Bishop Craig Schweitzer

[NOTE: Today’s posted is offered by team members Bonita Johnson and Jenn Cords from Minneapolis, MN]

Theme of the day: PROGRESS
Driving to the site today, we thought we were going to arrive to our site and be painting most of the day. We thought, wow… we have more energy than we thought, so why waste that on painting?

The good news, was that we didn’t paint at all and got to use our energy using the shovels and wheelbarrows and TAMPING. We are making progress though!

We are amazed at our Masons. They are hard working and organized, and even with the language barrier, they are able to communicate our projects. We understand quickly, “muy bien!” & “no mas!”

Today we were joined by volunteers from Cristo Rey Church. It is fun to see their passion for serving others and their commitment to building these homes as if they were their own. In fact, we all feel a sense of pride and committment in the work we are doing.

We have really bonded with the children from the neighborhood. We both look forward to seeing each other. The kids welcome us with BIG hugs and smiles. They are fascinated when we take pictures with our phones so they can see themselves. Today we had lots of fun activities for the kids to participate in, including: making paper airplanes and butterflies, polishing their fingernails, and lots of reading and coloring.

Tonight we dined on local cusine – papusas. Pastor Vilma from Sao Paulo Luther Church (Cristo Rey’s sister congregation) joined us (with pretty awesome shoes on!) It was fun to experience more of the culture.

FUN FACT OF THE DAY:
It is 100 degrees colder back home than in El Salvador right now.

Quotes of the day:
“So we take this shit pile and put it on that shit pile?” – random team member that shall remain anonymous.
“Me llamo Marijuana” – Mary Jane introducing herself to the church natives

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR:
Work gloves (the Salvadorans don’t use them), friendships, learning more Spanish, a sense of community, showers (not always warm or with a lot of water), the SUPER SELECTO (grocery store), and our amazing TEAM!

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR:
Our brothers and sisters in El Salvador that may not have the hope of sufficient housing…. YET. 🙂

The theme of the week continues to be dirt.


Carlos Avalos, Church Relations Director for Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador.


Bonita’s Beauty Salon was open for business this morning at one of our worksites. She attracted a lot of children from the neighborhood. 🙂

[NOTE: This was supposed to have posted on Monday, February 18, 2013, but the wifi where we are is selective at best. We hope this works today. :)]

Submitted by team member Andrea Sagsveen from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck ND.

Today was a tiring and exhilarating day all in one. We rose early and spent a full day at the Habitat homes. The heat got to a lot of us and I wondered if I could make it past lunch without a nap. Thankfully we all perked up after a lunch of fish, vegetables, rice, and tortillas. Our tasks today included moving a lot of dirt, helping the masons with mezcla, sanding, and taking care of each other in the heat.

The week before I left I heard a radio commentary on Klove about a man who gave up his first class seat to another since he felt she needed it more. Even though he was entitled to that seat, he gave it up for her. The commentator said that that’s what Jesus did for us – he sacrificed his first class seat to save us. I’ve thought about that a lot since I flew down here (unfortunately, not in first class :)). I thought about how I would give up my “first class seat” of having a comfortable life back home for only a week. What I have already found is that I can spot many people on our team, on our journey, and here in El Salvador who are continually giving up their “seats” to help others. When I can see the sacrifices of others I feel empowered to sacrifice more myself. What a blessing to spend a week with these wonderful people and hear and experience more opportunities to give up my “first class seat” this week.

Final framing our of the window before installing.

One of the many children in the Child Care Center at Villa Esperanza – the first Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. 135 families now live in this community.

Outside of the clinic at Villa Esperanza.

One of the homes in Villa Esperanza.

The ruins of Tuzamel in Santa Ane, El Salvador.

The market outside the ruins site.