First day on the race and I have translated a testimony, a sermon, and given a testimony IN SPANISH.
I’ve gotten to sing worship music in Spanish, ride in the back of pickup trucks, and eat pupusas on the side of the road.
I nearly kissed an iguana, and had a really great incident with a deflated air mattress.
The mountains and volcanoes here are breathtakingly beautiful. Our translator is going to take us to one of them, and I’m really looking forward to it.
I’ve gotten to hug Salvadorian little girls and hold the pastor’s daughter on my lap in the car. The kiddos’ yelling chorus of “HELENA!!” makes me smile. They definitely know my name here, because I’m the only one who speaks Spanish in the team. Today the pastor's daughter, Keren and her little friend Nelson made me a precious card. Check it out.
Every time we come back to the church there is more food and more beds provided. As it is, all of us have BEDS. We have fruit loop cereal bars and fruits galore for breakfast. God has been astounding us with abundant blessings. The people in this church are so loving and generous.
It’s taken what feels like forever to have INTERNET because their little plug-in modems don’t work on our computers, but now we are staying at the pastor's house and they have wifi… PRAISE THE LORD!
I've enjoyed “hokey pokey” showers, because the water is cold! You put your left arm in, you put your left arm out (lather) you put your left arm in and shake it all about. There will most definitely be a video about this.
Here we have sodas and juice in plastic bags. We accidentally spilled them everywhere during lunch yesterday, and I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard.
I had in my possession a bag of coke, and I have pictures to prove it. No seriously, coca cola in a bag.
Yesterday, we went on a retreat with the church leadership to a city called Tonacatepeque (I know what you’re thinking, and I say Amen to that, it’s a long word). I heard a wonderful sermon, by Pastor Luis, and I will hopefully get to write a blog about it. Un bloguito. 😉
Aside from funny, random, silly stuff, there is much growth.
I cried during feedback last night (of course), because my team is so encouraging. Their constructive feedback: don’t forget about yourself, take time for yourself. They said I have humility and infectious joy. They said I was approachable. I praise God for putting me in such a loving team.
Now we’re halfway through our second full day on the race.
Today we worshiped in the morning and will again in the afternoon.
My team gets to work with kiddos and youth this month, which are my forte. I am so excited to see how God works through me and Team Tharros.
Please be in prayer for our safety, health, spiritual growth, and for the language barrier to be overcome.
Love you guys & leave a comment!!
Helena you are halarious!! They’re very right about your infectious joy as you’ve always been a cheerful person to be around! I’m proud of you chica!! *hugs*
We here at Agape In Action are happy to hear that you have begun your mission trip. Your Spanish skills make you a vital member of your team, practice your Spanish at every opportunity. We will follow your blog along the way, feel free to contact us if we can help in any way.
Girl, I think you broke through the language barrier already!!! When people who do not understand a word you are saying and comes up to you and shows you love. That means it is alright! But I loved the note that the girls wrote you, it was beautiful. 🙂
LOVED your blog! Keep that sense of humor, for sure…”hokey pokey” shower…cracks me up 🙂 I am looking so forward to meeting you in person on Honduras! May the blessing you pour out come back to you tenfold! Remember that your Joy is your strength on this journey!
Glad to hear that God is rocking your world in El Salv.!! El Salvador seems so perfect and I can’t wait to see pictures of the kids y’all will be working with!!! I can imagine kiddos to LOVE you. Prayers for your team!
Hey Kiddo!!
Sound like everything is going well!!! You guys are awesome!! I am sure that the contact is delighted to have you there!!
Take good care of yourself – I am praying for you guys!!
Big ol Hug,
Mama C
Heleninha!!!!!
Gracas a Deus esta indo tudo bem!!! Que legal esses dois primeiros dias:) Coca-cola numa sacola: uau! As fotos estao incriveis! Me emocionei muito com a cartinha que voce recebeu das criancas. E concordo plenamente, quando disseram que voce tem uma alegria contagiante! Estou com saudades das suas risadas!!! Que Deus abencoe muito a voce e seus amigos. E esteja certa que nossas preces sao constantes para que tudo de certo. Deus esta guiando e abencoando o caminho de voces! Muitos beijinhos da tia que lhe ama:)
Awesome guys! Keep on bringing his Kingdom. Praying for you guys and give everyone my love.
AWESOME!! I’m so glad you are Having fun!!
Helena!!!
Great blogs! You’re making me miss the Race all over again lol. Hahahaha…and the fact that I still have to wait for now before I can go back out into the nations. Take care and I’m SOOO happy that Mama C and Pappy are ya’lls squad-parents too!!! EPIC!!! Welcome to the family indeed. 😀
Love ya sis!
AJ
Ya buena Chiquita, Ojala que todavia esta bien en la brazos de Dios constamente. Incerible que tu y sus amigos/familia esta trabajando donde la mundo se necessitan. Ya puetrate te bien y ciandanse mucho .constamente estoy rego para ti constamente y heco de menos demasio. te esta protjas de la padre y hijo y sirito scanto ya la virgen. y este es la buena coasa en el cielo y el mundo aqui… que you te creo y fara ti ojala que te requerdas constamente cuando necessita fuerte y no puedes buscarle .. solomente ver adrendre en su miso y ala cielo y totda que se puedes suene esta contigo
ya te quiero muchisimo
Angie
I figured out how to subscribe to your blog, so I now get an update when you update. 🙂 Yay! I read all three new updates (loved them!) and I’m super excited for you! 😀 God is already doing so much through you and your team, I can already tell – and I’m sure you haven’t shared even half of it. I have thought of you just about every day and pray for you. It is awesome to see how God has been preparing you throughout your life for this and how He moves through you now! The pictures are great, by the way. Keep loving, laughing and sharing your heart, Helena!
thank you all so much 🙂 Love you all!!!!
Dear Helena,
How great to see the updates, pics, and know you and your team are coming in contact with such wonderful people!
May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to pour His love through you and make your hearts overflow with joy!
Please send my love to those children, hug them for me…
Keep us posted whenever you can…
Love,
Mom