3 things part deux

Here are two more people's thoughts on what they experienced. 

1.      Although Salvadorans are a poor people economically, in the important aspects of life – faith, family, love – they are very rich indeed. They are a happy, hard-working, content people who see their blessings in the simplest of things.

2.      Those who are not so concerned with having lots of material possessions are more in tune with their spirituality.

3.      Although some of us visualized ways to make the building process easier and more efficient, there was a certain symmetry and peacefulness in the rhythm of doing the labor by hand; mixing of chispa and mezcla by shovelful, the handing of blocks by human train, the slapping of the mezcla and placing of the blocks…

1) The love parents show their children is universal-think Edwin and his son.

2) Acts of service is a love language.

3) With determination and a sense of humor, much can be accomplished.

Top 3 Part 1

Each person was asked to give their top 3 thoughts or reflections from the trip.  As they come in we will give them to you.

1) For me seeing the conditions of the country for my own eyes instead of seeing it as an informational video segment really made it real. We all see the videos of the people in other countries and then there is a request for money, I think we can all agree that if we didn't know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this does exist beyond out backdoor we know now.

2) This was covered but I think it is a good reminder to us all that we just came from an area that has so little but is so grateful for what they have. I think about visiting Santiago de Maria and then think of how much our house is worth or how much our car is worth and then compare that to how much someone in El Salvador makes in a month.

3) For me it is important to be able to take away one other moment of time during the week and say yes I was on this trip and no matter happens in the future, if mission trips are in your future or not, we all made a difference for the time spent was well appreciated and accepted by many.

1)  Let go of your expectations and be open to the unexpected.  It's often in the detours or changes of plans that we learn the most.

2) The poor are great teachers if we're ready to be students.

3) Prayer is as much about listening to God as it is talking.  

A Reflection From Janet Elwer

My greatest impression was the kindness of the people of El Salvador. They were always taking good care of us. It is the dry season and is very hot and dusty, but everyone, especially the children, were very clean-they put me to shame. The work was hard, but a good hard. Out group developed a wonderful relationship with the family and the site workers. I’d go back (but maybe a cooler month!).

A picture of Janet and some young people from El Salvador.

A Reflection from Mary Reichter

By chance, I was born in the United States. My grandfather immigrated from Mexico in 1921. I could have been a Mexican citizen. I am truly blessed to live in a country where anything is possible and that has so much. I take a lot for granted sometimes. I hope to keep my awareness and gratitude for all I have in the forefront of my mind each day.

I create art on a daily basis and I thought I would not be able to in El Salvador. Not the case. I was able to get supplies and create. I also found objects to create with, rocks and bottle caps. It was a hoot to see what I could do with markers, bottle caps and rocks, oh and don't forget the white fingernail polish.


-Mary Reichter

And on the 7th day they rested.

March 23, 2013

On our first day on the work sites, I mentioned Felipe, Cristabel's cousin, who was working on the construction of her house with no shoes. All week the team was going through their shoes, trying to determine who had a pair that would fit Felipe.  On Friday, we had success! A pair of shoes from Mary Reichter (thanks actually go to her husband, Lyle) fit Felipe.  Allen Kurschinksi contributed a pair of socks. When the shoes and socks were presented to Felipe, he motioned for us to wait a minute; he had to go wash his feet before he put his new shoes on.  He was so excited, and so sad, also.  He said, "I have nothing to give you. I have no money."  This Holy Thursday as we witness the washing of feet, let us keep in mind those who have little, but give so much.

Today the team boarded a bus and headed to the shore for our final night together, to unpack the experiences of the week, to continue bonding, and for some transition time before we head home tomorrow.

Day 6 The Last Day of Worksites

Compliments of Patsy...

March 22, 2013

Our final day on the worksites was a half day, which was very good timing!  With the heat and humidity of Thursday we were pretty well spent. Mario's home needed another coat of interior paint and then that work crew got a major break. The welders arrived and they needed to vacate the premises. Mario took them all to the park and wanted the crew of 6 to enjoy themselves watching his daughter's softball game. At Cristabel's site, Jesus and the crew of 12 had much to do. Another two rounds cement block went up, and interior floors were rocked and tamped down. Our entertainment for the day was a school parade, similar to homecoming, complete with marching band, drill team, and many children; a great diversion from another very hot day on the worksite! It was really great to see how much we've all learned. Everyone knows enough at this point to jump in without being asked. As one of our volunteers put it, it's like a dance. Everyone moves in and out with ease. 

We all stopped work at noon so that we could head to the Usulutan Habitat office for a lunch of traditional foods and a lovely ceremony with our two families. Our lunch was delicious and consisted of papusas, yuca nuggets, fried yuca, coleslaw, and a yummy fruit salad drink. Each family spoke, thanking Habitat and the masons, and all of us. It was emotional at times, because of the meaningful relationships we have formed in such a short time. Jeff and Janet Elwer spoke on behalf of the group of six, and Jeff was able to deliver his message in Spanish. Mario was very touched and still managed to wow us with his larger than life personality. Mary Lou Neugent also spoke and expressed our thoughts and feelings to Cristabel. We were each called forward to receive recognition for our work and presence.  

We have shared our last meal at the hotel in Usulutan and will head to the outdoor market in the morning. From there we head west to the coast for our final night in this wonderful country

Day 5 first day of spring

March 21, 2013

Happy first day of spring!  We heard it wasn't very spring-like in Iowa, but we more than made up for it here. It was about 90 degrees today, which wasn't extraordinarily hot, but it was more humid, and there wasn't much of a breeze until late in the day.  Mario's house is on a sunny lot; we started painting the interior walls today, which wasn't too physically stressful, but with the heat and humidity, it took a lot out of us. His house will be finished next week and ready for him and his family to move in! 

We are fed many different fruits on our breaks.  We had a chance to sample cashew fruit (did you know cashews are the seeds from a fruit?). While we've loved the mangos, pineapple and papaya, the cashew fruit did not go over very well! We have been fed a wide variety of foods, although Aaron Reichter thinks we get fed frijoles a little too often.

Cristabel's house is on a shady lot, but for a couple of hours in the afternoon, the house is completely in the sun as well.  Working inside a house built of cement block gets pretty hot, but that crew finished getting all the walls up today!

Quite a few of our team were in El Salvador a year ago, building a house for Gloria, her daughter and grandchildren. After cleaning up our work sites, both crews headed to the home of Gloria for a visit.  She was thrilled to have us there (all 18 of us, plus Jesus, our interpreter and our two van drivers) and had refreshments for us.  She and her grandchildren had a hug and a welcome for each of us, even those she had not met before. Her house, though very small (by our standards) was colorfully painted and neat as a pin. Even though we were all hot and tired, crankily wishing for our showers, and wondering why we had to make this extra stop, meeting and visiting with Gloria was a blessing that just made our day!