Whoa, so here we are on day 5. This week has been such an adventure. Today we were working on fixing up a home on a mountain side that had taken damage in the most recent El Salvador mud slide that took place about three weeks ago. The family who resides there is a pastor with 7 children. We set out at our normal take off time of 8:00; it was about an hour drive.
The roads we travled on took us through a beautiful mountain area, we were up high enough to get incased in the clouds. When we arrived there were huge piles of sand waiting to be carried to the home in buckets. What we didn't know was that from there to the house we had to walk down an 100 foot, mud covered, steep, bambu stair case! The other work to be done involved a lot of digging.
The bucket team (as we soon called our selfs) started strong, but as the day went on the work took it's toll. It was hard to keep motivated, but when I thought of who we were doing this for, a young family with such sweet welcoming children. They needed and deserved this. And as far as I was concerned we were giving it to them.
The day grew hotter and the hours longer, but we were detirmined to get this done. Rachel and I created a rotation so that we wouldn't get tired out to fast..... and let's just say we didn't have any trouble keeping everyone in they're correct spot :) gotta love italians!
It was tough (notice how I am sure to express that) some of us had cuts and bruises on our legs from carrying the buckets. Some of us had swallen legs from going up and down the steps so many times, a few of us feel while carrying the sand..... ok the last too only apply to me :)
Ben was running up and down the steps, I'm not sure if that was an attempt to get more done or if he was just going crazy.....
We ended the day by playing tag with some of the neibor kids. It was so fun to hear them laugh. Then we headed home and tried to get at least ten people in and out of the shower in 20 minutes. Good thing there's three showers. Though a couple people ran out of water (thank God it wasn't me). We were then off to the Snyders for dinner. Danillie prepared a lovely dinner for us and I ended up at the kids table with Tori and I.J. Tori and I wrapped up the rest of our time with a game of Futbol. The score was 10-6....... Tori....... I need to work on that.
We shared some laughs in the truck on the way home and were happy to rest after a long day. There's only a couple days left and tomorrow we are finishing our work at the pastor's house. I am only left with thankfulness. Thankfulness for the Snyder's and all that they do for us, thankfulness for the ways we've been able to serve and all of the amazing experiances, thankful for all that I have and for my friendship with Tori and Ian. I pray and trust that God will protect and lead us safely through the rest of the trip.
With love and attitude from El Salvador
Sarah :)