Hi everyone! This is my last post before returning home to Ohio. This week the kids finally went back to school so we are back to our 4am wake up schedule. I have to say that it makes the last week quite relaxing while they are at school. It was interesting to experience being their teacher-tutor for 5 out of the 8 weeks I´ve been here but now they are back to doing their routine. The school will have to have Saturday school once a month to make up some of the time from suspended classes.
While the girls were home during the suspension we started to create a garden. We dug up the ground, weeded and cleaned it of rocks. With the help from many gardening experts around here, we learned what we need to do in order to plant some vegetables successfully. Yesterday when Mauricio purchased produce from the market, I took some of the fresh seeds and dried them out in order to plant in a few days. I have never done this before but I wanted to learn along with the girls. As I was picking out the many seeds, I was thinking about how one small pepper or tomato has enough seeds to multiply itself by many! That led me to think about what is said in the Bible,"Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." Mark 4:8. This is how God wants us to live - planting seeds everywhere we go and watching Him grow those seeds to produce and multiply. So I find it fitting that my last week here, I will plant some seeds with the girls in a garden and then I will leave, not seeing the result of this crop. It´s much like my experience with these girls. I hope to have planted good seeds with them by God´s grace and I pray that it will fall on good soil. And with God´s grace and blessing, it will multiply through them and produce a crop even a hundred times. Let´s pray that all these children here at Love and Hope are good soil and that they grow to multiply the harvest of God´s kingdom.
In Jesus name,
Kelly
ps. I return Monday the 17th. hope to see you soon.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Kentucki
I laughed when the girls asked me, as we were eating at KFC, ¨Do you have things like Kentucki and Pizza Hut back home?¨ Tee hee. I said yes and in fact they first started in the US and then expanded to Central America and that actually.. KentuckY is a state from where the name comes from! It´s funny to see into their heads and from there point of view.
How we got to Kentucki is a story in itself. A reward for having completed a certain number of chores without being told and in a timely manner was an outing to KFC, or Kentucki (El Salvadoran spelling). Four out of seven girls completed the task and went out to lunch with me. It was cute watching them in a new environment not knowing what to order, how to order or what to do with the tray so you can fill your own fountain pop. They couldn´t eat all of their food but played around awhile on the jumbo playground fortress and made room for ice cream cones. The girls had fun and were appreciative. I´m pretty sure all seven will make the next trip this time around. I wasn´t sure how this positive reinforcement system was going to work out with the girls. A few of them told me they didn´t want to participate or they hated the idea, but I´m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel because they keep talking about what they want to do for their next outing and they all have been diligent about doing their chores according to my requests. I´m so glad it´s working because I don´t have to hound them, they don´t have to hear me, noone gets frustrated, we enjoy each other more and then we celebrate at the end! It´s been a pleasant journey with them that will end too soon...3 weeks. I have had the chance to see into their little lives and know which one likes the Jonas brothers, which one wants to play guitar, which ones rock at soccer, which one is the brainiac and which one will dabble in creams and hair products for the rest of her life!
One of the psychologists said at a meeting last week, ¨You never know what is happening beneath the soil while you are planting seeds, it´s our job to plant good seeds and God´s job to water them¨ Sometimes it´s hard to know if you´re doing the right thing moment by moment or if your methods will make a positive impact or fail. Raising a child in a biblical way is the only assurance we have that we are doing the right thing. I have learned that you may not always see the results you want to see right away or at all, but you can be steadfast to God´s principles and be a light in that way. I have felt many times that I have no idea what I am doing, therefore I have needed to trust God more to give me grace in an area in which I don´t feel so confident. Although it´s a hard place to be in, I actually see how I need to be there more so that I can see Him work and pull through in ways I was originally doubtful.
We just got word that the kids are out of school another 2-3 weeks in addition to this past week due to the H1N1 virus. Actually, two kids at their school have it but noone is sick at the home. I think it´s interesting that the majority of my stay here has been teaching them while school is suspended. Good thing I´m a language teacher! It´s a little hectic trying to keep track of all the subjects and homework they have but it gives me more time one on one with them too. Chaito and blessings to all!
How we got to Kentucki is a story in itself. A reward for having completed a certain number of chores without being told and in a timely manner was an outing to KFC, or Kentucki (El Salvadoran spelling). Four out of seven girls completed the task and went out to lunch with me. It was cute watching them in a new environment not knowing what to order, how to order or what to do with the tray so you can fill your own fountain pop. They couldn´t eat all of their food but played around awhile on the jumbo playground fortress and made room for ice cream cones. The girls had fun and were appreciative. I´m pretty sure all seven will make the next trip this time around. I wasn´t sure how this positive reinforcement system was going to work out with the girls. A few of them told me they didn´t want to participate or they hated the idea, but I´m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel because they keep talking about what they want to do for their next outing and they all have been diligent about doing their chores according to my requests. I´m so glad it´s working because I don´t have to hound them, they don´t have to hear me, noone gets frustrated, we enjoy each other more and then we celebrate at the end! It´s been a pleasant journey with them that will end too soon...3 weeks. I have had the chance to see into their little lives and know which one likes the Jonas brothers, which one wants to play guitar, which ones rock at soccer, which one is the brainiac and which one will dabble in creams and hair products for the rest of her life!
One of the psychologists said at a meeting last week, ¨You never know what is happening beneath the soil while you are planting seeds, it´s our job to plant good seeds and God´s job to water them¨ Sometimes it´s hard to know if you´re doing the right thing moment by moment or if your methods will make a positive impact or fail. Raising a child in a biblical way is the only assurance we have that we are doing the right thing. I have learned that you may not always see the results you want to see right away or at all, but you can be steadfast to God´s principles and be a light in that way. I have felt many times that I have no idea what I am doing, therefore I have needed to trust God more to give me grace in an area in which I don´t feel so confident. Although it´s a hard place to be in, I actually see how I need to be there more so that I can see Him work and pull through in ways I was originally doubtful.
We just got word that the kids are out of school another 2-3 weeks in addition to this past week due to the H1N1 virus. Actually, two kids at their school have it but noone is sick at the home. I think it´s interesting that the majority of my stay here has been teaching them while school is suspended. Good thing I´m a language teacher! It´s a little hectic trying to keep track of all the subjects and homework they have but it gives me more time one on one with them too. Chaito and blessings to all!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Salvadoran Softball and Lions of Judah
As many of you know, one of my favorite pastimes is fast-pitch softball. The other day I was walking behind the home and came across a field of Salvadoran women playing fastpitch softball!!! I stopped to watch and then asked if I could play. A handful of Americans were with me and we quickly worked out a deal with them to play Americans vs. Salvadorans and they would give us their gloves when we played defense. It was fantastic! We could only play 2 innings due to time but it was so neat walking through the streets of sheet metal homes to come across a game of softball. Although the ball was water-logged, the gloves flimsy and me in my ¨ginas¨(flip-flops), I loved sharing this game with my new Salvadoran friends.
The American team just left today and they were certainly busy doing many fun activities with the kids, youth and community here in Nejapa. We went to the Honduran border for a fun-filled weekend of youth retreat activities. I was quite impressed with the entire weekend and even won a medal for third place with my team - The Lions of Judah. Thank goodness that there were some pretty daring teen boys on my team who volunteered for all the eating contests - there was no way I was going to do it! Can you imagine eating an entire onion, drinking a bottle of hot sauce, downing cat food and devouring an entire watermelon? Me neither. Guacala! My favorite was having to lay on our backs in a circle and balance a caserola of water with our feet in the air. We lasted for 15 minutes...thanks again to the guys on our team!
My on days with the girls have improved. I am getting the routine down and feel pretty adjusted to the schedule and the girls. I enjoy the one on one moments with them when they snuggle under my arm and I explain homework to them or when we all sit around in a group and talk about our favorite things. They often ask about what I would be doing right now if I were at my house. I like these discussions a lot for many reasons, one, is that I seem to know all the vocabulary and verb tenses to talk about that really fluently, two, it´s something they are interested in and three, telling them about my life is like teaching them about a life they can have too which is one purpose of this ministry. I haven´t realized until now how odd it might seem in this culture for an adult woman to not be married and have a job, home, car and life on her own. I want them to know that it´s possible!
One goal we have all been working on is getting our chores done when we´re supposed to and without being told to do them. I set up a point system with some rewards for perfect points. I told the girls when they all achieve a certain amout, we´ll go out for pizza and a movie or something like that. It´s been hard to encourage them to work toward a reward. Little by little I can see them getting used to it and changing their attitudes about it. One challenge for me is not getting ticked off when they totally ignore me and don´t do it! I guess I need to let it go but it´s pretty hard when it happens 3x a day!
On my day off I went out with my new friend Britney. Praise God for Britney! She has been a wonderful blessing on this trip. She is a permanent missionary here from Ohio. She and her husband live in Nejapa and are connected to the Love and HOpe Church across the street. Britney realized that I didn´t have much to do on my off days so she invited me to go out once a week and go and do some fun things. Today we went to Pizza Hut and Super Selectos. We jumped on a bus for a quarter and headed to the next town. I grocery shopped for some lettuce (I crave my daily spinach salads) and common North AMerican diet products. I have been suffering from a combination of a stomach illness going around and too much fried food. The Salvadorans can ¨stomach¨it better and although I love the food, my digestive system hasn´t agreed with it! I went through a 48 hr. bug with horrible stomach pains everytime I ate. Argh! so, my plan was to make some common meals for myself when the home is preparing something my stomach will rebel against.
Oh! I also really enjoy getting to know and develop relationships with the Salvadoran ¨hermanas¨or the women who take care of the kids here. Since I speak the language I am able to connect with them more. One, Delmy, who works in the kitchen, often asks me to help her with some of her tasks. The other day we were husking corn from the garden and then we were taking it to the molina down the road. After she separated the corn from the husk, she put all of it in a container and carried it on her head as we walked down the dirt road to the press. I thought how weird I must have looked standing next to her. The press mashed the corn into a paste like texture for 90 cents! When we left, I told Delmy that I wanted to carry the big container on my head. I wish I had a picture! I felt every eye on me walking back home. I think the Salvadorans have something with carrying big containers on their heads. Just think about how many of us Americans throw our backs out by trying to carry things in our arms. Hmm.... makes me want to change things back home!
A book I´m reading now called Crazy Love has been a great inspiration to me while here. It´s a book about God´s love and it has opened my eyes to so much during my time here. It has helped me to pursue love and kindness as a goal with the girls although the job makes me irritated and annoyed at times. It opens my eyes to how God must see me everytime I ignore him and choose to do things my way or not at all. And, there´s a question he asks and I want this to be something I ask myself everyday...¨What are you doing right now in your life that is requiring you to live by faith?¨I thought about it and wanted to challenge myself more. God wants us to live by faith instead of by comfort and I think when I pursue comfort and safety more than sacrificial giving of my time, money and love...then I don´t see God and His goodness around me. I want to pursue the true satisfaction that only He can give a person here on this Earth and that means that I have to put myself in some situations that aren´t so comfortable and require having faith that God will show up to provide. I have seen that in Rachel´s life and Britney´s life. I want more of that and I encourage you to ask that question too....
Hasta pronto!
The American team just left today and they were certainly busy doing many fun activities with the kids, youth and community here in Nejapa. We went to the Honduran border for a fun-filled weekend of youth retreat activities. I was quite impressed with the entire weekend and even won a medal for third place with my team - The Lions of Judah. Thank goodness that there were some pretty daring teen boys on my team who volunteered for all the eating contests - there was no way I was going to do it! Can you imagine eating an entire onion, drinking a bottle of hot sauce, downing cat food and devouring an entire watermelon? Me neither. Guacala! My favorite was having to lay on our backs in a circle and balance a caserola of water with our feet in the air. We lasted for 15 minutes...thanks again to the guys on our team!
My on days with the girls have improved. I am getting the routine down and feel pretty adjusted to the schedule and the girls. I enjoy the one on one moments with them when they snuggle under my arm and I explain homework to them or when we all sit around in a group and talk about our favorite things. They often ask about what I would be doing right now if I were at my house. I like these discussions a lot for many reasons, one, is that I seem to know all the vocabulary and verb tenses to talk about that really fluently, two, it´s something they are interested in and three, telling them about my life is like teaching them about a life they can have too which is one purpose of this ministry. I haven´t realized until now how odd it might seem in this culture for an adult woman to not be married and have a job, home, car and life on her own. I want them to know that it´s possible!
One goal we have all been working on is getting our chores done when we´re supposed to and without being told to do them. I set up a point system with some rewards for perfect points. I told the girls when they all achieve a certain amout, we´ll go out for pizza and a movie or something like that. It´s been hard to encourage them to work toward a reward. Little by little I can see them getting used to it and changing their attitudes about it. One challenge for me is not getting ticked off when they totally ignore me and don´t do it! I guess I need to let it go but it´s pretty hard when it happens 3x a day!
On my day off I went out with my new friend Britney. Praise God for Britney! She has been a wonderful blessing on this trip. She is a permanent missionary here from Ohio. She and her husband live in Nejapa and are connected to the Love and HOpe Church across the street. Britney realized that I didn´t have much to do on my off days so she invited me to go out once a week and go and do some fun things. Today we went to Pizza Hut and Super Selectos. We jumped on a bus for a quarter and headed to the next town. I grocery shopped for some lettuce (I crave my daily spinach salads) and common North AMerican diet products. I have been suffering from a combination of a stomach illness going around and too much fried food. The Salvadorans can ¨stomach¨it better and although I love the food, my digestive system hasn´t agreed with it! I went through a 48 hr. bug with horrible stomach pains everytime I ate. Argh! so, my plan was to make some common meals for myself when the home is preparing something my stomach will rebel against.
Oh! I also really enjoy getting to know and develop relationships with the Salvadoran ¨hermanas¨or the women who take care of the kids here. Since I speak the language I am able to connect with them more. One, Delmy, who works in the kitchen, often asks me to help her with some of her tasks. The other day we were husking corn from the garden and then we were taking it to the molina down the road. After she separated the corn from the husk, she put all of it in a container and carried it on her head as we walked down the dirt road to the press. I thought how weird I must have looked standing next to her. The press mashed the corn into a paste like texture for 90 cents! When we left, I told Delmy that I wanted to carry the big container on my head. I wish I had a picture! I felt every eye on me walking back home. I think the Salvadorans have something with carrying big containers on their heads. Just think about how many of us Americans throw our backs out by trying to carry things in our arms. Hmm.... makes me want to change things back home!
A book I´m reading now called Crazy Love has been a great inspiration to me while here. It´s a book about God´s love and it has opened my eyes to so much during my time here. It has helped me to pursue love and kindness as a goal with the girls although the job makes me irritated and annoyed at times. It opens my eyes to how God must see me everytime I ignore him and choose to do things my way or not at all. And, there´s a question he asks and I want this to be something I ask myself everyday...¨What are you doing right now in your life that is requiring you to live by faith?¨I thought about it and wanted to challenge myself more. God wants us to live by faith instead of by comfort and I think when I pursue comfort and safety more than sacrificial giving of my time, money and love...then I don´t see God and His goodness around me. I want to pursue the true satisfaction that only He can give a person here on this Earth and that means that I have to put myself in some situations that aren´t so comfortable and require having faith that God will show up to provide. I have seen that in Rachel´s life and Britney´s life. I want more of that and I encourage you to ask that question too....
Hasta pronto!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I stink at mopping!
Love and Hope just welcomed the summer team from CVC who will be staying for 2 weeks. In perfect timing, school was cancelled until July 9th due to many illnesses and the swine flu scare. So, this week the kids are working on a demanding load of work that they must complete at home but have enough people around to receive as much one on one tutoring as they need.
Last night I had a pajama party with the girls. I promised that we would have one if they all completed a little assignment with the American team members in English. So, we ate icecream, did belly smackers from the top bunk on to the mattresses below, played beauty salon (and i did not come out looking like a beauty, i must say!) and challenged each other to a lime eating contest. Since I did not want to do that, I ended up getting lime squeezed in my hair, down my shirt and salt up my nose! A much needed shower came shortly after. It was nice to have that time with the girls after a lot of homework and chores.
In addition to making sure they complete their routine for the day, I wash/fold their clothes and mop the floors. I can fold just fine but mopping is one thing I just dread. They use a towel and drape it over a broom in order to mop. I have watched the others complete this task beautifully but I just flat out stink. I´m amazed by the efficiency of others around here but my ability to get the girls up, showered, chores done, ready for breakfast, clothes washed and hung on the line, floors mopped all by 8am is just impossible! ha ha. i guess you can imagine how clean my house gets...
I have been humbled quite often by the honesty of these girls. They seem to want to tell me my every flaw, mistake and who is better than me at whatever. I have to admit it hurts! But, after talking to Rachel, Alyssa and Kirsten, I get a little more perspective about how to swallow their comments and how to talk to them about them. I remind myself that this is part of the job and we are all learning how to love one another better when it´s not so easy. This experience is changing my perspective as a teacher too. I already have seen areas that I need to change in order to make a relationship more loving, safe and compromising.
Well, I could go on but I´ll save more for later. Tomorrow we head to a teen retreat with the church youth ministry for the weekend. Three of the girls and I are going and our team will be there too. Next week we hit the beach with the 28 kids and the team. Fun times. For now, I´m getting back to playing dolls and kicking the soccer ball around. Enjoy!
Last night I had a pajama party with the girls. I promised that we would have one if they all completed a little assignment with the American team members in English. So, we ate icecream, did belly smackers from the top bunk on to the mattresses below, played beauty salon (and i did not come out looking like a beauty, i must say!) and challenged each other to a lime eating contest. Since I did not want to do that, I ended up getting lime squeezed in my hair, down my shirt and salt up my nose! A much needed shower came shortly after. It was nice to have that time with the girls after a lot of homework and chores.
In addition to making sure they complete their routine for the day, I wash/fold their clothes and mop the floors. I can fold just fine but mopping is one thing I just dread. They use a towel and drape it over a broom in order to mop. I have watched the others complete this task beautifully but I just flat out stink. I´m amazed by the efficiency of others around here but my ability to get the girls up, showered, chores done, ready for breakfast, clothes washed and hung on the line, floors mopped all by 8am is just impossible! ha ha. i guess you can imagine how clean my house gets...
I have been humbled quite often by the honesty of these girls. They seem to want to tell me my every flaw, mistake and who is better than me at whatever. I have to admit it hurts! But, after talking to Rachel, Alyssa and Kirsten, I get a little more perspective about how to swallow their comments and how to talk to them about them. I remind myself that this is part of the job and we are all learning how to love one another better when it´s not so easy. This experience is changing my perspective as a teacher too. I already have seen areas that I need to change in order to make a relationship more loving, safe and compromising.
Well, I could go on but I´ll save more for later. Tomorrow we head to a teen retreat with the church youth ministry for the weekend. Three of the girls and I are going and our team will be there too. Next week we hit the beach with the 28 kids and the team. Fun times. For now, I´m getting back to playing dolls and kicking the soccer ball around. Enjoy!
Friday, June 26, 2009
I finally found the internet cafe in Nejapa! I have spent one week and two days here and it feels like many more. So far there have been many ups and a few challenging moments.
I am living in the missionary quarters with Alyssa and Kirsten. I love the many moments of heart to heart conversations that we share throughout the day, it´s truly a blessing to be with them.
I work 24 hour shifts every other day from 8am to 8am. The challenging part of the day happens when they come home from school and have to do chores and homework. In just several shifts I have already experienced the challenges of young girls who wait until bedtime to do poster projects due the next day, those who absolutely refuse to wash the dishes or obey my telling her to do them right now and of those who are sick and can´t go to school. I want my moments with them to be great, fun and happy but most times showing and developing character is difficult. I realize my time with them is going to have more challenges than I originally thought because learning to obey the things you don´t really want to is never fun or happy, for them or for me. Some of you parents just said "now you know what my life is all about!" Rachel is very encouraging and helps me press on when I´m overwhelmed. I am determined to be humbled, to surrender, to stand firm, to speak up and to be quiet... all to show the character of Christ in this endeavor and the ones that come after.
1 Cor 2 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him".
I am living in the missionary quarters with Alyssa and Kirsten. I love the many moments of heart to heart conversations that we share throughout the day, it´s truly a blessing to be with them.
I work 24 hour shifts every other day from 8am to 8am. The challenging part of the day happens when they come home from school and have to do chores and homework. In just several shifts I have already experienced the challenges of young girls who wait until bedtime to do poster projects due the next day, those who absolutely refuse to wash the dishes or obey my telling her to do them right now and of those who are sick and can´t go to school. I want my moments with them to be great, fun and happy but most times showing and developing character is difficult. I realize my time with them is going to have more challenges than I originally thought because learning to obey the things you don´t really want to is never fun or happy, for them or for me. Some of you parents just said "now you know what my life is all about!" Rachel is very encouraging and helps me press on when I´m overwhelmed. I am determined to be humbled, to surrender, to stand firm, to speak up and to be quiet... all to show the character of Christ in this endeavor and the ones that come after.
1 Cor 2 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him".
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
El Salvador 2009
Today I am grateful. Grateful to have a job that offers 9 weeks of summer break. Grateful to know the Spanish language. Grateful that I enjoy traveling to foreign countries. Grateful that I have a heart for the children and ministry at Love and Hope in Nejapa, El Salvador. Before I knew who Jesus was and what He did for me (and you) on the cross, the Lord had already created these specific desires of mine to be used for His glory. I am grateful to Him for this next journey. Won't you join me as I blog about the next 2 months at Love and Hope?
Lately I have heard several different sermons speaking the same message to me. Two words sum up the message well, "CHANGE" and "LED". (I'm not talking President Obama's kind of change!) I want to fulfill the God's purpose for my life, this summer, in El Salvador and this day. In order to do that I must continue to CHANGE and be LED by Him through His Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that are helping me CHANGE and be LED.
"I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." Isa 49:4
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58
'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zech 4:6
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psa 127:1
When I think about how much time I have wasted just doing things that have no eternal purpose or value, it makes me sick! The scariest part is to think that I was actually doing something that mattered and to realize that maybe it was in vain and not aligned with God's purpose for me. I am focusing my eyes on His work by His spirit while I am away and when I return. Pray for me about these things if you feel so LED.
Lately I have heard several different sermons speaking the same message to me. Two words sum up the message well, "CHANGE" and "LED". (I'm not talking President Obama's kind of change!) I want to fulfill the God's purpose for my life, this summer, in El Salvador and this day. In order to do that I must continue to CHANGE and be LED by Him through His Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that are helping me CHANGE and be LED.
"I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." Isa 49:4
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58
'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zech 4:6
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psa 127:1
When I think about how much time I have wasted just doing things that have no eternal purpose or value, it makes me sick! The scariest part is to think that I was actually doing something that mattered and to realize that maybe it was in vain and not aligned with God's purpose for me. I am focusing my eyes on His work by His spirit while I am away and when I return. Pray for me about these things if you feel so LED.
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