El Salvador Day #3

Day #3 Saturday, January 5, 2013

We started off today with a hearty breakfast of eggs, ham, beans, cantaloupe, and cereal. It was delicious! Then, two of the Spanish tutors came and evaluated each of us individually on our Spanish skills by talking with us, giving us a test, and then getting us to write a bio of ourselves and what we want to learn in El Salvador. I did pretty good at the writing, but the rest was a struggle. I am very much looking forward to getting tutored one on one all week.

Then we rode over to Chalchuapan to look at an old Mayan ruin and shop for souvenirs. The ruins were really neat. The name of the ruins stands for “burning your enemies”. There was a trench on one said where Brian told us they burned people...who knows if it's true. We got to climb up and get some really neat pictures. I got some pretty sweet souvenirs too, but I can't tell you about those yet, I don't want to spoil the surprise! Also, we walked through the cemetery there. It was crazy. Very bright. Very decorated. Very...lively. Many of the grave sights were nicer than homes here. One of the tombs read (in Spanish) “this tomb guards your body, God guards your soul, we remember you.” I thought that was pretty neat. We got back from the cemetery, I took a really cold shower (not by choice) and worked some more on my blog for Honduras. At 5, Brittany, Allison, Anna, Jacob, Nate, Brian, and I went over to New Jerusalem church for their youth service. It was a really great service and I am very glad that we decided to go. When we got there we were graciously welcomed. Natalie, one of the students and the pastor's daughter, led a game (that Brian translated to us) with all of the students there. There was about 25-30 people. The game was fun and was a good icebreaker for us to get comfortable with the students and leaders there. After the game, the band led. Emerson, who is president of the youth of the country, played drums AND led worship, Jonathan played electric guitar (extremely well), Fernando played keys, and Adela's husband played bass. They played extremely well and we even knew the songs! They played Freedom Generation by Matt Redman, Reign in Us by Starfield, and Revelation Song by Kari Jobe. I absolutely love being able to sing along with their worship because it doesn't matter to God what language we praise Him in! After worship, Fernando gave a message on Matthew 4:12 and on. He talked about Christ being the light (luz). He used the example of how when we are in the dark, you can't see stains on your shirt, but you can when you are in the light. So then, you get clean. You must see the light before you can be cleansed. The light is what shows you just how dirty you are and how much you need cleansing. Seeing the perfection of Jesus shows us just how much we fall short. And this magnifies the grace that God gives us. It was a very good message. Then, we went into a courtyard area where we watched the guys play 3 on 3 soccer until it was time to leave. I am very excited to go back in the morning. I liked the people here very much. I am hopeful for how the Lord is going to use them.