I made my third visit to the village of San Diego de Tenango with Agros and University Presbyterian Church this summer on July 18-25.
It was great to return to the village, and see more optimism among the people, than I have in the past. The villagers seem to have more hope for the future, even though some of the same problems still exist: the very bad condition of the road (we had to take an alternate route to the village because the road that goes through the river was impassable), the lack of education beyond grade 6, and the poor respiratory health of the villagers.
It was good to connect with some friends from the past, especially: Juana (who had back surgery and was walking with a cane), Isabel, and Reina (along with Patty, Nancy and baby Joshua).
Two memorable projects:
Mixing cement in the houses, to make new floors (for those villagers who previously had dirt floors). I think this will really help with some their chronic health problems.
Cooking food for the big Corn Festival with the women in their houses. I have never spent so much time working alongside the women, and it was great to be in their environment, with their children and friends. It really is a community- what's mine is yours, and what's yours, is ours. I got to help make papusas, tamales and atol (sweet, hot corn juice). I look forward to making tamales in my own kitchen!
Surprise (God's work):
Early in the week, I made friends with William (15 years old), and he was interested in learning some English. So William and I started out with some easy phrases like "My name is __" and "I am 15 years old". As William and I talked (usually near someones house or in the road), other young men became interested and joined us. It was God's work through me, as 6-8 young men stood in the road, all taking turns saying English phrases. Even the shy ones ("No puedo"), in the end, would take their turn at my encouragement (Si, tu puedes). This happened at least three times, and whenever one of them would see me in the village, they would say to me (in English): Good morning or Thank you.
God's word to me during the week:
Fall into my arms, and let me do the work.
Accident:
On Saturday, before we returned to Seattle, we decided to do the zip-line across Lake Suchitlan. For $5 you can ride a zip-line to an island, and another zip-line back. I am normally averse to zip-lines... the thought of falling 200 feet into a gorge to my death, makes me nervous. But since this line was over water, I felt safe... I can always swim a half mile to shore (even with a 20 lb harness attached to me); so I was alright with it- what could go wrong? As I stood on the platform, waiting to go, I said out loud: Protect me, Jesus. I was the first to try it and after you get over the initial scare, it was fun. On the way back, I noticed a tour boat (about the size of a "Ride-the-Duck" boat) in my path. I thought: I wonder if I am going to clear that boat? As I got closer: I don't think that I am going to clear that boat. I braced myself for impact. The next thing I knew, was that I was stopped over the water, and hanging from my harness, with a sore back and no glasses. I thought: Dang, I hit the boat. I don't remember the impact or losing my glasses. When I opened my eyes, I thought there might be a possibility that I would see Jesus! The boat had made a U-turn and the pilot was throwing me a rope, to tow me back to shore. My right side was sore, as well my left leg, shoulder and arm. I had a large scrape on my left shoulder blade. I later developed huge bruises over my leg and arm. On shore, I laid on a bench, thinking: Thank God that I can move my feet! The boat pilot came to me and apologized (he did not see me). "Estoy bien", I said with tears in my eyes. As I write this, I thank our Lord, Jesus for protecting me. My ribs are bruised and I am sore all over, but I can walk! Thank you for the prayers of the saints (you)! I will be OK, but I ask for your continued prayers as I heal.
I look forward to returning to El Salvador sometime in the next year or two. I have formed even stronger friendships there, and there is nothing better than the Agros model for self-sufficiency and human dignity.
See the Agros web site:
http://www.agros.org/ag/our-villages/el-salvador/san-diego-de-tenango/
