A day of rest

(Somewhere in this picture is a bunch of students jumping waves...)

We spent Tuesday shopping at a market and practicing our bargaining skills. After that, we spent the day at the beach, jumping big waves and relaxing. Some got up to look for sea turtles at night and many got up to see the sunrise. We have been enjoying the beauty of God's creation. In a few minutes we will head to the airport for the journey home, and we'll be sad to say goodbye to our new friends, Humberto, Cat and Patrick. Next stop: Grantham!

Sunset over El Salvador

Sunday Fun-day

Today we had the privilege of joining with a congregation of Iglesia de Dios, the Church of God. We couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome, translated through Humbertito. It was interesting to listen to familiar worship songs in Spanish, and to feel the movement of the Spirit, Who has no regard for language barriers. It was an awesome start to a calmer, slower-paced day of reflection on God and how he has been working in us and through us, as well as in the lives of the people here in this beautiful country. 

The day only got better from there as we experienced the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of standing on top of a volcano and looking down into its crater, a four-hour hike down (we didn't go down, but that's just a reference on how far it actually was). How can you possibly follow up that experience?? Well, we did with a visit to some Mayan ruins. Yea, I'm not joking. So rather than trying to go on describing these places which really have no adequate words, here's a few pictures. Worth a thousand words.

I'd write more, but it's late and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, the last day of ministry. Thank you so much for your prayers, we would appreciate continued prayers for God's strength to sustain us, and just that we would accomplish what He has here for us, as His people, the salt and light of the earth. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are so grateful for each person God has placed in our path, and for every awesome and diverse and unplanned opportunity that we have been given. 

Keep it real, as Krista helps Mark to do

Hannah, and Team El Salvador 

Giving the gift of clean water

Today was another amazing day! We started off the day by helping out with the Soccer Academy, half of us played soccer with the little ones and the other half helped install Sawyer water filters for the community right next to the soccer fields.  We had the people receiving the filters gather together for a demonstration on how to assemble, operate, and clean the filters. Patrick also shared with the community about his life with Jesus. It was amazing to see the looks of excitement on their faces as we put together each filter right in front of them. We pray that the filters would change the lives of these people and that the glory will go to God. 

After we went out to lunch and had a chance to honor the Sports Outreach El Salvador team with some gifts and encouraging words.  Then we got right back to work with the Soccer Academy but this time it was with the older children.  We split up into four teams and just got to play soccer with the kiddos.  Sam scored a goal and we are so proud of him because us Americans were not very good except for, of course, Hannah, our amazing soccer player! Afterwards we got to share testimonies and the impact that Christ has had on our lives! Please pray these kiddos and their hearts and that they won't be afraid to ask questions or grow in their relationship with Christ. 

Some people think that mission trips like these change the lives of the people you are serving but in actuality we are being changed. God is completely transforming our hearts to be more like Him. We are learning how to rely on God when things may not go as planned and just in the everyday activities for strength and energy. Also, we are learning how God works and is present in each others lives. We all have different stories and a lot of times we don't take the time to ask or talk about them. Not only are we learning about each other's lives but especially the testimonies of the El Salvadorian people, they may not have a lot but God is enough for them and they trust in their Heavenly Father. 

We ended the night with Mexican food, a Mexican singer, dancing waiters to a mash of American music, a mariachi band, and a lot of dancing! Just imagine it... It is beyond words. 

Thank you for your prayers throughout this journey. Continue to be praying for us as we finish strong in El Salvador! 

Muchas gracias,

Team Salvador 

Seeing God's Beauty in Different Places

Today was another amazing day here in El Salvador. We started off the day at an orphanage that caters to special needs children and adults. We took a tour of the facilities and were able to go around and give love to the people. It was awesome to see the power of a simple touch and smile. The workers at the orphanage were true servants of God, demonstrating love, patience, and dedication daily. We were all touched and blessed by the spirit of these people. One really special story we heard here was of a girl named Sonia, who was born as a result of a father raping his daughter. She wasn't expected to live past 6 months, but she just turned 6. She is a living miracle, showing how God can transform even the most horrific situations into something beautiful. We also got the opportunity to go to Mass with everyone. Although we couldn't understand all of the Spanish, we could definitely feel God's presence. It was a privilege to be able to see these people worship in their own special way. Please pray for God's provision for the orphans and staff. 

After the orphanage, we went to an authentic El Salvadorian restaurant with the most beautiful view. We could even see Honduras in the distance from where we were. We regained our strength from the delicious food and then went on a short hike.  Being able to hike and connect with God through nature was a great way for us to steady our hearts after an emotional morning. At first we were disappointed that it started to rain, but it was actually a really cool experience for us since we were actually walking through the clouds as we went up the mountain. 

Our incredible view at lunch

This afternoon we got to have a very different experience.  Coach Jon got to meet with the people in charge of the tennis program at the facility to discuss possibly working together in the future, while we went back to swim with the El Salvadorian team. We weren't expecting it, but we got to actually practice with the team. It was truly a surreal experience. It was pouring down rain and we were all exhausted, but it was so much fun to bond over our love of swimming.  We finished up with relays, handing out Messiah swim caps, and giving them candy. We were so blessed to meet these swimmers and become so close to them in such a short time. 

Messiah swimmers with the El Salvador team 

It was a full day, as usual! We are trying to take in each moment. God is most definitely working here and also working in us. We are all healthy and happy as you can see! We can't wait to see what God has in store for the rest of the trip.

 Buenos noches! 

-Lauren & Team Salvador 

Today's Story

Today we spent the day at the school, as it has become part of our daily routine. My favorite part is playing with all the kindergarteners. We came armed with bubbles and stickers, and we got so many smiles! Some of the kids thought they were being sly and tried to trick us into giving them more stickers. They would hid their stickers and complain they didn't have any. It was cute. At one point it was just one boy and me. The boy would turn around to hide his sticker, and then turn back around and ask for another as if I hadn't seen him. He must have ended up with 20 star stickers that he decorated his shoes with. 

And later in the day we spend some time at the English Academy. We helped them learn shopping words through a mall role play. It was incredible to see how we'll they understood and spoke especially  for just learning. I think they have only been taking class for six months and yet were able to speak more of a foreign language then I did in 6 years of instruction. And tonight I heard about some of the students stories. One girl walks 10 miles to class. Another is 15 and the head of the household for 2 siblings. It's hard to imagine. 

The biggest take away from this trip has been, people are people. Sometimes I think we forget that everyone can use some compassion, hope, understanding, and help. And it's not just the poor and the destitute that need it. Everyone has their struggles and often times you don't know about them until after. It's like the students in our English academy. When we were speaking to them we had no idea that they had these struggles, until after class. And I think there are people at home that I can extend a hand to, that may not seem especially needy but may actual be deprived of encouragement or strength.

People are people. Extend the love.

-Krista

For Team Salvador

Day 2: What an amazing day!,

Our day started out by visiting more of the communities that are owned by the government here in El Salvador. We went door to door asking the people if they wanted us to bring them Sawyer water filters. We collected names and started to build relationships with the people in this community. The last home that we visited lived a 103 year old women named Matilda. She lived alone and was losing her eye sight. We began to pray for her and with her. Just thinking that she had absolutely nothing and couldn't provide for herself because of her age and health problems, her faith in The Lord was incredible. Her passion and gratefulness for what God has done and is doing is beyond words and beyond evident.

After visiting the communities we went back to the school to teach English, serve food and play with the children. We all split up and did our thing, loving on these kids and sharing Jesus with them. 

Later in the afternoon we went to the local aquatics center to swim with the El Salvador swim team! In the water, we got the chance to not only swim with them but help them with technique and stroke work. It started to thunderstorm so we had to get out but we had the opportunity to share testimonies and share the gospel with them and their parents. 

It was so cool because we were able to build relationships with them in the water and then share the most important thing in our life, Jesus. We were really able to connect with these teenagers so much that we are going back tomorrow to swim with them again. 

I got the chance to share my testimony and afterwards a woman came up to me and we shared a similar experience, that we both lost our dad's from cancer in the same month. We were able to talk about struggles but also the joy that they are in heaven with our Heavenly Father. We were able to encourage each other as well, knowing that we will see them again. We prayed together and God was totally present in that moment. 

God is with us here in El Salvador and we feel and see Him here working in us and through us. We are excited to see what God is going to continue to

do in this next week! Thank you for your prayers! 

God bless,

Katie Reiter and Team Salvador 

Incredible first day

Today was unlike any day I have ever been through. We got up bright and early to visit some extremely impoverished slums, or commonly referred to as developing communities. While visiting, two elderly ladies welcomed us into their homes and we got a glimpse of what it would be Ike to live in these communities. The majority of the houses were made up of sheets of tin, bamboo, and clay. Did it look like a comfortable living situation? Not really, but the families were not hindered by it because of their faith in God. The families knew that in some way, God will provide their needs for them. 

During the late morning and early afternoon, we spent time at a local government school. We split up into three group and went to teach English classes, take part in a PE course, and cooked/handed food out to the children's. It's incredible how much God has blessed this community and these children because there is so much joy and happiness here. Something as little as hugging a child, or picking them up brings them so much excitement which allows us the opportunity to show them more of Christ's love.

We also had the opportunity in the evening to teach an English class, ages ranging from teenagers to adults. We were able to read an English/Spanish duel translation Bible with the people in one on one sessions. This made the experience more personal and gave us the chance for us to help them speak English and them to help us speak Spanish. 

 I pray everything is going well with everyone back in the states, God bless and thank you for your prayers.

-team Salvador 

Leaving for our first day at the school

We are here!

Nothing other than Divine intervention helped us to make our flight after a bus delay, construction/traffic, and needing to stop for gas. We managed to get 11 people and 15 bags off the bus and through check-in in 15 minutes. (Thank you, United Airlines!) And then no lines at security and a jog to the gate... and we are all safely here in San Salvador. It was a long day and we will be ready for our work to begin tomorrow!

Our bags are packed and our hearts are FULL...

El Salvador Team:

Sam (Swimming)

Katie (Swimming)

Mark (Swimming)

Krista (Swimming)

Coach Jeannie (Swimming)

Matt (Track and Field)

Laura (Swimming)

Hannah (Club Soccer)

Patrick (Sawyer Representative)

Missing: Coach Jon (Tennis)

Early this morning we gathered together as a team.  Our goal was to carry a wooden cross, around campus, like Jesus did when he was going to be crucified.  It was a difficult and uncomfortable task but we were all humbled by the sacrifice of our Savior.  During the run, people were stationed at different spots and shared with us exactly what Jesus went through for our sake. This experience helped us prepare for our trip by focusing our hearts on what we will be sharing with the people.  

After breakfast, and of course a shower, we learned more about our partner Sawyer and the water filters that we will be teaching the people of El Salvador to use.  We are excited to be working along with Sawyer as our minds were blown by the simple yet effective water filter that will save lives by providing clean drinking water.

But don't worry friends and family Sawyer didn't just provide training for water filters but WE received heavy duty sunscreen and bug repellent to keep us safe. We spent all afternoon spraying and drying our clothes to keep those bugs away!!

We leave for BWI tomorrow morning at 8:00 am and we are all beyond excited to embark on this life changing journey as we further the Kingdom of God.

Pray for us as we are traveling all day tomorrow, we will try our best to post at least once every day to keep you updated on how God is working through us in El Salvador!

- Team Salvador