28 Enero 2026 - Day 1

And after arriving at the Pastoral House in Berlín about 2:00 a.m. this morning, we were up in time for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and headed out to Alejandría in order to meet with the community starting at 9:00 a.m. We are all dragging a bit, especially by the time we came back to Pastoral House this afternoon about 3:30 or so. But that's part of coming to El Salvador.

Monday night I was staying with my brother and sister-in-law when I got the news about the flights and my sister-in-law wondered if we could just reschedule the whole trip. I've never asked, and while I assume it would be possible in extraordinary circumstances, it is definitely not ideal. The schedule and plans have been worked on by the Pastoral Team, the Directiva (community council), and the community since the trip was officially scheduled. All of the food needed for us and that we give to the community has been purchased. And over and over we hear of how once the community knows of our plans to come, how much they prepare, wait for, and look forward to our arrival. So we do all we can to stick as close to our original plan as possible, which is why the flight changes can make things difficult. And that is also why even after the late night, we still had a full day today. But we were ready.

Breakfast was the El Salvadoran standard of egg, beans, and plantains. My first trip down I was surprised by the food and always think that we eat so well when we are here. Then the trip out to Alejandría. We all pile in the back of the KIA and hold on. While more of the city road has been paved, once we're outside Berlín, think hilly dirt roads. I mentioned that it takes me a day to get my "sea legs" back as I adjust to the ride. But it was so nice to be out in the warmth and sunshine.

The first trip out to the community always starts with the community gathering. They have a nice new area for the gatherings as the building we met in on previous trips is no longer stable or able to be used. And it's immediate greetings and hugs all around before we all sit down for the more structured introductions. This morning a gentleman from a neighboring community joined the group to play the guitar and lead some singing. Check out the video at the end of this post! 

Then each of us was invited to say something to the community. And that's when the emotions I'd been prepared to hit last night actually caught up with me. Because as you've read, after my last trip I ended up very sick and I didn't know if I would ever make it back here - to these people, this place. So to be here, listening to their welcome and thanks, hearing of their gratitude and love, was a bit overwhelming - in the best way possible. Then the community members are invited to say something if they wish. A number of them did so, offering their gratitude, love, and appreciation. 

After that portion of the gathering concludes, we spend the rest of the morning meeting with the Directíva discussing how the community is doing, what the needs of the community are, and what their are planning and hoping for the future. We learned of a number of projects the Directíva is working on including trying to get a new bridge to cross the stream that swells during the winter months, putting up a new building on the new gathering spot, and beginning to look at plans for updating the piping to the water system. Our congregations will be hearing more about these projects once we return to the States as we work to financially support them in their continued efforts to improve their community. Then it was lunch.

After lunch, we started on our family visits. Each trip down we get a census, a list of all the families that are part of our community, and then we go to each families' home. We spend about 15 minutes or so with each family catching up on how they are doing, gifting them their food basket and medicine and photos, and then taking family photos that we'll print and bring down the next trip. It's a wonderful time to see how the kids have grown, meet new families in the community, and share the love with each other.

After visiting seven families, we headed back to the Pastoral House for free time, rest, supper, and I don't know about Tim and Gary, but it's going to be early to bed tonight for me. The plan for tomorrow is to visit the rest of our families.

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