"Stripped" by Kathy
By Kathy, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Salinas, CA
I find it interesting how the things that compel us in the delegation to come back to El Salvador year after year are the same things that initially repelled us from participating in the experience in the first place. Few flush toilets. No fancy hotel rooms. We live like the people. No blow dryers. No straighteners. No makeup. They look at what's on our insides, not our outsides (except in Mike's case-he can be a little scary). No nice rental car. A not-so-magic school bus takes us from place to place. (I don't think the word 'smog test' exists in El Salvador). Beans and corn at every meal. No meat for days at a time. We're nourished by the bread of life and get our energy from the joy we bring to people we have come to love.
Continue reading Comments (0) Added by Kent September 5, 2007 (11:05PM)
From Colin
By Colin, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Santa Cruz, CA
Before leaving on this trip, I regretted ever accepting my mom's proposal to go. But my trip to El Salvador has been one of my favorite and most moving adventures of my time. It has amazed me to see the families in the community that are so poor, they can hardly earn a living off of scraps. It has changed my view of the world, and especially my opinion of our government. Many of the hardships that this country has experienced could have changed if America chose a more thoughtful action, helping the people instead of the few that own them. But yet the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Continue reading Comments (0) Added by Kent September 5, 2007 (10:57PM)
From Stephanie
By Stephanie, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Santa Cruz, CA
This trip for me is unlike any other. It's not a place you can just go once and forget about it. It hooks you the second you meet the people and you see how amazing and caring and loving they are. The reason I come back are the people I meet whom I love and wish I could see them all the time. I can't even speak the language but I'm still so close with them. I . . . . . . . And experiencing something new . . . Going home and being really thankful for what I have.Comments (0) Added by Kent September 5, 2007 (10:53PM)
