Wednesday Jun 27, 2012 Continuum training and painting

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.                              Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.

Early this morning, at 12:30 am, we were aroused by what we thought was a freight train coming through the hotel.  Luckily it was only an earthquake that registered 5.1 and shook our beds enough to wake us all.  To our knowledge, there was no damage from this event.

Once we reached Getsemani we held workshops on BAC training which is bacteria awareness training when managing food temperatures.  This was followed by the dental hygiene presentation.  Many parents and children from the community attended to learn more. 

 

  








We distributed thermometers, toothbrushes and toothpaste and demonstrated the best use for each.

In the afternoon, we gathered with the teenagers and held a box decorating workshop.  This was a huge success as the youth rallied around the project and had a great time being creative.

After leaving Getsemani, we attended a service with Pastor Rodriguez, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ahuachapan.  He was very gracious to hold a private service for us and allow us to participate.  Dr. Sam shared scripture and prayers with us.  Pastor Rodriguez gave his message, and Juan Carlos gladly stepped in to be our interpretor.  This made the service more meaningful for all of us.  The pastor said the work we are doing in Getsemani helps his ministry because the people now have hope.

This was even more special as the Pastor’s wife was admitted to the hospital this afternoon with bronchitis.  We ask that everyone keep her in their prayers and for a quick recovery. 

 

The children of Pastor Rrodriguez are both very active in the Presbyterian Church.  His daughter, Andrea, assisted him throughout by singing and sharing scripture.  His son, Victor, supports the growth of the Church by making jewelry.  

 

Tuesday Jun 26, 2012 Working at Getsemani

Romans 12:6  

So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God hás given us...

Today began by greeting old friends.  Glenda, Victor and Pastor Rodriguez.  Nora introduced Sam to the Pastor Rodriguez. 

Our first workshop today was with the sewing group.  New ideas for products and business strategies were shared.  Patricia and Nora showed many new ideas and we went through all of the fabrics that we brought.  Juan Carlos was going over business details including inventory and branding with the group.  He and Lauren went over cash flow with Jose.

We had lunch with our Habitat Leader Alex.  Sam and Juan Carlos took a short break during lunch outside. 

After lunch we took a “tem-pature” (team picture) in front of the mural. 

There was a large group that came to the jewelry workshop.  Patricia was training them on how to use the materials we brought, sharing pictures of ideas and other items and some of the new tools they can use. 

The dremel tool was presented to the jewelry team and will be very useful to them in making their designs. 

This will enable them to use more organic materials from their environment such as beans, pits and seeds to make jewelry and other artisitc items.  Members of this group vary in age from 11 to 18 years old. 

Deb and the youth assembled the tool and Juan Carlos began the training on how to use it. 

 

This was a very exciting day as the groups were extremely receptive and already started implementing the new ideas.

We are pleased that we have two Spanish speaking team members as Patricia has lost her voice.  Juan Carlos has stepped up and is doing a great job.  

Monday Jun 25, 2012 Finally at Getsemani Community

Joshua 24:15  But as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord

                         Pero yo y mi casa, serviremos Al Señor

As we entered the Getsemani Community, we are humbled to see how many of the people live.  This picture is the house where Evelia and her family lived prior to her getting a Habitat House. 

Many of you may remember her, she is the woman MSPC contributed monies toward the purchase of her land.

At our orientation meeting the community showed the projects they are now working on and the leaders of the community were introduced.  The meeting was with our team and the Myers Park volunteers. 

The MSPC team was working on a painting project for the new community center they helped build.  We were all invited to add our handprints to the mural of Hands Around the World.  Deborah choose a multi color hand print.

We met with the women who have developed a cooperative with the sewing, jewelry and art groups.  They are presently waiting for government authorization for their business.  They showed us the quilts they are now doing which are beautiful when you see them in person. 

Our team was able to meet Evelia outside of her new Habitat home.  She is so happy and grateful.  She also babysits many of her grandchildren who are adorable and full of energy.  Their smiles tell us how happy they truly are.

Evelia asked that our team paint her house.  This was not your typical paint job.  This was 100% custom.  She asked that we paint a mural of things that are “Miami” on her house.

Two of the boys from the community were are nominated artists, Pedro and Jose.  Nora was the MSPC artist on site as she painted our Church on Evelia’s home.  Sam also painted the habitat house beneath the steeple. 

We were all delighted that we did not start today with digging foundations and septic tanks.  But tomorrow is a new day, and who knows what that will bring. 

(Our internet service was out, sorry for the delay on this post)

Sunday Jun 24, 2012 Going to Cultural experiences

Psalm 19:1  The heavens declare the glory of God.

Nora and Lauren woke up at 5:30 this morning to a beautiful sunrise.  What a perfect way to start today.

The team worshipped at the Cathederal at the same time our Church was worshipping.  We all felt it was a positive and uplifting experience.  Today is John the Baptist day.  It was special to have this day celebrated.  There was an atmosphere of love and community in the presence of Christ.  

The Archbishop greeted the parishoners at the end of the service.  

Following the service we had the opportunity to meet the  FIAT Group from Philadelphia and they took this picture of our group.

We headed up to the mountaintop to El Boqueron (The Big Mouth).  It’s latest eruption was in 1917 where it reached the main city of San Salvador. 

Lead by Alex, our Habitat host, the group managed to climb so many stairs we lost count.  We were so high up, we watched the clouds pass us by.

 

This is “The Midget”, which is a smaller crater created as a result of the last.  Local universities are doing research on this volcano.  This is one of seven active volcano’s in El Salvador.  

The country has 21 volcano’s spread throughout the land.

Here is a sample of a typical market village at the mountain.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Cafe Miranda overlooking the city of Quezaltepec.  As we were leaving, the Vice President/Minister of Education of El Salvador was dining with his family.

At the Cafe, there is a coffee musuem and 15^th Century swords.  Sam and Alex said On Guard and began a friendly duel.  No blood was spilt.

On our drive to Ahuachapan we saw part of the lava flow from the 1917 erruption.  As you can see in the picture, there is still no new growth on top of the lava.

We arrived at Hotel Alicante in the afternoon after our cultural experiences.  

Tomorrow we begin our work and we are told that we will be digging the foundation for a home in Getsemani.

Saturday Jun 23, 2012 Arriving to El Salvador.

Psalm 121:  The Lord will guard your going out and your coming, in both this time and forevermore.

The team departed from Miami and arrived safely in El Salvador this afternoon. 

First thing we noticed was how hot it was, even by Miami standards.

After a short drive the group enjoyed a lunch of local fare in Pupusaville (Pupusas, the national and most famous dish of El Salvador made by corn or rice with some topics).

Only kidding, we actually had pupusas of all kinds and some of us ventured to try the local “hot sauce”. 

Then we met “Ms. Walmart”, a local woman, who somehow managed to carry more products than your local Walmart...in her basket.  She managed to convince Sam to purchase a one of a kind chicken racket.  After tremendous haggling the group listened to the constant peck, peck, peck of the chicken racket. 

Please ask Sam to show you next time you see him.

We arrived at our first hotel for the trip in San Salvador, where we met several other groups all of which are here to work with HFHI.  One group is from a school all the way from Manitoba, Canada.  Myers Park Youth are also in town.

Before joining all the other groups for dinner we met with Alex, our Habitat Staff Coordinator.  He spent time answering our questions and giving us some history on Getsemani and the current projects on which  HFHI is working,.  We are excited to see our friends from Getsemani and hear all that they have been doing.

Commissioning

Sunday, June 17, 2012 the mission team was commissioned by Hallie Hottle, Pastoral Intern for Youth & Outreach.  The Prayer Partners joined in the ceremony by placing the crosses on the team members.  We appreciate all of the support from the congregation of Miami Shores Presbyterian Church in this mission work.

Team members include:  Team leaders Nora Tenney and Dr. Sam Rutland.  They are joined by Deborah Rose, Patricia Gregory, Lauren Benton and Juan Carlos Mamani.