a kindred spirit

My new friend Kathy Porter, a missionary living in San Julián, Sonsonate, El Salvador, stayed with us for five days last week, shadowing us (missionaries), meeting the kids and learning what it's like to manage a children's home. She has a beautiful soul, overflowing with a tangible love for God, which she graciously shares with others. I really enjoyed spending time with her, chatting about life, playing games, hearing stories about her family and their previous mission work in Juarez, Mexico. I was shocked to learn they lived there; it's so dangerous!

Kathy and Shelby, 14

While she was here, Kathy also played her guitar, leading us in singing worship songs (most in Spanish, some in English). When I told her I always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, she started to teach me. Now I intend to purchase a cheap guitar at a market, so I can continue learning and practicing.

The following post about Love & Hope comes from Kathy's family blog, Porters Across the Borders. It echoes my admiration for Rachel and my thoughts about every individual's ability to make a positive change in the world.

Can Short-term Mission Trips have a Lasting Impact? Last week, we had the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Los Planes, called, Hogar Infantil Amor Y Esperanza. (Love and Hope Children’s Home) It is run by a young woman named Rachel Sanson, who has lived in El Salvador since she was 20. She came to El Salvador for the first time, on a short-term mission trip with her church in Ohio, at the age of 14. Every summer after that, she would return again. She fell in love with the hurting children of El Salvador, and determined that, one day, she would return to El Salvador to stay, and that she would open an orphanage. She did just that. I would guess that she is in her late twenties. One by one, she and the staff that God has brought her, have opened their home and hearts to love and heal these helpless ones. I watched her cradle Jeremiah, the little bundle that she in the process of adopting as her own son. He is three years old. As she held him, she quietly spoke to other children, and gave instructions to the ladies that were cooking lunch in the kitchen. God has done amazing things helping this one woman to reach the hurting children whose lives she has touched. He has provided in ways that remind me of George Mueller, and his orphanages in Bristol, England. Her first children were three brothers. They lived on the garbage dump with 7 other siblings, being cared for by their grandma. This family was barely hanging on by a thread. But, then, the government came in and shut down this dump, causing many families living there to be dispersed. They lost the one thing that was keeping them alive…the food people had discarded. This family imploded, and all the children became seriously malnourished. The worst Rachel had ever seen. At this point, the grandmother asked her if she could take the three boys and care for them. She had been working on a project at the dump, andknew this family well. She knew it was God’s appointment, and said, “YES!” She opened the doors of Hogar Infantil Amor Y Esperanza with these three brothers. That was about 8 years ago. Since then, those three boys have been adopted into a family in the United States. Many other children have come and gone, having their lives permanently touched and changed by the love and hope that was shown to them at this home. I was struck by the fact that this ONE young woman has impacted the lives of so many people; simply because of the love of Jesus. He put His love for these children in her heart. Then, she acted on it…she did something about it. She took a giant leap of faith, and moved from her comfortable life in the U.S., to El Salvador…a third world country. Remember, she first came as a young, impressionable youth of fourteen years. Some people ask, “What impact does short-term missions really have? It’s only a week. What can be accomplished in just a week? What lasting impact can you really have?” Well, Rachel’s story is just the answer to this type of question. Rachel’s heart was stirred for others. Her life was never the same. Because of her obedience, when she stands in glory before Jesus…she will stand with those whose lives she has changed for eternity. So, what impact can short-term missions have, really? Decide for yourself. Next time someone tells you they are raising funds for a short-term mission trip, think about Rachel. Give and pray. You never, never, never know what God is going to do in the heart of the one who goes!!!! If you want to be very blessed, check out Love and Hope’s blog, full of great stories and pictures…www.blog.loveandhopechildrenshome.com

our team

Salvadoran Board of Directors
U.S. Board of Directors

Love & Hope Leadership Team

Executive Director (Kelly)

Director of Childcare (Rachel)

Director of Communications/part-time driver (Justin)

Administrative Assistant (Me)

Professionals
Social Worker
Psychologist

Childcare (48 hr & 72 hr shifts)
Tías/Tíos = 10

Security (24 hr shifts)
Guards = 3

Reports to Administrative Assistant

Drivers = 2

Cook = 1

Pastor* = 1 
*provides outreach/pastoral services to a
community displaced by earthquakes in 2001

chamba love

 Cheo, age 3, told me, "¡Eres fea!" (You are ugly!)

Chamba, age 6, immediately came to my defense, "¡No! ¡Eres bonita!"

(No! You are pretty!) and then gave me a hug.

Photo cred: KEU

$15.00

I didn't plan on buying a cell phone, but have decided it's best to have one, since I won't be driving and have to be dropped off and picked up everywhere I go. Thankfully, it's cheap. $15.00 bought me a tiny, pay-as-you-go cell phone.

día de los padres

 Last Friday, El Salvador celebrated Father's Day. On Tuesday morning (a few days late), the kids, with the help of our social worker, Gloria, celebrated our tíos and hermanos (male caregivers, drivers and guards) by imitating them in skits. Afterwards, there were muffins for all.

Linda as Tío Miguel. According to the kids, Miguel likes to show them karate moves.

Daniela as Hermano Jorge, asking nonsensical questions & giving the kids treats.

Kevin as Tío Luis, making the kids finish their homework and chores before playing.

Jefferson as Hermano Alberto, yelling for the kids to board the microbus for school.

Osiel as Hermano Carlos.

Linda reading a poem to conclude the celebration.

"I am only one, but still I am one.

Many people have asked me, “What does the Home need? What can we donate?” Now that I have been here a week, my answer is: while donations are appreciated, right now what we need most is to pay our operational costs, which means we need more sponsors and monetary donations.

Therefore, please spread the news about Love & Hope to all you know. If everyone who reads this blog told just one person about Love & Hope and that one person was able to donate $5/month, that would raise approximately $500.00/month (enough to buy groceries for a week).

If you'd like to DO something, hold a bake sale, car wash, or garage sale. Use these opportunities to educate others about Love & Hope and donate the proceeds of your event. If you are part of a Bible study, Life Group, etc., perhaps your group would be able to sponsor a child ($35/month).

I know every person cannot afford to make a large financial contribution or start sponsoring a child, but as Helen Keller says, everyone is able to do something, and every little bit helps, whether that be $5/month or talking to others about the children of Love & Hope. 

If you have other ideas about how to spread the word or raise funds, please let me know. I would love to share them with the leadership team here and the Board of AME International.

Finally, thank you for your interest in and support of my experience and of Love & Hope. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity and to have so many people praying for and encouraging me throughout this journey.

Much love and God Bless,
Amanda

footprints

On Tuesday I learned that Love & Hope is in debt.

Twice a month, money is wired from AME International, and this month both payments were several thousand dollars short. Before arriving, even before making the decision to volunteer, I knew the Home often struggles to make ends meet, but I didn't realize that the lack of operational costs is a constant burden, weighing heavily on the missionaries', and now my, shoulders.

When I learned about our debt, anxiety crept its way into my heart and mind. What will happen to the kids if we can't make rent? Can't buy food? Can't buy water? Can't buy gas? And, selfishly, what will I do? Was it a good idea to come here?

I began to feel overwhelmed.

Before I left the states, my aunt sent me a daily devotional called Jesus Calling by missionary Sarah Young. I have been reading it every morning since I arrived, and, to my surprise and joy, after a few days of wondering both what I had gotten myself into and how I could help solve this problem, I read:

“Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don’t take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor MY responsibilities – things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain…Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

I felt as if God was speaking directly to me and reminding me that He is in control. I am not to worry. I am to use the gifts He has given me to serve the Home in the role I have been given, and to leave the rest in His hands. As a control freak, perfectionist and Type A personality, I believe that part of what I am to learn by being here is to “let go and let God.” It’s one of the most difficult concepts for me, and perhaps for anyone, to practice – to stop worrying and to trust wholeheartedly that He will provide for all my needs and bring success to my endeavors, if they coincide with His will.

After reading this passage, recognizing my need to let go, and praying, my anxiety has started to melt away. It’s still partially there, but with God’s (and my friends’ and family’s) help, I hope to eliminate it and allow God to carry me, Footprints in the Sand.

¡bienvenidos a el salvador!

After a long day of travel, including an hour delay on the
plane in Houston because of a broken air conditioning unit,
Adam and I arrived in San Salvador at 9:00 p.m. and made it to
Love & Hope at 10:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. EST). Our first day
has been restful and relaxing; we participated in fellowship
(Bible study and prayer) with the other volunteers this morning
and took the rest of the day to unpack, get settled, nap,
meet the staff and spend time with the kids.

My new digs.

The volunteers stay in this area, below the main house. 

My room is the top right door and Adam's is the bottom right.

Views from the bottom looking up. 

The house has four floors, not including the roof.

We've already come across numerous creatures in the past 

24 hours. Last night, we almost ran into a horse and its foal 

crossing the airport highway. A small lizard has been running 

around my room, but every time I try to take a picture, 

it hides. I've seen several interesting insects, including 

this praying mantis and walking stick bug. 

It's already dark here, and it's only 6:30 p.m.

I am going to miss Ohio's summer.

the sending forth

The week before Spring Break all the Ohio Wesleyan Mission Teams to gather together to participate in the Sending Forth ceremony. It is a joyful, peaceful, prayerful, candlelit tradition that blesses, strengthens and uplifts each team as they embark on their mission experience. God, again, showed that He works in mysterious ways, as at Saturday night Mass I experience my own unexpected sending forth.

This weekend we are celebrating Pentecost, when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Later, He sends them out to fulfill their mission of spreading the Good News. As I sat in the pew, listening to the readings and homily, I smiled inwardly and thought this story to be very appropriate for me and my journey, but did not anticipate what happened next.

As we reached the end of the petitions, Father Gaetano moved to the front of the altar and said, "And now I'd like to invite Amanda and Adam Stewart, children of Daphne Stewart, to come and join me up front for a blessing." What? Did I hear him correctly? My heart skipped a beat and I sucked in my breath, while at the same time my body followed an ingrained response to hearing someone call my name; it automatically rose from the pew, even though I was doubting what I had heard. Did he really call my name? I glanced at my mom, sitting on my right, and she was grinning from ear to ear. That's all the confirmation I needed. I can't believe this. I followed my brother up the aisle to stand, facing the congregation, in front of Father Gaetano.

I will be the first to admit that there are times that I don't mind being the center of attention, but those are the times when I choose the where and when. This was not one of those times, and to be honest, I was mortified. I felt my cheeks grow warm and I tried to avoid eye contact with everyone, even as Father Gaetano so kindly explained why he had called Adam and I to the front and asked the congregation to extend their hands to bless us. Unfortunately, it was not my finest moment, as I was too shocked and embarrassed to appreciate what was happening.

By the end Mass, though, I was able to process the event, and realized I am lucky to have the love and support of my mother, who asked for the blessing, Father Gaetano, and the parishioners at 4:30 p.m. Mass. In any endeavor, but especially ones like this El Salvador experience, it is important to have as many people in your corner as you can. I am grateful to have the support of my family, friends, work and church communities, and to have had such a special sending forth at Christ the Servant Parish at Our Lady of Peace Church.

And now I also know why my mom insisted I change into nicer clothes and put on some makeup before Mass...

fútbol

Marietta College, 2002

I love playing soccer. I love the teamwork - making the perfect pass to a teammate, getting the assist; the celebratory high fives; knowing my teammate love the game as much as I do. I love the strategy and competition - making runs into open space; positioning myself so opponents don't know I am behind them, coming "out of nowhere" to steal the ball; containing opponents, waiting for them to make a mistake; sprinting down the field to beat them to the ball. I even love the arm-grabbing, elbowing, and pushing.

Yesterday, I played in my last game (for at least a year) with a team I have grown to know and love, University of Phoenix FC. Playing with this team had been my best soccer experience since college, and I will miss it dreadfully. Best wishes for a fantastic season to all my teammates on U of P FC - kick some butt!

Happily, my time at Love & Hope will not be fútbol-less, but my soccer experience will be different; it focus less on me and more on others. As in many Central and South American countries, soccer is the most popular sport in El Salvador. Several of the Love & Hope kids are on a soccer team that plays and practices at a park located just down the street from the home, and I envision spending a substantial chunk of time cheering the kids on at their games.

And if you think playing on an organized team would be enough soccer for them, you thought wrong. Every night the soccer-team kids, plus a few more, head up to the (enclosed) 4th floor balcony and play the most ferocious and dangerous game of soccer I have ever seen. The floor is slick tile, the "field" is approximately 14" by 16", and 4 floor-to-ceiling pillars serve as the goal posts. And the kids GO AT IT. They play in bare feet, kick the ball (thankfully it's rubber and not a real soccer ball) as hard as they can, and have no mercy.

Love & Hope, 4th floor balcony

When I first saw them play in March, I thought, "There's no way I am ever playing with them; I may only be 26, but with that surface and the way they play I would probably fall and break a hip!" But (surprise, surprise) I had a change of heart (or a temporary loss of sanity) and the very next night I was right there in the middle of the chaos and loving it. I fell a few times, did not break a hip, but came close to twisting an ankle, but it didn't matter. What mattered is I was spending time with the kids, making them happy, and lucky for me, that makes me happy, too.