It's All About Relationships

The community members of San Jacinto have been waiting many years for "the Canadians" to come and build homes for the poorest of the poor.  And we had the privilege of building the first homes in this community.  Today was our third and final day of building homes.  Twelve homes have been built and twelve families now have safe dry new homes.   We are very thankful for this as their previous homes were unsafe and during the rainy season their homes and belongings would get very wet.  This is no way to live and  that has now changed for them. 

Many people have mentioned to me that they think it would be better to send the money we spend on this trip to the people to build their homes instead of our team coming here.  But it isn't just about building houses.  It is about building relationships with people here.  Jesus says to go and make disciples of people.  He doesn't say to send money to people and remain apart from them.  Go.  And make disciples.  Go. 

It has been interesting to watch the relationships being built by the team members.  People working on the houses, from Canada and El Salvador,  who didn't know each other on Monday are now working together and laughing and joking like they are brothers and sisters.  The men are building relationships with other men while building homes.  They are laughing with each other and sharing about their lives.  My husband has been able to meet and get to know a man going through very difficult circumstances with his family.  They are almost like brothers.  I have been able to meet a number of women as have some of my friends.  At the beginning of the morning or afternoon work time we are strangers.  But they are so welcoming that by the end of our time together there they are like sisters to us.  The children form an almost instant connection with our team members and so much laughter has occurred.  And so many hugs.  It has also been interesting when I see someone this year that I met last year.  Even if I only spoke or even just smiled to that person a few times, when I see them this year it is like we are long lost family. 

And so this is what our time in El Salvador is all about.  Relationships.  People here tell me how important and how meaningful it is to them that we would leave our homes in Canada to come all the way down here to serve them.  To build homes alongside them and to become friends with them.