Upload. . . complete.
Everything is up! My blog is caught up! I am so sorry to anyone that would have liked to read everything but now have a months worth of journals they'll never get through!
I wuv you.
Nov. 7, Monday
10:39 AM
Philippians 2:25
. . . Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. . .
Philippians 2:25
. . . Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. . .
Nov. 6, Sunday
11:17 PM
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night~
Said good bye to Pastor Steve, Christa, Jo-Jo, Jenna and Pastor Don tonight, as well as Pastor Dave Eason and Pastor Rob. I forgot how much I fundamentally dislike goodbyes. It was good seeing them. Still, we'll be seeing all of them again; even if it isn't for awhile, Christ has guaranteed us that. ;)
Now I'm gonna be reading my Bible and checking out. Good night!
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night~
Said good bye to Pastor Steve, Christa, Jo-Jo, Jenna and Pastor Don tonight, as well as Pastor Dave Eason and Pastor Rob. I forgot how much I fundamentally dislike goodbyes. It was good seeing them. Still, we'll be seeing all of them again; even if it isn't for awhile, Christ has guaranteed us that. ;)
Now I'm gonna be reading my Bible and checking out. Good night!
Nov. 5, Saturday
9:43 AM
The Holy Spirit
The first speaker of the morning was Pastor _____ (missed name) from the United States, who spoke in English with a translator on the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit. I am very thankful to have been able to hear it.
3:37 PM
"Worship Troupe"
I began thinking about creating a worship ministry earlier today and envisioning how it could be put together aswell as some of the principles for why it would exist and what it does.
However, if there is one thing I've learned at Potter's Field it is to focus on the 'here and now', even if it can be difficult at times. I'll be praying about it and throwing things on paper, but right now I am very much in El Salvador and I will be staying in El Salvador for some time still. So while a I am going to continue thinking about it and in little ways continue laying plans on paper, I will also very much be doing what I am doing now and simply wait to see whether or not God leads me somewhere with this thing.
5:58 PM
The Pastor's conference is now officially OVER!
And it was a rock'n good time too. :)
Only four or so of the speakers spoke English and used a translator, but it was good to both hear AND understand a Bible teaching again, especially when they were such powerful messages.
The Holy Spirit
The first speaker of the morning was Pastor _____ (missed name) from the United States, who spoke in English with a translator on the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit. I am very thankful to have been able to hear it.
3:37 PM
"Worship Troupe"
I began thinking about creating a worship ministry earlier today and envisioning how it could be put together aswell as some of the principles for why it would exist and what it does.
However, if there is one thing I've learned at Potter's Field it is to focus on the 'here and now', even if it can be difficult at times. I'll be praying about it and throwing things on paper, but right now I am very much in El Salvador and I will be staying in El Salvador for some time still. So while a I am going to continue thinking about it and in little ways continue laying plans on paper, I will also very much be doing what I am doing now and simply wait to see whether or not God leads me somewhere with this thing.
5:58 PM
The Pastor's conference is now officially OVER!
And it was a rock'n good time too. :)
Only four or so of the speakers spoke English and used a translator, but it was good to both hear AND understand a Bible teaching again, especially when they were such powerful messages.
Nov. 4, Friday
10:02 PM
Untitled Note
I wasn't originally going to share this, and began typing the following as a note to myself that would not go on the blog. However, from the looks of how this private note began coming out it seems that God has made it so I can share this, and since I can, I want to.
Yesterday Pastor Mike spoke to us in the bungalo, and the day marks the beginning of a change for our little 'family'.
From here we will with God's strength grow stronger; but writing this at the end of the next day with less than 48 hours between then and now I am reminded of a few of Pastor Mike's words which seemed to have been particular, "Being in the middle of God's Will there will be pain, and you mustn't be afraid of it, you musn't runaway from it. I pray to God that this pain will not leave a lasting scar, even knowing that a lasting scar can so easily be healed by God. I pray for protection from the enemy and peace within our household here in El Salvador and within our households back home in the states. For strength and guidance both for myself and everyone here and a level head and clear mind focused on God's will and the things He would desire with which to face our trials, not focused on the things of this world. For receptiveness when our struggles, failures and shortcomings are brought to light. I pray for His will in our lives and actions, heart and minds.
10:35 PM
After finishing the above I was thinking what should follow, and to be honest now I can't even remember what I was thinking to add, but Randy asked to speak.
He and I talked about many things, and this was very much a good talk, and from it I really think that God is going to help make everything ok. There will still be pain, and there will still be struggles, but even if a few bones need to be broken to set the arm correctly, the arm is going to heal and, with time and effort, find itself stronger than it ever was before and without a scar to be seen.
I thank God for His sovereignty and for His love. I thank Him for our wonderful little motley crew and ask that we be used for His glory.
I thank Him for the surprising ninja, the strong princess, the passive marine, the ruddy bookworm, the hardworking giant, the understanding diplomat, for the child who rules a world of his imagination and for the child who weaves himself a golden crown.
I thank God for letting me be with them, grow with them and spend this time getting to know them. I love our little motley crew, difficulties and difference or not, and love God for letting me be a part of it (and a bunch of other things besides).
Untitled Note
I wasn't originally going to share this, and began typing the following as a note to myself that would not go on the blog. However, from the looks of how this private note began coming out it seems that God has made it so I can share this, and since I can, I want to.
Yesterday Pastor Mike spoke to us in the bungalo, and the day marks the beginning of a change for our little 'family'.
From here we will with God's strength grow stronger; but writing this at the end of the next day with less than 48 hours between then and now I am reminded of a few of Pastor Mike's words which seemed to have been particular, "Being in the middle of God's Will there will be pain, and you mustn't be afraid of it, you musn't runaway from it. I pray to God that this pain will not leave a lasting scar, even knowing that a lasting scar can so easily be healed by God. I pray for protection from the enemy and peace within our household here in El Salvador and within our households back home in the states. For strength and guidance both for myself and everyone here and a level head and clear mind focused on God's will and the things He would desire with which to face our trials, not focused on the things of this world. For receptiveness when our struggles, failures and shortcomings are brought to light. I pray for His will in our lives and actions, heart and minds.
10:35 PM
After finishing the above I was thinking what should follow, and to be honest now I can't even remember what I was thinking to add, but Randy asked to speak.
He and I talked about many things, and this was very much a good talk, and from it I really think that God is going to help make everything ok. There will still be pain, and there will still be struggles, but even if a few bones need to be broken to set the arm correctly, the arm is going to heal and, with time and effort, find itself stronger than it ever was before and without a scar to be seen.
I thank God for His sovereignty and for His love. I thank Him for our wonderful little motley crew and ask that we be used for His glory.
I thank Him for the surprising ninja, the strong princess, the passive marine, the ruddy bookworm, the hardworking giant, the understanding diplomat, for the child who rules a world of his imagination and for the child who weaves himself a golden crown.
I thank God for letting me be with them, grow with them and spend this time getting to know them. I love our little motley crew, difficulties and difference or not, and love God for letting me be a part of it (and a bunch of other things besides).
Nov. 3, Thursday
7:30 AM
A quick once over of a long day:
La Angostura was great, and a lot was explained about the program and how the talapia farming works (not scientifically, although a bit in regards to the system and how the farming is done, but much more in principle of the ministry, it's function and what the farm accomplishes as well as the things God has already done with the farm's creation alone, even in its unfinished state.
(hinthint: Those taking part in Ignite360 starting July next year will see the finished farm. ;)
We got back in the bus.
More bus.
Went to the hotel the PF people are staying at and the girls went back to the house to get themselves and those who needed it a change of clothes for church while the guys stayed at the hotel. We then took Dawn Marie, Jenna, Christa and Peter to the church and helped set up for The Potter's Field presentation: Spanish Edition (totally made that name up just now).
Then the presentation, which as usual was amazing. This being my third time seeing it, I am starting to realize that each time Pastor Mike and Pam Rozel seem to have something different to say or new to add. I'm really thankful for their ministry.
8:37 AM
Bird song
We're just sitting by the bungallo waiting for Trevor to get the trash bags so we can do a quick once over the property, and I'm just sitting here listening to the birds, looking at the carefully kept grounds and flowers thinking, "This is such an amazing place that God has blessed these children with."
4:25 PM
A lot can happen in half an hour. . .
. . . and even more over the course of a day.
We got a ton of work done. Heading to the church now to help with Pastor Mike's second presentation and we just finished raking part of the front property in preperation for the pastor's conference.
To back up, Trevor had Jaymi and I switch jobs. That may or may not have been a good idea. Instead of trash duty I was spot painting one of the buildings, spot painting meaning, "Not the whole wall, just spots that look like they need it after you've wiped the dust off with a rag."
And I was told to do the entire building. Except I only almost finished the wall I started on. I am an extremely detail oriented individual who happens to lack time sensitivity, something not very helpful while sprucing up for a Pastor's conference happening the next day, and something I've known I need to work on but am reminded of again in a whole new way.
Trevor never said anything, so I'm hoping he didn't actually expect the entire building to be finished. (Except, you know, he totally did and I won't pretend otherwise. ):
After lunch we split up, I joined Pastor Steve in his tour of the property to see the rain damage and find out about the future plans to replace the drainage system. (Remember the canyon?)
And so we return to the beginning by, once again, speaking of the end: We finished up the day by raking and making a path area look all pretty like. <3
A quick once over of a long day:
La Angostura was great, and a lot was explained about the program and how the talapia farming works (not scientifically, although a bit in regards to the system and how the farming is done, but much more in principle of the ministry, it's function and what the farm accomplishes as well as the things God has already done with the farm's creation alone, even in its unfinished state.
(hinthint: Those taking part in Ignite360 starting July next year will see the finished farm. ;)
We got back in the bus.
More bus.
Went to the hotel the PF people are staying at and the girls went back to the house to get themselves and those who needed it a change of clothes for church while the guys stayed at the hotel. We then took Dawn Marie, Jenna, Christa and Peter to the church and helped set up for The Potter's Field presentation: Spanish Edition (totally made that name up just now).
Then the presentation, which as usual was amazing. This being my third time seeing it, I am starting to realize that each time Pastor Mike and Pam Rozel seem to have something different to say or new to add. I'm really thankful for their ministry.
8:37 AM
Bird song
We're just sitting by the bungallo waiting for Trevor to get the trash bags so we can do a quick once over the property, and I'm just sitting here listening to the birds, looking at the carefully kept grounds and flowers thinking, "This is such an amazing place that God has blessed these children with."
4:25 PM
A lot can happen in half an hour. . .
. . . and even more over the course of a day.
We got a ton of work done. Heading to the church now to help with Pastor Mike's second presentation and we just finished raking part of the front property in preperation for the pastor's conference.
To back up, Trevor had Jaymi and I switch jobs. That may or may not have been a good idea. Instead of trash duty I was spot painting one of the buildings, spot painting meaning, "Not the whole wall, just spots that look like they need it after you've wiped the dust off with a rag."
And I was told to do the entire building. Except I only almost finished the wall I started on. I am an extremely detail oriented individual who happens to lack time sensitivity, something not very helpful while sprucing up for a Pastor's conference happening the next day, and something I've known I need to work on but am reminded of again in a whole new way.
Trevor never said anything, so I'm hoping he didn't actually expect the entire building to be finished. (Except, you know, he totally did and I won't pretend otherwise. ):
After lunch we split up, I joined Pastor Steve in his tour of the property to see the rain damage and find out about the future plans to replace the drainage system. (Remember the canyon?)
And so we return to the beginning by, once again, speaking of the end: We finished up the day by raking and making a path area look all pretty like. <3
Nov. 2, Wednesday
10:56 AM
MINI BUS!
Or short bus. Chris says our white van is actually a mini bus so. . . Call the vehicles what you will.
Last night we picked up the Potter's Field people from the airport and were treated to this REALLY great restaurant. Tortillas, chicken, steak and pico de gallo, plus othe stuff to make your dinner with as we please. Soooooo good! (And we were given a sizable portion of the leftovers!!) My first time having quality flan too. With strawberry slices on top. Yum~
I finally understand its gelatinous beauty. <3
We have met them at the hotel and all piled into the short bus they rented for travel and are on our way to La Angostura to see the tilapia farm and one of the Potter's Field Kids program. (10 of them plus the nine of us plus Pastor Dave, his wife and Peter plus Violeta all going to the same place? Come on, ya' gotta love the short bus.)
With the storm when we first arrived in El Salvador and all our preparations for the Pastor's conference this will actually be our first time going to La Angostura as well, although in the future we will be going to work and minister to the kids from time to time.
It's really nice to see everyone again. ^__^
Our wonderful guests from PF are. . . Pastor Mike and Pam Rozel, Pastor Steve Venable, Christa, Pastor G and Margerett, Jenna, Pastor Don McClure. With them was also Pastor Walter, invited to come as translator for Pastor Mike's presentation after having worked with them previously at his own church, Calvary Chapel Oceanside, to their mutual enjoyment.
(And he's from the Bronx! Accents!!1 XD
He, Pastor G and Karin have so much fun together. :)
MINI BUS!
Or short bus. Chris says our white van is actually a mini bus so. . . Call the vehicles what you will.
Last night we picked up the Potter's Field people from the airport and were treated to this REALLY great restaurant. Tortillas, chicken, steak and pico de gallo, plus othe stuff to make your dinner with as we please. Soooooo good! (And we were given a sizable portion of the leftovers!!) My first time having quality flan too. With strawberry slices on top. Yum~
I finally understand its gelatinous beauty. <3
We have met them at the hotel and all piled into the short bus they rented for travel and are on our way to La Angostura to see the tilapia farm and one of the Potter's Field Kids program. (10 of them plus the nine of us plus Pastor Dave, his wife and Peter plus Violeta all going to the same place? Come on, ya' gotta love the short bus.)
With the storm when we first arrived in El Salvador and all our preparations for the Pastor's conference this will actually be our first time going to La Angostura as well, although in the future we will be going to work and minister to the kids from time to time.
It's really nice to see everyone again. ^__^
Our wonderful guests from PF are. . . Pastor Mike and Pam Rozel, Pastor Steve Venable, Christa, Pastor G and Margerett, Jenna, Pastor Don McClure. With them was also Pastor Walter, invited to come as translator for Pastor Mike's presentation after having worked with them previously at his own church, Calvary Chapel Oceanside, to their mutual enjoyment.
(And he's from the Bronx! Accents!!1 XD
He, Pastor G and Karin have so much fun together. :)
Nov. 1, Tuesday
8:48 AM
TREAT!
Karin and Randy were so cool! A few of us were hoping to stop somewhere and grab some candy for Halloween, but we didn't have time because Randy and Karin had to leave at 6:30 to meet with some people.
But after their meeting, Randy mentioned to Karin that we had been hoping to buy some and on their wayhome stopped to buy us cookies and candy, then before going to bed Karin made an origami box for each of us!
I took some pictures of the boxes and everything, and even got some footage of Ben and Noah finding theirs. So thankful and glad to have the Gilberts with us! :D
And a (specific) problem I have with communication was brought to my attention that I hadn't been previously aware of. So I need to work on that now.
5:19 PM
Untitled Note
We were raking leaves today, and Pastor Dave Eason called us over to pray for the contractor's son. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but his son had been checked out at the hospital and it was determined that he had a disease of some sort in the stomach.
I had a very rough time at the beginning of the day, partly because of what I mentioned in my early journal entry and partly because of a separate but related issue that was brought to my attention soon after we arrived at the boy's home. I was beating myself up a lot.
However Peter, a missionary from San Diego, spoke to me shortly after Pastor Dave prayed about a few things, asked me some questions about my walk with God now and in the past and about how I feel being on the mission field and prayed for me and God's leading in my life. I had really needed it and thank God for placing Peter their today.
I'm not sure how I feel about sharing this publically, but because of the very nature of this blog as having a two-fold purpose, being both my journal and a way of sharing the good news of the things happening here, felt it would be wrong to leave out.
TREAT!
Karin and Randy were so cool! A few of us were hoping to stop somewhere and grab some candy for Halloween, but we didn't have time because Randy and Karin had to leave at 6:30 to meet with some people.
But after their meeting, Randy mentioned to Karin that we had been hoping to buy some and on their wayhome stopped to buy us cookies and candy, then before going to bed Karin made an origami box for each of us!
I took some pictures of the boxes and everything, and even got some footage of Ben and Noah finding theirs. So thankful and glad to have the Gilberts with us! :D
And a (specific) problem I have with communication was brought to my attention that I hadn't been previously aware of. So I need to work on that now.
5:19 PM
Untitled Note
We were raking leaves today, and Pastor Dave Eason called us over to pray for the contractor's son. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but his son had been checked out at the hospital and it was determined that he had a disease of some sort in the stomach.
I had a very rough time at the beginning of the day, partly because of what I mentioned in my early journal entry and partly because of a separate but related issue that was brought to my attention soon after we arrived at the boy's home. I was beating myself up a lot.
However Peter, a missionary from San Diego, spoke to me shortly after Pastor Dave prayed about a few things, asked me some questions about my walk with God now and in the past and about how I feel being on the mission field and prayed for me and God's leading in my life. I had really needed it and thank God for placing Peter their today.
I'm not sure how I feel about sharing this publically, but because of the very nature of this blog as having a two-fold purpose, being both my journal and a way of sharing the good news of the things happening here, felt it would be wrong to leave out.
Oct. 31, Monday
9:18 PM
Finished painting!
Sort-of.
Colin, Chris and I finished painting the office roof, Randy and Trevor finished painting some other things and Jaymi and Kayla finished painting the outdoor picnic tables.
Except the office roof is technically only finished as far as can be seen. . . We were running out of paint on the last section and were told to just do what can be seen of that last part, the edge. I'll make sure to snag pics of some of the things we finished tomorrow.
Finished painting!
Sort-of.
Colin, Chris and I finished painting the office roof, Randy and Trevor finished painting some other things and Jaymi and Kayla finished painting the outdoor picnic tables.
Except the office roof is technically only finished as far as can be seen. . . We were running out of paint on the last section and were told to just do what can be seen of that last part, the edge. I'll make sure to snag pics of some of the things we finished tomorrow.
Oct. 30, Sunday
12:45 PM
Classroom cHaOS!?!!.!_ _~_
(Well, only really during question time.)
Today instead of going to the football ministry after serving breaktast like last Sunday, I went from the church with Kayla and Jaymi to help at the Campos Blancos we visited last week (a neighborhood outreach for those unable to attend church, primarily focused at kids, giving the morning's teaching and a small snack) and from there went back to the church. We met up with Colin who had been playing guitar with the worship team and split up, Kayla and Jaymi in one classroom with Colin and I in another.
The class taught us some songs in Spanish which was really fun, then went into THE longest kids Sunday school lesson in Spanish that I had to stand there and look like I was paying more attention than I actually was (or was even able to) so that I could act like a good role model to the little Sunday school kiddies. Very hard at times when everything is in Spanish. The lesson was Exodus 32, on the Isrealites and the golden calf, and seemed almost like what the teaching at an adult service would be like. Kids were really good for it too. Some of them were bored at times, but they'd come back to attention without the teacher forcing it or anything.
Something else I found interesting but couldn't quite place until overhearing Kayla and Jaymi talk about it later, all the eight and nine year olds had Bibles. That they used for class. And read from. Jaymi mentioned how they actually teach the kids verso a verso (verse by verse), and even though they are in the Old Testament the teaching wasn't 'story oriented'.
At the end the teacher gave the kids a question time with us. So cute, and sooooo excited. It felt really weird being asked if I had been in a war, was married or had a girlfriend and if I had kids (to name the ones that stood out).
One of those funny, "Wow, I really have been out of high school for two years." moments.
Classroom cHaOS!?!!.!_ _~_
(Well, only really during question time.)
Today instead of going to the football ministry after serving breaktast like last Sunday, I went from the church with Kayla and Jaymi to help at the Campos Blancos we visited last week (a neighborhood outreach for those unable to attend church, primarily focused at kids, giving the morning's teaching and a small snack) and from there went back to the church. We met up with Colin who had been playing guitar with the worship team and split up, Kayla and Jaymi in one classroom with Colin and I in another.
The class taught us some songs in Spanish which was really fun, then went into THE longest kids Sunday school lesson in Spanish that I had to stand there and look like I was paying more attention than I actually was (or was even able to) so that I could act like a good role model to the little Sunday school kiddies. Very hard at times when everything is in Spanish. The lesson was Exodus 32, on the Isrealites and the golden calf, and seemed almost like what the teaching at an adult service would be like. Kids were really good for it too. Some of them were bored at times, but they'd come back to attention without the teacher forcing it or anything.
Something else I found interesting but couldn't quite place until overhearing Kayla and Jaymi talk about it later, all the eight and nine year olds had Bibles. That they used for class. And read from. Jaymi mentioned how they actually teach the kids verso a verso (verse by verse), and even though they are in the Old Testament the teaching wasn't 'story oriented'.
At the end the teacher gave the kids a question time with us. So cute, and sooooo excited. It felt really weird being asked if I had been in a war, was married or had a girlfriend and if I had kids (to name the ones that stood out).
One of those funny, "Wow, I really have been out of high school for two years." moments.
Oct. 28, Friday
5:07 PM
My eye still isn't twitching!
Yay~ <3
I messed up last night / this morning. :p
Got rebuked, learned from my mistake, found out how to not be a hindrance and got a semi-random exhortation at the end of the day letting me know that I've been doing a good job and making good time painting the roof and that so long as I accept what I was told and will try and learn from it everything's good.
Some of it hurt, but I needed all of it. ^___^
Oh, and us guys had some dude time at lunch and talked about a bunch of different topics. It was then continued on the way home when everyone else went to the basketball game Randy and Trevor take part in every Friday. Our reasons ranged from doing the 'homework' we rarely seem to have time for to taking some chill time.
Today was sweaty. The heat. IT IS COMING.
My eye still isn't twitching!
Yay~ <3
I messed up last night / this morning. :p
Got rebuked, learned from my mistake, found out how to not be a hindrance and got a semi-random exhortation at the end of the day letting me know that I've been doing a good job and making good time painting the roof and that so long as I accept what I was told and will try and learn from it everything's good.
Some of it hurt, but I needed all of it. ^___^
Oh, and us guys had some dude time at lunch and talked about a bunch of different topics. It was then continued on the way home when everyone else went to the basketball game Randy and Trevor take part in every Friday. Our reasons ranged from doing the 'homework' we rarely seem to have time for to taking some chill time.
Today was sweaty. The heat. IT IS COMING.
Oct. 27, Thursday
9:14 AM
Donuts, scrambled eggs, beans, milk and orange juice.
Our breakfast at Trevor and Eric's house. Yum~ (She mixed so much in with the eggs I could barely taste 'em. <3 ) The beach was just the break we all needed in this lack of consistency that is our time so far in El Salvador, and we are now heading back to the house to open some windows and air things out then it is off to San Martin for another day of work. Not sure what we are doing for lunches though. We bought more bread this morning, so maybe we'll make our lunches there? (Though I think the plan was to make sandwiches at Trevor and Erica's house. . .) Everyone had a good time, accept I wanted to tempt fate just once before leaving the water for good and gave the water a sweeping kick to make a splash just for fun. The splash came up, and part of it came back on my face. Spent the next few hours laying down trying to make sure that what little bit of water went in came back out. Boring, but I learened my lesson, earned an excercise in patience, got some rest I was probably needing more than I realized and got to work on my tan. So a good day despite that little mess up. Oh! And my eye didn't twitch at all until we were on our way back at night and I was overthinking some things. I stopped myself and calmed down, and for the rest of the night was fine. I want to work on Spanish, but hope to avoid listening to much for a little while today so as to rest my brain awhile longer. Hey, it sounds bad, but you aren't the one with the twitching eye. :( 7:05 PM
Mini journal
Abandoned journaling in favor of talking with Noah on the way home. Figured he could use it, and I'm little more than a big kid anyway so it was fun. Oh the reminiscing of cartoons! ;)
A few quick highlights:
Colin stayed back today because while swimming he accidentally swallowed an unknown quantity of salt water throughout the day. He threw up last, but was gradually feeling better over the course of the morning before we left.
Karin took Ben in the other van to pick up Arele, the woman who offered to come and help us by precooking some of our meals (I think the spelling for her name is getting closer?), and go shopping. She happened to run into a couple who had worked security at the embassy and apparently had all sorts of fun stories and tips for safety about living in and traveling around El Salvador. I choose to think of it as a good reminder to not grow lax in what reasonable security measures we can take, and more importantly, to not grow lax in our prayers for safety. Beyond that, to not grow lax in our other prayers as well. We haven't had anything happen personally that makes us question our safety, but we are beginning to understand that despite our not seeing it there are very real dangers.
And Kayla has officially upgraded from ninja robot to ningel. She's a Ninja angel!
Donuts, scrambled eggs, beans, milk and orange juice.
Our breakfast at Trevor and Eric's house. Yum~ (She mixed so much in with the eggs I could barely taste 'em. <3 ) The beach was just the break we all needed in this lack of consistency that is our time so far in El Salvador, and we are now heading back to the house to open some windows and air things out then it is off to San Martin for another day of work. Not sure what we are doing for lunches though. We bought more bread this morning, so maybe we'll make our lunches there? (Though I think the plan was to make sandwiches at Trevor and Erica's house. . .) Everyone had a good time, accept I wanted to tempt fate just once before leaving the water for good and gave the water a sweeping kick to make a splash just for fun. The splash came up, and part of it came back on my face. Spent the next few hours laying down trying to make sure that what little bit of water went in came back out. Boring, but I learened my lesson, earned an excercise in patience, got some rest I was probably needing more than I realized and got to work on my tan. So a good day despite that little mess up. Oh! And my eye didn't twitch at all until we were on our way back at night and I was overthinking some things. I stopped myself and calmed down, and for the rest of the night was fine. I want to work on Spanish, but hope to avoid listening to much for a little while today so as to rest my brain awhile longer. Hey, it sounds bad, but you aren't the one with the twitching eye. :( 7:05 PM
Mini journal
Abandoned journaling in favor of talking with Noah on the way home. Figured he could use it, and I'm little more than a big kid anyway so it was fun. Oh the reminiscing of cartoons! ;)
A few quick highlights:
Colin stayed back today because while swimming he accidentally swallowed an unknown quantity of salt water throughout the day. He threw up last, but was gradually feeling better over the course of the morning before we left.
Karin took Ben in the other van to pick up Arele, the woman who offered to come and help us by precooking some of our meals (I think the spelling for her name is getting closer?), and go shopping. She happened to run into a couple who had worked security at the embassy and apparently had all sorts of fun stories and tips for safety about living in and traveling around El Salvador. I choose to think of it as a good reminder to not grow lax in what reasonable security measures we can take, and more importantly, to not grow lax in our prayers for safety. Beyond that, to not grow lax in our other prayers as well. We haven't had anything happen personally that makes us question our safety, but we are beginning to understand that despite our not seeing it there are very real dangers.
And Kayla has officially upgraded from ninja robot to ningel. She's a Ninja angel!
Oct. 26, Wednesday
10:34 AM
Beach umbrellas
The Gilberts have la sombria grande y verde!! (a big green umbrella!!)
We are on our way to the beach, and it looks like the aloe Chris gave me helped because I don't think my back is peeling! And I rubbed some on my face and I think those scratches have gone down! :D
(I don't know why I'm typing all excited like, but it's fun. ;)
Forgot my earplugs though, so I will need to be careful around the water. For those who hadn't heard, last summer my ear was ruptured pretty badly and and I needed surgery to repair it. The perfortion has closed up quite a bit but isn't completely gone.
Hasta luego!
Beach umbrellas
The Gilberts have la sombria grande y verde!! (a big green umbrella!!)
We are on our way to the beach, and it looks like the aloe Chris gave me helped because I don't think my back is peeling! And I rubbed some on my face and I think those scratches have gone down! :D
(I don't know why I'm typing all excited like, but it's fun. ;)
Forgot my earplugs though, so I will need to be careful around the water. For those who hadn't heard, last summer my ear was ruptured pretty badly and and I needed surgery to repair it. The perfortion has closed up quite a bit but isn't completely gone.
Hasta luego!
Oct. 25, Tuesday
6:05 PM
Painting the roof and bomb'n the house!
We got more of it done. But my back really hurts. And I have a sunburn from my shirt riding up without my realizing. And on the way to the car I think I got a bug bite because my lip suddenly began swelling up. :,(
Bah. We did good work and I'm just whining. :p
Tomorrow the house is going to be fumigated because we are realizing that the bugs are likely to be a bigger problem than we had first thought. We'll be staying at Trevor and Erika's new house tomorrow night. Unfortunately our house is the farthest thing from being 'sealed', so Randy brings up a good point in that the bugs will be coming back unless it also repels them. . . and we are in Central America and bugs are part of the package, he brought up that point too.
But what are we supposed to do? Karin just brought the bugs up to Violeta for advice and the ultimate El Salvadoran handy man, who's name I can't recall at the moment other than that it starts with an 'R', said "le bomba!"*
Also, tomorrow is Randy'a birthday so Violeta said we could take the day off to hit the beach, and because Randy is a lifetime experienced surfer could be an exception to the 'no surfing' rule the church has for partnered missionaries due to past incidents. (Thank you God for letting Randy have that!)
*Actually it's totally Karen having fun saying the house is going to be bombed in Spanish, but the point is from what I understand that he was the one who suggested full on fumigation.
9:48 PM
Aloe! It's a leaf.
I actually already knew that, but am not sure anyone had actually shown me how you use it. I always thought the leaf was boiled or something. . . but you just cut it open. o-O
I asked Chris if I could use some of the aloe I had assumed he brought and began to tell me that he gave his big pump bottle to Tony at the Ranch when he stopped and said, "Oh. We have some growing in the back."
I have aloe on a few scrapes and the small of my back now. <3 :)
And put it on my lips. I also discovered a few minutes later that antioxidant goo doesn't taste very good.
But I hope to be much more ready for the beach tomorrow! :D
Painting the roof and bomb'n the house!
We got more of it done. But my back really hurts. And I have a sunburn from my shirt riding up without my realizing. And on the way to the car I think I got a bug bite because my lip suddenly began swelling up. :,(
Bah. We did good work and I'm just whining. :p
Tomorrow the house is going to be fumigated because we are realizing that the bugs are likely to be a bigger problem than we had first thought. We'll be staying at Trevor and Erika's new house tomorrow night. Unfortunately our house is the farthest thing from being 'sealed', so Randy brings up a good point in that the bugs will be coming back unless it also repels them. . . and we are in Central America and bugs are part of the package, he brought up that point too.
But what are we supposed to do? Karin just brought the bugs up to Violeta for advice and the ultimate El Salvadoran handy man, who's name I can't recall at the moment other than that it starts with an 'R', said "le bomba!"*
Also, tomorrow is Randy'a birthday so Violeta said we could take the day off to hit the beach, and because Randy is a lifetime experienced surfer could be an exception to the 'no surfing' rule the church has for partnered missionaries due to past incidents. (Thank you God for letting Randy have that!)
*Actually it's totally Karen having fun saying the house is going to be bombed in Spanish, but the point is from what I understand that he was the one who suggested full on fumigation.
9:48 PM
Aloe! It's a leaf.
I actually already knew that, but am not sure anyone had actually shown me how you use it. I always thought the leaf was boiled or something. . . but you just cut it open. o-O
I asked Chris if I could use some of the aloe I had assumed he brought and began to tell me that he gave his big pump bottle to Tony at the Ranch when he stopped and said, "Oh. We have some growing in the back."
I have aloe on a few scrapes and the small of my back now. <3 :)
And put it on my lips. I also discovered a few minutes later that antioxidant goo doesn't taste very good.
But I hope to be much more ready for the beach tomorrow! :D
Oct. 24, Monday
4:08 PM
M&Ms (Maou and Machetes)
Today started with Randy picking up Arieli from El Centro (one of the names for the primary campus of the church we are work with). She is amazing! I don't really know anything about her and only met her today, but she is amazing!
We've been having trouble getting our meals set up, and are forced to eat slightly more expencively because, being from the US, it is dangerous at the local market where El Salvadorans shop. However, Arieli offered to come and prepare a few meals for us twice a week!
We buy some of the things and give Violeta or her money to buy what can be bought at the market meaning not do we have time to eat better meals and have the opportunity to try the local cuisine, it is cheaper too! (Or at least that is what happened this time. I am not completely clear on how this works yet, I just know it's crazy awesome.)
At San Martin the girls started out continuing with ohas (leaves) raking and the guys went down into the property's drainage canyon. . . thing and cut away the over growth for the next rainy season. With machetes.
It's actually kind of fun. If you aren't near anyone else swinging a machete, then it is mildly terrifying depending on the person and their proximity and how well you trust them with large pointy objects that range from dull to quite sharp.
Well, fun until you are taking a picture of people working and a certain someone who shall remain unnamed decides it would be funny to throw one of the branches near you, but misses, smacking you in the face and almost taking out your left eye.
(I'm really fine aside from my nagging love for drama. The force of the impact and closeness to my eye was worrying at first, but It just left two little scrapes. ;)
At lunch we went back up, this time through the drainage canal we were cleaning at the end, and after that switched to yard work because the guy we were working with had other things to do for the day. (At least. . . I think that was the reason for it? He may have just been sick of us but there's no telling.) Since we finished eating early, a few of us got together and played this AMAZING card game called Maou. Spangilsh-when-we-remembered-it style. Oh yeah.
Tough cookies folks, the only rule I can tell you is that I can't tell you the rules. (If you ever want to start a game however, I'd be more than happy to tell all you need to know. SO MUCH FUN!!! <3)
Coming home, Randy took Arieli back to the church and we all began preparing for guests! We had our neighbors, Ana and her two children Otto and Daniela, over for dinner which was a lot of fun. I tried undertstanding the conversations between her and our more experienced Spanish speakers, and I was able to pick out a few words, but mostly botched the actual conversation topic. For instance, at one point Karen was talking and using her hands a lot and said gigantic baby, but I thought she said 'bebe', meaning drink. Suffice it.to say her hand motions would have made the rest understandable, but I thought she was telling one of the weirdest stories ever.
Ana's husband Hulio is currently in California staying with his family after having suffered a stroke while working in the US. Ana would like to bring the children and stay with him, but for various reasons has been concerned about doing so.
If you could, please pray for their family and for God's hand in their lives.
M&Ms (Maou and Machetes)
Today started with Randy picking up Arieli from El Centro (one of the names for the primary campus of the church we are work with). She is amazing! I don't really know anything about her and only met her today, but she is amazing!
We've been having trouble getting our meals set up, and are forced to eat slightly more expencively because, being from the US, it is dangerous at the local market where El Salvadorans shop. However, Arieli offered to come and prepare a few meals for us twice a week!
We buy some of the things and give Violeta or her money to buy what can be bought at the market meaning not do we have time to eat better meals and have the opportunity to try the local cuisine, it is cheaper too! (Or at least that is what happened this time. I am not completely clear on how this works yet, I just know it's crazy awesome.)
At San Martin the girls started out continuing with ohas (leaves) raking and the guys went down into the property's drainage canyon. . . thing and cut away the over growth for the next rainy season. With machetes.
It's actually kind of fun. If you aren't near anyone else swinging a machete, then it is mildly terrifying depending on the person and their proximity and how well you trust them with large pointy objects that range from dull to quite sharp.
Well, fun until you are taking a picture of people working and a certain someone who shall remain unnamed decides it would be funny to throw one of the branches near you, but misses, smacking you in the face and almost taking out your left eye.
(I'm really fine aside from my nagging love for drama. The force of the impact and closeness to my eye was worrying at first, but It just left two little scrapes. ;)
At lunch we went back up, this time through the drainage canal we were cleaning at the end, and after that switched to yard work because the guy we were working with had other things to do for the day. (At least. . . I think that was the reason for it? He may have just been sick of us but there's no telling.) Since we finished eating early, a few of us got together and played this AMAZING card game called Maou. Spangilsh-when-we-remembered-it style. Oh yeah.
Tough cookies folks, the only rule I can tell you is that I can't tell you the rules. (If you ever want to start a game however, I'd be more than happy to tell all you need to know. SO MUCH FUN!!! <3)
Coming home, Randy took Arieli back to the church and we all began preparing for guests! We had our neighbors, Ana and her two children Otto and Daniela, over for dinner which was a lot of fun. I tried undertstanding the conversations between her and our more experienced Spanish speakers, and I was able to pick out a few words, but mostly botched the actual conversation topic. For instance, at one point Karen was talking and using her hands a lot and said gigantic baby, but I thought she said 'bebe', meaning drink. Suffice it.to say her hand motions would have made the rest understandable, but I thought she was telling one of the weirdest stories ever.
Ana's husband Hulio is currently in California staying with his family after having suffered a stroke while working in the US. Ana would like to bring the children and stay with him, but for various reasons has been concerned about doing so.
If you could, please pray for their family and for God's hand in their lives.
Oct. 23, Sunday
6:55 AM
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
We were late out the door, but are on our way to church and going to help pass out breakfast to los niños.
9:15 AM
Breakfast. . . Complete.
We helped pass out plates and after the kids left helped set up chairs for the next service/ministry of the morning. After that we went out and had our own breakfast, the adventure of our van not starting and are now arriving at Campos Blancos. I'll explain things later to save time!
9:57 AM
On to the football!
(And not the American kind just-so-you-know.)
We are on our way now to the stadium(?) for a football/soccer kids ministry the church runs. Chris just told me they have 200 kids in it!
Details later!
12:53 PM
Keeping score and being the bisor!
Colin and I switched off between managing the score sheet, which involves holding 'roll call' to make sure the kids were all there, marking down when the kids were given an amario (yellow) or roho (red) card and keeping track of the score, and being the bisor (lineman?) who stands by one of the goals and is a sort of 'point ref' and watching to make sure that goals are valid in the case of a disagreement.
5:56 PM
We're lost!
On our way to church! XD
Both vans!!
Seperatly!!!
. . . And now that I've had my fun, we just went the wrong way. We are on our way back to a landmark so that the vans can meet up and figure out how to get to church. (Which, I should probably add, we are attending at a satellite campus at the Merriot Hotel, a place we haven't been to before. Hence the travel confusion.)
I should also probably add that while I say 'lost', it is right down the street from the US Embassy and both drivers, to the best of my knowledge, know how to get to the house.
The problem is that we do not know how to get to church and are going to be late. . . :(
---
Update! Chris and Jaymi have asked for directions and both vans met up, so we should be there in a few minutes. Don't you love it when a problem gets solved as you are writing about it to share with everyone and everything via the world wide web?
No? Never had that happen before? Well what kind of a person are you!? D:<
---
And we're here! :D
Time: 6.18 PM, Oct. 23, 2011
Yesterday's photos:
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
We were late out the door, but are on our way to church and going to help pass out breakfast to los niños.
9:15 AM
Breakfast. . . Complete.
We helped pass out plates and after the kids left helped set up chairs for the next service/ministry of the morning. After that we went out and had our own breakfast, the adventure of our van not starting and are now arriving at Campos Blancos. I'll explain things later to save time!
9:57 AM
On to the football!
(And not the American kind just-so-you-know.)
We are on our way now to the stadium(?) for a football/soccer kids ministry the church runs. Chris just told me they have 200 kids in it!
Details later!
12:53 PM
Keeping score and being the bisor!
Colin and I switched off between managing the score sheet, which involves holding 'roll call' to make sure the kids were all there, marking down when the kids were given an amario (yellow) or roho (red) card and keeping track of the score, and being the bisor (lineman?) who stands by one of the goals and is a sort of 'point ref' and watching to make sure that goals are valid in the case of a disagreement.
5:56 PM
We're lost!
On our way to church! XD
Both vans!!
Seperatly!!!
. . . And now that I've had my fun, we just went the wrong way. We are on our way back to a landmark so that the vans can meet up and figure out how to get to church. (Which, I should probably add, we are attending at a satellite campus at the Merriot Hotel, a place we haven't been to before. Hence the travel confusion.)
I should also probably add that while I say 'lost', it is right down the street from the US Embassy and both drivers, to the best of my knowledge, know how to get to the house.
The problem is that we do not know how to get to church and are going to be late. . . :(
---
Update! Chris and Jaymi have asked for directions and both vans met up, so we should be there in a few minutes. Don't you love it when a problem gets solved as you are writing about it to share with everyone and everything via the world wide web?
No? Never had that happen before? Well what kind of a person are you!? D:<
---
And we're here! :D
Time: 6.18 PM, Oct. 23, 2011
Yesterday's photos:
Oct. 21, Friday
4:22 PM
2nd day. . .
That we spent working at the boy's home. :)
Today we worked on clearing dirt, mud, weeds and grass from around the soccer field, and I remembered my camera so you'll actually be able to see the significance of that! Randy went around chopping with a machete and was followed by someone hacking with a how and pulling the debris off the brick shelf it was growing onto that surrounded the field and into the drain channel where people were coming behind with shovels to scrape off the caked earth and rakes to make piles that would be transferred into a wheelbarrow and moved else where for dumping.
(Run on sentence. . . Complete. Have a nice day.)
We've left a little early because today is a league game for the church's basketball team. It's funny to think of sports as a major ministry, but the church has it's own leagues it runs for every age group (and when I say 'every', I MEAN every) and has* a team that plays in a local church league. Because sports are so big over here, the churches use it as an outreach by allowing non-church members to play in a game if they attend a service.
Isn't it kind-of awesome seeing churches over here work together like that? :)
Well. . . awesome for me to see it and for you to hear about it anyway. ^___^;
*HOLD IT! Jaymi just told us to look as we were going over a bridge and the river was filled with soap suds!?
Photo's of the day:
2nd day. . .
That we spent working at the boy's home. :)
Today we worked on clearing dirt, mud, weeds and grass from around the soccer field, and I remembered my camera so you'll actually be able to see the significance of that! Randy went around chopping with a machete and was followed by someone hacking with a how and pulling the debris off the brick shelf it was growing onto that surrounded the field and into the drain channel where people were coming behind with shovels to scrape off the caked earth and rakes to make piles that would be transferred into a wheelbarrow and moved else where for dumping.
(Run on sentence. . . Complete. Have a nice day.)
We've left a little early because today is a league game for the church's basketball team. It's funny to think of sports as a major ministry, but the church has it's own leagues it runs for every age group (and when I say 'every', I MEAN every) and has* a team that plays in a local church league. Because sports are so big over here, the churches use it as an outreach by allowing non-church members to play in a game if they attend a service.
Isn't it kind-of awesome seeing churches over here work together like that? :)
Well. . . awesome for me to see it and for you to hear about it anyway. ^___^;
*HOLD IT! Jaymi just told us to look as we were going over a bridge and the river was filled with soap suds!?
Photo's of the day:
Oct. 20, Thursday
9:44 AM
On our way to San Martin!
So the rain is now finished, the sun is out and hot, and we are on our way to San Martin!
Also, my blog account is finally fixed so I will begin uploading these little journal things soon, and the doubly good news is I was able to but an SD card yesterday for the camera Jaymi gave me (she was able to find a very nice new one within the price range she was hoping for by the way) so pictures will be accompanying them aswell.
The unfortunate thing is I forgot about it in all our rush to get out the door this morning so there won't be any from me of our first day in San Martin.
5:22 PM
On our way home!
We are heading back and will be returning to San Martin y la casa* de los niños mañana. ("and the boy's home tomorrow.") - Thanks goes to Kayla for fixing my attempt at Spanish grammar.
Today we cleared some drains of leaves and dirt to begin the process of unclogging them get them ready for the next rainy season (remember that this storm came in after the rainy season had just ended and dumped more rain than they've seen in 50 years) and raked up leaves in various places around the property.
We also had the a chance to play football (soccer!) after lunch with several of the boys which was a lot of fun. They had some crazy awesome footwork going and were way better than us but we made up for it, at least a little bit, with our size. (Who am I kidding, we still lost terribly.) Oh how I wish we could show pictures of them!
*i.e. The orphanage, but Violeta said they prefer to call it the home instead.
On our way to San Martin!
So the rain is now finished, the sun is out and hot, and we are on our way to San Martin!
Also, my blog account is finally fixed so I will begin uploading these little journal things soon, and the doubly good news is I was able to but an SD card yesterday for the camera Jaymi gave me (she was able to find a very nice new one within the price range she was hoping for by the way) so pictures will be accompanying them aswell.
The unfortunate thing is I forgot about it in all our rush to get out the door this morning so there won't be any from me of our first day in San Martin.
5:22 PM
On our way home!
We are heading back and will be returning to San Martin y la casa* de los niños mañana. ("and the boy's home tomorrow.") - Thanks goes to Kayla for fixing my attempt at Spanish grammar.
Today we cleared some drains of leaves and dirt to begin the process of unclogging them get them ready for the next rainy season (remember that this storm came in after the rainy season had just ended and dumped more rain than they've seen in 50 years) and raked up leaves in various places around the property.
We also had the a chance to play football (soccer!) after lunch with several of the boys which was a lot of fun. They had some crazy awesome footwork going and were way better than us but we made up for it, at least a little bit, with our size. (Who am I kidding, we still lost terribly.) Oh how I wish we could show pictures of them!
*i.e. The orphanage, but Violeta said they prefer to call it the home instead.
Oct. 18, Tuesday
2:54 PM
Untitled Note
I know, I know! It's getting redundunt, but we were hoping to go to the hospital. However, because they didn't get back to us we aren't.
Funny enough that's not actually so bad because instead of going back to the hotel (Our temporary residence encase you've forgotten. (The storm actually seems to have come largely to a close and Randy checked Pastor Carlos' house yesterday and it's fine, so this will likely be our last night at the surprisingly nice and cheap hotel.)) we'll be going back to the church to finish the work we were doing this morning.
I get to finish washing my windows! Makes me happy. :D
5:46 PM
So much adhesive!!!
I wasn't able to finish the windows, but it wasn't for lack of trying. The edges of those darned things were lined with the seemingly ancient remnants of long forgotten tape! The windows are funny in that they are like large glass blinders, each pane around 4 or 5 inches wide and a few feet across. Randy is going to ask for me next time we are working at the church and I am able to continue working on my little 'project' if it is alright that I simply remove the panes as I clean them, that way I won't need to awkwardly scrape long loosely constrained sheets of glass ranging from 3 or 4 feet in the air to 7+ feet in the air.
Did I mention that I am washing them with a single torn shirt (camisa), water (agua) and newspaper (periodico) to dry it? Non-American cleaning supplies yeah! XD
Random fact: It is culturally insensitive to say that I am from America. Technically, I am still in America and am from the United States. Get it? :D
Untitled Note
I know, I know! It's getting redundunt, but we were hoping to go to the hospital. However, because they didn't get back to us we aren't.
Funny enough that's not actually so bad because instead of going back to the hotel (Our temporary residence encase you've forgotten. (The storm actually seems to have come largely to a close and Randy checked Pastor Carlos' house yesterday and it's fine, so this will likely be our last night at the surprisingly nice and cheap hotel.)) we'll be going back to the church to finish the work we were doing this morning.
I get to finish washing my windows! Makes me happy. :D
5:46 PM
So much adhesive!!!
I wasn't able to finish the windows, but it wasn't for lack of trying. The edges of those darned things were lined with the seemingly ancient remnants of long forgotten tape! The windows are funny in that they are like large glass blinders, each pane around 4 or 5 inches wide and a few feet across. Randy is going to ask for me next time we are working at the church and I am able to continue working on my little 'project' if it is alright that I simply remove the panes as I clean them, that way I won't need to awkwardly scrape long loosely constrained sheets of glass ranging from 3 or 4 feet in the air to 7+ feet in the air.
Did I mention that I am washing them with a single torn shirt (camisa), water (agua) and newspaper (periodico) to dry it? Non-American cleaning supplies yeah! XD
Random fact: It is culturally insensitive to say that I am from America. Technically, I am still in America and am from the United States. Get it? :D
Oct. 17, Monday
7:41 AM
Rainy morning. . .
Well, I've gotten out of the shower and the rain is coming down pretty hard. I'm not sure if we will be doing much ministry today, but I will have hope and trust God to lead us where He wills at the right time.
I will write about yesterday tomorrow, but for now I'm off to breakfast.
11:58 AM
Untitled Note
So the children's hospital has cancelled all visitors today. :(
But we were able to help out with cleaning at the church! :D
Now we're off to lunch and going to figure out the plan for the rest of the day. Gonna get me some Rossetta Stone in's all I know yeeeaaah~ Uh huh!
Rainy morning. . .
Well, I've gotten out of the shower and the rain is coming down pretty hard. I'm not sure if we will be doing much ministry today, but I will have hope and trust God to lead us where He wills at the right time.
I will write about yesterday tomorrow, but for now I'm off to breakfast.
11:58 AM
Untitled Note
So the children's hospital has cancelled all visitors today. :(
But we were able to help out with cleaning at the church! :D
Now we're off to lunch and going to figure out the plan for the rest of the day. Gonna get me some Rossetta Stone in's all I know yeeeaaah~ Uh huh!
Oct. 15, Saturday
11:53 AM
Washed out but still working!
We had already figured on it last night, but today is a wash out being the worst day of the storm so far. (Still just rain, but lots of it.)
I'll be taking the opportunity to try and figure out why my blog broke, do my laundry, hit up Rosseta Stone, maybe Skype and hopefully draw.
I had what I'm hoping is a great idea for a city scape that incorporates the weather, but will need to experiment in my sketch book a bit before starting to make sure the actual piece comes out right.
---
I also tried to sleep in, but kept waking up every 15-30 minutes. Last night we were up later than planned when, just before going to bed, Yesenia (Jaymi) realized she forgot something and got on the ground to try and find it and found a bug bite instead. It didn't really swell up, but she said it went numb and then caused a shooting pain in her finger tips. Karin had already been told by Violeta that some ants which we have outside bite and described symptoms that seemed to be like Yesenia had, so Karin figured that some of them might have wondered in because of all the rain, but we still watched it for a while, prayed and put ice on it. Yesenia said it was fine this morning, so thank God that it was only an ant, or for making her well if it wasn't.
Washed out but still working!
We had already figured on it last night, but today is a wash out being the worst day of the storm so far. (Still just rain, but lots of it.)
I'll be taking the opportunity to try and figure out why my blog broke, do my laundry, hit up Rosseta Stone, maybe Skype and hopefully draw.
I had what I'm hoping is a great idea for a city scape that incorporates the weather, but will need to experiment in my sketch book a bit before starting to make sure the actual piece comes out right.
---
I also tried to sleep in, but kept waking up every 15-30 minutes. Last night we were up later than planned when, just before going to bed, Yesenia (Jaymi) realized she forgot something and got on the ground to try and find it and found a bug bite instead. It didn't really swell up, but she said it went numb and then caused a shooting pain in her finger tips. Karin had already been told by Violeta that some ants which we have outside bite and described symptoms that seemed to be like Yesenia had, so Karin figured that some of them might have wondered in because of all the rain, but we still watched it for a while, prayed and put ice on it. Yesenia said it was fine this morning, so thank God that it was only an ant, or for making her well if it wasn't.
Oct. 14, Friday
10:13 AM
Moving a hospital! Or something?
Today we are heading over to Trevor and Erika's house to help them with their move.
After that we will be heading back to the house for lunch, and Violeta has made plans with the children's hospital to let us minister there in the afternoon!
Now, I can't help but feel this warrants an emoticons. . . :D
2:30 PM
It's raining~ It's pouring~ The old man is snoring~
Our trip to the children's hospital was cancelled because of the rain. I am disappointed, but will just have to trust that God has His own plans.
Thinking about it, I had been able to use the spare time to finish unpacking and get my space organized. Now I'm not living out of a bag with a jumbled mass of partially used closet space. Which, surprisingly enough, is actually quite nice. ^-^;;;;;;;
Thanks God!
Wow. That was quite the change of opinion I had there.
Moving a hospital! Or something?
Today we are heading over to Trevor and Erika's house to help them with their move.
After that we will be heading back to the house for lunch, and Violeta has made plans with the children's hospital to let us minister there in the afternoon!
Now, I can't help but feel this warrants an emoticons. . . :D
2:30 PM
It's raining~ It's pouring~ The old man is snoring~
Our trip to the children's hospital was cancelled because of the rain. I am disappointed, but will just have to trust that God has His own plans.
Thinking about it, I had been able to use the spare time to finish unpacking and get my space organized. Now I'm not living out of a bag with a jumbled mass of partially used closet space. Which, surprisingly enough, is actually quite nice. ^-^;;;;;;;
Thanks God!
Wow. That was quite the change of opinion I had there.
Oct. 13, Thursday
2:01 PM
Today we finished organizing the large rolls of colored foam, gift wrap and various types of paper, and with a little sweeping seem to have finished cleaning up the supply room for school at the church.
There isn't anything else scheduled for today because of the rain so we are taking the opportunity to visit PriceSmart, El Salvador's version of Costco, to stock up on food and hopefully get a few things needed around the house.
Sent from an IPod on the road
6:57 PM
Jaymi's camera broke! :D
That's actually bad because now she needs to get a new one. . . but good for me because she said I could have it! The screen is broken and there isn't a view window built into it so getting good shots might be a little tricky, but an old camera is better than no camera!
The best part is that earlier today was the first time I really went beyond thinking about how nice it would be to have a camera of my own to honestly wishing that I could have brought one. Thank you God!
(But make sure to pray about Jaymi finding a good deal on her new camera; electronics do not come cheap here.)*
*note: Since first typing this up Jaymi has indeed bought a new camera and she is immensely satisfied with the purchase and thankful for God's provision in providing the support needed to buy a new one. :)
Today we finished organizing the large rolls of colored foam, gift wrap and various types of paper, and with a little sweeping seem to have finished cleaning up the supply room for school at the church.
There isn't anything else scheduled for today because of the rain so we are taking the opportunity to visit PriceSmart, El Salvador's version of Costco, to stock up on food and hopefully get a few things needed around the house.
Sent from an IPod on the road
6:57 PM
Jaymi's camera broke! :D
That's actually bad because now she needs to get a new one. . . but good for me because she said I could have it! The screen is broken and there isn't a view window built into it so getting good shots might be a little tricky, but an old camera is better than no camera!
The best part is that earlier today was the first time I really went beyond thinking about how nice it would be to have a camera of my own to honestly wishing that I could have brought one. Thank you God!
(But make sure to pray about Jaymi finding a good deal on her new camera; electronics do not come cheap here.)*
*note: Since first typing this up Jaymi has indeed bought a new camera and she is immensely satisfied with the purchase and thankful for God's provision in providing the support needed to buy a new one. :)
Oct. 12, Wednesday
??:??
This morning we were on our way to Trevor's to help with painting so that he and Erika will be ready to move soon. On the way Chris and I were talking with Randy, asking him about counting over ten in Spanish, when he pointed to our right and said, "Hey, check out how close we are to that bus." and. . . WHOA!
It was RIGHT there! We probably had three or four inches between us!
??:??
Violeta decided that it would be better if we didn't stay for church tonight because of the weather and the amount of traffic it would cause. I don't mind the rain much (live'n in the north west YA~!) but apparently this rain is "apocalyptic" and "it never rains like this here. . . The only time they've seen rain like this was during hurricane Mitch."
Now to put people's minds at ease, while the weather is coming off of Jova which is passing through Mexico, we are not actually suffering through it but rather weather coming off of it. The problem here however is the same as for those nearer the storm in that the rain has been almost continuous, with varying strengths and repeated downpours. Although El Salvador does have a rainy season and is hardly a dessert, this storm has been dropping several inches just over the last few days.
Violeta told Randy that at least 800 people have already been made homeless.
Make sure to pray for the people here; not only their physical well being, but also ask God that He would use this time of worry and strife to bring the people of El Salvador and all of Central America to the joy of His saving grace.
I would also ask that you pray for all of our safety in this time of unrest as being from the U.S. can mark us as prime targets for theft, particularly that of the girls, Jaymi, Kayla and Karin, and Noah (age 10) and Ben (age 4), who are both very independent and still getting used to remaining closer to their parents than is often required in the states. Pray for all of our attentiveness in being aware of what is happening around us, watching out for each other and keeping track of the children. I would also like to request prayer for Noah, and particularly Ben's, adjustment to living in El Salvador; although they seem to be handling it well there are a few things with Ben that have been giving Karin concern.
People I met today:
Josue, Chris and I spoke with him at the church before beginning work. He speaks English very well, and is also semi-fluent in Japanese. He's a nice guy and fun to talk to but I can already see how easy it would be to spend most of my time around the English speakers and hinder my own ability to learn Spanish. It will be tough, but I will need to watch out for it.
Karelina, our supervisor as we cleaned up a storage room for school supplies. She doesn't speak a lick of English as far as I could, or at least not conversationally, and I'm happy for it. Figuring out where things went sometimes required her guidance, and it was a good way of being eased into the great challenge of language immersion. I learned a few things, though I'll probably need a refresher course tomorrow, and was able to use some of the things I've been trying to memorize in a practical setting. I wasn't entirely sure how patient she was with our questions though. . .
This morning we were on our way to Trevor's to help with painting so that he and Erika will be ready to move soon. On the way Chris and I were talking with Randy, asking him about counting over ten in Spanish, when he pointed to our right and said, "Hey, check out how close we are to that bus." and. . . WHOA!
It was RIGHT there! We probably had three or four inches between us!
??:??
Violeta decided that it would be better if we didn't stay for church tonight because of the weather and the amount of traffic it would cause. I don't mind the rain much (live'n in the north west YA~!) but apparently this rain is "apocalyptic" and "it never rains like this here. . . The only time they've seen rain like this was during hurricane Mitch."
Now to put people's minds at ease, while the weather is coming off of Jova which is passing through Mexico, we are not actually suffering through it but rather weather coming off of it. The problem here however is the same as for those nearer the storm in that the rain has been almost continuous, with varying strengths and repeated downpours. Although El Salvador does have a rainy season and is hardly a dessert, this storm has been dropping several inches just over the last few days.
Violeta told Randy that at least 800 people have already been made homeless.
Make sure to pray for the people here; not only their physical well being, but also ask God that He would use this time of worry and strife to bring the people of El Salvador and all of Central America to the joy of His saving grace.
I would also ask that you pray for all of our safety in this time of unrest as being from the U.S. can mark us as prime targets for theft, particularly that of the girls, Jaymi, Kayla and Karin, and Noah (age 10) and Ben (age 4), who are both very independent and still getting used to remaining closer to their parents than is often required in the states. Pray for all of our attentiveness in being aware of what is happening around us, watching out for each other and keeping track of the children. I would also like to request prayer for Noah, and particularly Ben's, adjustment to living in El Salvador; although they seem to be handling it well there are a few things with Ben that have been giving Karin concern.
People I met today:
Josue, Chris and I spoke with him at the church before beginning work. He speaks English very well, and is also semi-fluent in Japanese. He's a nice guy and fun to talk to but I can already see how easy it would be to spend most of my time around the English speakers and hinder my own ability to learn Spanish. It will be tough, but I will need to watch out for it.
Karelina, our supervisor as we cleaned up a storage room for school supplies. She doesn't speak a lick of English as far as I could, or at least not conversationally, and I'm happy for it. Figuring out where things went sometimes required her guidance, and it was a good way of being eased into the great challenge of language immersion. I learned a few things, though I'll probably need a refresher course tomorrow, and was able to use some of the things I've been trying to memorize in a practical setting. I wasn't entirely sure how patient she was with our questions though. . .
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