Hello everyone, I'm sorry we haven't been able to update the blog the past few days, everything has been so rushed! We are leaving this morning for our final retreat... We will be back Wednesday. Everything will be updated shortly after. Hope everyone is doing well! Keep us in your prayers!

Video Link

See what the team did out in Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires Work Day Video

G.I. Joe Takes Over the Retreat Center

Wednesday, July 1st

Today was the last day of the retreat, and it was jam-packed! Our morning started at 5:45am with a military-style workout led by Joe. The Salvadorans didn't know what hit them! After the workout, everyone got cleaned up and went in for our final sessions, followed by some friendly games of volleyball.

After the games, the group split into their small groups and talked about how to use what they've learned over the three days to impact their communities. Our team sat down together and Tyler challenged them to create individual action plans for bringing back the lessons.

After the churches and groups all had time to talk, one person from each area got up in front of everyone and shared their plans with the group. It was wonderful to see the impact that the retreat had on everyone, and the passion for change that was initiated. I can't wait to visit the country next year and see what has come of the plans.

We packed all our bags, and loaded up the buses. After a final group picture, we headed to Melvin's church for a service and certificate presentation. The service was great, Pastor Kevin delivered the sermon and there was plenty of singing and celebrating. After the retreat participants were presented their certificates, we all said our good-byes.

The night concluded with a meal of pupusas (I'm sure you will hear all about them). The retreat went wonderful, and everyone came back with a refreshed passion for impacting their community.

Hey Everyone!!! I'm so sorry you haven't heard from us, but we have been on a retreat for the past 3 days! I will upload pictures later, but I wanted to atleast get information up about what we've been doing, there should be 4 new days worth of information. I will get the pictures up as soon as I can!!! Hope all is well at home!

Day 6

Wow, am I ever sore! I am not an athlete by any means, so it takes some effort to keep up with all these athletes, but it’s a lot of fun. We had an early morning that started with devotionals in our small groups. After that, we all gathered in the big meeting room and Pastor Kevin led a devotional for the group. Joe followed with a session challenging the athletes to do a “life physical”, it was a great message and everyone seemed to get a lot out of it.

After breakfast, it was competition time! The Salvadorans played the Gringos in a game of basketball. The teams were a little unfairly matched though, I think… I mean just look at the guys we brought with us! The Salvadorans never stood a chance. Everyone had a blast, and played with good sportsmanship.

The next session, Melvin talked about ways to use the athletic gifts and talents they’d been given as a platform for spreading the gospel. He trained them on getting involved and starting programs, and finished up by sending everyone into small groups to discuss how they would get involved in their community.

Next, the Salvadorans sought vindication as small groups battled it out on the soccer field. The gringos held their own this time around though (we must have learned something Sunday night after all).

After lunch, it was Tyler’s session. He did a powerful presentation he calls “The Google Perception”, he showed a slideshow of disturbing pictures of gangs, violence, and poverty that he found when he typed “El Salvador” into Google. He challenged the athletes to take charge of their country, and to be the light in the darkness.

After a quick rest period, it was time for street hockey, then some time in the pool before Melvin’s next ppresentation, continuing and expanding on the material he presented earlier. He gave stories, testimonials, and advice about using sports to advance the kingdom. It was powerful and inspiring, as Melvin’s talks always are.

After dinner came relaxation. Everyone jumped in the pool, Wally and his band came from their church to play music for us pool-side, and we had a laid back rest of the evening filled with swimming and socializing.

Intensive Sport Leadership Training

Monday, June 29, 2009

It was a crazy day! Although, by now, we would be shocked if we didn’t end a day with those words. It was an early morning for the team. We started our walk to the church at 6:40am, so for the 9 guys in one apartment, with one shower, that meant a very early morning. (The girls had it a bit easier, as did the 3 guys in Tony’s apartment). We had breakfast at the church, and then it was back to Zacamil to load up our bags and pick up the 5 kids we brought with us to the retreat out in Santa Ana.

It took a little longer than planned, as most things do down here, but we eventually made it out on the road, making a quick stop by Josue Christian School to pick up a few more. When we reached the retreat center in Santa Ana, Melvin and his 30 athletes were already there. We jumped into gear and started setting up, each person doing their assigned job, and everything got done without much trouble.

The sessions for the night were great. Joe, Tyler, Tanner, and Jordan all spoke to the group and they all did well. The evening ended with some competitions. The small groups were pitted against each other in basketball, soccer, and swimming. Everyone had a great first day of the retreat… they are all exhausted and ready for bed! We’ll see what tomorrow brings…

Soccer is not our sport...

Sunday, June 29^th, 2009

The days are flying by now; we’re just trying to catch our breath between the days. Today started with breakfast at Mister Donut, a place that quickly becomes a staple for the groups in El Salvador. From there we walked to the local church where Mario and Juan Carlos are pastors.

The church was packed; you could hear the Salvadorans affectionately commenting that the “gringos” were taking over the church. (There are two other American mission teams staying in Zacamil as well). One of the other teams with AY Missions did a dramatic skit to start the service off. It was nice to have the other team there because some of them are musicians, which meant that the songs were sang in Spanish and English. It certainly made us feel like a part of the service. Mario gave a beautiful sermon and the service ended with plenty of time to socialize with the community.

Despite the fact that we were able to sleep in this morning, the effects from laboring in the fields the day before were very evident at lunch. After everyone had eaten, and we were waiting on transportation back to the apartments, I happened to look across the tables to see every single head down, sleeping. What a beautiful thing to see! How many high school students in America would offer up everything they have, exhausting themselves, to serve others?

AY Mission planned a cookout for Zacamil at 4, so in the few hours between lunch and the event, we were hard at work getting all the last minute details sorted out for the soccer tournament we planned along with ISC. Drew was the point man for the event and he did a great job assigning jobs and getting everything done. Before long it was 7:00, and the teams were ready to play. We had 6 teams total (3 teams from Zacamil, 2 from Santa Ana, and our team).

In our defense, no one on our team currently plays soccer. Our athletes range from wrestling to lacrosse, with all sorts of sports in between… however soccer is not one of them. And the Salvadorans have been playing since they were very young. That being said, they totally killed us. It was a lot of fun, and we had a cheering section from the community chanting “Grin-Gos, Grin-Gos!” and “Estados Unidos!” Our guys showed great sportsmanship, showing a lot of encouragement to each other, congratulating the other teams on good plays, and keeping good spirits, loss after loss. That’s what it’s all about. It was a long exhausting day, and tomorrow morning starts the 3 day Athletic Leadership Retreat. We can’t wait to see how it all plays out.