The Weekend

Hi everyone, hope you had a good weekend. From the emails and phonecalls we've had from some of you, it sounds like the heat of summer is finally sweeping the continent. And boy is it hot here. Marty and I tried to find some shade on Saturday and so we went to the public Botanical Garden that remains in an industrial part of town. I liked the garden, but loved the coconut sorbet! Marty is discovering new things on this trip as well. We were pleasantly surprised to see that one part of the garden grew lettuce, chard, onions, bananas, etc. for the garden employees. They had started a compost and had a notice about how it is used, describing the benefits of keeping one. On the way there, Marty drove me to the place where he used to live with Samaritans Purse. Wow. It was a huge house, with a pool, in a gated community, with a private park... pretty posh. I can see why he wanted to move out into the countryside for a year.

Speaking of the countryside, we had visitors on Saturday who were the family Marty lived with his last year here. They taught him more about the land. While living with them he picked coffee, worked in the sugar cane fields, and harvested red beans. He really loves them. The visit was a bit unfortunate though bc Chepe (one of three Chepe's) was in the military hospital just down the street from us. He's been in a wheel chair since the war (about 20 yrs) and was experiencing fever and other symptoms due to his diabetes. He may be in the hospital all month. So we saw him, and his brother-in-law Chepe and his sister Lupe and cousin Anna. Anna was very sweet to me and talked with me as I tried to piece together what she was saying and offer a few comments of my own! The best part was being with them and getting to know them a little before next weekend, when we will travel to see their home in Tepetitan. Marty enjoyed joking with them, bc even though Chepe felt bad he still had his sense of humor.

Yesterday we went to the beach for lunch, not to swim, and found a great place to celebrate our anniversary. So, today we leave for Comasagua, home of Pastor Jose Luis, Sylvia and their seven kids. Two of whom are named after Marty and Ashley. We'll stay with them the night, go to church (which happens every evening) and then stop at the place we found yesterday for an overnight at the gorgeous beach pictured above. I can't wait to show you pics of the artisans in Comasagua. Their skill and detail is amazing. Love to you all...

Meeting Friends

As many of you know, Marty lived in El Salvador for three years before coming to Vancouver where we met. While he was here, he made friends with many beautiful people. I have begun to meet them, trying to speak Spanish and having Marty as the go between. Emily helped me each Friday over the last few months to practice the language (thanks Em!) Marty and David (pictured above) hung out so last night I was on my own, with the girls helping me out, during the prayer group that Ashley hosts on Thursdays. If Ashley's reading this, three girls came because it was pouring rain! But we had a good time together, and of course Lulu was enjoyment enough! Lulu was born the day before Marty and I were married last year. It's fun to see a baby represent time in such a personal way. It will be special to me to watch her grow and mature, kind of like having a living reminder/metaphor of the stages in our marriage relationship. It was really nice to be invited into the close friendships of these women and to pray for God's mercy in our lives.

Today we spent time with Ruby, who came last night, because she wanted to take us to a cafe on the volcano. (Dane, we passed a fire truck... but I didn't see Vancouver's name on it!) We drove and drove up and around these lush coffee forests. Marty has good memories from picking coffee beans during his time here so I'm sure we'll be talking more about it. Ruby was right about the volcano's view. It was gorgeous and much cooler at the high altitude. Speaking of which, these pictures cost my equilibrium, so pls enjoy! We were surrounded by orange trees as well and we had coffee from the coffee trees that surrounded us. We bought some ground beans from the cafe and it was nice not having a middle man in the hopes that workers can be paid a fair price. (Watching the documentary Black Gold has given me a new perspective on the wealth of coffee. If you haven't seen it, check it out. Our day to day choices can really trickle down to effect the choices of those who farm things for our consumption). Anyway, getting to know Ruby was a treat. She's an architect and very talented. I hope she'll find ways to increase the knowledge of her craft. We had a really good time talking and sharing our stories as well as getting out of the city and experiencing the beauty of the land.

Oh, and how could I forget!? If any of you know my excitement for donuts, you'll be pleased to know that there is a MR. DONUT here in our neighborhood! haha. I know it's not pupusas (a true Salvadorean delicacy) but I feel it's my duty to experience all of the culture in my area :) Ashley and Elvis, the pan con pollo has been one of my favorites, too. So glad you told us about it.

En El Salvador

We arrived at Ashley and Elvis's on Tuesday evening to meet Marty's dear friend David, who graciously drove out to pick us up from the airport even though gas is around $5/gal. We've been taking it easy and enjoying the neighborhood as well as Ashley and Elvis's beautiful home. Ashley advised us to enjoy the AC in the supermarket as well, because it very hot here, and we have not let her down. We Vancouverites, who need to wring ourselves out from all the rain, have found a suitable warm place to get in touch with the sun again!

Marty and I decided to drive out to Fernando Llort's gallery, called "El Arbol de Dios": Tree of God, this morning and were not disappointed with beautiful artwork and people. Everyone warms up to Marty right away, so we were able to witness the handiwork and quality of design that takes place in the workshops. We have a few photos that show the studio, although we'll have to bring you some of the designs in person. This family of three have worked with Fernando for over twenty years. In one year, they were able to complete 5,000 tiles for a mural that compliments the national cathedral downtown! Anibal, one of the artisans, was telling us a story of the war when he drove himself & his two sisters up to La Palma Chalatenango (where Fernando lives) and offered the soldiers/guerilla fighters who ran the road blocks cigars or other treats to let them through. Fernando has trained so many people to both be a part of his art making as well as creating their own. He established a group of artisans in La Palma who were previously in poverty, but can now carry out their own artwork as a profitable trade. Fernando is famous for expressing the history of his forefathers/mothers with his own experiences of El Salvador. Very bright, beautiful, almost heiroglyphic characateurs and murals of the land and its people.

Marty and I are really enjoying this time of vacation together. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Tonight I will host the women from Ruta 3:16, Ashley and Elvis's church, for their Bible Study while Marty (Who's not allowed!) gets to hang with David. Hopefully David and Lucy's one yr old will come to the Bible Study... Lulu... more pics of this beautful babe to come.