El Salvador 2026…Day 7

All good things must come to an end right?? We have had the best week filled with teamwork, compassion, open hearts, and working in our gifting for the good of the masses. 

This morning we met over a typical El Salvadoran breakfast and spent some time sharing what things impacted each of us. It was really good to listen to each other.  After breakfast we loaded our big van and headed back to the city square.

We were planning to shop the market (a place I had not yet been to) and sight see a bit more in the buildings. We said goodbye to Dr Steve. He was a special part of my first ever medical mission trip…and of this one too. He thought Molly and Cami made a great pair, and he enjoyed interacting with them! Actually, the older guys enjoyed teasing and harassing the girls throughout the week. It didn’t take them long to figure out that the girls can be pretty spicy and weren’t backing down and that they could dish it right back. So it was pretty much Game ON!

This is just a photo of a typical side street!! There are tiny shops and vendors in and along the streets!! Lots of blind people hawking dulces (candies) on the street corners, as well as street vendors selling fresh fruit, candy, breads, beads, and flowers.

A few vendors on the corner before we hit the market. I got one picture of the girls walking into this mall…but I’m telling ya, once we were inside it was all over for thinking about photos…Think Walmart sized store, with much skinnier aisles…there are goods as far as your eye can see—overwhelming thing #1. Shoes, trinkets, clothing, toys, blankets, hammocks, purses, bags and hats. Each little cubby of a store sold different versions of the same thing. BUT, once you hit the outside of the store, women were at your elbow touching and telling you all the things they had, which was overwhelming thing #2…it was completely overstimulating to shop and be kind and not get bullied…Before we went in, I heard Marvin teaching the girls two words…Solo mirando…just looking…which we ended up using!! Cami bought me a hammock for my birthday (which was today)…and we got a couple of sundresses and a gift for her dad (whose birthday was also today). Molly found an adorable summer bag…and Sarah came out with some bags…and Ronald came out also carrying some of Sarah’s bags!!

Larry got a notification first thing this morning that the RO system on the island wasn’t working and he insisted going back to fix it. Monica insisted on going with him (he is 86 and she worries about him). So that meant Ronald was in charge of his American friends. He had been hearing about a nice steakhouse right where we were, which is where we decided to eat! It was hands down THE best food we have had…I had ceviche as well as an aguacate ensalada con pollo (that BEAUTIFUL avocado and tomato salad with palm of hearts and chicken). We had a very leisurely lunch and enjoyed trying everyone’s food. And drinks. With the same straws and utensils. At this point of the week, germs seem irrelevant.

The first church we went to see had mosaic pieces of glass ALLL over the buildings, a bit like windows but different. Unfortunately for us, there was a wedding and they wouldn’t even let us peak. 

The cathedral was having mass yesterday, so we couldn’t go in…and today the doors were all shut up…strike two. 

So we went back to Starbucks. (The sign says our matcha is your matcha). We sat around chatting some more. At some point in the last two days, we have morphed into caring, sharing, I got your drink or snack team. Such a beautiful comfortableness we have transitioned into. It’s always amazing to me how close people can get after a few days of sharing a common project, community wins, and making vulnerable the stories and their hearts. 

As we headed back to the van, the girls and I hit the supermarket for Monica’s recommendation on coffee, as well as to the first little shop we stopped in to pick up the chocolate we didn’t want to melt earlier!!

One of our teammates wasn’t feeling well, so we dropped she and her husband off and the remaining 7 of us left with Ron and our driver up to another volcano. We were still pretty full from lunch so we had cocktails and appetizers.

Linda Vista Gardens (translated Nice view) is magical. It’s a little ironic that I ate there on my 49th birthday at the beginning of my first mission trip…and I celebrated my 53rd birthday at the end of my 3rd trip. It didn’t disappoint this time either!

We were afraid we would miss the sunset but we were JUST in time!! A beautiful gift from God.

We have really enjoyed getting to know Dr Marvin and Dr Paul.  They will head out with us tomorrow morning. Paul flies out shortly after we do and Marvin will spend one more night on the beach before going home on Monday!

Adding to our picture here is Alfred who is 81 years young and his sweet attitude was such a joy. He is very laid back and was always looking at ways he could help us!! Sarah was also such an asset. She always kept us laughing!

My FAVORITE bird of paradise flower!

This restaurant is different levels of gardens and lights and water falls. We climbed up into the treehouse…for a better view!

Looking down into a level.

Sooo may beautiful tropical plants. I could have spent the day in a wicker chair with a coffee or cocktail…or both. 

This was our dining area…you can see Ron posing for me!! Cami and I decided that the junior class did pretty good designing and executing their prom theme “the enchanted forest” last year. This was the real version of that!!

After dinner we returned back to our retreat…we said good bye to the Millers and Sarah as they will be leaving around 4 a.m. to catch their plane!! The rest of us will leave around 10. We are praying for favor in Houston as their TSA lines have been 3-4 hours with government funding to TSA being halted. We have a two hour layover and we really just want to make it home in one day!!

The girls and I have had the most amazing time. There are things that have been said and seen that will remain in our hearts forever. We trust that God will continue to speak into our hearts over the next few weeks as we settle back into our normal lives. Pray that we can make space to hear what He has to tell each of us!

I want to do a wrap up post for my own processing purposes, and I have also saved some special pictures to share!! It won’t take me more than a week to get that done!! I also plan to verbally process the prison day for myself and anyone who is following along the story!! It’s been a little more difficult!

Thanks for sharing this adventure with us!!

 

El Salvador 2026…Day 6

Prison. 

It’s a place that might elicit different emotions from different perspectives. A place of punishment for some…while providing protection for others. A place of consequence for poor choices and outright rebellion...A place that, unfortunately, also offers consequences to those that love someone who lives there. A place where sins are many and grace is absent. 

Santa Ana women's prison

I have had my own notions about what prison is or what I think it should be like. And I'm not sure that my perspective is right or wrong. I'm finding that, after seeing more clearly from the inside, there is more of a tension in my heart about a firm stance on how I SHOULD feel about all of it.

There is a little decal at the top of the van that says IN GOD WE TRUST. It's parked outside the prison.

Friday, we drove for about two hours to get to a women’s prison outside of Santa Ana El Salvador. It was the same one I worked in 2 years ago. This experience was the same and different all at the same time. 

There are more than 13,000 women locked in this large white compound. They are divided into 10 sectors. Last time we visited the sector with the sickest women. This year, we worked in the roughest sector. This sector has many still-active gang members. And plenty of tattoos to prove it. On their faces, their fingers, their necks, their arms...all branded with who they belong to. 

We had 5 American doctors and 7 El Salvadoran doctors. Between the dozen of us we saw about 450 women in 6 hours. It was exhausting, but more so because by then, my head was already as tired as my body. 

Google map overhead of the prison complex-courtesy of the Cami and Molly

The layout of this sector was different than my previous experience and you could see so many more things in this sector. Last trip you could barely see into their cells, and what you could see was a mass of chocolate faces. This time, we could clearly see into the cells. The chocolate faces all had two big eyes that were focused in on all of us. No doubt we were the most exciting thing they had seen recently. They were still dressed in white shirts and white long pants...a sea of fallen angels.

Because we were in their building, they had to be in their "rooms." There were 9 caged areas that were approximately 40 by 40 feet. I wouldn’t be able to guess how many bunks were in each, but they were stacked in some cases and some were singles. They were quite close together with not much room for women to stand and move between them. The bunks were a bit shorter than a twin bed in the states but about as wide. Each bunk was shared between 2-3 women and in each of those 40x40 spaces, there were approximately 125 women living in there. There were no pillows…and the thin pads covering the bed was no more than 1 inch thick. Someone later said that the women turn over in tandem at night. 

The doors were unlocked but someone stood at the door. It seemed that many, if not all, had their own white knapsack or basket of things that were tied to the ceiling wires or the walls. The rooms were separated by wire panels…think livestock fencing. Like canary cages really. No walls, just fences within that entire complex.

Many of them stood looking out at the action all day. They were eager to make eye contact. Their smiles came easily when I held their gaze, and often times they would offer their hands up in a small wave. 

And they were grateful. Grateful to be seen and heard. As we left, I was slowly walking, making eye contact, and waving...a lady from the middle of a pack of women was yelling in English...God bless you. We are so thankful to God for sending you all to us to take care of us. We appreciate you. Thank you God for sending these people. Thank you. 

It was a goosebump moment. And a reminder. Sometimes you just have to show up. One held glance. One wave of acknowledgement that screams I SEE YOU...People can exist on this moment. And you don't have to leave your passport at the gate in another country to do that. 

Most of these women have children whom they haven’t seen or heard from since they got there. Many left small children and know they are missing their growing years. Often times they have no idea who is raising them either. It is rare for there to be any outside contact for these women. Abandoned. One woman told me that she was sure that they all had stomach problems because they were worrying about their kids. Most of them have NOOO idea how long they are in there. One woman that I saw has been in there for 20 years of a 40 year sentence. Twenty YEARS. I looked back in those cells after she said that, wondering how a person can survive that. The hopeless feeling of every day being the same as the last and the same as the next. No room to move your body, cry to yourself, or think. Overcrowded and overstimulated 24/7. Literally. For 40 years. The bible tells us much about an eternal place just like this...called Hell...but then I digress...

 

The complaints were many. Headaches, constipation, heartburn, and stomach aches were hands down the top complaints of the day. And their diets lend to those issues. They rarely eat any meat. Molly heard someone mention that they all get a soy protein powder. They rarely get vegetables either. This leads to so much constipation. They get mostly food like mac and cheese, cereals, breads, and eggs. Most of them drink lots of water though, between 2-4 liters of it daily. 

Several of them had much deeper problems though, and issues that we didn't have the tools to deal with. Each time I told them what I could help with and advised that they would have to seek more help with the local doctor...Oscar interpreted to me that appointments were often made...and canceled. Tests were ordered...but never completed. And it was obvious that I was in a no win situation...and so were they. I asked a few of them why they were there...extortion, homicide, and gang activity were the answers. I asked more of them about their children. Sons and daughters-babies to young children to adults...but now unseen to these women...the four year old they last saw is now nearing teenager stage. Torture for their souls all day, every day.

Oscar, an interpreter that worked with us all week, was a phenomenal man of God. He had come with Pastor Coto (the director of CFCI in El Salvador) to the church on Sunday. And on Monday, he came to me and said "You are like a preacher (based on the words I spoke to the church body the day before). I am tasking you to be checking on the spiritual needs of the people you meet this week. Many of them need much more than physical solutions." I agreed that they did...And I told him I would do my best to cover that too. 

The problem (or maybe an excuse) was that we were so short on interpreters, that they were running among all of us, trying to help where they could. That left no time or resources to dig into the deeper questions...because getting the answers that took time and energy that was unavailable...BUT by Friday, we were bottlenecked together and less people needed an interpreter...so Oscar and I were able work together consistently that day, and had the opportunity to talk about Christ with several handfuls of women. 

We had one woman who accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior...She was listening and crying. Oscar, in Spanish, led her through a prayer of repentance, and I prayed over her while he interpreted. We wrote her name down for the pastor so he can connect with her later. 

A second woman had a friend in the prison that is a Christian. One friend. She talks to her about the bible and Jesus. The woman gets up at 4:00 AM to go to the church service in their sector, just to listen. She knows that she will eventually trust Jesus and give her life to Him, but she wasn't ready that day. We urged her not to wait, and I hope she doesn't. We also had another who was not interested, but was actually deeply interested. She asked some very legit questions about her rebellious nature and forgiveness issues. Those were answered, but she wore a very stoic facial expression. Her eyes, however told a different story, if that is at all possible. I can't explain how I could feel that there was a hunger within her...it had to be the Spirit. She said at the end of it all, that she wasn't interested in what Jesus offers. But seeds were planted there...and I pray that God will continue to draw her to Himself.

Another woman wasn't interested in hearing about Jesus at all. Oscar laid it all out, but there was nothing behind her eyes. Hardened heart. 

I was questioning Oscar later about the woman who was asking the questions...he reminded me that they are in prison. All those women were watching...watching the faces and interactions of each woman that saw a doctor that day...and there were many potential consequences of the women in the prison seeing you "weak." Seeing your tears, your interest, you making a change to be different.

 Just like in many places, if Jesus is a taboo subject for the people in your life, accepting His sacrificial gift, is unpopular...and can create a more unpleasant atmosphere for the person making the decision. Even though Jesus said that you must give up everything you have and everything you are to follow Him...most of us don't take that literally when we really think about it. Most people reading this aren't in a position of isolating themselves from loved ones or creating stress and friction in their environments from their choice to follow Christ. The woman was potentially counting the cost before making the choice...and at least on Friday, the cost was more than she was willing to pay.

The whole experience that morning reminded me of 1 Corinthians 3:5-11 which reads...

What is Apollos, really? Or what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, and each of us in the ministry the Lord gave us.[g] I planted,[h] Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow. So neither the one who plants counts for anything,[i] nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.  The one who plants and the one who waters work as one,[j] but each will receive his reward according to his work.  We are coworkers belonging to God.[k] You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Oscar and I WERE doing the work that God had sent us to do...We were planting seeds and watering seeds that had been previously planted by someone else. God was also gracious to show us some fruit as we watched a woman in the prison ask for His salvation to be granted to her.

The whole day wasn't spent like that...There were 500 women to be seen. We were only able to speak to a few, but we are confident that God chose those women for whatever reason, to get those words on that day.

And back to the tension in my own heart...these women were all sinners, on unimaginable levels in some cases...yet, they all were created in the image of God...and they all have the capacity at any time, to turn from their sins and turn toward Jesus. And that makes them valuable in the sight of the Lord. The living conditions in this prison, from both experiences that I have had...is literally abuse and neglect and is creating chronic health problems for these women that will ultimately cost their system more money, or take years off of the lives of these women. 

You are entitled to your own opinion, but don't be confident that your opinion is correct until you have listened to their stories and cried with their broken souls. I'm actually pretty certain, that if there was a prison like that around here...that would be my thing. It's a field ripe for the harvest...but the workers there are few! 

There is always much for me to consider after we leave one of the prisons...and I was glad for a fun night ahead to take my mind off the heaviness. That's why I couldn't really process that day until now. I needed to have time and head space available to think through it all. And I'm not fully convinced that I have it all figured out yet. 

The drive back was uneventful...still lots of traffic. They have really outgrown their transportation infrastructure. They are doing a lot of construction, but the sheer volume of traffic is insane. There is a lot of trucks like this...El Salvadoran ride share. 

It makes sense, but it is always so shocking to see so many people standing in the back of an open truck getting to work. It was also common to see how the street vendors transport their goods. These ladies were, no doubt, heading to their street stand or corner spot.

We celebrated the finished work week at El Atico, a pupuseria on the side of a volcano, looking at the volcano that we would eat at on Saturday night. I had insulted my own metabolism enough by now, and I didn't think I could, in good conscience, eat another pupusa. Fortunately they had more things on the menu, and I had a grilled chicken with pico and avocado. There is something about the chicken in El Salvador that is unforgettable...not because I can't forget the sight of chickens in peoples houses, or unsee the crazy long necked turkey-chickens around every corner of the Island...but because the taste is PHENOMENAL!! 

I have also started to notice, that no one rushes to get the checks, no one is in a hurry to be in and out...People here linger. Meals seemingly take for-EVER. But I believe it is good for the soul to just enjoy good food...and sit. Noticing what God has put around us...whether that be the people, a mountain vista, or your own dead yard plants. The experience of just being still right in the moment of nourishment is priceless. There were plenty of Burger Kings, Wendy's, McDonalds taking up places among the small groceries and pupuserias. But everywhere you looked there was a tiny restaurant, filled with people at all times of the day. They were just sitting over food. My guess is, that their culture will soon be screaming at them to be as busy as our culture...as more people rush into the American fast food restaurants to get out and get on with their day. I hope they can resist. It was refreshing to be forced to linger. 

My biggest regret of all, is that, in the hurry to get on the road from the prison, is that our El Salvadoran team members, didn't get out of the prison at the same time we did...and the opportunity to say Thanks...and Until next time was taken away. Our job this week was small compared to theirs. We may give up our own lives for a week, but they are the heros that work in the trenches here on the daily. And they need support and encouragement!! We are a blessing to them too as we work together to care for their people. I was able to get small love offerings from me and my people back to the team via Ronald. I pray that God would bless their lives through that.

Tomorrow will be our free day to explore, shop, and eat. I'm excited to turn 53 in a foreign land. I hope God allows me more opportunities in my minutes left on earth to serve Him, not just in my own sphere...but also to serve Him in other lands. 

Thanks again for reading along!! A few more posts will follow, so stay tuned!! I love hearing your comments...they are encouraging to me and my own journey! Just remember to sign your name if you don't want to be anonymous!

El Salvador…2026 Day 5

 The place we are staying these next few days is so nice and I was especially glad to have a HOOOOOT shower this morning!! I despise being cold. And cold showers are absolutely not enjoyable to me. 

The property is perched on a steepish hill, and we walked up plenty of stairs to get to breakfast…

And made a new friend at the top. Dr Steve’s hand for reference to the size of this guy!! The biggest grasshopper locust like insect I believe I have ever seen.

Breakfast was a “desayuno típico” or typical breakfast…Beans, eggs, fresh cheese, salsa Fresca and plantains. It was a nice short drive this morning. The traffic is terrible. I had forgotten about how much people here LOVE their horns. They utilize them generously. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the center.

This is a senior center of sorts. They have activities every day and lunch for them. This was the most organized of all, as they had two groups of 60 patients to work thru…it again felt very chaotic as we were trying to share interpreters between a lot of us!! I was actually able to fly solo on a handful of patients without any problems. That was an exciting milestone for me, but it has to be such a simple problem as there are so many things I can’t understand. I did try using my phone translator. This can be helpful but so many things aren’t quite accurate. 

One of the ladies I was finishing up with alone started crying and talking fast. I asked her to wait so I could start the translator.

I was able to catch parts of what she said…and I screenshotted what I could so I wouldn’t forget. There were several more shots, but this was the gist of it…

 

She was so grateful because it is hard to get care for them. The people were so sweet and grateful. Most were in their late 70s to early 90s. One lady I saw needed a pacemaker but she was 88  and her daughter didn’t want that for her. Her pulse rate was around 40 and she had been falling. Her only complaint was that her neck hurt after she fell and now she can’t sleep. 

We were also able to catch some more prediabetic people that were very close to the magical number that deems them diabetic. Diabetes is much like obesity…you don’t just one day wake up obese…it’s a spectrum…a few pounds too many,  to a few more pounds, to overweight…and you know, that if changes don’t happen; that you will continue to gain. Same concept with diabetes and pre diabetes. We KNOW, that with those higher numbers, that the body’s metabolism isn’t working correctly…and that with more time and no changes, diabetes will happen. It’s an epidemic, not just El Salvador and Mexico, but in the United States and other places around the world…I’m so glad that we were able to be a part of this revolution of care! Please pray for a way that the A1C testing can be accessible to Dr M and his patients over the next year, so that they can become standard of care here, giving people the best chances to heal!!

Here was my office view this morning!

And my office later in the morning for the practicality of sharing an interpreter. 

The dental staff had a catastrophe first thing this morning…they plugged in their dental machine and it popped. It was irreparable. Apparently the electricity is pretty horrible here. And unfortunately the dental equipment succumbed. They were still able to work, but were unable to place fillings. Dr Vanessa and her brother Oscar are the dental staff that I have worked with over my three trips. They are always joking and laughing…and we were able to interact today and remember stories from my trip 4 years ago. And still communicating with hand gestures and facial expressions..as well as Spanish and English mix! I love them both so much!!

Molly and Monica were also on dental duty today. It sounded like it was a good day. Only one extraction needed so Molly got to watch and decided that would NOT be here thing…she was sticking to hygiene only!

Dr Paul is an eye specialist from South Carolina. He generally does eye based mission work, but he has really enjoyed this trip because it was something different every day. He has been a phenomenal worker wherever he is needed. He did all the A1C tests today for us..which was a great help!!

Dr Larry is loved by everyone for his gentle and quiet spirit. He is a true teacher at heart and loves to educate the masses about the many things he knows!! Today he worked with Sarah, an aspiring medical student. She also has been a great help doing whatever has been asked of her.

Dr Steve is from Buffalo New York. He and I served together 4 years ago in ES. We got lost on the island our first trip while we were waiting for the other boat to arrive while Dr and Monica were in a meeting. It was one of the scariest things in my life…but you will have to scroll back to my first trip blog posts to read that. I have truly enjoyed getting to know him. He has an inquisitive mind and also loves making house calls, which he has been able to do this week. 

Dr Marvin is here for his first mission trip from Long Island. Initially he was pretty quiet and kept to himself, but as the week has gone, he has really opened up and I have enjoyed it! He would be the stereotypical mafia guy in a good movie…the way he cocks his head when he talks, the tone of his voice, and the accent!! It makes me smile every time!! He has a natural, diet is medicine approach like I do, and we enjoyed connecting over some of those perspectives!!

We worked hard this morning into mid afternoon caring for the needs of the people. After that, we walked down the streets of Soyapango…the fourth most dangerous city in the world until president Bukele came down on the gangs. The CFCI headquarters are there, as well as Dr Moratayas office. We took a tour of the clinic building that they have been able to purchase. He works with no AC because, even tho there are two units, they run on 220 and the only electricity is 110. They need several thousand dollars to update the electric, and that sounds to be in the works. He is a saint with Gods heart for continuing to pour his heart and soul into the people in that neighborhood. I believe in his ministry, and he has needs that could be met with some additional financial support. If that is something that interests you, please message me!!

Actually as we were leaving, we passed by the electricity workers. Sketchy at the very best!!

Zoom into those photos and see if you notice anything that wouldn’t pass the US standards!!!

Soyapango street view.

This mural was on the wall outside the clinic. I love it so much!!! I’ve never seen anything quite like it!

After that, we drove to the San Salvador city center. They have just opened a new Starbucks. I’ve also never seen anything like that either.

Here is a view from the third floor looking down at the baristas!!

After that we walked around the square…went into the cathedral and the crypt underneath…and finally into a brand new library that had 7 floors and great city views.

I have always been fascinated by their police system. There are SOOOO many of them everywhere!! They always look so smartly dressed. People feel very safe now since the country has been under the leadership of this president. The economy is improving and that is good news!! People feel safe and it showed!

There were people out everywhere enjoying life. We ate dinner in the top of the library and caught  great evening view of their old government building that is now a museum.

And a stunning view of the cathedral. It was a very full, very exhilarating, sometimes overstimulating day. Tomorrow we report to the van at 6:00 for the two-ish hour drive to Santa Ana to the women’s prison. Cami and I will have to cut off our permanent jewelry bracelets and remove our ear piercings per the prison rules. 

They will search our bags, wand and pat us, and take our passports until we leave. The only pictures will be the ones in our heads because phones nor watches are allowed in either. They have 400 patients on tap. We will do what we can do. 

Please continue to pray over the people that we have seen this week. And thank you for continuing to pray for us as well. Everyone has stayed healthy. One morning of diarrhea for a handful of them, but nothing profound. 

My heart continues to be broken for the lack of resources here…broken for the people who are suffering…broken over the disparity of the world systems…and left wondering…where DO I fit in all of it. I am praying for Gods wisdom and His guidance to sort it all out for me!