Better late than never :)

I am finally back from all of my adventures this summer and rather than crack open the books to study I figured I would share with you all instead. Today is much too beautiful to sit inside with my nose in the books!

Europe was incredible. It was definitely a good thing I went, but it only added more fuel to the fire. There is SO MUCH to see, and experience and taste! mmmm :) I cannot wait to go back. Germany is a beautiful country. I felt like I only barely hit the tip of the ice burg with all of the history behind this country. Nonetheless I learned and saw things I never could have imagined. Munich is a great city and we were lucky to spend a whole day there. I absolutely fell in love with Barcelona, Spain. Brian and I arrived on Saturday morning to a sleeping city. The rain stopped, the sun came out and everything woke up around 12pm! A day and a half in this city so full of excitement and life was such a tease. All the more reason to go back!

I feel like I have not given enough attention to El Salvador here. The trip was filled with a variety of experiences for our team. For some it was their first time on a mission trip, first time out of the country or both. Still others of us had been there a few times and were coming back to another home to visit our family and friends far away. For me, it was a mixture of so many things. The best thing about this trip was watching my mom interact and experience these incredible people. The hardest part of the trip was simply passing through a desperate people back to the states. I am encouraged by individuals like Hermano Jorge and Violeta. They are a true blessing in the way they love and serve the kids in their country. Love. That is their greatest need.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. I am so glad I could share this summer with you! I look forward to writing again about the next adventures this life brings as I look toward graduation this December. To say the least, I am excited :)

-Lauren

One more day!

Hey All!

Today is the first day I have had time to sit down and write what has been going on here. And we are waiting on dinner so I will have to be quick! I will be sure to write more once I get back to the states.

Everything is going well and I am so happy to have met each and every person on this team. The atmossphere is much different than last year, but the team aspect is the same and I love that. It is amazing to see a group of people who have never met come together and work for a common purpose. Each person on this team...there are 12 of us, has a unique gift and has been using it to bless these kids and the rest of the team as well.

We have been running around all over El Salvador in and out of centers, prisons and orphanages. I have been able to experience new places as well as visit the ones I spent time in last year. So far this has been an emotional roller coster of a trip. I have heard and seen a lot of good that has come from the Promise House, Faith House and even in the government centers. However, the heartbreak of tradgedy, failure, and despair are right here with the good.

Unfortunately, there is a lot going on at the moment as usual and I gotta go!

lots of love,

Lauren

On Our Way!

Hey All!


It doesn't matter how early I start packing I always end up staying up way too late! We leave just before the sun comes up tomorrow. It still seems unreal to me that I am going back to El Salvador. The excitement of my mom going and leaving the country for the first time adds a whole different dimension to this trip. I am so trilled for her and the opportunity to share this experience with her. I'm praying we gain a fresh perspective that would change both of our lives and that above all we would proclaim Christ (Col. 1:28). Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and share with these kids! I can't wait to wrap my arms around those girls and kiddos in the Promise House! Here are some more pics for ya! The bottom picture is our group of interns from last summer, many of which will be coming with us on this trip.



Hasta luego!



Lauren

The "Plan"

Our team of 12 is going to have a packed schedule for 9 days! Here is the "plan" thus far. Disclaimer: when we arrive we will be on "El Salvador time" and therefore all plans are subject to change. It's time for the gringos to go with the flow :)

Friday July 23 and Saturday July 24th, 2010 My mom and I will arrive a day before the rest of the team on Friday. My only plan is to spend as much time as possible with the girls and kids from the Promise House. The rest of the time will be spent getting ready for the week to come and eating pupusas.

Sunday July 25th, 2010

*Church in the morning

*Beach: Costa Del Sol with Faith House Boys and Hope House girls

Monday July 26th, 2010

Morning 7-12: San Martin AIDS Orphanage

1-4: Special Needs Orphanage next to AIDS Orphanage

4-7: Lake: El Lago Illopango and dinner at a pupusaria with the team

Tuesday July 27th, 2010

Morning 9-12: CISNA Boys Orphanage

Afternoon 1-4: CISNA Girls Prison

Wednesday July 28th, 2010

Morning 8-12: CIPI Girls Orphanage

Afternoon 1-4: La casa de Mi Padre Orphanage- My Father's House

Thursday July 29th, 2010

Morning 9-12: CISNA Girls Prison

Afternoon 1-4: CISNA Boys Orphanage

Friday July 30th, 2010

Morning 9-1: Espino - Boys Prison

Afternoon 1-4: (Place near Espino for afternoon lunch/debriefing-Ahuachapan)

Saturday July 31st 2010

Morning/Afternoon: Atami - team time!

Evening: 4-6: Time with the Promise House girls

Sunday August 1st, 2010

Fly out

Cramer and I are leading a team of 6 and Laura and Bryan will be leading the other 6. We will basically be organizing each day and deciding which craft, story, lesson, game ect. we will be doing with the kids.

Can't wait, less than 20 days!

El Salvador 2010

Here we go again! As many of you know I spent 6 incredible weeks in El Salvador last summer. For those interested and also those supporting me I want to keep you updated. (Samantha and Beth you have inspired/motivated me to blog again, thanks!) First and foremost I am very grateful to all of you who have supported my mom and I both financially and in prayer. Our plane tickets are bought and we are on our way in less than a month. I will give a better break-down of what we will actually be doing there the next time I write. I will also do my best to give an update when I am there. My mom and I will be meeting up with two friends from Tennessee and a group of 8 amigos from Virginia. Needless to say a group meeting is out of the question. We had our first conference call last week that was spectacular, thanks Teddy! I am so excited to reunite with my fellow interns from last summer as well as meet new friends.

Until next time!

Saludos!

Lauren