Letting it Flow

After he and his wife Andi spent three weeks in late June/early July on a mission trip to San Salvador, El Salvador, my brother-in-law Cody took the time to answer 5 quick questions concerning his experience.

1) HOW DID YOU AND ANDI GET INVOLVED WITH THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ALLIANCE AND HOW DID THEY TRAIN YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN EL SALVADOR?

We got involved through a friend of Andi’s who she worked with a few years ago at Camp Glissen in Dahlonega.  The friend posted a message on Facebook asking if anyone was interested in working in El Salvador on a mission trip.  Andi, being her adventurous self, jumped on the opportunity and so did I.

They prepared us well for the trip.  At the end of May all the interns (that’s what we were called) were flown to Los Angeles for a four day training experience.  After landing in LA, we drove to Ensenada, Mexico.  On the way we were given our first task: put together a VBS in less than 30 minutes.  Each car was assigned different tasks and ours was games!  Everything went great.  After that we had other activities including 15 people standing on a tarp and having to flip the tarp over without a single person stepping off.  Quite a challenge!  It became even more difficult after that when we had to do the challenge over only with certain people being assigned disabilities.  Some were blind, others were mute, and some weren’t allowed to use their hands.  This helped prepare us to handle others’ weaknesses and to be encouraging.

2) WHAT WAS THE TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU AND ANDI DURING THE MISSION TRIP?

Most everyday contained different activites but the general breakdown was breakfast at 8:00, devotions at 8:30, and then leave out around 9:00.  We did things like take history tours, visit orphans, climb mountains for group devotions, etc.  We came back for lunch then left out again around 2:00.  At that time our group would walk to a nearby community and do Vacation Bible School for the children.

3) WHAT LASTING MEMORY (OR MEMORIES) WILL STAY WITH YOU FROM YOUR TIME IN EL SALVADOR?

Seeing the way the people in the community rely on God for things we take for granted.  Many people prayed hard for their next meal.  It really showed in the worship service.  The authenticity they had when worshiping was truly a blessing.

4) HOW HAS 3 WEEKS SERVING IN EL SALVADOR CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE?

It has opened my eyes to what people truly need.  Obviously many of them needed food and clothes but many of the kids and a few adults really just needed to be loved, to have someone think they are special.  So many of the children there were without fathers so as a male I was very popular and was able to give a lot of love.  It was fun!

5) IN CASE ANYONE READING THIS IS HEADED FOR EL SALVADOR, WHAT DO THEY NEED TO KNOW? (OR WHAT DO THEY NEED TO AVOID?)

Know that just by spending time with the kids, especially the orphans, you are truly making a difference and you are seeing the true face of God.  “For what you do to the least of these you do to me.”  Avoid going out after dark and be careful during the day, it can be dangerous.  Our pastor was mugged at gunpoint just a block away.  Be careful!