Fiesta Day by Joan Hastey and Dolores Hett

36 Bibles and keys to present at the Key-giving Ceremony

Our last day with the community; we gather with all the families to celebrate their new homes. It is always an emotional day. I am amazed how well we bond in such a short time. When we meet for the first time on Sunday there are smiles and excitement, but we are all strangers. By Friday when we see each other there are many waves and hugs and long conversations (with the help of our translators). The children are filled with joy as they play with our Canadian team, like we have known each other for years. As the day goes on we worship together, we hear a challenging gospel message about God’s grace and great love. The families are presented with the keys to their new homes, a Spanish bible and a bucket of blessings for their home. Many photos are taken and tears are shed as we say goodbye to our new friends.

  Then we have to say more goodbyes. Later in the evening we meet with the Shelter team and their families at the clocktower in the city centre of San Vincente. What a great group of people who are committed to sharing Gods love with their community, providing shelter and hope. They work all year to prepare the way for us.

 Sometimes in life I think we can feel overwhelmed by the needs people face everywhere. It can be hard to know where to start and sometimes we just don’t. That first step is hard, but Shelter inspires me to just drop those pebbles when I see how God has blessed and multiplied the ministry here in El Salvador. Shelter was one person’s idea 20 odd years ago, and has now built over 3,000 homes, employs over 20 El Salvadorians and just keeps growing. The ripples are spreading far and wide.

Each of us turns a page in the diary of our lives every day. The faces on the pages that I have turned this week will not be forgotten. God’s love and mercy are present everyday. The Salvadorians’ community spirit, contentment and perseverance jump off the page.

I will strive to be more like them until by God’s grace I can come here again.

by Joan Hastey and Dolores Hett