Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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!

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.

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!

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...

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!

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!

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! :)