Friends and Typical Salvadoran Food

The last three days have all brought new experiences . . . . Saturday, visit to Apaneca; Sunday, bowling; Monday, typical Salvadoran food in Los Planes.

We have had dinner with David and Maritza scheduled several times, but something has always interfered.  Last night, finally, we followed them to Los Planes, which is high above San Salvador.  Our appetizer was a stop just outside Balboa Park for "corn" in all it's typical forms--atol de alote, corn torta and elote loco (corn-on-the-cob.)  I have to admit we did the elote without the loco--just corn cut off the cob with cheese.  Everything was delicious.

After our appetizers, we went to their house and visited for awhile.  About 7:00 we drove to their favorite pupusa place, El Atico.  Not only were the pupusas awesome, but the view of the city is incredible!

Farewell Party

Javier, Mirna and their two boys are moving to the states.  He got a job with a company in Columbus, Ohio.  In fact, they flew out this morning.  Both of them have been an essential part of the worship ministry--Mirna sang on the praise team at the hotel and Javier ran the sound board.  We're going to miss them greatly.  

Last night the worship team said farewell to them at Galaxy Bowl--the only bowling alley in the city.  More than 20 showed up to bowl--most for the first time.  Stephen and I decided not to bowl--him because he recently hurt his back and me because I'm no good.  Although, when I wasn't looking he threw a couple of frames.  The night took me back to high school gym and being tested on how to score bowling.  Thankfully, the process is automated these days.

Here's a couple of pictures, but nothing that even comes close to the drama of the event.  Most of the lanes had the bumpers up so a majority of the strikes were the result of random ricocheting!  Needless to say, the lanes took quite a beating, but fun was had by all.

 

Day Trip

Our small group decided that the best way to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of IDEM was to "get-away" together for a couple of days.  Unfortunately, since Stephen had to play the piano at the hotel this morning, we could only make it a day trip.

The day started early as we met for breakfast at Pollo Campero before caravaning to Apaneca.

The little town of Apaneca and the hotel, Villa Bonita, were both very cute.  Like most small towns here in El Salvador, there was a very large Catholic church.  

We traveled a bit farther north to Ataco to have lunch.  We found a charming little pizza place--table for 20.  After lunch we walked through the park and market.

It was a great day and we were sorry we had to leave early.  It was a great day with good friends.  We made it safely back using Waze--a great GPS map program that's remarkably accurate here! 

Prayer Request Update

It's been a week since Stephen hurt his back, and he has been a very good patient.  Thankfully, his it seems to feel a little better each day.  Please continue to pray for him as we have a campaign that starts a week from Saturday.  Of course, a campaign means that he will be responsible for the inflatable which equals loading, hauling, unloading, lifting, setting up, rolling up, loading, repeat.  At this point, he will be limited to driving the inflatable around and overseeing the work.   We are specifically praying that God will provide strong, willing volunteers to do the work so he can continue to recover. 

  

"Dinner and a Movie" Night

Last night was our first "dinner and a movie" night with two of our missionary friends--Rachelle and Tiffany.  We're hoping to make it a monthly event, although we might do a "dinner and cribbage" night every now and then.  It was fun to hang out, talk English, eat comfort food (chicken noodle soup) and laugh together at a goofy movie!

We didn't take any pictures, so you'll just have to use your imagination.  

To Live Is Christ

Paula Rhoades started a ladies Bible study (in English) when she came to El Salvador.  I was fortunate to start attending when we moved here in 2010.  Until last year, our group only had the audio CD's for our studies; but for the most recent studies, several of our Christian sister's in the states have shared their video resources with us, and we've been blessed to be able to watch, as well as listen.  This year we've completed, Jonah, a Priscilla Shirer study, and Abundant, Faithful and True, a Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore precept study.

This fall's Bible study started at my house last week.  We're doing Beth Moore's study on the life of Paul titled "To Live is Christ."  We meet each Friday morning from 10:00 to noon; we start with a time of sharing lessons we learned from our weekly homework, we share prayer requests and have a time of prayer and then we watch the video of the next lesson.  We were all excited to study the life of the Apostle Paul and everyone loves the way Beth teaches.

When Alejandra arrived with a VCR and the corresponding tapes we thought, perhaps, the study was one of Beth's older ones.  Little did we know that it was only her third study--she wrote it in 1997.  Now, before you get me wrong, we realize that the truth of the Bible doesn't change--it is always relevant.  However, Beth's wardrobe and hairstyles, not so much!  It almost made us long for the days of audio only!

Joking aside, the study has already made an impact on our lives, and we're excited to see what God wants to teach us over the next 9 weeks.  We're so thankful to Paula (who purchased our workbooks); we still couldn't do it without you!

We tried to celebrate Ena's birthday yesterday, but she wasn't able to attend.  The rest of us enjoyed her treat, healthy Zucchini, Carrot, Apple bread.

Prayer Request

You never know what the day will bring.  Wednesday morning Stephen was at the piano practicing songs ahead of the Wednesday night band practice.  He turned to his left to see the computer and with that movement (something he does numerous times) he let out a (almost) scream.  I was down stairs and didn't really understand the significance until I heard it a second time. 

When I got upstairs he was in a great deal of pain and was unable to get out of the chair.  After getting some Advil in him, I pulled the chair into the bedroom and he basically rolled out of it onto the bed.  He was hoping that after a couple of hours flat on his back, he would be fine, but, as most everyone knows, it rarely works that way with pulled muscles.  

The afternoon progressed with massages, ice, heating pad and pain.  He didn't make it to practice Wednesday night or to church last night.  His pain level has diminished somewhat over the last two days, but he still has along way to go to be pain free.

Please pray that his pain will end, that the inflammation will subside and that he won't do anything to cause a recurrence.  I know he'll be wanting to run as soon as he can, but pray that he will be patient and take the time he needs for his back to recover completely.  He'll definitely be "off" inflatable duty until he is back to normal.

Cross Stitch, Anyone?

Friends: The ladies in our sewing group/Bible study here in San Salvador are interested in learning to cross stitch. However, it is very difficult to locate and very expensive to buy the "Aida" (or other brand) counted cross stitch fabric here. I thought, perhaps, some of you might have fabric and DMC thread that has been laying around unused for years which you would willing to give a "good home." We'd love to have it. Email me (parrisinelsalvador@gmail.com) if you would like to help us with this ministry.

Google Honors 193 Years of Independence

Five of the countries in Central America are celebrating 193 years of independence today with parades, speeches, fireworks and more.  Unfortunately, it's been raining or drizzling all day, so I'm sure everyone marching in the parades and all of the parade-goers are very, very wet.  As for us, we're staying at home and out of all of the traffic!

In honor of the day, Google customized the El Salvador search page:

Nothing says El Salvador more than a plate of pupusas, curtido and salsa.  Although, after I posted this on my FB page, one of my friends mentioned that the knife and fork definitely don't belong in the picture.  He's right--true Salvadorans always eat pupusas with their hands and don't even get messy!  

The Google page for each of the four other countries was also customized:

GUATEMALA

COSTA RICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

Not sure why three of the five have typical food, while the other two have typical symbols, but, nevertheless, it's pretty cool to get "noticed."

Resting in Guatemala

You know there are some people with whom you are completely relaxed and, as a result, spending time with them is simply a blessing.  That is how we feel about staying at Nelson and Rosemarie's house and why we take advantage of every opportunity to escape to Guatemala City. 

This trip was no different, except for the added blessing of being able to see Kimberly Kelley (who was visiting from the states) and to take Tiffany Lewis along with us.  You may ask what we do whenever we are there and the answer is nothing special; we just "do life" with them.  For Stephen it means "jamming" with Nelson and for me sewing with Rosemarie.  There's always time to share, cook, eat, shop and play games.  We found time to eat at Capistrano, our favorite breakfast place, and enjoy wood-fired pizza at Vesuvio.

We all wished we could have stayed longer, but were thankful for the two and a half days we had.  Before we leave, we always try to schedule the next visit . . . coming sometime in October.

If I be lifted up . . . .

While walking and praying yesterday morning, I reflected on the powerful words of Jesus in John 12:32:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Really, it's so simple--the only thing we need to do to reach others with the gospel is to lift up Jesus.  Unfortunately, today many churches believe it takes entertainment (song, dance, drama, video) on a grand scale to attract people.  At their core there's nothing wrong with song, dance, drama and/or video as a means of reaching the unchurched.  However, if these and other "modern" methods are to be successful in reaching the lost with the gospel, it is essential that they "lift up Jesus" and not anything else.  

If there's any other focus--even good ones like growing the church, raising money for good causes, strengthening families--then they fall short of sharing the truth and the lost may miss the opportunity to be "drawn" to the Savior.

Someone shared the link to this song on Facebook and I share it here because the words "lift up Jesus."  Listen and enjoy it here.

Cycle 6 IDEM

Last night we wrapped up the sixth cycle of IDEM--hard to believe that it has been two years since we started.  The third and final year begins mid-October.

Having shared so much over the past two years, our group of 8 couples is like family.  So, what does a family do to celebrate an anniversary?  Have a party, of course, but not just a regular party, an overnight party.  As of last night, we have a couple who is looking for a "hotel" or other "retreat" center in the mountains where all of us can stay the last weekend in September.  

I'll keep you posted on the progress . . . . it could be very interesting! 

New MetroAmerica 0-20 Missionaries

Yesterday was a very special day in the life of our church as two missionaries (and their families) were commissioned to start a new work in Bogota, Colombia.  Pastor David Guadron and Pastor Alex Hernandez and their families are leaving for Bogota this Wednesday.

Planting a church is hard work, and there will be challenges as they serve God in Bogota, a city of 9 million people. However, they know that they are answering God's call on their lives and He will be with them every step.  Please add them to your prayer list.