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!

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

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!

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

The count down is on!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

I would like to start off by giving a fare warning to anyone reading this: it is my first blog ever! Fasten your seat belts, this could get interesting! Thank you for reading this, for your prayers and your support.

Well, for those of you who do not know me, my name is Lauren, I'm a nursing major and on the Women's Soccer am at Kent State University in Ohio. I went to El Salvador in July, 2007 and helped at Love and Hope orphanage with a group of about 20 people for 2 weeks. I never anticipated going back, it all just kind of happened and now I'm on my way in less than one month! I am so excited to see what God has in store this summer.

God is so GOOD. I'm not in El Salvador yet and can already give testimony to His faithfulness and provision for this trip. All of my support has been raised! I thank God for each of you who has supported me financially and especially in prayer. (Phil 1:3)

As I mentioned I leave in less than a month. As each day ends and the trip draws near I get more and more excited (I won't lie it is a mixture of nervous excitement!). If you would continue to keep me in your prayers I would greatly appreciate it. Please pray that above all the Lord would be glorified through all that is said and done in the planning of activities and events for the children. Also, that He would continue to prepare the hearts of all of the interns going and people we will meet.

Grace and Peace to you!
Lauren Evans

p.s. I will give an update soon on how planning is going for the 6 weeks I will be there!