Day 7
It was such a fun week in El Salvador. I met some amazing kiddos while I was there. I will deeply miss each and every one of them. It was a growing time between the Lord and I as well. Our team members touched my life as well, in ways they cannot even imagine. Again I will say, God knew what He was doing, when He chose our group. Our translators did such an AMAZING job. I know they must have been doubly tired when they got home. God did some mighty things through all of them. I love each and every team member who went, and we will have memories that will last a lifetime. ...Oh, Alyson and her bday throwing in the air.... hahaha
Our driver Joel was also amazing. He was just as much as a part of the team as any of us. He would play with the kids and love on them just as much, if not more as us. We gave him a Bible and he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior the day we left. He prayed the prayer of salvation in front of all of us at breakfast that morning. God is going to use and bless him immensely!
I had an awesome trip, and it just intensified my passion for adoption and orphans. It also made me appreciate what I have, and my amazing parents who are so encouraging and wonderful examples of Godly parents.
Sorry if these posts have errors, I wrote them all on nights when I was extremely tired, and worn out. God is so good!!!!
Showing posts with label El Salvador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label El Salvador. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Don't wake a sleeping baby!
Day 6
Our last day in El Salvador. We were at an orphanage in Ahuachapan today. It was the furthest drive, with the littlest kids. The kids here were very well taken care of and the older girls seemed to take care of the younger ones. The girls were ranging from 2-14 I believe. It was such a joy to be there. We did the same things as the days before, like bracelets, singing and a Bible lesson. They were truly a joy to be with.
There was a baby duck at the orphanage and Shirley said to my mom "The duck has no mommy too." It was an orphan duck so they kept it and took care of it! So sweet!!!!
We did a pinata and I taught "my" two year old to act like she was giving it to the adults and say.." no!" haha She was so precious. She feel asleep in my arms and was still sleeping when we had to leave. I told everyone I had to take her cause you shouldn't wake a sleeping baby! But they made me pass her off. She didn't wake up, but when she did I bet she thought it all was a dream. I hope one of the best dreams she has ever dreamt.
I miss all of the kids that we encountered. Even though we were only there one day, they all have such a special place in my heart!
We visited a place where one of the volcano's erupted and got to take bits of lava rock with us.
Then we were off to dinner! A Dinner we will never forget! We arrived at what we thought was going to be a restaurant, but it was turned into some store, so we decided to just eat next door. It said karaoke on it, so we were all excited. We all got Congas (a specialty fruit drink in El Salvador) and did karaoke. We danced and had such a fun time. A band came about an hour after we got there and we danced to their music and they sang to Alyson "Pretty woman and Happy Birthday." Words cannot even begin to describe what a fun night we had. I will miss seeing our team members every day. They were such a great group and the Lord really knew what He was doing when He placed us together.
Our last day in El Salvador. We were at an orphanage in Ahuachapan today. It was the furthest drive, with the littlest kids. The kids here were very well taken care of and the older girls seemed to take care of the younger ones. The girls were ranging from 2-14 I believe. It was such a joy to be there. We did the same things as the days before, like bracelets, singing and a Bible lesson. They were truly a joy to be with.
There was a baby duck at the orphanage and Shirley said to my mom "The duck has no mommy too." It was an orphan duck so they kept it and took care of it! So sweet!!!!
We did a pinata and I taught "my" two year old to act like she was giving it to the adults and say.." no!" haha She was so precious. She feel asleep in my arms and was still sleeping when we had to leave. I told everyone I had to take her cause you shouldn't wake a sleeping baby! But they made me pass her off. She didn't wake up, but when she did I bet she thought it all was a dream. I hope one of the best dreams she has ever dreamt.
I miss all of the kids that we encountered. Even though we were only there one day, they all have such a special place in my heart!
We visited a place where one of the volcano's erupted and got to take bits of lava rock with us.
Then we were off to dinner! A Dinner we will never forget! We arrived at what we thought was going to be a restaurant, but it was turned into some store, so we decided to just eat next door. It said karaoke on it, so we were all excited. We all got Congas (a specialty fruit drink in El Salvador) and did karaoke. We danced and had such a fun time. A band came about an hour after we got there and we danced to their music and they sang to Alyson "Pretty woman and Happy Birthday." Words cannot even begin to describe what a fun night we had. I will miss seeing our team members every day. They were such a great group and the Lord really knew what He was doing when He placed us together.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I have not laughed so hard in a long time...
Day 5
Back off to the orphanages. We were in Sonsonate today! It was an older girls ranging in age from 8-18. It was a fun day. The girls thought that I was famous. They asked me to sign their notebook and take a picture with them. It was so cute! We had to tell them over and over, that I was no different from them, and I was not a movie star! haha Oh, they are all so sweet! We painted pillow cases and made bracelets with them. We also cooked them hot dogs. Over here they put Siveeche (sp?) on their hot dogs. It is like a cole slaw. The girls downed some hot dogs, chips and cookies. We also got to do a lot of girlie things like makeup, hair and nails. They were older, so it was fun to do things like that with them. I think they really appreciated it!
These girls were so special, and we enjoyed , loving on them. It touched me dearly, because they are not too much younger than me. I will miss them all.
Oh ya, I almost forgot!!! It is Alyson Tofel's birthday Monday, and we told the girls. Well, the girls sang "Happy Birthday" and about ten minutes later, they all gather around her and throw her up and down saying "Uno, dos, tres... all the way to veinty y uno" haha The facial expression she had was SOOO funny! She didn't know they were going to do it and so her face was priceless!!!!!! hahaha Oh wow a top moment of the trip so far! haha Besides the girls that is...
Back off to the orphanages. We were in Sonsonate today! It was an older girls ranging in age from 8-18. It was a fun day. The girls thought that I was famous. They asked me to sign their notebook and take a picture with them. It was so cute! We had to tell them over and over, that I was no different from them, and I was not a movie star! haha Oh, they are all so sweet! We painted pillow cases and made bracelets with them. We also cooked them hot dogs. Over here they put Siveeche (sp?) on their hot dogs. It is like a cole slaw. The girls downed some hot dogs, chips and cookies. We also got to do a lot of girlie things like makeup, hair and nails. They were older, so it was fun to do things like that with them. I think they really appreciated it!
These girls were so special, and we enjoyed , loving on them. It touched me dearly, because they are not too much younger than me. I will miss them all.
Oh ya, I almost forgot!!! It is Alyson Tofel's birthday Monday, and we told the girls. Well, the girls sang "Happy Birthday" and about ten minutes later, they all gather around her and throw her up and down saying "Uno, dos, tres... all the way to veinty y uno" haha The facial expression she had was SOOO funny! She didn't know they were going to do it and so her face was priceless!!!!!! hahaha Oh wow a top moment of the trip so far! haha Besides the girls that is...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The best chicken I have ever eaten
Day 2
Hello again. It's almost midnight and today was long so please excuse any grammar and spelling errors.
Today was an amazing day! We went to an all girls orphanage. I cannot think of the city, but it was about 1 1/2 hours away from San Salvador.
We had so much fun with the girls today. We made bracelets, Bible covers, had Bible lessons, sang songs, bought shoes and made hot dogs with the girls. they were such a blessing. These girls reminded me more of the girls from Colombia!
We left the orphanage and went to one of our translators grandmothers house. (All three of the translators are from El Salvador) Her aunt, cousin, grandmother, and grandfather were all there. It was so fun to see them together. The grandma had demsia ?? and when we were saying hello, kept saying "adios." She was soooo cute! They were all so hospitable and so nice to welcome us into their home. The grandfather prayed as we left, and I know the Holy Spirit was in that room. I loved them so much.
We ate dinner after that, at an authentic El Salvadorean Restaurant. Can I just say that the rotiserie chicken was the BEST chicken I HAVE EVER eaten!!!! NO Lie! We were ohing and awing over this chicken. My mom even stole it from our translators table. She said they could get their own =) haha she was kidding! I think.... We also ate Papussa's. They are like tortillas with beans, cheese and pork in them. It was SO good! The best meal so far! We all wanna go back and eat that chicken. The restaurant had monkeys and parrots outside in cages where we were. I know that sounds disgusting, but they were not right by us. haha One of the monkeys got mad at Amber and grabbed her. Shhh... Don't tell her mom! We laughed so hard. All the "younger girls" with us were all freaked out!
We finally made it back to our hotel, to head right back out to Pops-- an ice cream place. We had eaten so much chicken I wonder how we managed to fit ice cream in our bellies-- but we did! We debriefed and talked about the days events. It is hard to leave after just one day, but we know the Lord is working through us. Some of the girl stood up today and thanked us all on their own. They had the translators say it in front of everyone! How brave and courageous they are!
Ok I know this is getting long, I just wanna have it all written for when I come home! Please pray for us tomorrow! We are going to the special needs orphanage-- enough said. It is going to be a VERY emotional draining day! Pray for strength, patience, and peace. These kids/adults need more love than any of the others. My heart aches just thinking about it!
Well goodnight all!!!!!
Hello again. It's almost midnight and today was long so please excuse any grammar and spelling errors.
Today was an amazing day! We went to an all girls orphanage. I cannot think of the city, but it was about 1 1/2 hours away from San Salvador.
We had so much fun with the girls today. We made bracelets, Bible covers, had Bible lessons, sang songs, bought shoes and made hot dogs with the girls. they were such a blessing. These girls reminded me more of the girls from Colombia!
We left the orphanage and went to one of our translators grandmothers house. (All three of the translators are from El Salvador) Her aunt, cousin, grandmother, and grandfather were all there. It was so fun to see them together. The grandma had demsia ?? and when we were saying hello, kept saying "adios." She was soooo cute! They were all so hospitable and so nice to welcome us into their home. The grandfather prayed as we left, and I know the Holy Spirit was in that room. I loved them so much.
We ate dinner after that, at an authentic El Salvadorean Restaurant. Can I just say that the rotiserie chicken was the BEST chicken I HAVE EVER eaten!!!! NO Lie! We were ohing and awing over this chicken. My mom even stole it from our translators table. She said they could get their own =) haha she was kidding! I think.... We also ate Papussa's. They are like tortillas with beans, cheese and pork in them. It was SO good! The best meal so far! We all wanna go back and eat that chicken. The restaurant had monkeys and parrots outside in cages where we were. I know that sounds disgusting, but they were not right by us. haha One of the monkeys got mad at Amber and grabbed her. Shhh... Don't tell her mom! We laughed so hard. All the "younger girls" with us were all freaked out!
We finally made it back to our hotel, to head right back out to Pops-- an ice cream place. We had eaten so much chicken I wonder how we managed to fit ice cream in our bellies-- but we did! We debriefed and talked about the days events. It is hard to leave after just one day, but we know the Lord is working through us. Some of the girl stood up today and thanked us all on their own. They had the translators say it in front of everyone! How brave and courageous they are!
Ok I know this is getting long, I just wanna have it all written for when I come home! Please pray for us tomorrow! We are going to the special needs orphanage-- enough said. It is going to be a VERY emotional draining day! Pray for strength, patience, and peace. These kids/adults need more love than any of the others. My heart aches just thinking about it!
Well goodnight all!!!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Uno Dia--(Happy bday Daddy)
Day one in El Salvador has been amazing! We landed yesterday and got all packed into a van and left for our hotel. Our hotel is AMAZING! It is so nice! This is going to be very rough and have plenty of errors, but I am running off little sleep and just want to recap today's events!
7:00 Breakfast ( we thought that we could go at 9 to the orphanage)
10:00 finally got to meet some little kiddos
-We played sang songs in spanish- I am sooo rusty-
-Played with jump ropes, side-walk chalk, balls, etc outside
-made bracelets
-Bible lesson
4:00 El Salvador "Wal-Mart" WAY bigger than ours.
8:00 dinner at our hotel and debrief
--Happy birthday Dad! Yummy cakes!
All in all today was successful. I felt like I was busy passing out stuff and organizing, that I felt like I didn't love on too many kids. I was later reminded that God had a purpose for me today, and even though I didn't have some huge emotional moment like some, God placed me where he wanted me today. I am following His will, and I have to know that He is going to have me at the right place and right time.
I cannot wait for tomorrow. It is an middle/older all girls orphanage. I know God is working through us here! He has blessed me so much already!
7:00 Breakfast ( we thought that we could go at 9 to the orphanage)
10:00 finally got to meet some little kiddos
-We played sang songs in spanish- I am sooo rusty-
-Played with jump ropes, side-walk chalk, balls, etc outside
-made bracelets
-Bible lesson
4:00 El Salvador "Wal-Mart" WAY bigger than ours.
8:00 dinner at our hotel and debrief
--Happy birthday Dad! Yummy cakes!
All in all today was successful. I felt like I was busy passing out stuff and organizing, that I felt like I didn't love on too many kids. I was later reminded that God had a purpose for me today, and even though I didn't have some huge emotional moment like some, God placed me where he wanted me today. I am following His will, and I have to know that He is going to have me at the right place and right time.
I cannot wait for tomorrow. It is an middle/older all girls orphanage. I know God is working through us here! He has blessed me so much already!
Friday, July 17, 2009
16 days and counting {anxiously}
The countdown is on! 16 days until I am in the country of El Salvador. We are going to 5 different cities and orphanages while we are there. We get to pretty much travel the whole country. We are going to be leaving Sunday, August 2nd and return the following Sunday, August 9th. We will arrive in San Salvador around 9:00Pm our time.
Here are the cities with the days. Each city will have an orphanage we visit.
Monday: San Salvador
Tuesday: Santa Ana
Wednesday: San Martin
Thursday: Our day of sight seeing in El Salvador.
Friday: Sonsonate
Saturday: Aguachapan
Sunday we leave and will return 4:20PM our time.
Here are the cities with the days. Each city will have an orphanage we visit.
Monday: San Salvador
Tuesday: Santa Ana
Wednesday: San Martin
Thursday: Our day of sight seeing in El Salvador.
Friday: Sonsonate
Saturday: Aguachapan
Sunday we leave and will return 4:20PM our time.
All in all, I am super excited and ready to head over there. We are having a team meeting tomorrow to go over all of the details. I am glad that we are going to be at different orphanages every day. Last year in Colombia, we were at two the whole week and it really made it hard to leave the kids because we had such a strong connection. This will help my "getting too attached" to all of the kids. That is what I fear the most. Last year was so difficult to come home because I got really attached to a few of them. I know I am going to want to snag a few of them while I am there. Adoption and orphan ministry is such a passion that I have, this is something I feel so called to do. Unlike school, I LOVE it and have such a feeling of doing "my calling."
Please start praying for me now. I know that I will have such a joyous time while I am there, but pray that I can be focused and pour my whole heart on to these kids. Pray that even though I cannot speak their language, that Christ's love would be so abundant to them and that they would come to know the love and salvation that only our Heavenly Father can give. Pray that I am strong enough and well prepared to go over there, and strong enough to leave. I know now how better to prepare to leave, and know that I have to be completely dependent on my God before I go. I want to give them my full energy, attention, and heart while I am there. I also really HATE leaving trips like these. When I get home I feel like I have left them behind and get really lonely and sad. My heart hurts that I cannot scoop them all up and give them a family like the one I have been blessed with. Lastly, pray that we all have fun and enjoy our time over there. Sharing Christ and especially with orphans, well, I can't think of anything better to do with a week of my life.
*PRAYER*
Please start praying for me now. I know that I will have such a joyous time while I am there, but pray that I can be focused and pour my whole heart on to these kids. Pray that even though I cannot speak their language, that Christ's love would be so abundant to them and that they would come to know the love and salvation that only our Heavenly Father can give. Pray that I am strong enough and well prepared to go over there, and strong enough to leave. I know now how better to prepare to leave, and know that I have to be completely dependent on my God before I go. I want to give them my full energy, attention, and heart while I am there. I also really HATE leaving trips like these. When I get home I feel like I have left them behind and get really lonely and sad. My heart hurts that I cannot scoop them all up and give them a family like the one I have been blessed with. Lastly, pray that we all have fun and enjoy our time over there. Sharing Christ and especially with orphans, well, I can't think of anything better to do with a week of my life.
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