Month 3 and Me.

WOWOWOW.

 

I cannot believe that month 3 is already coming to a close. It feels like me and my team just arrived in San Salvador yesterday. I guess the saying is true: Time flies when you’re having fun…. Or doing what God has called you to do.

 

With that said… I want to write a blog on what exactly I did here this month in El Salvador and the impact it had on my life. I’m going to try my best to put into words the things that happened and the joy that has filled my heart.

 

When our host came to pick us up from the El Salvador WYAM Base (which is where our Debrief was held), they were SO full of energy and love off the bat. They picked us up in their van and looked directly at us and asked “Food?” And just like that, we went to Wendy’s and all ate a good ol’ burger. Before you go on and judge me, when you’re on the World Race and you see an American Fast Food restaurant, you immediately go because you want something somewhat normal for a change. Something you recognized from home. And let me tell ya, it was absolutely incredible.

 

So after we ate our burgers in tears, we headed to WAL-MART (which actually made me cry when I saw it) and got a few groceries for the month.

 

^^^^ There is actually no point for the previous comments above but it made me happy so there you go***

 

Alright. So what does a typical day of ministry look like?? I’ll fill you in, don’t worry. But first… I must say that this by far has been the hardest month to write blogs. Not because of what I am doing or anything. But because the things I have learned and the way these El Salvadoran people have treated my team and I has truly brought me to a loss of words. So I apologize for not writing more this month.

 

This month, I haven’t woken up around 5am because our ministry involves us staying out later than in Honduras. We wake up around 8 or 9am, get that coffee, and then immediately workout. The only reason I mention the working out is because if you have followed along my journey for quite some time, you know that I had back surgery about 4 years ago. I have had to learn how to rework my body that doesn’t hurt it. So to be able to do this again is extremely amazing.

 

After all of this, I spend the next couple hours doing my quiet time and spending time with the Lord. Whatever that may look like: reading my Bible, worshiping, journaling, processing, drawing, water-coloring, etc. It’ actually really incredible all the ways we can communicate with the Lord.

 

Around 3:30pm, our host picks us up from her mother’s house (where we are stay) and we head to the church. As she drives us there, the windows are down in the van and we wave and smile at the locals. Mainly, they stare at us because a bunch of ‘gringas’ are in a van and it’s really uncommon to see.

 

When we get to the church, we print off our teaching lessons and minutes later, we begin to teach English. I have about 6 students between the ages of 8 and 11 years old. The amount of knowledge they have about English astounds me. My first lesson was on fruits and veggies… by the end of the 30 minute class, they had everything memorized and could say them back to me. It was inspiring how eager they were to learn English and it makes me wish that I paid attention more in my classes. I wish I was just as eager as these kids are now.

 

There are multiple classes that we teach. Meagan teaches the “babies” and they are about 6 or 7 years old. Hannah teaches the older kids who are in middle school and high school. And then Re and Summer teach the adults and college and career ages. It truly is inspiring to see how much these kids and adults want to learn English.

 

After class, we serve everyone dinner. This has been from papusa’s (the best thing in the entire world and everyone needs to come to El Salvador to try one), cereal with mounds of sugar, or beans and eggs. Also, did I mention that the kids are offered coffee? That makes for a great time right before the church service, let me tell you.

 

When the service starts (services are every Tuesday, Wednesday is prayer, Thursday, and Saturday night) around 6pm. Every service starts with about 30 minutes of prayer. When these people pray, it’s as if it’s their last time to… and honestly that’s how we should all pray all the time. Then, we have a time of worship (it’s really fun to try and figure out which songs they play and then sing them in English.) When these people worship, the room evidently fills with the Holy Spirit. It’s interesting how you don’t have to speak the same language as others and you still feel the emotion and presence of the Holy Spirit.

God is not a God to limit Himself by language.

 

When worship ends, one of us teaches to the congregation. One of the hardest things I’ve done in ministry is to teach to people through a translator, but it was definitely a cool to experience. After the message, we have a moment of worship again and then hangout with the congregation for the next couple minutes.

 

This is what my ministry has looked like this past month. But just at a glance, it wouldn’t cut it. The relationships I’ve built with these people is A M A Z I N G. The ministry is just half of it.

 

So let me introduce you to my friends:

 

1. Mireya– my host. This woman is an amazing pastors wife. She speaks a little English. She does EVERYTHING in the church. I have seen her go from teaching English, to make dinner for everyone, to praying in front of the church, to worship leading, to running to the nursery and watching the kids, and then back for worship at the end. In the midst of all of this, she smiles and always makes sure that we have what we need. Not once have I seen her upset or angry. Mireya is the most selfless being I know. She also plays the role of a mom which has been needed this month.

2. David– Mireya’s husband aka the pastor of the church. The moment I met pastor, I noticed the kindness in his eyes. He truly loves the people he shepherds and the passion when he preaches is incredible. Coming from a pastors family myself, we connected the moment we met. He knows a few words in English and is constantly smiling or laughing. Pastor David is a good man.

3. Tatiana– First time I met her, she helped me teach my students. The best part?? She laughs when I try to pronounce Spanish words. But on the real, Tatiana is always smiling. Watching her worship is incredibly inspiring. She has a son as well that is absolutely adorable.

4. Daniel and Cris- These two men were our translators. They are 22 years old and there love for the Lord is so so so evident. With the little English they knew, they gave up their time to translate whenever we needed it. They took my team hiking, to get ice cream, and to church multiple times. It’s inspiring to meet young men like this that gave so much of their time. But also, we felt incredibly safe around them when we were walking the streets or sitting in the back of a pickup truck. 

 

My love for this country is so so so immense. These people love the Lord, love to serve, and love to love others. My life will forever be changed by these people.

 

El Salvador… You will be missed. For now, my team and I have to say goodbye. And whether we are reunited here on Earth or in heaven… my heart is expectant.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:

 

We are traveling to Vietnam tomorrow! It will involve almost a full week of traveling so make sure to keep us all in your prayers! With that being said, Vietnam is a CLOSED country. This means that missionaries are not allowed in the country. No need to panic. No need to scare my mother (she already knows.) It’s an incredible opportunity to spread the Gospel and show the love of Jesus!! BUT because of this, I will be putting a password on my blog and making my Instagram account private!!

 

The password for my blog is: Psquad2019

 

Make sure you get this so you can continue to read what God is doing in Vietnam and in my life!!

 

I ask that you pray for safety for us the next couple days as we travel. I love you all!! Thank you so so so much for reading and staying up to date with me!

 

Love you all. Mean it.

 

EmJay