Amazing Tuesday here in El Salvador!
Today we were joined by two university groups, one from
Babson College, just outside of Boston; and the other from Esem University in
San Salvador. Both university groups are studying business and economics, and
they do this share-experience twice a year. They come to Getsemani Community
because of its co-op model. Almost one year ago, Getsemani Community formed a
co-op. They make and sell jewelry, textiles, art, and coffee. Habitat helped
them develop their model, encouraging them to work together in business vs.
competing against each other- as many families have some sort of entrepreneurial-ship
. The co-op has been very successful in the community and will be celebrating
their one year anniversary next month. The university students spend some time
building and some time meeting with the co-op board of directors to discuss
economics and business development. Everyone seemed to enjoy their day and we
really enjoyed working with all the students.
In addition to all the happenings at the build site, Taylor
and Brian had the opportunity to work with some of the kids this morning. There
are classes in the community center for kids 4-9 years old, and Taylor and
Brian had a great time being entertained by them. Apparently the winning games
were “Guess what the kids are drawing,” and “Taylor’s dog is a little pudgier
than the ones in El Salvador.”
With all of our new amigos, lunchtime in the community
center was quite festive. There was so much buzz and it was great to sit, eat,
and share experiences with so many different people. Even Santos, one of the
masons, joined us for lunch. Lunchtime is always a great time to share with the
masons, even though there can be quite a language barrier. Though quiet, he was
pulled into the conversation and was perceived to have enjoyed himself.
Because we were many in numbers, we split our build time
between two houses. Some of us continued to work on Santos’ house, and the rest
went to a house down the road, into the woods, down the path, around the corner
until you could see the construction site through the trees. The house is
surrounded by all this beautiful lush greenery and tropical flowers. It’s being
built behind an existing home (substandard, dirt floors, walls made from fallen
trees), where we were able to exchange brief conversations with some of the
women there. This exchange also happens because the tools needed at the
worksite are kept in the first room of the current home. So it’s not uncommon
to have to knock, walk into the house and then wheel out the wheelbarrow or get
a bag of cement. The families greet you so warmly, but imagine constantly
getting interrupted if you’re doing laundry (by hand) or bathing your kids out
in the front yard. They just wave hello, say, “Adelante” (come in) and then go
about their business. The community feeling is abundant and so hard to imagine
back at home.
After many great personal interactions and moments to
remember, we left the worksite in the afternoon to enjoy a little ziplining.
Now when I say little, I mean up the side of a mountain, down 13 ziplines, over
these amazing lush coffee canopies, and yelling out a “Woo-hoo!” for all of
Apaneca to hear. Despite the rain (right,
is in rainy season), we zipped right along, and just had a fantastic afternoon.
We were happily soggy by the end of the tour.
Good dinner, good team meeting, and praying for a good
night’s rest. Thinking of you all at home…
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper
time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to
the family of believers. –Galatians 6:9-11
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