updates on our last few days!

On Tuesday the Community Team was able to serve at a homeless shelter and organization called Lighthouse Ministries that was mentioned in the last post. Their ministry focuses on serving the homeless and the women on the streets, some struggling with sex trafficking. On Tuesdays they are offered a shower, haircut option and lunch at the Lighthouse Ministry shelter. Our team played board games with the guests while everyone was gathering before lunch. We had a wonderful time serving these people and investing our time and love getting to know some new friends.

Day 1 - Leadership Retreat! Sweaty, hot, humid - but loving our new friends and serving them together being disciples of His word.

 registration table to assign campers to their rooms and teams!

 Alicia helping Ingrid in the kitchen. LOTS of food to prepare!

 kitchen crew hard at work?

an older Salvadoran woman, Maria,  was chopping trees down on the dirt road all by herself. our men took things into their own hands and we helped her carry branches up to her home.

Omar Jr and Jesse hanging out in the dining hall.

 some of our lovely ladies in the main meeting room.

 just typical fun around here...

 cleaning lettuce for salads.

 Mama - our most wonderful chef and friend makes the most delicious food for our team each year.

 small group time for fellowship and diving into God's word.

 competition time!

 tire races in the field.

 our little buddy Diego.

 some little kids from the surrounding homes near the field always come out to see what's going on, wanting to be involved with big smiles!

Jesse and his Salvadoran brother, one of our main translators Chris!

quick mini-update!

Yesterday we weren't able to get any pictures, as the Community Team was working in a women's prison facility. Cameras were left back at our "home". We had quite a day, being able to experience a glimpse of what these women are living in every day. We were able to give the same message to two different groups of inmates, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Testimonies were shared by our girls and we are confident that hearts were changed, walls were broken down, and women were impacted with seeds of faith for Christ. In addition, there were 4 women were were able to meet with that were in solitary confinement and not able to even see the light of day or ever leave their room. The director arranged a special meeting where he brought them out of their room just for us. Again, we know God was present and speaking through our words. Each group heard a salvation message and participated in a group prayer, offering for them to ask Jesus into their life and heart. To change their future TODAY and have their slate wiped clean.

The Prison Team returned to the juvenile facility and were able to deepen some conversations and relationships that were started earlier. Lives are being impacted and changed each day. Praise God!

Today we will be serving lunch to the homeless. Pray that they would see God's love and light and grace through our service and conversation.

And here are some more pictures from our first days - since we know you love them!

We are one third through our journey!

Greetings to parents and friends at home! We apologize for not posting sooner, but time has been quite valuable, as well as sleep! We arrived without any delays or complications and had a smooth experience through the airport and customs.

(above) Our first day at Injuve after the community day with Power of One training. Our leaders did a phenomenal job jumping right into culture and building relationships with those who attended.

(above) Our second day was spent in Santisima de Trinidad, a community in San Salvador that we continue to have close ties to each year working with Pastor Martinez' church - Aposento Alto. The Community Team focused on a Family Community Day event that the church had planned beginning with a "fun run" and ending with a soccer tournament of course! Again, our team did a great job of showing God's love and jumping into conversation despite any language barriers. The Prison Team has done an incredible job as well through some tough emotional days as they boldly share God's word in some of the harshest enivronments of those feeling unloved. We ended the day with a team dinner at Aposento Alto among friends.

(above) Our third day, Sunday, was our first day with some down-time to rest while still being in community with our friends here. The Prison Team went to church at Omar's church - CEFAD. The Community Team went to Pastor Martinez' church - Aposento Alto. Being at two churches, we heard similar messages which was really neat to share with each other later in the afternoon on our hike. We gathered some Salvadoran friends and loaded up two pick-up trucks and a mini bus to head to our hiking spot, La Puerta del Diablo. It was a gorgeous day (with humidity of course) and we had a wonderful time in conversation over lunch first eating Papusas and being in fellowship with our friends along for the day. At the top of our hiking spot, we had time for Omar and Chris, two of our translators and community connectors, to share their testimonies. Others not with our group gathered behind us and listened on their own. How cool to see God working in having others hear His grace and love even when we don't plan it.

Some team updates for parents:
- Jesse's finger is good and being taken care of daily by nurse Sandy.
- Brandon Mejia's ankle is doing well and doesn't seem to prohibit his participation

We thank you for your continued prayers over our team each day. We will update again when able!

Packing Day at the Warehouse!

Well the time is almost here guys! In about 24 hours we will be leaving for the airport to El Salvador!We are so excited to be sharing this journey with all of you. Here are some photos from the packing day. Ready to to hit the ground running. Enjoy!

Busy organizing and packing everything!

Supplies and donations to bless God's people with!

2014 El Salvador Mission Team

Our Journey began in February 2014 to "Discover the Warrior Within". We have learned a lot in the preparation process, from the history of the country of El Salvador to working together as a unified team. It is now time to put all that we have learned and prepared for into practice. We are ready to serve the beautiful people of El Salvador. Here a a few highlights from the months of preparation:

Prep Sessions at the warehouse. Learning about
the lives of the Salvadorian people.  We also discussed what the "ultimate gift" really is and how it applies to our life.

Little Round Top Prep Session, we learned of the sacrifice and bravery of those who fought for the freedom of mankind during our own Civil War.
We also learned the reason for finding your purpose in life.....
to help those that are in need.

Time of reflection during sunset

 Our friends in El Salvador, planning trip 2014.

The beautiful country of El Salvador.

White Water Rafting Retreat. This is how we learn to work as a team!

Swallow Falls

Prison Team!

Community Team!

Racing down the rapids