Since I am the “mom” portion of the Snyder mission team, a typical day in my life usually includes driving kids to school, packing lunches, making dinner, taking kids to dentist appointments…all the usual stuff. Sometimes I get a little jealous because a day in the life of Jon is anything but “usual”, “typical”, or “boring.” Recently, he had a “non-boring” day. He attended a presidential event, and then got to go to a Salvadoran national team soccer game.

The presidential event was hosted, obviously, by the President and First Lady of El Salvador. It was a special event to commerate the lives of the children of El Salvador who disappeared during the civil war. Many children were “adopted” illegally, or kidnapped during the war. Some died during that conflict and others are living in Europe or North America today. These disappeared ones are a part of why the adoption process is so difficult in El Salvador. It’s not the only reason by any stretch, but it contributes.

Those invited to the event included groups and individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children and youth in El Salvador. There were also some local school children invited to participate. Because of our work with ISNA (the child and youth services here), Jon received an invitation to this event. He was truly honored to receive it and this is a great indication that our committment to working within the culture and system has earned us the respect of those in the government of El Salvador. We know that God is working through these relationships, and this invitation was a great blessing to us. ISNA is under another government agency of which the First Lady of El Salvador is the head.  A friend that Jon knows through ISNA was hoping to introduce him to the First Lady and President at this event. Unfortunately, the First Couple decided not to greet any of those in attendance, so hopefully next time!

The really fun part of the day was that some of the boys from CISNA got to go too! They got new clothes for the event and Jon and the boys got to sit down on the floor instead of having to sit with most of the crowd in the bleachers. Please pray that God would continue to use us within the government child and youth services. Our prayer is that we would be a resource to them and that we would be able to make a difference in the lives of the children at risk in El Salvador.

Jon finished up the day by going to a soccer match between El Salvador and Jamaica. It was quite the cultural experience! For those of you who don’t know, soccer is a pretty big deal in the rest of the world outside of the U.S. As in, they are fanatical for it! Jon saw everything from bags of urine being thrown by the crowd, to people fighting, to riot police patrolling the stadium. Unfortunately, El Salvador lost but he still had a great time!

Here are some pictures from the event with the President and First Lady of El Salvador:

The invitation to the event. “Desaparecidos” are those who have disappeared.

Some of the CISNA boys, all dressed up!

And Jon…all dressed up!

Here comes the President and First Lady of El Salvador…surrounded by security and journalists.

President of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes