Day Five: No Mas Pollo

Rise and Shine!! We started our day with an appointment at the US Embassy at 8:00AM. We met with Jan, a representative from the USAID, which stands for The United States Agency for International Development. We learned about programs that are being implemented by the USAID and how they are helping in the community. They have set up community like centers for kids to go and play at that are still running even after they have finished funding. They have educational programs set up for students who are bright and show promise but lack the finances. The US Embassy was beautiful and amazing. I wish we could have brought our cameras in to see the compound but I understand why weren’t allowed to do that. --- continued below...

After leaving the US Embassy, we had been invited to come to Pastor Matias and Pastor Martina’s house for lunch. We drove up to Apopa, where they live and when we got there, they almost had a shocked look on their faces of, hope they’re here! But of course they welcomed us with open arms. We heard the testimony of Pastor Matias, which resulted from a question of, how did you and Pastor Martina meet? We eventually learned that both of them had lost their spouses and Pastor Matias’s children told him that he wasn’t too old to find happiness. Lunch was then served and we were served a feast! We had fish, shrimp, fresh avocados, beans, tortillas, bread, fresh juice, and fruit. The meal was amazing!! Pastor Martina had come out and said, I just couldn’t cook chicken for you, so no more chicken (no mas pollo). We had great laughs and it was truly amazing to see how the Salvadoran people welcome you into their homes. --- continued below...

We then all piled into the van and headed up to see the schools. We picked up Pastor Gloria on the way and off we went. We visited two schools and the compassion that the students give us and the teachers give is beyond words to explain. The students are always in awe of the difference in our hairs and that we are gringos. We see giggles when Mark goes and tries to take pictures and then somehow captures their joy in their smiles in the photos that he gets. We saw sponsor students and old friends again and to see their beautiful faces one more time before our trip is coming to a close, fills your heart. --- continued below...

We met with the mayor of Guazapa. We discussed that both of us had sponsorship programs and listened to some of the other things that he has helped with in his communities. Guazapa is also going to be celebrating its centennial in the coming weeks. He explained that there will be dances and piñatas and 100 fireworks for every year! We ended our time in Guazapa with some ice cream! --- continued below...

Last thing for the night was dinner. We decided on Tony Roma’s! We walked over to the MetroCentro and had a delicious meal accompanied by good conversation and laughs. Once we got back home, we decided that everyone was tired after a long day and we are all excited to sleep-in a tad tomorrow too!

--Katie