House #1

   We called it House #1, a number, but there are real people behind that number.  Real names, real faces, real stories & real hopes.
   Yesterday we had the privilege of working together with many El Salvador men and women to build House #1 for Gil (pronounced Hill) Rosalio Ardona and Ziola Ensparanze Lopez Argueta.  They have 3 children: Josue Eli (17), Anderson Isaac (8), and Santiago Ismaal (2).
   Gil (45) grew up in the area of San Phillipe, but moved to San Salvadore at 16.  He joined the armay and faught in the civil was for 5 years.  One day his sqaudron of 7 men were attacked and he was on of only 2 men to survive.  But this was not without sever injuries. His arms, face and scalp were hit with shrapnel from the bomb and he remains heavily scarred.  Upn release from the hospital, he was discharged from the army and he became certified in veterinary science.  However, his injuries inhibited him from working in the field.  He returned to the village of Santa Tecula to try to find work.  It was there that he met Ziola Ensparanza.  
   Ziola (29) grew up in the area of Santa Tecula.  She met Gil when he came around asking for food (as he had no family in the area).  He started coming around often and he eventually asked her father for permission to marry Zoila.
   Gil and Zoila have been together for 10 years, though they are not married. It s very expensive to get married and many need that money for food.  Gil and Zoila moved to San Phillipe about 3 years ago, to live with his mother.  Gil farms about half a hectare that he rents, and their 2 older children go to school.
   The reality of many in El Salvador, which is tre of Gil and Zoila, is that they make just enough money to feed and clothe their family.  Purchasing the materials and building a new home is just not an option they have.  Gil and Zoila are very pragmatic about this reaity and recognize that despite his hard work a new home is out of their reach.  A house means so much to them - security, a dry place during the rains and better life for the family.
   Gil and Zoila expressed that they have a knowledge of God and they know that salvation comes through Christ Jesus.  But they don´t go to church often.  The struggles of life and the trials for survival make it challenging to go to church.  Despite the struggles and hardships he has had, Gil was able to reflect on the good things that has happened to him; his partner Zoila, his children and now his new home. 
   What a privilege it was for us to work together with Gil, Zoila and many others from the community to uild House #1 for them.  Though it was not easy to put into words, the gratitude and joy was so evident in their expressions.
   Please keep Gil, Zoila and their family in your prayers. Pray that Gods gift of this new house will strengthen the family unit and enable them to find the time to go to church.  Also, pray that their knowledge of God and His gift of salvation will be translated into a personal relationship. 
   

Greater Things

Today was really emotional as we heard stories of painful situations that the families that we have built for have and are going through. Miscarriages, adultery, death of children, surviving earthquakes and fighting in the civil war. Broken lives, broken hearts and betrayal. It is everywhere...in El Salvador as well as Canada. I think of Jesus and where he spent His time. He was with the poor, the brokenhearted, the forgotten. As I listen to these stories I am thankful. Thankful that they trusted us to share their lives but most importantly that God has given us an opportunity to offer these people hope. Hope in our Savior's love and grace that is free to receive. Our God is the God of miracles and I know that He is going to not abandon these precious people who have had to endure so much heartache and trials. May God reveal Himself this week and may the people that we meet be open to His love and amazing grace.
As we were landing in El Salvador on Saturday I was listening to the song by Chris Tomlin God of This City. Chris sings greater things have yet to come...greater things are still to be done in this city. I believe that for this country. Greater things have yet to come. I believe Lord!

Love the Children

Yesterday was the first building day, and the first three families recieved their new homes. It was so incredible how they interacted with the team and were just so thankful, because this is a dream come true for them. My mom and I interviewed the third family. Their names were Amilcar, Paola, and their two little girls, Jackaline and Stephanie. Their whole story I don´t have with me at the moment, as I type in the commons area of the hotel, but I hope to post it later on in the week - It was just so amazing, and it struck home with both me and my mom.
Also yesterday was the day that we met most of the children, and they´re the ones who touched my heart and made me realize that it´s more about helping and building friendships with the people and the children rather than building the houses. Yes, the houses are important, but taking off a few hours to love and play with the younger ones who pull you away from the work is important too. Me and the other teenage girls went and played soccer with them, and boy, they are funny! One little boy was barely five and he was running and chasing and kicking along with the other boys. We all realized that they just need our friendship, and God´s love through us is what they´re searching for.
That´s all for now, but I just wanted to say that I´m so happy to be here, connecting with the people and shining God´s light for them. Praise the Lord for all He has done!!

Yesterday

Yesterday was an incredible day. We divided into three teams and was able to finish the 3 houses.  In the middle of the day we got thunder and heavy rains which became a little challenging. Muddy slippery worksites! My heart was heavy as I listened to some women share their stories. What they have to endure everyday to survive is overwhelming. A couple of days before we left I was praying that we could show the women Christ love and I asked God for a simple way to do that. It came to me to get items to give pedicures. I ran to the dollar store and the beauty store to get the supplies. Yesterday we had a line up of women waiting to get their pedicures. We set up our "spa" in a home made of plastics and sticks. What a blessing it was to be able to wash these womens feet and to paint their toes. Jesus showed us how to serve. He was the ultimate example of sacrifice. I must share that as we gave these women a little pampering there was no greater blessing. May we be Christ hands and feet and maythese people see the heart of Jesus.

Friendships

Yesterday was really incredible. Meeting the families that we will be building with was so emotional. We prayed for each family and they shared how thankful they were for us and that God had blessed them with a house. We are really looking forward to building friendships with these amazing people. They have had years of suffering and we are going to rejoice this week for the house that God has provided them. We are off to dig! Hope to post again tonight.

10 Families

This morning we will be going to meet the ten families that will be receiving their new homes this week. The team started meeting in April to prepare for this trip. We have prayed, fundraised, collected shoes and clothes and had our team commisioning. We can prepare all of these things but I am never prepared to see the horrific conditions these families have been living in. I pray I never become complacent in seeing suffering. I pray that I will always be affected by poverty. I don't ever want to grow cold to the needs of people suffering. As Christian we are called to have His heart. All throughout scripture we see Jesus heart of compassion for those who are suffering, those who were sick, those who were hungry and thirsty. We are here because we are wanting to help those who are suffering. May God be glorified this week. May we be changed this week.

Were Home!

We have arrived and are at the hotel. We are all settling into our rooms and we will be soon leaving for dinner. We will be eating tonight at Pastor Jorge and Maritza´s.

I can only speak for myself but when the plane lands I feel like I am home. This place has captured my heart from the first missions trip when I came with Dennis and Daniel. It says in the bible that God will give you the desires of your heart. He honored my heart´s desire by having us share this experience with both Brian and Daniel. Daniel has been here before but this will be the first for Brian.

We are excited and anticipating what God has for the team this week. I pray that we will be His hands and feet and that His name will be glorified in all that we say and do. I am so thankful that these 22 people were obedient to the call that God had placed on their hearts. They were open to be used to serve people living in extreme poverty. I am so thankful that they stepped out of their confort zone. God wants us to have that open heart to follow Him wherever He calls us. When we have that heart God takes us on a great adventure. If we just follow Him.