Hofs travel to El Salvador

----Day 1 - Leaving for El Salvador-----

We loaded up the suitcases full of gifts and crafts, but with Rob’s status, luggage allowances are not a problem. We were up before the sun for what ended up being a long day.

There was tons of confusion at the airport when we arrived. Our flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue to the point where we’d miss the only connecting flight to El Salvador. Delta offered to Uber us to Atlanta or rebook for tomorrow. We decided to stay on the original flight and take our chances. Once we got to the gate, the agents were saying that it was on-time. Then we didn’t have a crew, so it was going to be delayed again. Once we got on board, there was about another 45 minute delay due to problems with fuel paperwork. We made it as far as Atlanta and Delta gave us free food and a nice hotel for the night. We took an Uber to Target and back to get some supplies since our luggage spent the night at ATL.

 

---------------------DAY 2 ---------------------

Travel day part 2! Wearing the same clothes from yesterday, we made it from the hotel to the other side of security in 30 mins, which is a huge accomplishment in ATL!   We had breakfast at Starbucks compliments of our leftover food vouchers.

 We got to the gate to discover that our flight was delayed and then a bit later there was a gate change. I guess the Lord was just making sure we were flexible and relaxed 😁.

 We had an uneventful 3.5 hour flight. The El Salvador airport is clean and super easy to navigate and customs and immigration was a breeze. You don’t have to fill out any paperwork like in other countries. We just needed to purchase tourist cards (like a visa) at the passport control desk and show them the address where we were staying. The agent was courteous and spoke English. One of the suitcases that was on a one way trip decided to go out with a bang and lost a wheel, but we were thankful that it held together on the baggage claim carousel. With T-Mobile, we added an International plan and our phones connected without issue and we were able to communicate with Bob throughout the process. Bob and one of the adult girls who grew up at MiCasa met us in the crowd outside the airport and helped us with the luggage for the short walk to the van.

 The 45-minute drive to the House of Life was uneventful. The roads are good and traffic was manageable. The House of Life contains 2 houses within the walls around the property (most properties in Central/South America have high concrete walls around the property for privacy and security). The main house is where the kitchen is and where the girls and Tia’s stay. The second house is accessed by short walk across the back yard. The first level is currently unused, but may contain a Beauty Parlor and Bob’s office in the future. The upstairs contains three large bedrooms with a bathroom in each. The bedrooms contain several beds and has an AC unit. The bathrooms are modern and there’s ample hot water for showers. The upstairs also has a kitchenette with fridge, microwave, and toaster oven.

 We spent the evening getting ready for beach day tomorrow. We prepared 16 lbs of hamburger meat with chopped peppers, onions, and bacon. We went to Walmart to purchase food, drinks, and sand toys for the beach. We were also looking for slime supplies (Elmer’s glue, baking soda, and saline solution) that unexpectantly ended up being very difficult to find! We were regretting our decision to purchase those items in country in an effort to save on suitcase space. Warning to future travelers, if you wear contacts, bring plenty of saline. We eventually found some after a couple of pharmacies and paid $10 for a small bottle. We ate at the Panda Express next to the Walmart out of convenience. It was good and very similar to ones in the US.

 We got to meet a few of the girls back at the house and will meet everyone else tomorrow. We ended the day tired, but feeling perfectly safe in and around San Salvador.

Gallon size Worcestershire ... But can't find baking soda..

View of the Airport on the way to Immigration

Airport 

Room , we had the option of three.

One of the bathrooms 

----------------------THURSDAY -------------

We slept great and woke to roosters crowing and birds chirping at dawn which was a little after 5. 

 The girls made us a fantastic breakfast with eggs and fried plantains. The fresh mangos, papaya, cantaloupe, and pineapple are great. There is a HUGE mango tree on the property (wishing Kristen could take the pictures to do it justice). There’s a squirrel who lives in the tree who is taking one bite out of a mango and throwing it to the ground. The gardener is in negotiations with the squirrel on who owns the tree…

 Today is beach day. It’s not easy packing up and preparing to take 40 kids to the beach, but Bob and the staff (this is not the right word since the people working with Bob in this ministry love the kids dearly) handle it well. We will travel in a caravan of 2 15-passenger vans, a minivan, and a small SUV. The travel time is about 30 minutes. We are renting a house on the beach with a large pool, playground, hammocks, and easy access to the beach. The owner also has a heart for these kids and is the only house that Bob can find that will rent to 40 kiddos 😊

Mango tree (pronounced mon-go)

Flowering tree on property 

Day at the beach was great! We were happy to be the excuse for them to go. Sand was black and SUPER hot. Quite possibility the biggest waves we have ever seen! We were near a place called Surf City that is popular among surfers. Since the government has been advertising the beaches, tourism has increased 300%. There were surfers on our flight as well.  

I mean the hill was big, this sign was great.

Walk down the beach around sunset ended up in pouring rain, but the cool evening breeze and the crowd of happy made a great night.

The plans for tomorrow have changed for everyone. The House of Life is taking in 4 pregnant teens (14-16), so there will be much prep work to do to get the other bedroom ready. The MiCasa houses will also be taking in 4 new kids. We will do what we can to help the house get ready and to try to make them feel welcomed.

 Tomorrow is last full day, heading home Saturday. Making slime won't happen this trip, but making spaces for what this ministry is about will.

---------------------------LAST DAY --------------

Today we had breakfast on our side.

Break area..

The main house is running like crazy today to get ready for the 4 new girls arriving. There is an Embassy worker who volunteers a lot and she showed up this morning with the curtains and some assembly required storage for the new mamas. Ellie and Dana worked on welcome home signs (We all know Ellie did the heavy lifting here 😀) Rob helped with building furniture and holding babies. We gave the pile of maternity clothes that we brought to the house, which will go to quick use.

We also helped clean and setup the multipurpose room to host the government officials that are bringing the girls. There was a large crowd of officials that came and enjoyed some coffee and cakes. It was evident that there was a lot of love and appreciation for Lord’s work that’s being done at both the House of Life and MiCasa kids.

Update on the new girls. They are ages 12 to 17, such a heart wrenching situation.

The girls made us fantastic grilled chicken for lunch which we forgot to photograph.

Shout out to Rick and Susan's church who were here earlier this year. They painted a mural, but couldn't finish because the dog ate their paint supplies. We were going to finish it, but then it rained. They have a new mama who loves to paint so she is looking forward to finishing the mural.

 American school buses travel to El Salvador to retire and get a facelift. There are several of them around town . They all look like something from the Muppet movie

Ellie found a lizard. We aren't bringing it home. Growth on her part, she didn't name it! 

We took a tour of the boys and girls houses this evening and got a feel of the never ending project list. 

 Tonight, we crossed papusas off the list and ate near the top of a local volcano. View of the city was fantastic and food was great.

Cheese and spinach papusa

 

We were both above and below the clouds, so pretty 

 

After we came out of the restaurant, the car wouldn't start. We coasted down the hill to a flat spot on the side of the road, but the car still won't start. After some investigation, it appears there’s a big gas leak near the tank. One of Bob’s staff came to pick us up. The adventure added about  90 min to the ride back to the house, but we are all safe and sound. It's already a funny story (not for Bob of course who now has to get the car off the volcano and deal with all that).

 We are headed home tomorrow and don't plan on updating anything from our travels tomorrow.

 This has been a fantastic trip and Lord willing, not our last. If you are interested in coming with or hearing more about the mission let us know. 

 Thank you all for your prayers!