Thank You, from Kristyn

I learned so much on this trip to El Salvador, about myself and God. God really showed me his glory through the people there. Even though there was a language barrier I was able to have some of the best conversations with the people there. The love that was given and shown without hesitation by the people was one of the most remarkable things I've seen. I want to thank you so much for supporting me. That was one of the best weeks of my life!

Thank you, from Laura

Saying that we poured a lot of our hearts into El Salvador might be true, but I would like to think that El Salvador poured it's heart into a lot of us. Our team encountered people that in every way blew us out of our comfort zones, and who pursued us to Love in ways that we never had before. We are all so grateful and thankful for your support through our trip, we definitely could not have gotten as far as the Charlotte Airport on July 4th without your help but really without God's.

From Nancy

Thank you so much for your support. It was so great being with all the kids. I saw soft hearts, open eyes, listening ears and a strong work ethic in each one. You were a part of that by supporting us. Lives were touched by each dollar given and each prayer lifted up.

From Rebecca

I want to say "thank you" to everyone who gave and prayed for our team! You are such a blessing and I'm truly thankful for you and God's provision throughout the trip. I learned so much last week.
Both church in El Salvador and the prayer meeting we were able to attend impacted me very much. The peoples´ sincere passion and commitment to God was inspiring and convicting. I was encouraged throughout the week to be more purposeful about spending time daily with God, seek His will, and serve others humbly. One thing God impressed on me this week was that He is forever faithful. He taught me so much each and every day, much of which I´m still trying to process. God gave me answers to some things I've been praying about over the last several months. He also definitely used our week in El Salvador to instill in me a passion for Latin American culture, Spanish, and missions.

From Danielle

The words 'thank you' don't seem to really cover my gratitude for your gift and prayers that helped to make the El Salvador trip the success that it was! One of the pastors that we worked with, Pastor Mario, helped to answer the question of "Is short term missions worth it?" with a resounding yes! Listening to him talk about the difference that short term trips have made in the communities we ministered in, and then having the joy of seeing kids' faces light up with the love and attention we got to shower them with makes it all worth it! God taught us each so much on this trip, and it's hard to pick just one thing to share with you- it would take pages to cover it all! But, for me, God specifically taught me about overcoming fears and uncertainties and learning to be bold even in circumstances that are unsure. Thanks again for the part you played in getting us there and back home safely. I pray that our return will allow us to bear new fruit in the places we live our everyday lives!

In Him, Danielle Adams

From Katelyn

Thank you so much for supporting me and the team. This wonderful experience would not have been possible without you. One of the things God showed me through this experience is what a great friend He is. He is always there for you and we can talk to Him about anything. I made some really great friends but I would have never met them without your help and i really appreciate it. It was the best experience of my life and I would not trade it for anything. Thank you so much!

Thanks from James

I learned about the poverty that exists in El Salvador. It is overwhelming. The thing I noticed most was shoes (since I had them next to my head so much!) Few of the children there were wearing shoes that an American child would even consider. Many were worn to the sole and were cut in places to allow for growing feet. The kids with sandals were fortunate. Another thing is how lovable the children were. On the first day of VBS, the kids ran out to us shouting "Gringos, gringos!" and the first thing they would do was hug us. A more serious thing I saw was the love in Pastor Mario's church. The woman sitting next to me, though a total stranger, loved me. I could tell by the way she prayed over me in Spanish and said "God bless you" in broken English. This is even more powerful because twenty years ago we would have been political enemies. She truly expressed a Christ-like desire to love all people.

Thanks from Caleb

I can't even thank you all enough for how much you prayed and gave for us to be able to go to El Salvador. I feel that El Salvador was a life changing event and I'm trying to use what I learned to help me at home and in my day to day life. I loved the kids we got to work with and teach about God's love. It was a completely new type of place and I hope to go back really soon. Thanks again for all you each did for me.

Pray for us as we 're-enter"

A few team members have the "post-mission-trip blues," or are struggling with the American way of life. Pray that we continue to seek God and humbly live for him....wherever we are.

we've landed in houston (woo hoo!!) and scott's cell phone does not work

Everyone is back on their feet

Everyone that was sick appears to be over it now. Everyone is out of bed and going about their day (although a few are still moving gently). So far, no one else has gone down.





We are wrapping up ESL/VBS today. It has gone well (thanks Dana for all your help), but it has had its challenges too. One group had about 25 kids each day, most of whom were very well behaved. The other group had between 50-75 each day, and most of those kids were a little less than well-behaved. The language barrier was difficult to overcome (even with the ESL stuff), but Terri and Nathanael have been translation machines this week. They are both pretty much brain dead now, but they've had a blast.



This evening the group is dividing for dinner. Carlos Calderon is taking his team to get pupusas as a "thank you." I think the other group is going to go get some pupusas somewhere else. We will spend the evening processing the week. Tomorrow, we are going to a local baseball game that some of the kids are playing in. After the game, we will head to the beach for a day to relax and continue processing all that we have seen/done/experienced.



Please pray that each team member is open to hear what God is saying to them. The next 24 hours could prove to be life changing for some in our group.

From Katelyn

Hello everyone,
Man it has been such a great week i absolutely love it here. Playing with kids has been so much fun. It is amazing how they get so excited over our digital cameras. they love taking pictures and it makes me smile to see them smiling about something we would think was so simple. God has showed me a lot this week but mostly that He is our friend and will always be there. I have made a really good friend with someone 1 year younger then me and because of the language barrier we can barely say anything. But every time i see her we always smile. Ive learned to relate this to our friendship with God. We cant see Him but we know that He is always there and is our best friend. Just like i cant really talk to my friend (well without Nathaniel at least) but im always happy to see her. God has been very present here and its so fun to see how things are so much different here than in America.
Well i love and miss you guys!! Mommy im ok dont worry about me :)
Katelyn

From Clark

I am alive and happy

Why We Love Jim Foulkes

1. He climbs insane ladders and mountains with the rest of us
2. His stories inspire, convict, and entertain
3. His steadfast faith is so encouraging
4. He loves being with us
5. The coolest 82 year old (almost) that we have ever met

From Nancy Landry

Hi --
What a great trip! We have an amazing team. Scott is, as usual, leading us with love, humility,humor and wisdom. It is great to have Lisa here; she is a great resource and it
is so nice to have somone "from home" with us.

We have a great group of kids--each day I love seeing them work hard with smiles on their faces.
They are doing whatever it takes, loving the kids and the people here. They have all adjusted to the different culture, food, etc with ease (even the ones who have been a bit under the weather)
I am so proud of each one of them.

Can't wait for a hot shower on Sunday :-) even though I am loving the cold showers now :-)

From Rebecca Landry

Hi to everyone in Boone (I miss you, Daddy and Rach!). El Salvador is incredible so far. The country is beautiful and I love it! Today everyone was a little tired and worn down, I think, but things are going really well. The food is def really good ;) The choco bananas are one of my favorites and the pupusas are delicious! God has been so faithful to draw us together as a team and He is teaching me lots. His presence here and the sincerity of the believers here is so humbling and inspiring.
I miss everyone in Boone lots, but I'm not really looking forward to being back in the states on Sunday. It's been an awesome trip. God is so faithful!

From Scott Haynes

Hi mom i WANT TO WASH DISHES ALL DAY LONG!!! Woo hoo. Ok back to reality, I think that the best thing so far would have to be the hike. It was so much fun and the ladder was also very fun to go up on. We had to help a few people get up it, but it was still fun. I got sick today and almost died! AHHHH!!! Just kidding. I really did get sick but I am now recovering. What really gets me is their driving. It's insane!!! There are like no rules about driving in El Salvador, really, its crazy. Today alot of people got sick but most of us are recovering from it. The VBS's are really going great. We have had around 25-30 kids each day, so its pretty fun. Well I have nothing else to say so good-bye.

A Hard 24 Hours

Most of the team is having to "push through" today. We're tired, a few more are sick, and we're witnessing some difficult situations.

But, everyone is choosing joy and giving it everything they've got. We have not had a single relational issue among our team. No fights, no arguments...nothing. Everyone continues to "deal with" cold showers (he have no hot water at all) and with a different kind of "facility." About 1/3 of the team has now spent some quality and quantity time with the toilet. But the "bug" only lasts for about 24 hours.

Pray for us today - ask God to give us strength to keep going, and to use us in our weakness.

From Danielle

So, we've been in El Sal. for 4 days now and I can't believe we're halfway through the trip! God's teaching us so much- I can't wait to share the stories! I'm in the half of our group that is ministering to the 'community housing'- homes for displaced people (due to natural disasters, war, etc.). These people are among some of the poorest in this area, and there's evidence everywhere of gang activity. Although it can be rather intimidating to be there at times, seeing the need for love in the eyes of the kids that hurl themselves at you as soon as you get a quarter of a mile from the site is encouragement enough! I continue to pray that God will give me boldness to love these kids in a clear and extravagant way!

Well, I've got to go to debriefing time... Thanks for reading :)

From "Mauricio" El Presidente"

Hola! Como estas?

WOW! Our God is surely moving here in Zacamil, San Salvador, El Salvador!

Sunday was INCREDIBLE!! what a growing experience to attend a church with little understanding of the language! The worship was incredible. The faith of the people of San Salvador is truly inspiring! VBS at Pastor Carlos's church has gone well so far. However, it HAS had its bumps, as we are some of the first Gringo groups to be involved with his church. But it has been truly a blessing to minister to these kids. I've made some fast friends in Necco and Santiago, two brothers from our apartment complex and Paco, another boy from the complex.

Well, I have to go. Dinner's up! God bless you in boone. We are praying for you guys. Love you!

Murray

It is spelled "pupusas" not "papoosas."

From Kristyn

Hola! El Salvador is amazing and the kids are the best part. They are so accepting and willing to kiss and hug you after you've seen them for two seconds. Being here is incredible and I am really enjoying it. It is reallllllyyyyy buggy here! VBS is going great with the kids, our group had 80 kids today and it was so chaotic. I am making so many friends, my best friend here is Eduardo who is 7 years old and smiles all the time and loves talking to me and learning how to say things in English.
The best time I've had so far was riding to Mister Donut in the rain with Lisa Merrit driving fast over bumps! I am having fun and miss everyone!

Our Hike

We hiked Porta Del Diablo today - "Door of the Devil." It was awesome, and the devil was no where around.

From Laura

Mucho Gusto!- or something of that nature. Good Gracious, God has definitely been working in El Salvador. You can see it in the eyes of the people here. It amazes me that we treat Latinos in America almost in the opposite way they have treated and will continue to treat Americans here. Our team has formed such close relationships with the children here, I know it will be difficult to leave them. Miss you and wish you could see God the way we are here, but I know God is showing you great things back in Boone as well.

From Khristina

This experience has been more than amazing. God has blessed and showed me so many things. I love being here. The culture is so different from America and its eye opening how consumed we get with earthy possessions. I have also loved getting to sit and listen to Jim talk about his life and hear the devotions he has prepared for us. Miss all of you!

From Olivia

AH! The week so far has been amazing! I know all of us have made friends that we will remember forever. I made a friend that knows a lot of English so we are able to have conversations, but nothing to in depth. The language barrier is the most difficult thing to deal with for me. I really wish I knew Spanish. Keep praying! Miss you guys back home.

Another Good Day

We heard an amazing testimony from Tia Ana this morning. We also had another good day of ESL/VBS.

Tonight we ate Papoosas and went to a prayer meeting.

We have a few queezy stomachs, but everyone is hanging in there.

Keep Praying...God is blessing us

I am so proud to be the youth pastor of this group, and to be part of a church like ABF. Continue to pray for us. We have enjoyed many blessings so far..but we have a bunch still ahead of us.

I think this team was made for this kind of stuff

Every member of this team is doing incredible. Everyone is willing, open, humble, and eager. So far, no one is sick-and everyone is getting along and having a blast. We might have a few future vocational missionaries on this team :)

Sorry we haven't been blogging

Internet has been unreliable. Lisa Merritt is posting pics on her facebook with her iphone.

The first 24 Hours

Things are going well here in El Salvador. Everyone is healthy, happy, and enjoying life here in El Salvador.

We Have Arrived

9:00pm (El Salvador time). We are here, safe and sound. No problems in the airport. A very smooth day. Thanks for your prayers.

Internet limited.

Charlotte Airport

The car ride down was easy. We all made it through Check-in and Security without any problems.

We're sitting in Gate A12 now. Most of the team has filled themselves with sugar, compliments of Cinna-bun. Except for Caleb and Scott H. - they got KFC at 10 am. Wow.

Just waiting to board.....

BAD News!

The team will head to El Salvador without one of our team members. RuthAnne has been diagnosed with mono and will not be able to go!

RuthAnne is very disappointed, and has asked for some time before we contact her. Please keep her in your prayers and give her a little time before talking with her.

RuthAnne - you are irreplaceable. The team will miss you and your gifts. It will be hard to not have you there. These are not just words....we leave with a gigantic hole in our team.

We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers - trying to trust that God has reasons beyond our understanding. May God restore your health. May God help us a team to move foward.