Where to begin?????
Well, we started our trip off with a day at our home Church (The Orchard)in Illinois. It was Sunday August 10Th. It was their annual BBQ & Baptism. We had 5 family members being baptised. My little brother Aaron, Shaun's sister Wendy, Shaun's mom and my good friends Peg & Tony. All of which the Orchard has affected in a positive way.
Well, we started our trip off with a day at our home Church (The Orchard)in Illinois. It was Sunday August 10Th. It was their annual BBQ & Baptism. We had 5 family members being baptised. My little brother Aaron, Shaun's sister Wendy, Shaun's mom and my good friends Peg & Tony. All of which the Orchard has affected in a positive way.
We said goodbye to our girls the night before, and early Sunday (3:30) in the morning we started our day. The weather was perfect, we all went to church, had lunch, sat outside and exchanged gifts then headed back to church for the cookout and some fun. It was such a great day! It was so nice to see our church family again too. I didn't realize just how much I had missed everyone.
7:00pm all 200+ people walked over to the water park for the baptism. Shaun was asked to help do the baptising! Wow, what an honor. I sponsored his sister Wendy. It was so exciting to see the renewed energy and dedication to God. I am so happy for each and everyone. We were exhausted by the time the night came to an end. We had to be up early the next day for our flight to El Salvador.
Up early and out to breakfast, then we met the Mission group at Church. We said our goodbye's, prayers and we all headed to the airport. Chicago to Dallas then on to San Salvador. Luckily we did not have any hang-ups or delays! We arrived in San Salvador about 10:30pm.
A shuttle from the Orphanage picked us up. Thank goodness the shuttle had air conditioning!!! OMG....It was so super hot and humid. Even at that time of night. I was thinking ..."what did I get myself into". Anyone who knows me, knows I cannot stand sleeping in the heat.
I was in a little culture shock at first. I would have to say that driving is what freaked me out at first. No seat belts, no car seats, people standing in the back of pick up trucks going 80mph down the highway! Little did I know that I would be one of those people in the back of the trucks going down the highway later in the week!!!
We got into our rooms. I was pleasantly surprised. They were not at the Hilton, but not nearly as bad as I had pictured. Bunk beds, plenty of bathrooms, ceiling fans (thank goodness) cold filtered water. What more could I ask for in a third world country? We all fell right to sleep. Now, that does not mean I slept good. I think I was too excited and still to wound up. I tossed and turned all night.
5:30AM All up...Breakfast starts at 6:30 every morning. Then devotionals, then onto work....Yes, I said WORK. OHHH Boy.... in one day 6 girls and 4 guys... moved 12 tons of rock, concrete, sand and dirt. Keep in mind it was probably about 90 degrees with 75% humidity! This princess was sweating! Yes....Sweating! I just kept telling myself...."It is all for God" " I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me". I know the lord was with me, that is the only way I could have done it.
12:30 Lunch, devotions then back to work until dinner time. I was hoping to spend more time with the kids rather than working all the time. But Sharron (a friend and fellow missionary) snuck into the girls dorms with me after hours and snuck in lots and lots of candy, soda and even an I-Pod!!! lol! No, you are saying to yourself....Not Leta! This went on just about every night. We only had from 6-7 pm to hang out side with them. So we made the most of it. We all formed some really strong bonds. Shaun and I sponsored a little 4 year old girl named Leydi pronounced ..Lady. And a 1 year old boy named Carlitos. You will see us in the photos with them quite a bit. I also fell in love with 16 year old Karina. She is so so so sweet. She wrote me letters every day I was there.
Karina's mother died of Aids and her father killed himself when she was only a baby. She has been at the Christian orphanage since she was 2 months old. She keeps asking me if I will still love her when I leave. I assured her that she has my heart forever. The night before I left, she sat on my lap and we both sobbed to the point I was going to throw up. It was awful! There were so many wonderful children there. Karina has called me everyday since I have been home. She is so afraid to believe that someone will love her forever. Boy, did she find someone who will. I promised her, I will not go home and forget about her. She needs me. Her heart is so empty.
The kids in the home are so well behaved and so dedicated to God. They can quote scripture after scripture. They listen well, are well educated and are even sent to college after High school. But, this is only done with the help of their sponsors. $40.00 a month will pay for college. It is much cheaper than here in the U.S. Karina wants to be an Interpreter. She speaks fantastic English.
Okay, I am sorry this is so long, but I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I am attaching a video with pictures. We did see the U.S Embassy and the Presidents home as well as an active volcano. You will see many photos of flowers and us eating outdoors at the base of it. Other than that lots of work and playing with the kids. If you get a chance go to http://www.harvesting.org/ this is the place we stayed. They are so good to these kids. They are actually considered wealthy and blessed compared to the kids in the community. You will see photos of us at the Oasis..it is in the barrio. The kids there only eat when our trucks pull in (3x a week). Can you imagine? Although these people are dirt poor and starving they always seem to have a smile on their faces. So how come we have everything we need and more....and we are still unhappy?
Something to think about??? I have to mention my team before I sign off...They were incredible.
Dave, Shaun, Reuben, Typhy, Sandy, Linda, Judy, Deb and Sharon .....You guys rock! (no pun intented) LOL! I will never forget this amazing time in my life. I am so blessed to have shared it with you. We are forever bound in friendship. I laughed, I cried and I shared things that have never been shared. Thanks Team! I love you all..... Good Night...and God Bless.
Leta
Up early and out to breakfast, then we met the Mission group at Church. We said our goodbye's, prayers and we all headed to the airport. Chicago to Dallas then on to San Salvador. Luckily we did not have any hang-ups or delays! We arrived in San Salvador about 10:30pm.
A shuttle from the Orphanage picked us up. Thank goodness the shuttle had air conditioning!!! OMG....It was so super hot and humid. Even at that time of night. I was thinking ..."what did I get myself into". Anyone who knows me, knows I cannot stand sleeping in the heat.
I was in a little culture shock at first. I would have to say that driving is what freaked me out at first. No seat belts, no car seats, people standing in the back of pick up trucks going 80mph down the highway! Little did I know that I would be one of those people in the back of the trucks going down the highway later in the week!!!
We got into our rooms. I was pleasantly surprised. They were not at the Hilton, but not nearly as bad as I had pictured. Bunk beds, plenty of bathrooms, ceiling fans (thank goodness) cold filtered water. What more could I ask for in a third world country? We all fell right to sleep. Now, that does not mean I slept good. I think I was too excited and still to wound up. I tossed and turned all night.
5:30AM All up...Breakfast starts at 6:30 every morning. Then devotionals, then onto work....Yes, I said WORK. OHHH Boy.... in one day 6 girls and 4 guys... moved 12 tons of rock, concrete, sand and dirt. Keep in mind it was probably about 90 degrees with 75% humidity! This princess was sweating! Yes....Sweating! I just kept telling myself...."It is all for God" " I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me". I know the lord was with me, that is the only way I could have done it.
12:30 Lunch, devotions then back to work until dinner time. I was hoping to spend more time with the kids rather than working all the time. But Sharron (a friend and fellow missionary) snuck into the girls dorms with me after hours and snuck in lots and lots of candy, soda and even an I-Pod!!! lol! No, you are saying to yourself....Not Leta! This went on just about every night. We only had from 6-7 pm to hang out side with them. So we made the most of it. We all formed some really strong bonds. Shaun and I sponsored a little 4 year old girl named Leydi pronounced ..Lady. And a 1 year old boy named Carlitos. You will see us in the photos with them quite a bit. I also fell in love with 16 year old Karina. She is so so so sweet. She wrote me letters every day I was there.
Karina's mother died of Aids and her father killed himself when she was only a baby. She has been at the Christian orphanage since she was 2 months old. She keeps asking me if I will still love her when I leave. I assured her that she has my heart forever. The night before I left, she sat on my lap and we both sobbed to the point I was going to throw up. It was awful! There were so many wonderful children there. Karina has called me everyday since I have been home. She is so afraid to believe that someone will love her forever. Boy, did she find someone who will. I promised her, I will not go home and forget about her. She needs me. Her heart is so empty.
The kids in the home are so well behaved and so dedicated to God. They can quote scripture after scripture. They listen well, are well educated and are even sent to college after High school. But, this is only done with the help of their sponsors. $40.00 a month will pay for college. It is much cheaper than here in the U.S. Karina wants to be an Interpreter. She speaks fantastic English.
Okay, I am sorry this is so long, but I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I am attaching a video with pictures. We did see the U.S Embassy and the Presidents home as well as an active volcano. You will see many photos of flowers and us eating outdoors at the base of it. Other than that lots of work and playing with the kids. If you get a chance go to http://www.harvesting.org/ this is the place we stayed. They are so good to these kids. They are actually considered wealthy and blessed compared to the kids in the community. You will see photos of us at the Oasis..it is in the barrio. The kids there only eat when our trucks pull in (3x a week). Can you imagine? Although these people are dirt poor and starving they always seem to have a smile on their faces. So how come we have everything we need and more....and we are still unhappy?
Something to think about??? I have to mention my team before I sign off...They were incredible.
Dave, Shaun, Reuben, Typhy, Sandy, Linda, Judy, Deb and Sharon .....You guys rock! (no pun intented) LOL! I will never forget this amazing time in my life. I am so blessed to have shared it with you. We are forever bound in friendship. I laughed, I cried and I shared things that have never been shared. Thanks Team! I love you all..... Good Night...and God Bless.
Leta
