Monday, October 19, 2015; 6:45 a.m.

Dean; Ahuachapán all week

We all got up for breakfast at 6:30 this morning, but no breakfast has appeared.  Francis just walked in, and she is from here so she stays overnight with her mom.  It’s raining still, but not very hard.  So, we’re gathered where we met for devotions last night.  Weather forecasts vary, but Francis was expecting the rain to stop today.  Coffee just came out from the kitchen, so everyone just took off to get some.

Our hotel has Fiberglas and metal roofing panels, and Tim has learned that it makes it sound like the rain is worse than it is.  We have to work out a rain plan today, and the roads to the work site can be so muddy in this weather that going there might be unwise.  Jim says they got stuck in the mud at this site a few years ago.  Understood.

Going back to church events yesterday, aside from Pastor Carlos, we did see several familiar faces.  One of the first was Jim’s little buddy from years past, Luis.  As a little boy, maybe 5, he is growing up fast.  We also saw some other kids, who had played outside the old church with coloring books last year.  They were Alison, Diana, and Judith.  We also met some of the older ladies: Maria Teresa, Amelia, and Ana Marie.  Conspicuous by her absence was Marie, who always had a shovel or broom in her had last year.  Pastor Carlos mentioned in his greeting that Cristo Rey was the culmination of his 41 years as a Lutheran minister.  We believe he is unpaid, and has some other day job.  Also, we know his wife is also a Lutheran pastor.

One thing very commonly seen here in Ahuachapán is the mototaxi.  These are a 3-wheeled vehicles like a small motorcycle with a cover for 2 passengers in the back and the driver in the front.  They are everywhere, and all painted with the same red, black, and white checkerboard pattern to indicate its role as a taxi.  Private mototaxis exist also, but are painted differently.  It may be that simple economics here make this a preferred mode of transportation.

We’ve had a breakfast of scrambled eggs, salsa, refried-like beans, and bread.  Simple, but welcome.  Francis has the ladies from the Habitat co-op project coming at noon as part of the rain plan.  More about that later, but they make arts and crafts, and have started small businesses.  We are trying to teach Francis to say “small business” instead of using the “micro entrepreneurship” term that Habitat has instructed her to use, but she can’t pronounce.

Karla (the Habitat interpretive contractor) is also with us today, but with no trip planned to the work site, there is no interpreting for her to do with the work crew.  She’ll be helpful once the ladies from the co-op arrive at noon.

At 10 a.m. we will head out, likely in the rain, to visit the bakery owned by Francis’s mother.  It is only a few blocks away.  In the meantime, there is little to do except listen to the rain.

All for now. 

Top photo is at the Pupuseria.  Bottom photo is a parting view from the hotel in San Salvador.

Sunday, 18 Oct 2015 -

Dean Olson; about 8:30 p.m.

Town of Ahuachapan

Jim and I are in our room in the Mamapan Hotel (really La Casa de Mamapan).  The town of Ahuachapan is in the department of the same name, one of 14 state-like municipalities in El Salvador.  We are west-most in the country and at an altitude of about 5500 feet.  Jim asked me if having the Cubs game on TV was bothersome while I typed, and I remarked that: first, it’s just baseball; and second, it’s in Spanish – though I did just hear the name Bill Murray, who I gather is at the game in New York City – a world away.  The Spanish-speaking announcer does say “Swing!”, or more accurately, “Sweeeeeeeng!”

Our morning began in San Salvador with a surprisingly good shower!  Hot and cold running water at a normal pressure that did not fluctuate or diminish to a trickle made for a pleasant experience.  Suspicious of how the remainder of the week is likely to play out, Jim and I both concluded, “that will probably be the last of that”.  A brief jaunt brings us through the drizzle from the old part of the Crowne Plaza to its new part, a fabulous breakfast was seen laid out in a large room by the outdoor pool.  We just gave our room numbers and walked into the buffet, the matter of payment all taken care of by Habitat Para La Humanidad El Salvador.  Breakfast was whatever you wanted of sliced fresh fruit (oranges, papaya, watermelon, pineapple), French toast, plantains, sausage, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, several juices, and omelets made to order, among several choices of pastries.  We checked out at the front desk, and gathered in the lobby to depart for Santa Ana and church at Cristo Rey Lutheran – in a steady rain.  Though probably never above 80 degrees in temperature since we arrived, the rain has persisted.

Joe Davis has just walked in and somehow switched the ball game to English, but it didn’t help change the score; Cubs still down 4 to 1.

I believe San Salvador itself was at about 1500 feet of elevation, so we went up some more in elevation to get to Santa Ana, which people here pronounce “Santana”.  We see many street vendors along the highway selling oranges, coconuts, plantains, bananas, and beverages.  Families including kids and dogs wander about the roadside, and we see horses, cows, and goats grazing, but always tethered on a rope attached to a post, tree, or stake in the ground.  Crops are mostly corn, sugar cane, and other things we cannot quite discern through the rain.  Joining us in the van were Karla, a contracted translator who Habitat hires frequently, plus Briseida from Habitat.  In the van, the eight of us and our luggage, plus Karla, Briseida, Francis, and Ricardo, our driver again today.  Gas was $2.57 per gallon.  Distances are in kilometers and speeds in kph.

We saw two guys on a motorcycle and as we approached to pass them, we could see a medium-sized dog straddled across the seat between the driver and the passenger.  The dog was perfectly content going down the highway.  Only the humans had helmets.

We arrived in Santa Ana a little early and took a quick turn around town square with the opera house on one side, city hall on another and the Santa Ana Cathedral dominating it all.  Street vendors were out in droves, and mass was taking place in the church.  Our service at Cristo Rey was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and we arrived with time to look around at our earlier work.  Jim, Luke, and I were impressed with how much different the place looked with finished walls, windows, doors, and a roof.  But we knew deep down that it all rested on the soil we prepared, and the rebar we painstakingly assembled into shape last October.  Thanks to all at Good Shepherd who were involved in that endeavor, and thanks for the gratifying moment for us here in Santa Ana today.

People gathered for the 10:30 service.  Pastor Carlos greeted everyone at the front door.  At 10:30, the church bell rang, and nothing happened.  Yes, life here is less driven by the clock than we’re used to, and we know that.  At around 5 before 11, Pastor Carlos announced he had to go get communion wine.  He promptly got in his Honda and drove away.  (Our van and his car were the only vehicles present.)  At 11 a.m., the church bell was rung again.  Nothing happened.  Pastor Carlos returned about 20 min later and had clearly been to a store to buy sacramental wine – exactly the same brand Laurie Johnson bought him last year as a gift. 

Pastor Carlos then gave a greeting which Briseida translated spontaneously.  He was very gracious and thanked us for our work on the church last year, and for the funds raised over several years.  He declared it the most beautiful Lutheran Church in all of El Salvador, which it no doubt is.

After getting dressed, Pastor Carlos was ready, the bell was rung again, and with some 50 people in attendance, the service began.  There’s no choir, no organ, no piano, and today, no electricity and no sound system.  The service is still conducted entirely out of the books that Good Shepherd provided, and Don and Gail Block dedicated to the memory of their daughter, Erin.  Her lovely photo still graces each copy.  An old woman named Emma sat next to me and read the dedication to Erin quietly before the service (it’s in English and Spanish).  She says she comes every Sunday.

The service was simple with readings from the Psalms ((Tim in English), two lessons (Zack and Jodi), and the Gospel (Dean).  Pastor Carlos gave a sermon speaking to the Gospel story of the disciples wanting to be sent, and the faith it took, much like it took the faith of many to build the Cristo Rey Church.  The service included communion (by intinction with wafers, and Pastor Carlos placing the wafer on your tongue).  Afterward, Jim presented Pastor Carlos with some Altar linens, one of which was a Christ the King theme.  People gathered around and admired them, and you could tell they were happy to have them.  Pastor Carlos seemed surprised and thankful for everything.

Lunch was at the Santa Ana office of Habitat.  Ana Maria Montoya prepared it herself.  She simply tossed together a meal of rice, steamed vegetables, and chicken stuffed with cheese and ham!  She knew it was called Chicken Kiev elsewhere.  She topped off the meal with a lemon gelato.  The office has an kitchen, and a garage area where they park two Habitat pick-up trucks.

We drove to Ahuachapan in about 90 minutes, again, mostly in the rain.  We have not seen much in the area due to the rain.  Dinner at the hotel was burritos and a salad.  We later shared devotions written by Barbara Hack – thanks, Barb!  We also discussed some topics in a diary booklet provided by Thrivent. 

All for now, and thanks for having enough interest in our trip to read about our exploits.

Sunday, 18 Oct 2015
Dean Olson, San Salvador

We had a great dinner outing last night going to a place called a pupuseria, which you might expect from its name specializes in pupusas.  At the Villa Antiqua Restaurante, a pupusa is essentially a 2-layered tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, pork, or combinations.  A pupusa, like a tortilla, is made from corn, and at this place, they are served hot right off of a grill.  Driving around town, you see them being prepared streetside in many, many locations.  Most of us tried to have at least one each.  The Cubs game was seen on TV, and the commentary on ESPN was all in Spanish.  We were driven to a neighborhood just outside San Salvador, and it was crawling with people, families, kids, people on dates, and choked traffic including scooters delivering pizza or anything else.  Zack and I had a non-alcoholic drink called horchata.  It is semi-sweet, has some cinnamon, some peanut, and a slight taste and appearance of chocolate milk.  Some adults shared some beers - 4 for $7.90.  Francis explained in advance that everything is included and paid in advance by Habitat, but if you want an alcoholic beverage, you pay yourself.

Briseida, a Habitat staffer from last year, joined us for dinner. Katy, also from Habitat last year dropped by the hotel lobby to say hello before dinner.  It was great to see them both.

Today's plan is to depart the hotel for a 6-minute drive to Cristo Rey Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m.  Again, Francis is with us all the way, and Briseida will join us in Santa Ana as well.  It will be terrific to set foot in Christ the King Lutheran knowing that our dirt, our packing material, and our rebar (metal concrete reinforcements) are down there in the floor serving as this church's one foundation.

Those from Good Shepherd who cannot be here this year from last, Greg Fisher, Al and Harrison York, Sarah Smith, Jason Fisher, Laurie Johnson, Alison Cunningham, and Hannah Hart - your work here with us, dear friends, is appreciated forever and never forgotten.  I am sure we will be able to see it in the faces of worshippers this morning.

Still raining a little today, but mostly just a drizzle.  It takes too long to post a photo, so I'll save that for later.

Thanks for reading, and all for now.

Top photo left to right, Dean, Jim, Pam, Luke, Tim, Jodi, Joe, Zack, and our driver, Ricardo.

Bottom photo, Francis substituted for Dean.

Saturday, 17 October 2015

By Dean Olson

San Salvador, El Salvador; 4 p.m. (1 hour behind Illinois)

We are in San Salvador!  The day began early with most of us waking up about 3 a.m. to get to the Good Shepherd west parking lot for a 3:45 a.m. departure.  I was very happy to see Betsy Kakoma waiting in the dark, cold air (38 degrees) with the cookies she promised!  (Oatmeal, by the way.)  We shared a big, warm hug.  In addition, my local Thrivent rep, Rick Craig, was in attendance.  I had sent him an e-mail just a couple days earlier telling him about our departure plans – what a great thing for him to attend!  I believe Thrivent will again donate $8000 to Habitat for Humanity here in El Salvador.  Jason Fisher was also present to see us off, and we’re pretty sure he slept in the church to not disturb his family during the night.  He wanted to go to El Salvador again this year except his cousin’s wedding is today in or near Chicago.  We were also happy to see in attendance Jeff Davis, plus Ron and Ruth Meyer.  We formed a circle and Jason offered a prayer to our work in this country.  He offered a terrific sendoff: “Via con Dios”, “Go with God”.  Our group of 8 is:

Jim Hack

Pam Hack Scott (Jim’s daughter, who came here in 2013)

Joe and Jodi Davis

Luke and Tim Smith

Zack Meyer (taking a week off college courses)

Dean Olson

We drove to the Bloomington airport (Jim and Tim) to catch a 6 a.m. flight to Atlanta.  No problem, but it takes time to check in a group who all need their passports checked and both boarding passes stamped.  Interestingly, Jim and Pam got through with un-signed passports, but they did not get out of Atlanta without their passports being signed.  The flight to Atlanta was about 90 minutes, with some of it waiting to land.

In Atlanta, our departure gate clearly had a good number of Spanish speakers.  Several of us went back to a café while waiting to get a breakfast panino.  Tim and Luke paid in advance, and waited, waited, and waited but no panini emerged.  After waiting until the last boarding call to San Salvador (the capital of El Salvador), the two raced down the concourse with no panini and no refund.  Perhaps Tim will get this fixed up in his return trip through Atlanta next Sunday!  It was also to meet other people going to El Salvador for relief work.  We met 5 doctors who where headed to San Salvador then meeting a local contact and driving to Guatemala.  Each had a different specialty, from pediatrics, to opthamology, to pharmacy.  They were all friends from northeast Georgia.  Once the flight left, we were in San Salvador in 3 hr and 15 min.  It was raining when we arrived, and the glide path in was a little bumpy.  Through the graces of the people of Good Shepherd, none of us paid for air fare this year – it all came from the Mission Fund.

Upon arrival in the capital, we stood in line for a passport check and customs ($10 fee), then then went on to baggage retrieval and customs again, where we turned in our forms.  We took a few steps outdoors, and as expected, our host from last year, Francis Padilla, greeted us like old friends.  As last time, she will be with us all week, keeping an eye on us from dawn to dusk.  From the coastal airport location, we drove for about 1 hour in a luggage-packed van driven by Ricardo.  We stopped for lunch in the same hilly spot we stopped last year – it’s part nursery, part garden, part bar, part health spa, and part restaurant.  At about 1:30 local time we nearly had the place to ourselves, but others started arriving as we left for our hotel.  The rain mostly stopped, and the food was very, very good.  Most of us had cheesy or veggie-laden sandwiches with a salad or fries, with soft drinks and bottled water.  We’re not allowed to drink tap water anywhere in the country.  Lunch is prepaid by Habitat as part of our week here. 

After lunch, we were at our hotel in about 15 minutes – the Crowne Plaza San Salvador; you can look it up.  It’s pretty nice, and rooms are double booked (4 rooms) at $90 per night according to Expedia.  However, I bet Habitat got a deal.  My guess is they are paying about $70 per night.  Standing in the lobby while Francis and Jim checked us in, a man, a total stranger, walks in and introduces himself and explains that he is with a group of Canadians working on a Habitat project!  How did he know to walk up to me and say hello?  Maybe it was our look-alike blue shirts.  They had a group of 11 and were heading to a beach location for some building.  But, they too are staying at the Crowne Plaza.  I told the man that the basis of our group was that we were all from the same church.  He said that was great, but they were simply a bunch of friends, and they had interviewed some people for the trip!  Different than what we did, but you have to be glad they are here.

The Crowne Plaza is fine, has a pleasant, open lobby, and a very nice pool, and a conference center, but it’s not your grandfather’s Crowne Plaza.  Our room has a window air conditioner, some spots on the rug, a sufficient but tiny bathroom, and just one lock on the door (none of those extra locks many of us are used to).  Those aren’t complaints by any means, but it is quite clear that Habitat is a thrifty organization and spends our donated dollars frugally.  The TV works, which is more than I can say for any TV I encountered in Sicily (that’s another story).  Our hotel room (for tonight only) has a couch, a chair, a desk, and a shower with decent water – we have no complaints, and are thankful to be here and consider it a privilege to be so warmly welcomed.  Katy, someone from the Habitat last year, dropped by the hotel to say hello, and it was very good to see her again.  In addition to Habitat staff we know, several hotel staffers walked up to us and said hello and welcome in English.

Jim just walked in with 2-for-1 beers ($2 of his own money, bottled, Cerveza Suprema).  Time to make a blog post and take a break.  Dinner is at 6:30 and Francis says we are going out somewhere.  Though San Salvador suffers from terrible gang violence, we trust the Habitat staff to always keep us safe, much like friends would keep friends safe visiting downtown Chicago.  In fact, we are leaving the capital city for our dinner tonight, and perhaps that’s a safety consideration.

Francis helped with this actual post because Google came up in Spanish, at first.

All for now, and thanks for reading.

Thursday, 15 October 2015
Dean Olson; 7:16 p.m.

This is a test blog entry to see if I can do this here in Champaign before I try it in El Salvador.  We are slated to depart from the church this Saturday morning, October 17, west parking lot, 3:45 a.m.  It sounds like some people will show up to send us off right - with a hug and a prayer.  I saw Betsy Kakoma today and she said she would actually be there for the sendoff party - with cookies!

All for now.