A few highlights

English classes

Some of the students at English class

VBS after English class

Matriarch at Jicalapa (photo by Polly Manges)

Watermelon truck blocking the trip down the mountain

some of the awesome watermelons fresh from the field

Soccer school by CFCI where our students played A LOT of soccer

Relaxation day at the Pacific Ocean!

Day at Siloh church (ES 707).  There was a family festival.  The girls had their hair braided and nails painted as a fund-raiser for the church.

Traffic

We are so thankful safety in El Salvador.  The traffic was crazy!

Closer...closer...closer

So we shall be on our way in less than 2 weeks!  Last night we had a great time together practicing our dramas and Vickie and Jennifer worked on VBS material.  We were so thankful to have help from Matt Wilson on the dramas last night and I think the teams are ready for their dress rehearsal on Sunday (at 8 pm - if anyone wants to come and watch!)
I have spent a lot of time the last couple of days making the props (with Kathleen and Rachel's help).  The directions and the materials were quite frustrating but I think they are going to end up being ok - esp from a distance!  I am not the best at these types of crafts (props)!
We continue to be so thankful that we have raised all our funds and that $ continues to be provided for things like 1. Supplies we are buying. 2. Our possible extra luggage full of gifts/supplies. 3. Monies needed for our Compassion Day - for translators/staff/travel/lunch for 25+people. 4.. Visas when we arrive. 5. My new wardrobe (just kidding - I put that in to see if you were still reading!)
We were so encouraged by Matt last night when he reminded the students the purpose of these dramas they are learning.  They have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility before them.  They are sharing clearly the message of the Gospel (Good News) through these dramas in a place where most of us don't speak the language and those who see the dramas may be "hearing" the Good News for the very first time! How can we not be excited about that!
Let the countdown begin!
Julie

Sweet deal!

Yesterday marked 5 weeks away from our departure!  We haven't figured it out for sure yet but I think we are meeting at the church about 2:30 am and pulling out by 3 am!!  The "kids" are all excited about that...me not so much :-)  Oh, it will be fun!!
We talked about what to pack last night.  We each only get 1 50 lb. check in bag (and a carry-on).  We have a ton of shoes and t-shirts we would like to take along to deliver to those in need.  I am hoping we can get them down there at no charge for any extra weight or bags.
Every day we get closer to the amount we need for our final big payment.  As of this morning we need $3207 to make our $12,400 payment...so that is pretty exciting!  We need it by Sunday, to make the payment on Monday :-).  We are running a campaign right now called Embrace El Salvador (see earlier post).   Basically we will deliver your hug to a Salvadorian child for $10 (suggested) and give you a photo of the hug and possibly a personal note from the child.  We will be participating in soccer camp, VBS, and English school while in El Salvador so we plan to hug a lot of kids!  If you go to CGC you can sign up on Sunday.  If you are not local, respond to this post or shoot me a message on FB.  Hugs are tax deductible if you make checks to Community Gospel Church!  What a sweet deal!!

Embrace El Salvador

This is what we are doing this Sunday at CGC:


Embrace El Salvador
The El Salvador trip is almost upon us! The team is bubbling with excitement and wants to give you another opportunity to give! Embrace El Salvador is our initiative that lets you receive a picture of one of your students hugging a Salvadorian! With the picture comes a note from the child and a smile of gratitude from the mission team! Pictures are $10 and sign up is in the foyer!


If anyone else, outside of Community Gospel Church (CGC), wants to purchase a hug...we would be happy to give a hug "in your name".  Just let me know!  And you can send the check to CGC!
Also....amazing stuff happening - now our need is down to $6200 needed in 9 days! So...if we sell 620 hugs we are there!!!! :-)

Drama Queen

Tonight was a great night beginning to learn the 2 dramas!  The Redeemer group definitely have a tougher job than the King of Kings group although both are pretty challenging.  Both have an awesome message told without words!!!  I was really impressed with the work the students put into it tonight and it was fun too!
I loved Alex's suggestion that everyone keep a journal!  We were going to get around to talking about that at some point and I just loved that she was thinking about it and shared it with everyone!
We still didn't have the full team there tonight for a team picture due to some being on vacation and I think Jenna being at a track meet.  It was a great time and I look forward to what we still have to complete!  We leave 6 weeks from today!
Today's prayer requests:
1. That Kathleen's passport will be here in time!
2. That the students can memorize their parts in the drama and that the dramas will really touch the hearts of people and be used by God to bring real change in their lives and for some to be introduced for the first time to God's love story for them.
3. That the additional finances that we still need will be provided.

So excited about this amazing group of students and adult leaders!

Trying not to freak out....God knows.

Just found out I need to get the final check to CFCI in the mail in 10 days.  $8620.