There were 14 of us on the El Salvador team that went in February.We were split into two groups of seven each in order to help build two homes for people in the community who were deemed to be in the greatest need for them.Our team was helping to build a house for a man named Ignacio or Nachito as he was known by his community. Nachito is 57 years old and suffered a stroke when he was 38. He has no family and never attended school so he couldn't read.Every day Nachito would walk to the work sight and watch as we worked alongside Paco, the job foreman, and the other El Salvadoran men. One day I got to sit with Nachito and chat with him with the help of Walter, our Enlace companion who was able to speak with Nachito and translate for us. Together we asked Nachito if he had a relationship with the Lord and he said he did not.So of course we asked him if he wanted to and he said yes. So while sitting alongside the dirt path Nachito asked the Lord to make His home in his heart. We wanted to give him a bible but he could not read. Fortunately, Juan had brought an Evangicube, the cube that conveys the gospel of salvation through pictures. As the week went on Juan had the opportunity to share the Evangicube with Nachito. He shared it with him not just once, but three or four times, so that Nachito would hopefully remember it. It was a very sweet time with a dear man from Pajiqua who now has a new home and new hope. Joanne LeBlanc

We met Ana, the principal of the elementary/middle school in Pajigua Arriba on Tuesday morning when we stopped by the school.  Pastor Ron gave Ana some soccer balls we had brought with us as a gift for them and her expression of thankfulness was absolutely priceless.  Unbeknownst to us they had a soccer tournament that was starting on Thursday and the balls they had were not in good shape; the new soccer balls were a very timely blessing.

As Pastor Ron and I continued talking with the ever smiling Ana, we had the opportunity to learn about her passion and commitment to the kids in Pajigua Arriba.  She has been a principal at the school for over 15 years doing her best in providing the teachers and students with what they need to be successful. Ana’s expression became more serious as she related to us that she has a 10 year old son who had recently had major eye surgery at the children’s hospital in San Salvador to repair a detached retina. As she continued telling us the story about the struggle with her son’s recovery and his body’s rejection of the repair, I was very touched.  Yet, I was even more moved when I learned that she had to leave her son alone at home because she had no one to take care of him and she needed to be at the school; Ana was so committed to the kids in Pajigua Arriba that she made the sacrifice of leaving her ailing son at home alone.  We let her know that we would be praying for her and her son, and as we said this, we could see the smile return to her face.  This was the same grateful smile we saw the following day during the grand opening of the classrooms, in celebration of their great community accomplishment and God’s work in the midst of the community.

Juan Nieves

Hola,

       Today I'm thinking about Antonio.  We visited Antonio's home on Wednesday 2/29/12. He recently received an new house and was very proud of it.   Even though my spanish is very limited, he went on and on, showing me every detail of the house.  The new house is adjacent to the old one and explained that they sleep in the new house and the old house is used for cooking and storage. 

       Antonio has 11 children. His older children were working part time according to when work was available, some were in school.  Antonio's health is not good. He has problems with his eyes and joints are sore and stiff. 

       His prayer request was for increased employment for his children, for his health and the health of his family. He prays that his children will take their school work seriously.   I believe Antonio is an optimist and a faithful man. I pray for him now. 

       I really liked Antonio, he touched my heart.  

Richie Sherman

     

Hola,

       I would like to comment on the people of the region. I never sensed a "Why me" or "Woe is me" sentiment among the local residents.  They impressed me as a no nonsense, resolute, hard working people.  Although enduring crushing poverty, remoteness and poor soil, they seemed to have a spirit of cooperation that seems foreign to our society.  They persevere!  They help each other.  I believe this quality is fostered by the influence of the churches, in part and out of necessity.  

       We take an awful lot for granted in our society.  To turn on a tap and have clean water, a hot shower. A machine to wash and dry our clothes.  To jump in the car and drive 5 minutes and have access to anything you want.  Where they have a 2 hour walk to the main road or to work. 

Something to think about!

Richie Sherman

Traveling from the Airport

Getting through customs at San Salvador was relatively easy although a little time consuming. Soon, we found ourselves waiting in the glorious warm sunshine of the sidewalk for our bus. Interestingly, we were in the midst of several people of compassion from the US and Canada bringing their efforts to the needy of El Salvador just like us. A small island of English in our new Spanish world.

Within minutes, our bus arrived along with our Enlace representatives. Our bus was very nice and air-conditioned, not too bad being a sacrificing missionary after all! It was not too long before we got our first good taste of our new land. We were just a few miles into our 2 hour journey to Ciudad Barrios when there was a loud flap, flap, flap from what once was our tire and was now becoming rubber rubble. The driver, who spoke Spanish just slowed down to a steady slow flap, flap, flap, but didn’t stop… This continued for a good while and I thought about the mathematics of travelling at 5 miles per hour vs. 50 miles per hour and computed our arrival to be a closer to 20 hours at the current speed. So much for the easy missionary experience!

Our driver pulled to the wrong side of the road in front of a metal lean-to type building. Lo and behold it was the El Salvadoran equivalent of Sullivan Tire! Two barefoot Salvadorans armed with a six foot tire iron and a two pound sledgehammer removed the remnants of our old tire and mounted a ‘new’ one with amazing skill and care. We were humming along the highway in no time. We arrived at our hotel without further incident enjoying the fellowship and scenery of beautiful El Salvador. Welcome to the Hotel Barrios.

Notes on Spanish

So, I still believe that it is good to try to communicate in Spanish while in a Spanish speaking country. I have learned however that it is good to have a reasonable command of the language for the purpose of avoiding embarrassing situations. If you are like me and don’t mind the embarrassment, then I say, go for it. My notes to self include; guapo = handsome; fuerte= strong; necessito= I need; necessite=you need. It has been brought to my attention on more than one occasion that I have blundered with these and most likely other words. Ultimately, I think we communicated although sometimes I told a joke when I had no intention to do so. So, go for it, es no problem. (It’s no problem- I think?)

Bill Bickmore

Juana Abramo's Trip Summary


The airplane ride was smooth and by God's guidance we got to El Salvador safely. When we got to the city of Barrios the next morning, we visited the church in the Pajiqua area where we met a lot of the local people. The men and women sat separately. Monday we left for work and when we got there some native volunteers were already busy building foundations for new homes. We went to work digging the ground level to a floor area which we did for two days. The next day we visited school children during their recess time period. I spoke with a young girl who told me she walks back and forth to school which is in a rural area. We then delivered groceries to homes. We went to the church in Pajiqua which is where the school is located. We then went to the school dedication where Pastor Kastens gave a message which was translated by Juan. The entire community participated in the ceremony. Thursday we finished our work, then went to the beach and shopping on Friday. Saturday we had a safe trip home and arrived at CrossWay Christian Church at 11:00 PM.

Here are a few thoughts from some of the El Salvador team who went in February 2012.


 Andrea Pierce wrote: In thinking of our trip to El Salvador, the thing that keeps coming to mind as I remember our interesting road trips, work conditions, and the beauty of the country, is the change that occurred in the relationships with the people there. At first, when we waved and said"Hola" or "Salute" to those we passed, the people did not make eye contact and seemed uncertain as to why we were there. As the week passed, children first and then many of the adults did make eye contact, waved and spoke. Some children even said "Hello". They began to gather when they saw us and spent time with us. I felt this was a big bonding step as they realized we were there because we wanted to help them and we could be trusted. It is exciting to think of the bond growing with time as other teams from CrossWay travel there. It feels very special to be part of the beginning of that relationship.


A similar change occurred on the work site as the week progressed. The first day, although the workers had been told we were there to help build houses, they did not know what to expect from us. Were we there in name only to say we had done it or to work? As we all worked toward the common goal of building the houses so that people could have a better life, our relationship changed.


You would have thought Mike and Phil were part of the local crew as they mixed cement and did almost everything Edwin and the other local workers did. Juana was invaluable with her ability to translate for us and surprised us all with her physical strength. Larissa, Andrew and Richie worked hard with pick axes, shoveling, moving rocks, laying the stone floor for the home and patio, cementing the foundation, etc. I did most of the same things with the exception of using the pick axes, and as a nurse, felt the need to remind everyone to stay hydrated and take short rests when overheated. Happily, first aid was not needed often.


By the end of the week, we ate with the local workers and all shared a treat when the ice cream man walked to our site carrying his heavy box of ice cream. The smiles the El Salvadorians and we shared as we ate our ice creams were very meaningful. I felt a mutual respect then among all of us who had worked together on the project; a respect and relationship which can only grow as more teams travel there over time.

The weekend of March 17th, Crossway was lucky enough to host Mary Kamau and Kathy Ham from Missions of Hope International. During the visit, we put together a Kenya reunion so to speak. Most of the team was able to come with their families and spend time with Mary and Kathy while enjoying a wonderful potluck dinner! Thanks to Ann Miles for organizing the dinner! The first trip to Kenya was in 2008 when Pastor Ron, Mark and Nathan Green and Pete Paradise set off for a scouting trip. Since then, it has been such a whirlwind for our church. We have sent 3 teams to Nairobi. In 2009 there were 11 missionaries. In 2010 there were 12 missionaries and in the summer of 2011 there were 25 missionaries. One of those missionaries is going to be spending the summer in Nairobi working beside the CHE trainers teaching special education. It is amazing to think of all the people who have gone when God has called them. Lives have been changed. Here is a photo of most everyone. Wonderful!