It's been a little while since I've updated, and so much has happened!! I'll try to catch up...

Nicaragua: A great time again. It was special to return to a place where we had already spent some time. We were greeted by familiar faces, so happy at our return. This time we stayed at the YWAM base and got to know the staff there a little better. During the week we did ministry at the local church and library (as we did last time), and many times at the preschool/elementary school at the YWAM base. It's called Mi Pequena Luz, and it's an incredible opportunity for the kids in the barrio (neighborhood) to attend a school where they receive a Christian education and are given so much love and encouragement.

We also taught in two English classes again, so fun! During the class I instructed a section about dreams. Beforehand, I asked the English teacher, Arlene, if she thought it'd be a good activity. She said oh yes, definitely. It would be great to do with them because dreaming isn't a normal thing for people from this community. To dream or use your imagination isn't encouraged or believed in by most. How sad is that? She told me one time she was teaching in a fifth grade class and she asked the students to imagine a machine that would make the world better. The only thing they came up with, Arlene said, was a machine to kill all the bad people.

So we taught them the sentence "My dream is..." and they had to think of the rest. The group is a mixture of ages, from 8-30 years old. It took a few minutes, but their dreams emerged and we got to hear them. Teacher, doctor, pilot, singer, president, translator, missionary- lots of meaningful and honest answers. After each one spoke, we clapped and encouraged them- of course more for sharing their hearts than saying the words correctly.

El Salvador:
We've been here a week so far, and have participated in some really awesome ministries. The first night we went out and brought food and talked with prostitutes and transvestites on the streets. My group talked with about 10 transvestites. Very interesting, and sad. I had a conversation with one in particular and found out he'd been working on the street for 10 years. He's 24 years old. It was an eye opening night.

The second day we visited a Remar orphanage and held programs for the kids, and on a couple other days we were able to visit some high schools. It was really powerful, performing dramas and sharing with the students afterwards. On Thursday we were invited to a community dance competition, where we were able to watch some local groups of youth perform. There was some talent, some really great break dancing! After the groups went, we performed a drama and talked with a bunch of the youth who were interested in knowing who we were. Our last night of ministry, we loaded up in the back of a pickup with 180 bags of food we had prepared. We drove around town and gave out the food to the homeless. It was heartbreaking to see them sit up suddenly from their cardboard boxes and run hurriedly towards us as soon as they heard "Comida!!" (food). Many of those running towards our truck were kids.

Today we're moving on to a different part of El Salvador. We have only 2 more weeks of ministry left, it's hard to believe. What a journey it's been.