So its been a month since I wrote on the blog last... A lot has happened. We have been working everyday since the Bethany team arrived. The two teams after Bethany were from Sunwest Church out in Calgary. Friends of the Berstad's and McAllister's. I have lost count of how many houses have been built, but I have had an amazing time getting to know the people on the teams and the local people down here that we build for.
One guy from the Sunwest team stayed an extra week and his wife and friend came down and ran a soccer camp in San Antonio. It went really well. If I remember correctly, we had over 100 kids the first day and it just grew larger each day. We were able to play soccer AND hockey in the dirt and still have a large group and small group time to spread the love of Jesus.
Last week, another team came from Calgary. Stepper Custom Homes. A fairly large framing company out that way. It was a mixed team of men and women, christians and non-christians. It was a challenging week, but still a lot of fun and a good experience.
I am ready to come home, but just for a break. I know there is a lot more work to be done here in El Salvador and God is not finished with me here yet. I am so excited to come home and see some familiar faces again! :) See you all soon!
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Monday 21 November 2011
Last week was amazing! It feels as though it were a dream. It came and went in the blink of an eye. It was comforting to see some familiar faces again, and also really nice to get to know some new people as well. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my care package! I was blown away to see how much people still think and care about me when I am over 5000 kms away.
This week went by faster then any other week. We built 6 houses, hosted a medical clinic in San Felipe, and handed out food in San Antonio. They were definitely the longest days I have had so far, but they were some of my favourite. It was harder than I thought it would be to say goodbye, but I have another mens team from calgary here for the next 2 weeks with 25 houses to build to keep me busy.
I have been here just a few hours shy of 2 months now and I have learned more here then I did in highschool. I will definitely have stories to tell when I get home.
This week went by faster then any other week. We built 6 houses, hosted a medical clinic in San Felipe, and handed out food in San Antonio. They were definitely the longest days I have had so far, but they were some of my favourite. It was harder than I thought it would be to say goodbye, but I have another mens team from calgary here for the next 2 weeks with 25 houses to build to keep me busy.
I have been here just a few hours shy of 2 months now and I have learned more here then I did in highschool. I will definitely have stories to tell when I get home.
Sunday 30 October 2011
Time flies
There has been so much going on here in El Salvador. Last week a team of 15 guys came from Calgary and we built 14 houses! They were an amazing group of people and I learned so much from them.
This week, the team leader from the Calgary team stayed. His wife and some other friends and family came down as well. This is only a team of 7, but no doubt they will make a huge impact here. We have 4 houses to build, a medical clinic, an eye glasses clinic and more.
I have been here for just over 5 weeks now. I dont know where the time has gone. So many things have happened and I have learned so much. I cant thank everyone at home enough for all the support they have given me, both financial and emotional!
This week, the team leader from the Calgary team stayed. His wife and some other friends and family came down as well. This is only a team of 7, but no doubt they will make a huge impact here. We have 4 houses to build, a medical clinic, an eye glasses clinic and more.
I have been here for just over 5 weeks now. I dont know where the time has gone. So many things have happened and I have learned so much. I cant thank everyone at home enough for all the support they have given me, both financial and emotional!
Sunday 16 October 2011
Rain, rain and more rain...
This week went by so fast! We dropped off the Sarnia team at the hotel last night and they are flying out this morning! What an amazing week it has been though. We got 5 houses built, visited Compassion International, went to an orphanage, handed out food in San Antonio, and visited Teen Challenge in San Salvador! And we did all this in the pouring rain! I have never seen so much rain in this country before! It has rained everyday since the team arrived. And I thought I wouldnt need my rain jacket...
Friday 7 October 2011
Mañana (Tomorrow)
The first team arrives tomorrow! Carlos (the translator) and I have to pick them up from the airport. I am so excited to start working with the Canadians again!
This week was a difficult one... we built 3 houses in 2 days and layed cement floors in all 3 houses.
This week has been just a taste of what is to come! :)
I cant wait to start working and building with the teams. The feeling of attending a key giving ceremony and seeing the faces of the families that are getting new homes is an amazing feeling. Ive never felt more joy than I do when I attend one of these ceremonies! Totally worth the sweat, sunburns, and dehydration!
This week was a difficult one... we built 3 houses in 2 days and layed cement floors in all 3 houses.
This week has been just a taste of what is to come! :)
I cant wait to start working and building with the teams. The feeling of attending a key giving ceremony and seeing the faces of the families that are getting new homes is an amazing feeling. Ive never felt more joy than I do when I attend one of these ceremonies! Totally worth the sweat, sunburns, and dehydration!
Monday 3 October 2011
October 3, 2011
After a long hard day of work (not really), its nice to just sit and relax.
These last 2 weeks have been incredible!!
On tuesday, we really suffered. Our job was to go check out a resort/beach area where we could take the teams. The place we went to didnt quite meet our standards, so we have to try again. Its hard work lying in hammocks and swimming all day :p
Wednesday wasnt so exciting. We moved some sewing machines around and had a meeting then went to church.
Thursday and friday though were very interesting... we went into San Antonio to talk to all the families in that community that needed a new house. It took us a day and a half to catalog all the families. There was over 130 families that need a new house. We talked with every family and saw their living conditions and it really just hit home for me.
Saturday and sunday were our relaxing days :)
Today, we went to the gym in the morning, then carlos and I went out to get some stuff... like a hammock and machette :)
I hung the hammock up in my room and was swinging on it and doing a little reading when it broke!! I fell flat on the ground. It hurt, but my laughter outweighed the pain :p
Since then, not much has happened.
Tomorrow we are starting to build. We only have one house to build though.
The first team arrives on saturday and it is Carlos and my job to pick them up from the airport and get them settled into the hotel here. It should be a fun time!
So far, this has been an amazing experience, but a tiring one!! We are up at 6am on weekdays to go to the gym and 5:30 on saturday to go for a run! Its crazy, but so much fun!
I am excited to start building and meet the team and see what God has in store for us!
These last 2 weeks have been incredible!!
On tuesday, we really suffered. Our job was to go check out a resort/beach area where we could take the teams. The place we went to didnt quite meet our standards, so we have to try again. Its hard work lying in hammocks and swimming all day :p
Wednesday wasnt so exciting. We moved some sewing machines around and had a meeting then went to church.
Thursday and friday though were very interesting... we went into San Antonio to talk to all the families in that community that needed a new house. It took us a day and a half to catalog all the families. There was over 130 families that need a new house. We talked with every family and saw their living conditions and it really just hit home for me.
Saturday and sunday were our relaxing days :)
Today, we went to the gym in the morning, then carlos and I went out to get some stuff... like a hammock and machette :)
I hung the hammock up in my room and was swinging on it and doing a little reading when it broke!! I fell flat on the ground. It hurt, but my laughter outweighed the pain :p
Since then, not much has happened.
Tomorrow we are starting to build. We only have one house to build though.
The first team arrives on saturday and it is Carlos and my job to pick them up from the airport and get them settled into the hotel here. It should be a fun time!
So far, this has been an amazing experience, but a tiring one!! We are up at 6am on weekdays to go to the gym and 5:30 on saturday to go for a run! Its crazy, but so much fun!
I am excited to start building and meet the team and see what God has in store for us!
Monday 26 September 2011
The Saviour
In El Salvador, there are 2 missionary families who have been living here since february, and the oldest boy (10 years old) told me that El Salvador translated into english means "The Savior"
I love that. I am finding God everywhere in this country! :)
I love that. I am finding God everywhere in this country! :)
So I have been here for 5 days now and I finally got internet...
Although I have been here less than a week, God has taught and shown me so many things! I have experienced the culture so much more. Everything here is a learning experience.
On thursday, when I arrived, we went out and bought beds, a fridge and stove. Since then, we have also got a coffee maker, toaster oven and blender! God has truly blessed us! Everything here is so different. Especially the people. The people in El Salvador have such servant hearts and it really inspires me! I have a feeling that this mission trip is going to have an amazing impact on my life!
These next couple weeks are meant for me to get my bearings down here. Learn the roads, get used to the food (which is proving difficult...), learning the language, and getting to know the local people. The first team will be here in just under 2 weeks and there arent enough words to describe how excited I am!
I miss my family and friends back home a lot, but I have made many friends here that have been helping me and making me feel at home here in El Salvador.
I am so excited for these next 6 months and I am counting down the days until I come home-174...
Although I have been here less than a week, God has taught and shown me so many things! I have experienced the culture so much more. Everything here is a learning experience.
On thursday, when I arrived, we went out and bought beds, a fridge and stove. Since then, we have also got a coffee maker, toaster oven and blender! God has truly blessed us! Everything here is so different. Especially the people. The people in El Salvador have such servant hearts and it really inspires me! I have a feeling that this mission trip is going to have an amazing impact on my life!
These next couple weeks are meant for me to get my bearings down here. Learn the roads, get used to the food (which is proving difficult...), learning the language, and getting to know the local people. The first team will be here in just under 2 weeks and there arent enough words to describe how excited I am!
I miss my family and friends back home a lot, but I have made many friends here that have been helping me and making me feel at home here in El Salvador.
I am so excited for these next 6 months and I am counting down the days until I come home-174...
Wednesday 21 September 2011
12 hours...
my nerves are going crazy. I cant seem to fall asleep! I am way too excited to go back to El Salvador! It is like my second home!
my plane leaves in just under 12 hours and I cant help thinking I am forgetting to pack something...(my computer?) I made the mistake of leaving the packing to the last day and now I am paying for it.
I am not very good at this blogging thing, but I have promised friends that I will attempt to update this at least once a week.
I spent my final day in Canada with my amazing/crazy family! It may be a shock to some of you, but Im actually going to miss them a ton!
Good bye Canada! see you at Christmas time!
my plane leaves in just under 12 hours and I cant help thinking I am forgetting to pack something...(my computer?) I made the mistake of leaving the packing to the last day and now I am paying for it.
I am not very good at this blogging thing, but I have promised friends that I will attempt to update this at least once a week.
I spent my final day in Canada with my amazing/crazy family! It may be a shock to some of you, but Im actually going to miss them a ton!
Good bye Canada! see you at Christmas time!
Monday 19 September 2011
Saturday 17 September 2011
5 days!
Only 5 days until I am back in El Salvador! :)
For everyone who keeps asking what I will be doing, here is my "job description" given to me from EMCC-World Partners:
I will be assisting with the next 16 or so teams going to El Salvador. I will assist in preparing the building sites, putting logistics in place, assembling and assessing the tools situation, moving materials, making any networking connections needed in the new area of Cabanas and in general, helping with any other tasks.
My flight leaves out of Toronto on Thursday, September 22 at 11:00am and it is a direct flight to San Salvador (capital of El Salvador).
Please pray for a smooth flight and that I make it through customs without a hassle!
I am so excited to go and Im looking forward to what God is going to teach me through this experience!
Phil
For everyone who keeps asking what I will be doing, here is my "job description" given to me from EMCC-World Partners:
I will be assisting with the next 16 or so teams going to El Salvador. I will assist in preparing the building sites, putting logistics in place, assembling and assessing the tools situation, moving materials, making any networking connections needed in the new area of Cabanas and in general, helping with any other tasks.
My flight leaves out of Toronto on Thursday, September 22 at 11:00am and it is a direct flight to San Salvador (capital of El Salvador).
Please pray for a smooth flight and that I make it through customs without a hassle!
I am so excited to go and Im looking forward to what God is going to teach me through this experience!
Phil
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