Ahuachapan

Let me begin by saying that im sorry it has taken so long for a new post. Internet access
(and time) is limited here so I have been lucky to get enough time to check my emails. I am doing well and am enjoying my time here in El Salvador. Although I am not really all that homesick I am still counting the days til I get back to my friends and family. It is hard to believe I only have 27 days left!!
During my time in Ahuachapan I have been given the opportunity to do many things. In Xela we concentrated on school and here we are concentrating on relationships. Our first week here we translated for a UMVIM team from North Carolina. Since I used to work at UMVIM, this was a real treat for me. I enjoyed working alongside the team and my new Salvadorian friends. After four weeks of exercising my brain it was nice to finally put my hands to work. Our second week in El Salvador proved to be wonderful as well. We started language school and began working with the Methodist Churches here in Ahuachapan. It has been wonderful to see the fire that is in the people here and I am encouraged to see so many women in leadership positions within the church. I have found new strength and inspiration from the two female pastors here. On Tuesday we were given the opportunity to go on pastoral visits with Pastora Martha. I have been on visits with pastors in the past but this was my first time accompanying a woman. It felt so different than what I had experienced before. I watched as she spoke to those we visited with confidence and compassion. Her very voice was like soothing music to my ears. I watched as the women we visited found hope in the promises of God. When our visits were close to concluding Pastora Martha would lay her hands on the person she was praying for and offer a prayer for healing to God. I think that the spirit of a woman is one of the most amazing things in the world...and to see this spirit as a pastora is beautiful.
Blessings to you all!!
Amanda