El Salvador 2026..day 1

 

Day 1 was one of the best first days here ever!! After a horrible night of sleep (apparently 17 degrees Celsius equals 62 degrees...and they don't have blankets here...because there is generally no air conditioning...62 degrees for this cold blooded girl is like Alaska.)...we were greeted with this beautiful sunrise! By 6:00 ES time, I couldn't stand it another second, so I pried my frozen self off the bed and headed out to see the ocean. I could hear the waves roaring all night, much like the wind gusts in Kansas...And I just needed to see it!

Cami and Molly were pretty much right behind me, and what a blessed treat it was!! We met the team for a hearty Salvadoran breakfast of scrambled eggs, beans, and fried plantains. With toasted bread or fried tortilla wedges. 

Church started at 9 because it is outdoors, and it gets HOT...It was a short 20 minute drive, and was fun to watch the girls watch out the windows of the van. Our US team numbers 12...and it's the biggest team I have served with here. It feels different than in the past...but in a very good way!

As a music lover at heart...I LOVE this type of worship...Loud...Upbeat...People are singing and clapping...you can absolutely feel the joy in the hearts of the people here. We were also treated to a couple of songs that we sing on the radios in the US...and since the tune was familiar, singing with the Hispanic lyrics was doable! 

This morning was a special morning for the church...There were 12 US missionaries, as well as staff from CFCI (Christ for the City International--the mission organization that we work with here. I also use CFCI for our Dallas YG trips.) SO, we got a bilingual history of how the pastor and his family were called to drive to this little community 3-4 times per week to build a church and pour into the community. It is difficult to see, but behind the Millers in the above photo shows some new dark windows that have been installed. They are planning to have more windows installed and air conditioning within the next couple of months. That will be an incredible upgrade for them. A lot of sweat moves around on Sunday mornings there!

This mission trip is also the 10th anniversary of Larry and Monica's first trip to El Salvador. We were able to hear about all of the improvements that have happened because of what God did through the perseverant mentorship and leadership of one couple that was committed to serve God to the least of these. Their story of faithful service is inspiring to say the least!

Monica asked me shortly after we arrived at the church if I might be willing to bring some words to the church...Which made me nervous...but not nervous at the same time...When it was my turn, I was able to share the gospel with them, and use Scripture to talk about the importance of taking care of our bodies, which are the temple of the Lord after we accept Christ's gift of salvation. I shared that Satan has made our food and drinks so lucrative and addictive that we are destroying our health because of them. I was also able to pray for their church and their community. My friend Rudy was there today, and he interpreted for me. He was the coordinator for my first trip, and a beautiful soul! I haven't seen him in 4 years, and it was fun to catch up and tell stories!

After that, Rudy's dad, PASTOR Rudy, talked about and blessed his other son who is leaving this week for Los Angeles to be with his new wife. In my life, I have seen only a few people that radiate the Holy Spirit SOOO brightly, that you can just FEEL Jesus without doubt...Pastor Rudy is that 100%. I have met him 3 times now and he can call me by name. Each time I have felt this about him. I think my picture captured his personality perfectly. They will miss their son, but still have Rudy and their sister Grace that will continue to help with the mission of sharing the gospel with the community of Pedrigal. 

When we got back to the Villa after church, we had about an hour before lunch. Our coordinator Ronald, stopped by our hammocks to see if we needed any thing from the supermarket. He politely agreed to take us along for the ride...so Molly, Cami and I rode along with Ronald and Paul, who needed a pair of sandals. 

Diabetes is RAMPANT in El Salvador, as it is in the US...primarily because of their snacks and food choices, along with Coke and this "juice," which actually has ZERO juice in it. They are as addicted to sugar as we are in the US, but they also drink it because in many places, their water still makes them sick! (The girls will have brushing their teeth with bottled water mastered in a few more days...it has been fun to watch them sort it out!)

Little fast food restaurant right outside the doors to the grocery store...Cami remarked "just like Costco."

We did purchase a few little snacks...

When we got back to the Villa, a little guy tried to sell them some coconuts...which they declined, but the CFCI crew bought all he had, and the little man chopped them up with his machete, and the girls poured out the water (one of THE best electrolyte solutions ever...HA. Imagine, best electrolytes...created by God!) and then ate the soft meat with spoons. 

Fresh coconut consumption...CHECK. The verdict was that neither of them liked the water, but deemed the soft coconut meat edible. I happen to LOVE the meat myself, and only drank the juice of one so it didn't go to waste. Tomorrow should be fresh mango!

After lunch of marinated and flat topped chicken and fresh vegetables, we gathered together as a team to introduce ourselves and share. It was lengthy, but it was so intriguing to see what God has orchestrated. We have a very diverse team, and I can't wait to see how the week plays out.

Around 3, everyone was dismissed to enjoy the beach, pools, and hammocks. The doctors and myself stuck around for a second meeting to discuss the medications we have access to and some of the details of how the clinic will work. 

Dr Morataya and his wife Nellie came this afternoon as well. He is the medical director for CFCI, and he has a heart of gold. He loves what he does, and he loves serving his people. I was able to gift him a 3 month supply of continuous glucose monitors to use for himself and his wife to have a better comprehension about how food, stress, sleep, and exercise affect our metabolic function. I also brought him my two favorite books, written in Spanish. God has laid heavy on my heart that the only way to help the people here, is the same way we have to help them in the US...we have to help them understand that their bodies were miraculously created to repair and heal themselves...we have to teach them how to do that...and God impressed upon my heart in August that giving Dr M the tools he needs to better understand, HE can ultimately educate his people. He was deeply touched by the gift, and was amazed at things I shared that I have learned from my own personal journey. Please pray that he will find the time he needs to read the books, and that God would show him a different perspective to helping him help his people how to manage their health. He also told us that their is a wave of stomach flu going around here right now...so while you are praying in March of 2026...please add prayer that our team will avoid it completely.

FINALLY, I made it to dig my toes in the sand. Walking barefoot on the beach has become one of my favorite things in the world...and tonight didn't disappoint. About the time I had walked as far as I felt comfortable going by myself (I am a chicken after all) two of my teammates, Martin and Paul came walking along...and they graciously let me join them. It's really hard to explain how crazy it is to form very comfortable bonds with siblings in Christ. We met less than 24 hours ago...all live vastly different lives in vastly different locations...yet could chat about our upcoming week, our experiences, or walk silently in tandem in a foreign land and be completely comfortable doing so. 

Today I have been reminded more than once...that I...you...we...all those who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb...are what make up God's church...not a building in a town or a city...but that when we have the same Spirit of Christ living within us...we can communicate via the Spirit...whether singing in a foreign tongue, sharing a hug (we were hugged a LOT this morning at church) with strangers, or gathered around the table with saints you don't know, and may never see again in this life. We make up God's team. And it takes all of us doing our part to get the work done. What a beautiful design!

After dinner, we sorted through the gifts brought from the US and made plans for their recipients. We also found out that the team will be returning to this beautiful Villa Monday and Tuesday nights to sleep after working at the Island...which means 4 trips in the boats...and 2 more nights to hear the mighty roar of the ocean waves. I'll take that!! As I type, everyone has wound down. I am sitting in a hammock typing my thoughts, trying to take it all in. I don't want to miss a THING...Tomorrow we report to breakfast by 6:30 with estimated leave time around 7:15...I believe that I get the privilege of addressing the clients each morning...so I'm praying that God will use my voice to share His truth...both about salvation, and about God's design for the stewardship of our bodies. 

I'm excited to be a part of what God is doing in El Salvador...and I am equally excited to be tasked with journaling it out so that others will also be able to see God's story as it unfolds through this week!!