It´s already my last week here in El Salvador. I just wanted to write really quick before turning in. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and prayed for me and the group down here. I would ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers this last week. I leave Wednesday, July 1st. Please pray for continued opportunites to minister to the people of El Salvador. There is so much work yet to be done at these centers and in El Salvador. The amount of brokenness brings tears. Despite the poverty and economic status I believe that things would change for the better if Christ was the center and the focus in the lives of the staff, directors and teachers in these places.
One constant theme I have been learning down here is the idea of storing up treasures in heaven. It all comes down to what really lasts. The little decisions have some of the most impact. We are His hands, his feet, and his voice wherever we go. That is my prayer for us as the body of Christ.
To God be all of the glory.
(1 Corinthians 14-18)
¨So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, out inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are ETERNAL.¨
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Too much for a title...
OOPS!
It´s been a minute or two since I last updated. I´ll give a quick run down of what I have been up to.
Two weekends ago all of us interns, hermano Jorge and a few boys from the faith house went on a ´´hike´´. It turned out to be a 4 hour hike down a thousand some stairs, up a volcano, rest for 10-15 minutes, back down(most dangerous thing I´ve done here if you don´t count the insane driving) and back up. My running shoes and I were not prepared for it, but I am glad I did it. (never again)
I ran into a Nurse Practitioner from the states when I was helping out in the clinic. She is from Hannah´s Hands and lives here in El Salvador. She mentioned a group with doctors were coming this week and invited me to tag along. I helped out with intake and history of all the boys in the orphanage the first day. The second day we went to a local church. I spent the majority of the time helping out in the pharmacy, double checking prescriptions, making sure the meds were correct and explaining to the people what they were getting. I really enjoyed the time with this group and was happy to help them out! I was impressed with their desire to keep the Lord first and really minister to the people there, not just put a band-aid on and send them away.
Lastly, I want to comment on the GREAT group of interns that are here. Each and every one of them has been a blessing here in El Salvador and to me. I did not know a single intern before I came and have experienced awesome fellowship with my brothers and sisters. I am truly going to miss having them around every day. I feel like I have known them all much longer than 4 weeks. We are having devotions tonight (in english phew!) so I have to go!
Thanks for reading!
It´s been a minute or two since I last updated. I´ll give a quick run down of what I have been up to.
Two weekends ago all of us interns, hermano Jorge and a few boys from the faith house went on a ´´hike´´. It turned out to be a 4 hour hike down a thousand some stairs, up a volcano, rest for 10-15 minutes, back down(most dangerous thing I´ve done here if you don´t count the insane driving) and back up. My running shoes and I were not prepared for it, but I am glad I did it. (never again)
I ran into a Nurse Practitioner from the states when I was helping out in the clinic. She is from Hannah´s Hands and lives here in El Salvador. She mentioned a group with doctors were coming this week and invited me to tag along. I helped out with intake and history of all the boys in the orphanage the first day. The second day we went to a local church. I spent the majority of the time helping out in the pharmacy, double checking prescriptions, making sure the meds were correct and explaining to the people what they were getting. I really enjoyed the time with this group and was happy to help them out! I was impressed with their desire to keep the Lord first and really minister to the people there, not just put a band-aid on and send them away.
Lastly, I want to comment on the GREAT group of interns that are here. Each and every one of them has been a blessing here in El Salvador and to me. I did not know a single intern before I came and have experienced awesome fellowship with my brothers and sisters. I am truly going to miss having them around every day. I feel like I have known them all much longer than 4 weeks. We are having devotions tonight (in english phew!) so I have to go!
Thanks for reading!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
We´re all here!
Hey All!
My week changed a bit these past couple days. All of the other interns arrived on Monday. There are 4 boys and 3 girls including myself. Kramer and I have been working in the boys orphanage in the clinic. The director of the orphanage asked us to go around to their school, bathrooms, cafeteria and living spaces and ´´inspect´´ them basically. They wanted us to note any problems we saw as outsiders that they may have overlooked. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to the orphange in order to make it more safer and more sanitary. A lot of the problems can be fixed simply by cleaning with bleach and eliminating standing water. The director is very receptive and they have already started cleaning out thier pool. On Monday and for the rest of the week Kramer, Teddy and I will first be talking to the educators and then the kids about why these things need to be taken care of, how to go about it and making up a schedule of how often chores need to be done.
People have been asking how specifically they can be praying for me so here ya go.... Please pray for the teachers and kids to be receptive to what needs to get done at the orphanage. This will definitely decease sickness and the spread of disease among the boys. Also, pray for all of us interns to remain united, healthy and energetic! Most of all that we would keep Christ at the center of everything we do. It is easy especially for me to go throughout my days checking things off of a to do list. God is good!
Blessings!!!
My week changed a bit these past couple days. All of the other interns arrived on Monday. There are 4 boys and 3 girls including myself. Kramer and I have been working in the boys orphanage in the clinic. The director of the orphanage asked us to go around to their school, bathrooms, cafeteria and living spaces and ´´inspect´´ them basically. They wanted us to note any problems we saw as outsiders that they may have overlooked. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to the orphange in order to make it more safer and more sanitary. A lot of the problems can be fixed simply by cleaning with bleach and eliminating standing water. The director is very receptive and they have already started cleaning out thier pool. On Monday and for the rest of the week Kramer, Teddy and I will first be talking to the educators and then the kids about why these things need to be taken care of, how to go about it and making up a schedule of how often chores need to be done.
People have been asking how specifically they can be praying for me so here ya go.... Please pray for the teachers and kids to be receptive to what needs to get done at the orphanage. This will definitely decease sickness and the spread of disease among the boys. Also, pray for all of us interns to remain united, healthy and energetic! Most of all that we would keep Christ at the center of everything we do. It is easy especially for me to go throughout my days checking things off of a to do list. God is good!
Blessings!!!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
ISNA & CIPI
My mom sent me some questions in an e-mail, so figure I will answer them here!
What exactly is ISNA? ISNA is the detention center for girls. They are anywhere from 12-17, give or take. I believe they have about 50 girls there. Some of these girls are pregnant and others have children that are being cared for by family members. Half of the girls are awaiting a sentence from the judge and only in the center for a short period (a few months). The other half are serving thier sentence here, anywhere from 2-5 years. They have commited crimes such as theft, homocide, gang violience and also have been acomplices to crimes. It is hard to believe that such young girls have done these things. It´s even harder to believe when I look at thier faces, see them laughing and playing. They need Jesus just as much as the next person. During devotional times it is evident even through the lanuage barrier that God has changed hearts and is working in the lives of these girls.
CIPI? CIPI is the orphanage we go to for a couple hours the second half of the day. In fact, not all of these girls are orphans. Some have family, but cannot be provided for and that is why they are in the center. The girls that I am with are also 12-17 years old. Many of them have emotional and psychological problems. Some are survivors of rape and abuse. Everyday the say they want to go to the ´´cancha´´ (the field) and play, but when we sit down and do a craft everyone is involved and this seems to go much better. It is difficult to explain games to them, then we end up playing soccer and only half the girls really want to play. Laurel and I are trying to find some simple english songs to teach them and possibly some dances too, they would love it.
Second week down! I miss you all at home, take care!
What exactly is ISNA? ISNA is the detention center for girls. They are anywhere from 12-17, give or take. I believe they have about 50 girls there. Some of these girls are pregnant and others have children that are being cared for by family members. Half of the girls are awaiting a sentence from the judge and only in the center for a short period (a few months). The other half are serving thier sentence here, anywhere from 2-5 years. They have commited crimes such as theft, homocide, gang violience and also have been acomplices to crimes. It is hard to believe that such young girls have done these things. It´s even harder to believe when I look at thier faces, see them laughing and playing. They need Jesus just as much as the next person. During devotional times it is evident even through the lanuage barrier that God has changed hearts and is working in the lives of these girls.
CIPI? CIPI is the orphanage we go to for a couple hours the second half of the day. In fact, not all of these girls are orphans. Some have family, but cannot be provided for and that is why they are in the center. The girls that I am with are also 12-17 years old. Many of them have emotional and psychological problems. Some are survivors of rape and abuse. Everyday the say they want to go to the ´´cancha´´ (the field) and play, but when we sit down and do a craft everyone is involved and this seems to go much better. It is difficult to explain games to them, then we end up playing soccer and only half the girls really want to play. Laurel and I are trying to find some simple english songs to teach them and possibly some dances too, they would love it.
Second week down! I miss you all at home, take care!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Week ONE down!
Hello!
I arrived safely with luggge in hand last week. After the first day I felt as though I had been here for a week already. It was a good thing, the girls in the Promise house are very welcoming and loving. I know it is going to be hard to say goodbye.
Things are going well in the centers also. I have another parnter in crime, Laurel. The first week I was alone and winging the whole spanish speaking deal! Idalia is the OH staff member in the detention center. It has been great working with her. Some days I will prepare a bible lesson and she will help explain it to the girls. The girls there are also eagar to learn English, so Laurel and I will be teaching them.
The orphanage CIPI is the second place we go, after ISNA. CIPI is less structured and a little more challenging. There is no OH staff member there. The girls really need someone to look up to and a good role model. Keep these girls in your prayers. I have not been there long and already have seen some of the manifestations of past scars and current wounds.
God bless you!
Lauren
I arrived safely with luggge in hand last week. After the first day I felt as though I had been here for a week already. It was a good thing, the girls in the Promise house are very welcoming and loving. I know it is going to be hard to say goodbye.
Things are going well in the centers also. I have another parnter in crime, Laurel. The first week I was alone and winging the whole spanish speaking deal! Idalia is the OH staff member in the detention center. It has been great working with her. Some days I will prepare a bible lesson and she will help explain it to the girls. The girls there are also eagar to learn English, so Laurel and I will be teaching them.
The orphanage CIPI is the second place we go, after ISNA. CIPI is less structured and a little more challenging. There is no OH staff member there. The girls really need someone to look up to and a good role model. Keep these girls in your prayers. I have not been there long and already have seen some of the manifestations of past scars and current wounds.
God bless you!
Lauren
Friday, May 15, 2009
TWO DAYS!
It's time to break from packing. I decided packing is not on my list of favorite things to do, but it definitely beats unpacking. A big thank you to my housemates for helping me make the critical decision of which pants to bring and whether I should take one pair of jeans or two....phew glad that's over!
I have been so blessed with encouragement and support from my family, my church family and friends! Thank you all for your prayers. I am very excited to go, but I can't believe it is here already. I will miss everyone at home, in the states, and you too Brian :) I would love to hear updates from home so feel free, I'll be able to check my e-mail.
The next time I write I will be in El Salvador!
I have been so blessed with encouragement and support from my family, my church family and friends! Thank you all for your prayers. I am very excited to go, but I can't believe it is here already. I will miss everyone at home, in the states, and you too Brian :) I would love to hear updates from home so feel free, I'll be able to check my e-mail.
The next time I write I will be in El Salvador!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Planning
I have already had some mishaps with this whole "blogging" business. However, this site should work! http://www.elsalv2009.blogspot.com/ Copy and paste that into your browser next time you check for a post (or just cheat and save it to your favorites;) )
I will arrive in El Salvador on Sunday, May 17. On Monday I will be in the centers/orphanage! I'm very excited and nervous! Laurel, another intern will be joining me later that week, I believe on Friday. And the week after, a third intern, Samantha will join us!
The three of us have been coordinating (the best we can) and sharing ideas about planning activities for the weeks ahead. We all agreed on a theme idea. So, each week we will be doing a different "theme" and plan games, skits, stories, crafts etc around that theme. Some examples: Friendship, Love, God's Protection/Provision. I don't have too much else to say about planning besides I am preparing to be flexible and I really do not know what to expect!
Please be praying for unity among the three of us interns and openness to what God has planned for us. Also, pray for the relationships that will be formed with the girls in the Promise House, detention center and the orphanage.
THANKS! (13 days.....)
Blessings :)
Lauren
I will arrive in El Salvador on Sunday, May 17. On Monday I will be in the centers/orphanage! I'm very excited and nervous! Laurel, another intern will be joining me later that week, I believe on Friday. And the week after, a third intern, Samantha will join us!
The three of us have been coordinating (the best we can) and sharing ideas about planning activities for the weeks ahead. We all agreed on a theme idea. So, each week we will be doing a different "theme" and plan games, skits, stories, crafts etc around that theme. Some examples: Friendship, Love, God's Protection/Provision. I don't have too much else to say about planning besides I am preparing to be flexible and I really do not know what to expect!
Please be praying for unity among the three of us interns and openness to what God has planned for us. Also, pray for the relationships that will be formed with the girls in the Promise House, detention center and the orphanage.
THANKS! (13 days.....)
Blessings :)
Lauren
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