Winchester

I journaled the other day about the rest of training and about our trip to GBGM, and I'm going to transfer that to blog form one of these days, but right now I'm so excited to be at my site, to be with Sra. de la Rosa, that I just have to talk about Winchester and get you all caught up later.

So I arrived yesterday night after contracting poisen ivy, coming down with a cold, and having a 3-hour plane delay. :)

Needless to say I was exhausted, but I was so warmly welcomed (the children I will be working with this summer had made me a huge yellow banner and Sra. de la Rosa, my supervisor and another volunteer all greeted me and helped me carry my luggage) that I began to feel better just by being there and by being surrounded by such kind, loving, welcoming people.

We stopped for Mexican on the way home from the airport-- Sra. de la Rosa is so funny; she seems to know every town by its Mexican restraunts. Apparently the city we'll stay in for annual conference has a GREAT Mexican restraunt, so good that I've been guaranteed a meal there sometime next week.

Living with Sra. de la Rosa has been wonderful. She is so thoughtful. She bought me flowers to make my room feel inviting; she showed me pictures of her family, told me their stories, shared with me her own.

I spent most of the day resting. Sra. de la Rosa took me to an urgent care facility in the morning. After running by the pharmacy, she dropped me back by the house and left for the church. She leads the Spanish worship service at 4pm and then sticks around to be present with the families and to drive people home if they need it. She left around 12 this afternoon and did not return until 8pm. My supervisor warned me that Sra. de la Rosa stays busy (the result of a huge heart and a desire to meet as many needs as she possibly can), but I was amazed when she came in so late and still wanted to take me to the grocery store to stock up on foods to make me feel more at home. We had a wonderful visit on our way to and from the grocery store, and during dinner she shared with me about her call, about all the places God has led her, about the struggles she has overcome. She assurred me that God will eventually "hook" me and pull me into my calling, until then I wait. :)

Some things I learned today:

In El Salvador, they don't use the terms Senora or Senorita; instead, women are called nina-- Nina Nicole, Nina Martha.

An expression used when you get ready in a hurry: Manitos de gatos. (Picture a cat tidying itself up with its paws).