Transitions

Finally Legal!

Life in El Salvador, Transitions -

Last December we shared with you the news that we would be starting the process of making MTES an officially registered non-profit here in El Salvador, in addition to the non-profit status that we already have in the States. Today we are thrilled to share the news that we are finally legal! We have the paperwork in hand! It took us a few months to get things in order, and we submitted all of our paperwork in March. Our lawyer can’t believe how fast the process went, especially with an election happening in the middle of it all. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement…we are so excited to have this process behind us!

Summer Snapshots

Family, Transitions -

The kids’ summer break was a whirlwind. This past year has been a busy (and good!) one, and the past few months were no exception. The kids got to do a little bit of everything…hang out around the house, translate for volunteers, come to the ministry center with us, and spend some time with family and friends. This morning with prayers and hugs we sent them off to a new school year. The start of a new school year is bittersweet and with the busy season that we are in I feel like I didn’t get nearly enough moments with them this summer. Like it or not, a new school year is upon us! Second grade and Fifth grade here they come! But first, just want to share a few […]

“Mommy, Why Does Everyone Always Have To Leave?”

Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

“Mommy, why does everyone always have to leave?” My daughter cried this question out through her tears this past Friday as we walked away from her school. She had just finished saying good-bye to a classmate who was moving back to her home country after three years in El Salvador. Tori didn’t take the good-bye well. She never takes it well. Someone leaves after a few weeks, or a year, or three years and she simply can’t cope with it. She can’t cope with it because in her life she is always losing someone, or something, or an identity, or a friend. She lives there in between all the losses. My kids are TCKs…Third Culture Kids.  That means that they don’t belong to their home culture, and they don’t belong to their […]

A New Season

Transitions -

The “October Winds” which bring an end to the rainy season in El Salvador have arrived late this year! Last week violent winds came tearing through the city bringing down trees and knocking out power for several hours. Since the storm temperatures have been cool, and the skies have been blue. Sometimes the change of seasons can bring stress and obstacles, but also peace and new resolutions. We are now in a season of transition ourselves. A few weeks ago, we celebrated four years of life and ministry in El Salvador. For the past four years, we have served as part of the El Salvador staff for Youth With A Mission. We have grown so much during that time, and feel truly blessed with the wonderful friends and co-workers that we […]

Yes, I am a Slacker

Family, Free the Girls, Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

I have been completely slacking off on this blog. Life is running away with us these days since we’ve been back in El Salvador. So here’s the short list of what we’ve been doing instead of blogging: Connecting…Lots of new doors and connections have been opened up since our trip and we are excited about new opportunities to serve the streets in El Salvador! Expanding…The El Faro ministry is all set to expand with new workshops, new woman are becoming involved in the Free the Girls program, and I’ve had some new opportunties to work with girls at risk in San Salvador. Circling…We’ve been in a holding pattern with a few transitions in our ministry, but we will update you soon! Appearing on national television…Ok, so Jon and I haven’t […]

Settling In…Again

Crossing Cultures, Family, Life in El Salvador, Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

We made it back to El Salvador last Thursday night and the weekend was a whirlwind of filling our empty refrigerator, buying school uniforms, and covering books and materials with plastic in preparation for the first day of school. This morning, the kids climbed into Jon’s big red truck and headed off to school for the start of a new year. I got a lump in my throat watching them wave good-bye and start First and Fourth Grades. With the start of school, and a return to our regular routine we are back into Spanish, San Salvador traffic, and life in El Salvador. Our time in the States was wonderful and the good-byes were hard (as they always are), but it’s good to be settling back in where we belong. Ready […]

Rest for the Weary

Crossing Cultures, Family, Fundraising, Thinking About God, Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”   (Matthew 11:28, the Message translation)   This summer we’ve had our feet in 11 States, we’ve met with churches, organizations, and individuals that love El Salvador. We have seen the Statue of Libery, swam in Nana’s pool, had cousin sleepovers, and watched the kids hold their newborn niece. We’ve been prayed over, and we’ve prayed for. We’ve talked and talked about our […]

Updating…

Crossing Cultures, Family, Fundraising, Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

Six weeks ago we arrived in the U.S. for the start of our furlough. The first week I was still exhausted from all the end of the school year, packing to leave, wrapping up work madness that was our last month in El Salvador. It took at least a week to get the tension out of my shoulders! These past six weeks have been a mix of relaxing, time with family, visiting with friends,speaking in churches, and updating friends and supporters. The kids have taken it all in stride and they have especially loved playing with all of their cousins. We have traveled a lot this summer and they have transitioned well, but they have asked about our house, and they’ve mentioned eating pupusas a few times. It is strange […]

Home

Crossing Cultures, Language Learning, Thinking About God, Transitions -

Yesterday I made a quick stop at our local supermarket. I ran in and ran out and just as I was stepping off the front steps and onto the parking lot a feeling of rightness washed over me. The afternoon sun was slanting at just the angle to throw a golden haze over everything, and the sounds and smells of the city swirled around me…horns honking, warming oil from the woman selling tortillas on the side of the road, sun-baked pavement, and the smell of exhaust as cars raced around the circle in front of me. It’s strange, I know, but I felt like I was touching something familiar…like I was home. That word “home” is one that I can’t pin down anymore. It’s here and it’s there. Many of you have followed me on the ups […]

New Location, New Possibilities

Discovery, Fundraising, Kids at Risk, Ministry Center Project, Short-Term Missions, Transitions, Urban Ministry, YWAM -

This past week we had our first week of ministry in the new building. After months of renovations, it was exciting to see the first realization of the potential that this new space has! El Faro (The Lighthouse) homeless ministry used the building for the first time and the guys and girls were thrilled with the new shower facilities and indoor space out of the sun. Thank you so much to all of our donors who are making this a possibility, and a special shout-out to Discovery Christian Church who kicked this whole thing off as part of their BRIX capital campaign! The bathrooms have been renovated, additional storage and an extra room have been added, a new outdoor sink has been installed, and the outside of the building has […]

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