I had intended to maintain this blog more actively than I have. But working with a mobile version of Blogger has been difficult, especially for posting photos. The limited access to Wi-Fi has also been an obstacle. But I've decided, pictures or not, I would blog away. So excuse the text-heavy approach from now on. And if I can get a photo in once in a while, I will do so.
One of the things I want to express is the incredible bonds that we've established as a team. Whether it's working together tying rebar, or a late-night conversation, or a prayer during a home visit, coffee together at a local shop, playing games after dinner, or laughing in the van ride back to the city, we have grown very close to each other and have seen each other grow. We will cherish our friendships greatly from now on. And we will work together on our return to make sure this experience has meaning beyond the trip itself.
The first day was an active one. We started right away finishing up some excavation for the wall. Some of us also worked on wiring rebar structures for the foundation and the wall itself. The students at the school, especially the boys, came up to us curiously smiling and almost begging to interact with us. We had a lot of fun introducing ourselves during the short breaks when they came out of their classrooms. The time went fast and we felt a sense of accomplishment even though we only worked until about noon. We had lunch at a nearby home with a beautiful garden full of fruit trees and palms of all kinds. It began to rain just as we reached the shelter where we set up. The gentle shower and lush surroundings reminded me of my tropical childhood in Cuba. The refreshing rain lasted just long enough to cool things off and we were able to get back to our scheduled activities without delay.
We went on several home visits during the afternoon. The pastor of the church with whom we partner has a heart for people with disabilities. He himself has suffered some physical difficulties, and it has made him more acutely aware of the needs of families facing such issues. In El Salvador, not many concern themselves with disabled people. They are seemingly discarded, fringe members of society. But Pastor Sanchez has made it a priority ministry. He conducted a survey of his community and identified more than 80 people with disabilities in the neighborhood. He has visited every single one. We got to know only a few on this day. It is heart-wrenching to witness the conditions in which these people find themselves. The homes have dirt floors. No medical care is readily available. Food is scarce. One single mother attempts to make a living by selling snacks at a local school to where she walks. She has to leave her handicapped daughter with her other daughter who is prevented from attending school because she has to be with her sister. We left that visit with a heavy heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment