BRANCHHHHHHHHHHHH.............................

If you haven't guessed it already, the word for the day is BRANCH. This was not a random selection but a life-saving bellow uttered by any and all of our team at various times. Let me start at the beginning of our day:

We knew we were headed up to a nearby region called Puerto Rios. We knew that we were working with a church there. We knew we were doing programs (as we have done for the last two days). We knew we were distributing 150 bags of food (like we did yesterday). What WE DID NOT KNOW is.....

1. We would all be climbing into the back of a pick-up truck (or cattle truck, depending on your opinion). And, when I say all, I mean 18 team members, 2 interns, 1 pastor (Pastor Julio), 4 nationals, 150 bags of food (or 1500 pounds, depending on your opinion), a sound system, 2 coolers filled with our lunch, 2 coolers filled with water and gatorade, and 2 five gallon water jugs. Angela asked, "Is there a weight limit for this thing?"

2. We would be traveling (in the aforementioned cattle truck) up a steep incline (straight up a mountain), on roads that we aren't sure should be called roads. Wide, rocky, rut-filled foot path might be a more accurate description.

3. We would encounter large spiders and spider webs in the trees that hung over the aforementioned foot path.

4. We would, at times, not be able to ride standing up in the cattle truck because the incline was too steep and we would have to walk. Which wasn't so bad because all of us packed mountain climbing gear AND we are ALL in phenomenal shape (NOT!)

So, we come to number 5 of what we did not know:

5. Apparently, tree trimming is not a valued occupation here in El Salvador because many of the trees, on the side of (and over) the wide footpath that we drove up, had not been trimmed in this century so the branches hung over the road. Which, if inside a vehicle, isn't a problem. But, with 23 people standing upright (most of the time) in the back of the cattle truck, screaming the word, "BRANCHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" (or as Nelson, one of our team leaders and a national would say, RANCHHHHHHHHHH) prevented the decapitation of many team members. Some got sense knocked into them because someone forgot to yell the word for the day.

On a more serious note: our day in Puerto Rios included doing a program near the church and then traveleing further up the mountain to a neighborhood and school. As is usual with this ministry, the gospel is preached and many children accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. We enjoyed a special privilege at the school as we were allowed to pray over all of the teachers. After ministering at the school, we came back down the mountain to the church where we did another church service (our students presented the drama, "Everything" again) and passed out the food. Each of us were able to hand (5) bags of food to a family. All of us carry the food into the church and up the hill (assembly line style) to where the people were in line to receive it.

After the food distribution, we had our team devotion inside of the Puerto Rios church. Each team member shared reflections on the week so far. Many of the adults (Kim, Marco, & Diana) commented on how amazing our students are who are on the trip (Devon, Nicole, Allie, Christopher, Georgie, Nikki, Bri, Christine and Angela). They (the students) have shown such love for the children we meet; hugging them, high-fiveing them, holding them, and praying what I am sure are powerful prayers over them. I have to say that our whole team have shown great attitudes and a willingness to serve whenever asked. Marco and Mical are asked to translate at every turn and do it gladly. George and Rick have carried our sound system over hill and vale and back again without complaint. We aren't sure which of our capable and caring nurses has cried over the children more, Michele or Heather, but both have loved on each one they have met. I was impressed by Kim's mean soccer skills as upon our arrival in Puerto Rios, she jumped into a game that the kids were playing. I don't think we've met a child yet that Diana hasn't hugged. And, me, between praying over the kids we meet...well, I just keep counting....ever vigilant in making sure we leave with the same number of team members that we came with! :)

Of course, our nationals and interns (those who go with us everywhere and do everything we do) are such an inspiration to all of us - especially our students. They see how they serve quickly, readily, and with a smile at every turn, living before our eyes what it means to be a servant.

Tomorrow we head to another area for a full day of programs (our last day of ministry). Then, on Friday we are going to the beach for our day off. We are all healthy, safe, and having the time of our lives. Thanks so much for all of your prayers. We need them. Pray for strength and good health; we are trusting the Lord for both. We look forward to your comments - so don't be afraid to post!

We love and miss all of you! Thanks for reading.
Blessings,
Pastor Arlena