From Home

We are writing this journal from our home in West Bend. When we arrived home the first week of September, the leaves were green. Now we see a medley of yellow, orange, gold, green and red. As the foliage thins, the neighbor’s barn is in view. This week we had frost, a reminder that the march to the cold and white is approaching.

Our first 15 days were spent addressing fundraising for our food security project with Oikos and funding for programs with our 4 churches in Usulután. As we shop for items to take back, we are reminded of the abundance we have in the US. Nancy and I grew up in modest environments, but compared to Salvadorans we grew up privileged. We know we are a blessed couple, this is a blessed country, and we look forward to extending the blessing to our brothers and sisters in El Salvador.

We took a break from fundraising and supply shopping to enjoy our children as they arrived to spend time with us. The grandchildren are beautiful with another on the way in April. They all returned to their homes safely to resume their busy lives.

A young confirmand from our church in West Bend has been collecting money for a sports program in Usulután. When we mentioned it to the Salvadoran church leadership they were very excited about the possibilities and suggested that David be a player on the home team. The futball field looks mile long and a half mile wide. With the 100 degree heat and humidity, it might not be the appropriate exercise at this time of life.

The professional soccer (futball) field in Usulután is beautiful with lush green grass, bleachers, and scoreboard. On game days, the street in front of the stadium is closed to traffic. Street vendors line both sides of the street selling tortillas and pupusas. Thousands of people arrive by bus. The soldiers escort the referees in; when the game ends the referees and soldiers run for the exit.

Now we “gear up” for our return. Packing a few new clothes, our bags are flush with school supplies donated by friends and family, games, and educational materials. Nancy brings more than English to the class room, engaging the students in active participation in the lesson. Some merely memorize but we want them to think. While Nancy makes the classes stimulating and thoughtful, we also want to expand their confidence by providing materials that stir their creativity and thinking skills.

We return with peace in our hearts received from the encouragement of our friends and family of faith in West Bend. We are confident that God who has begun a great work for us will bring all things through to completion.

David y Nancy