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.