El Salvador Trip Reflections

With 11 homes under construction, the work site resembled a hive of colorful bees, buzzing around their assigned tasks with good-natured laughter.
El Salvador is a country bursting with youthful energy—young people who are dedicated to lifting their homeland out of the poverty exacerbated by the civil war. The local leaders of Habitat work tirelessly, long hours spent planning, caring for volunteers, encouraging and counseling homeowners.
Jody’s team, volunteers of all ages came from Nebraska, Florida, and Illinois—students, teachers, and retirees. Quickly, we are no longer team but family. We also are determined to do our utmost for this project. This is where God wants us to be.
After the first morning devotion we meet the masons who will supervise us. Smiling a warm welcome, they patiently show us our tasks. Some volunteers dig, some move piles of soil, some paint, several dig out tree stumps or apply chispa between blocks.
Luis and Ronald circulate, making sure the volunteers are hydrated, happy, and not over-exerting in the heat. At morning break time the young volunteers are sweaty, filthy—but elated to be in El Salvador.
One team member confessed, “I tried to ignore God—my life was all about me. Two years ago I realized that something was missing. God was calling me to service—to reach out to others.”
A college student spoke up. “It feels good to help others. Makes me appreciate what we have in the States. Digging out the stumps was my high point so far.”
One husky student worked beside his mason all day. At that end of that long hot day, the mason folded his hands, bowed his head, and said, “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Tears stood in his eyes as the young student shared this with us.
A young teacher expressed her feelings in the words of a hymn. “I keep thinking of the words, ‘Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.’ We in the United States tend to be so prideful. I appreciate more my home and my family.”
We share stories of how kind and appreciative the masons are. We know it’s not easy working with volunteers who are willing, but inexperienced. Miguel says, “I want always to work with Habitat. I never had a problem with volunteers, and they help me with my English.”
At the end of the week, as we prepare to leave the worksite, a mason says quietly, “You American volunteers coming here to help are a blessing to us. You are indeed a blessing.”
We helped build homes – but most important – we built relationships with our sisters and brothers in El Salvador. We were blessed by their love.