Update from the U.S.

I'm sure most of you have seen...but I am back in the United States. It's actually been 2 weeks exactly since I came back, so sorry for being a little behind.

Well...to summarize this trip....I'd say it was different from the first trip, but in a great way. My first trip I dealt with a lot of getting to know the culture, language, people, and the ministries. There were also 5 other amazing American missionaries that served along with me for most of the time. We also came in contact with many different teams that traveled down the El Salvador. This time, however, I already had built relationships with the people, was accustomed to the language and culture, knew the ministries very well, and only spent a week or two with other American missionaries who were either starting or ending their trips.

Because of this difference, I was able to be a bit more intentional with the people there. My main service was working with the classes of English...but in a different manner. As I had explained in earlier blogs...we focused on teaching English, but using Biblical truths. Because the people and children there knew me better, I could share my heart more freely about the Lord. What a wonderful privilege to not only teach but speak openly about God.  I got to know my students better and spend some time with them after class while waiting for the soccer school to be finished.

There was a bit more free time on this trip, which enabled me to plan and pray more for the English classes. I also was blessed to have this free time to hang out and spend quality time with others. This trip was much shorter...but just as meaningful and blessed as the first trip.

I want to thank you ALL for loving me! If you supported me financially, prayed for me, thought about me, or took any interest in my trip....then you have loved me through this. I definitely felt it and still do! I hope you have all felt as much apart of this trip as you truly were! As of now I don't have anything planned for going back, YET, but know it's always a possibility and I'm sure it won't be the last time I serve there.

Although I am not currently serving in El Salvador....there is still MUCH NEED and many ways that WE can support the people and ministries in Christ for the City-El Salvador.

I'd like to present to you the opportunity to pray, share, and consider supporting one of the local missionaries, Jonathan Maltez. Jonathan (or Maltez as most people call him) is the Director of the Soccer School (Escuela Formativa de Futbol) in Altavista. At 22 years of age, he is the director of this ministry both in Altavista and in the NEW soccer school at La Linea (close to our church), and also coaches level 6 in Altavista. His testimony is posted at the end so you can read all about his life story.

He has shared with me that he would love to be able to start up his studies again. Jonathan began studying at a university, but after less than a year could not continue because he simply had no way to pay for it. Unfortunately his single mother has just enough money to pay for his two younger siblings who are still in school. So, he's been working as a missionary for Christ for the City ever since. As of now, he is the only young local missionary who isn’t able to study.

But what he hardly ever shares with anyone is that the support he receives is barely enough for him to get by. He now lives with his mom to help cut down the cost of living expenses. He has a great attitude and continually says, "God will take care of me", which He certainly has. However, I believe God can and will bless him with an education as well. Maltez has been wanting to go back to school and get his degree for a while. He also would love to be able to take a course to get his official soccer coaching license, which would enable him to coach internationally.
 Im asking that we prayerfully pull our resources together and help this humble servant of the Lord receive enough financial support to be able to go to back to school and actually LIVE...not merely survive. By our American standards, it's very cheap to live down in El Salvador. You could eat a meal for less that 3$. That’s ONE drink at Starbuck’s. What things could we give up in order to offer someone an opportunity to shape their future for the better? We are so incredibly blessed to live in the US and be provided for…but how many things do we do, have, or want that in reality are unnecessary? The average monthly payment to go to a university is around 60$ a month (more or less depending on your major). Maltez thinks he has just around 4 years…so you do the math! How incredibly cheap for us...and such an attainable goal. And to receive his coaches license…there are three levels…each costing 600$. Think...the total for getting a University degree and international coaching license is less than what many pay ONE SEMESTER!

We are looking to be able to find him supporters who can consistently help him. One-time gifts are also a huge support! You can also help be TELLING others his story. Please share this letter and his testimony with other friends, family members, your church, whoever. Im convinced that many people, even ones you don’t expect, want to help others in some way….but they are denied that opportunity when they simply aren’t told. So let’s SHARE his story and needs with others who might also be able to help.  Here is a link to directly support him via internet:
 http://cfcidonations.wordpress.com/ministry-bases/el-salvador/jonathan-maltez/
 

Thank you so much for taking time to read this and prayerfully consider to continue to support those in need down in El Salvador. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
Love,
Lauren

Last week...

So it is sad for me to say...but this is my last week here in El Salvador. I knew the time would fly by, but I just don't want to realize it. I have been praying that this week would go by slowly, and in a way it sort of has. I have been preparing this week for my kids to take a standard exam on Friday to pass the class and graduate onto the next level. Unfortunately I won't be able to be physically present at their graduation, again, but it has been an honor to be apart of the teaching process and prepare them for this next step. I was so blessed to be here when the classes first started...and it has grown so much in so many ways. This ministry "Speaking Hope" is so near and dear to my heart, and I want you all to know what a blessing it has been to be supported by you all and bless these kids with the English classes and so much more that it offers.

Update on last weekend. God showed up in BIG ways at the soccer schools "Pijamada" or All-nighter. Jesus just worked out all details, and we just showed up to serve Him and His wonderful children. The night was FULL of activities, prizes, time of reflection, and so much more. Something like this is an opportunity that these kids and families may never have had, or never will. Our theme was "More than Conquerors". And this related to being more than conquerors in Christ. Not only did the kids have fun, but they had an opportunity to watch an inspirational soccer video on Christian players, and listen to a beautiful word given by the soccer school's 22 year-old director, Jonathan Maltez. (To find out more....visit his blog http://jonathanmaltez.blogspot.com/)  Joyfully, there were several kids, adults, and families to raised their hands to say, "Yes...I want to be more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ". What a wonderful moment.

Thank you for ALL your prayers in this event and also my energy. Somehow God gave me the strength I needed to stay up alllllll night (which I have NEVER done in my life) and have a ball with these kids. It was lots of work but SO worth it! The Lord even gave me 3 hrs of sleep on Saturday then enough strength to run an 8K to raise awarness and support for kids around the world. Somehow Jonathan and I even came in 3rd place! How crazy!

I continually thank you for all your support and the wonderful things you've allowed me to be apart of in God's Kingdom. But know that Im not the only one that is helping...YOU all are very much apart of all of this as well! Here are a few pictures of the All-nighter Friday/Saturday! Enjoy and please continue to pray for the rest of my journey here! God bless you so much!!!

Love,
Lauren

Update

Well I think it's about time for an update.

To be honest it has all been kind of a blur. With only 2 weeks left down here I have been trying to enjoy enjoy and enjoy what God has allowed me to live here every day. This week with the students we have just been learning and having fun together. I love how this new curriculum focuses so much on Biblical principles. We just finished the story about "Jesus and the disciples". After the previous week of sharing things about my grandmother and the Gospel...I was able to find some good little booklets to pass out to the kids who accepted Christ into their hearts.  Be praying that the words written about Christ really connect to their hearts and they grow a hunger to KNOW the Lord. It has been such a privilege knowing these precious ones and teaching them a second language that can greatly help them. Although we have some wonderful short term missionaries to help keep this English ministry going, we are really in need for a long-term person to be able to take over the ministry. I know that God WILL provide someone for this beautiful ministry and will help it to grow and flourish for the LORD.

As far as the Soccer School...we have been preparing for an all-nighter pijama party. It will be a fun and great opportunity to get all the kids in the soccer school and their families together. We are planning to do a whole bunch of activities all throughout the night.  It is a wonderful blessing to provide the kids and their families with an activity which will be free of charge to them. Things such as these are able to happen by YOUR financial support and prayers. I look forward to posting many photos of this wonderful event.

Please be praying for my health and energy this weekend. I will be up all night on friday...have a few hours to sleep  then run a 5K on Saturday, then go to worship band practice, then wake up Sunday early for church. Just a lot packed into one small weekend.

We all look forward to having missionary David tonight. He has served here in El Salvador for many months before, 3 months when I was here as well, and will be here for 2 months again.

Thank you so much for your prayers! If you have never noticed...Prayer is POWERFUL!!!

With much love that the Lord has given me,
Lauren

more praises..

Thank you to all who prayed so diligently for me! I arrived safely to El Salvador on Wednesday and was able to go directly to my afternoon class. The opportunity was once again there to share with these kids about my grandma's death. After we prayed 13 kids and 1 mom made the decision to live a life with Christ in it, believing in all He did for us and knowing there is a place for them in heaven. What an awesome blessing to come back to !

Everyone here in El Salv and there in the US has been SO incredibly gracious and kind during this time and I feel so very encouraged and blessed. I have come back with a peace about my Grandma and also filled up with the love of my family and friends.

Saturday I was able to relax after all the traveling and head to the beach to rest and have some down time. 

I will keep you all updated soon!

With much much love,

Lauren

God moves

God moves...in areas we don't expect...in the timing that may not have been what we thought...and in ways that just blow my mind! I praise that Lord for His blessings that come even out of difficult times!

As I shared with you all before, I have been looking forward to the opportunity to share with my students my faith and how they too can choose to have the Lord live inside their hearts and follow Him. As I shared with my morning class on Friday about my grandmother passing away..they were all very compassionate and listening with full focus. God opened up a beautiful moment to share why I could be happy even though my grandma had just died. I shared the reasons why I KNEW she was in heaven...and explained how each and every one of them could know as well. After God so graciously bestowed me with the words to speak...4 kids and 1 mom raised their hands, saying that they prayed in their heart to live a life with Jesus and also believed in all that He did for us. What a great moment to see those precious hands raised up. I cannot begin to describe to you my feelings, after knowing each and every one of those 5 so well. To see them come to English class day in and day out, knowing their personalities...and now seeing their desire to be forgiven and want to walk a life with God...it is simply unexplainable!

Thank you so much for your prayers and I ask that you continue to be praying as I hope to have the opportunity to do the same with my afternoon class on Wednesday. Also that God would provide ways to follow up with every person who took Christ into their hearts.

As many of you may know...right now I am at home in Ohio to be with family and attend my grandmas viewing/funeral which will be on Tuesday. I will go back to El Salvador on Wednesday and finish my service there. Hallelujah for having a wonderful father who works and travels so hard which afforded him miles to fly me home and back for free! I am truly grateful!

God certainly has been working in ways that make me praise Him and appreciate who He is, and also all He does. The Lord works in so many ways and I wonder about all the things He does that you and I don't even moment.

Take a moment to stop....listen....then praise Him for all He has done in your life, is doing right now, and will do. Thank Him for the things we see and also for the unseen.

Thank you for taking part in this journey of life with me :)
I am eternally grateful!

In the warm, tender love of Jesus,
Lauren

Sometimes..only the Lord knows why...

There are times in our lives when things happen that we really just don't understand. These past couple of days have been a time where I just sit and say..."Hmm..why now Lord?". This Tuesday night I received a facebook message from my older brother telling me to pray immediately because our Grandma was care flighted to a hospital. This news came out of nowhere and really left me in shock. I really didn't know all the details until today when I was finally able to talk to my parents on Skype.

Long story short...my Grandma had an artery burst in her brain and was on life support until today. Where our entire family decided it was best to take her off of it since there was no brain activity and she would remain just with a beating heart. All of this happened in a flash and left me wondering..Why? Why now when I'm in El Salvador. Why now when my grandmother was in fairly good health? Why now when our cousin just a baby boy? Why now, before I am married and she could see me walk down the aisle? But I've come to realize that there are things that happen in our life without knowing the "why's". This is where complete faith and trust in God come in. There are things that only the Lords knows and He does them for the better. My favorite verse is in Romans 8:28 where it says, "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those, who love him; who have been called according to His purpose." In ALL things...God works for our good. In death, in life, in sorrow, in happiness....God is always working for our GOOD, because He LOVES us. I truly believe this and choose to trust in His perfect Will.

I can already see a blessing through this hard time. Praise the Lord that my grandma was one of the most faithful servants of Jesus that I know. She was a TRUE example of a obedient, selfless, woman of Christ. Because of this I can rejoice knowing that our Heavenly Father is so thrilled to finally embrace her in His arms. It has also allowed me a wonderful opportunity and window to share this with my students. It is the perfect way to explain why I KNOW my grandma is in Heaven right now. I am so pleased and blessed to honor the Lord and my grandma in her passing, but sharing the love of the Savior to these precious Salvadoreans. 

My family has been so blessed to have a loving father who works so hard for his family and travels very often. In saying this, he continually earns traveling miles and has enough to send me home tomorrow and also to bring me back to El Salvador to finish my service down here. I will leave El Salvador tomorrow at 12:40 pm and return around Wednesday in the afternoon. Please be in prayer for travel mercies and for the funeral on Saturday. Pray especially for my mother and her siblings as it is their mother who has passes. Would you also please keep my students in your prayers. That tomorrow and Wednesday their hearts will be open to the power of Christ and my words (in Spanish) will be from the Lord. I pray that God does a mighty work in their souls and they make the decision to live for Him and Him alone.

Have I told you all before how much I truly appreciate and love you all? Thank you, sincerely, for who you are and what you do!

In the love of Jesus Christ,

Lauren :)

Greater things are yet to come...

Time sure does fly by fast doesn't it? Already I've spent 2 weeks here in El Salvador. I'm happy to report that life back in El Salvador has been an easy adjustment and I feel right back at home. Of course I really do miss my family a lot, and friends as well.

My schedule has been pretty much the same as last week..English classes 3 days a week and church activities. But this week in church was a little different. All through the week there was some sort of service which all focused on family. I absolutely love learning about this topic because it better prepares me for the type of family I wish to have in the future. One thing that a Pastor said in church was that when a husband and wife have Christ as the center of their hearts and their relationship...then it's like they have an umbrella over top of them...covering and protecting. It does not meant there will be not storms, but it does mean that you will be protected. Not only are the man and wife covered...but also the children and covered under this Godly protection. The service went into more detail but I really enjoyed the analogy.

I am excited to share that this Friday I believe I will have the opportunity to specifically share Christ with my students in the English classes. Please be praying for their hearts to be open, and for the words the flow through me..in Spanish! I will also be able to sing again this Sunday for church and am very excited for that as well!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and care! I will be better about taking pictures and try to post some up!
In the love of Christ,
Lauren

One week here

So...it's been about a week since I have made my return to El Salvador and all has been super well! I praise the Lord for allowing me to pick right back up where I left off with relationships and ministry. What a blessing to once again serve these precious children through English classes. I was so excited to hear that the missionaries who were here when I left had modified our lessons by basing them around Bible Stories!!!
Can I get a Hallelujah!?? Amen to the ability and freedom to teach English words and phrases which are circled around the Bible! I am loving this and can't wait to continue teaching in this area. I still pray and desire to share the Gospel with these wonderful kids....please continue praying for this. Pray for opportunities to be there, doors opened (and closed), hearts ready, words spoken, and the Spirit moving!!!!

Thursday we celebrated the birthday one of our missionaries..Guillermo. It was a great time with GREAT food and GREAT people! Loved every bit of it!

We were privileged to feed the homeless around San Salvador this past Saturday. It's my prayer that those on the streets not only get filled up physically with a meal that night...but also spiritually they become full of the LORD!

I love you all so very much and continue to rely and appreciate all of your prayers!!
What a blessing and privilege to be where I am!
Lauren



  

Here in El Salvador!!

Hello everyone!
Just wanted to let you all know that I am here...safe and sound...in El Salvador. If you hadn't heard, my flight out on Saturday was cancelled due to mechanical problems so I didn't get here until Sunday. But everything is all good and I finally made it.

It's been so good to see all the local missionaries and kids from the English classes and Soccer School. They made me feel so special by hugging me forever and saying how much they missed me. I certainly felt like one of the most important people in the world. I'm really really excited to continue loving and serving these AMAZING people...and most importantly to share with them the truth about God's saving grace and how they can live with Christ in their own hearts.

Thank you so much, again, for your prayers! Keep 'em coming :)

Joyfully,
Lauren

Today is the day...

It's finally here...time to go back to El Salvador. Looking back now from when I first got back from El Salv, I can see that this truly is God's perfect timing right now to return. As I have no obligations as far as school or work...and knowing what the future may hold (med school?)...now really is the best time to return. I am looking forward to so many different things and can't wait to share them with you!

One of the biggest things on my heart as I return is being much more intentional with the people down there about there souls. It's so important to meet someone's need physically...but so much more so spiritually. I truly love and care for so many of the lives that I was blessed to meet...and I care enough to truly want them to be transformed by God's perfect love, and know that they are forgiven by His powerful grace. Would you please join me in prayer that their hearts may be open to hear this wonderful truth...and that they may understand it and accept it as their own hearts desire.

I also ask for your prayers on being covered by the Lord's protection as I travel and live down in El Salvador. Thank you again for partnering in this journey with me. You've impacted more than just me!

With much love,
Lauren :) 

Less than 3 weeks...

It is already less than 3 weeks until I return to El Salvador! I am very excited to go back and serve within the various communities and see all of the wonderful people who are there! I thank you so much for your concern and interest in my serving overseas...I truly feel special that so many people care, not only for me, but for the people in El Salvador.

I want to give a BIG thank you to the ones who have helped to financially support this second trip. I am only 300$ away until I'm fully funded!!!!!! Thank you also to those who have donated various items for me to take down with me! I am still open to receive any more donations, financial support, and PRAYERS!! I know I have said this many times before....but I can not explain to you all how much I could FEEL your spiritual support guiding/protecting and hovering around me and every other person I served with. Isn't it amazing how God goes out before His people?

As these few weeks begin to count down I am praying to enjoy and cherish the rest of my summer here in Ohio. I am also praying for my mind to center in on serving once again and being able to make a DIFFERENCE for God's Kingdom in El Salvador. I humbly ask that you can join me in prayer for this, as well as God providing the rest of the support and for my safety down there. I know God is faithful to answer, but I think He loves it how His body can come together for each other....just as He created it to be! :)

Please feel free to get a hold of me for anything before I leave. Official dates are August 18th-October 7th.

God bless you all richly in His love and Strength,
Lauren

I'm going back!

Well Hello All,
It's been about a month now since I got back from El Salvador...and I'm already planning on going back to El Salvador! I found out that towards the end of August there will not be any more missionaries coming until the beginning of October. So this would mean that there would not be anyone to teach/keep the English class going. Praise the Lord that the classes of ESL have been such a wonderful blessing to the community that they started adding on more days and began Level 1 and 2 courses. How amazing! I remember that as my last month in El Salvador approached, the kids asked me almost EVERY SINGLE DAY...what's going to happen to English class once I left to return to the States. I assured them that it would continue on as normal and there would be more missionaries to teach. It just made my heart smile hearing, seeing, and knowing how much these kids have been blessed and how much they ENJOY learning English.

I knew I would be returning...just wasn't so sure as to when. But this seems like the perfect time to go back right now. So I talked with the Christ for the City Base, in Omaha, about my return and they were hoping that I would be able to return right before the last missionary leaves, and stay long enough to train/pass the baton off to the new missionary. That would set the dates for around August 18 until October 7. Praise the Lord I have almost saved up enough money for my plane ticket and have 4 weeks worth left-over in my account to stay there. But need a total of about 400$ to stay until October.

Would you please prayerfully consider supporting me once again on this second journey to El Salvador. Not only is financial support appreciated...but just as importantly...Spiritual covering. I so felt ALL the support on my last trip! I also have a list of specific needs in the ministries down in El Salvador. After spending time there, I now know what Physical things would be a benefit for them. Here is a list...

-Regular tennis shoes (especially smaller sizes for children/teens)
-Clothes (they tend to get a whole lot for men, but not many for children and teens)
-Cannon printer cartridges [Black 210 & Color 211]
-White out
-Double-sided tape
-Printer paper (always a HUGE need)

-Soccer ministry specific needs:
-shinguard's
-cones
-stopwatch
-cone corrier/strap to carry cones
-poles for corners
-pinnies
-soccer socks
-machine for marking soccer field lines

If you are able to donate any of these items or want to help support me, please feel free to contact me via email. (laurendehays@gmail.com) Also if you have other items you are able to donate, don't feel limited to just the ones on my list, I would love to discuss anything else. Thank you for your trust in me, in the Lord, and having a servants heart to serve the children of God all around the world!!

With much love,
Lauren

I am home

As most of you may already know, I am home..back in the States. Praise the Lord the flights went safe and smooth and I securely landed at the Dayton Airport, welcomed by some of my family and a few kids that I babysit as well! Leaving was much much harder than I thought. I'll admit to crying in the airport and on the plane (twice). But I thank God that there was no one sitting by me on the first flight, otherwise they may have thought I was crying because I was scared of flying. I honestly did not feel like it was time for me go...it really felt like I was only there for 2 months, as opposed to 4. I know that I have made friends down in El Salvador that will FOREVER be in my heart.

My last week in El Salvador was wonderful because I was able to spend quality time with just about everyone that I lived life with and became close to. The Lord provided another opportunity for me to sing at church and me and the other girls/guys in the worship team all had a blast practicing the night before and at the service.
A family from church was incredibly kind by taking me to the beach Sunday night then dinner afterwords. The beach was so warm and beautiful. Unfortunately we all left our cameras but I have mental images burned into my mind. It was soo gorgeous as the moon was out and the sun was setting. Just a perfect evening to spend with church family and most importantly to enjoy and marvel at the beauty of God's creation.

My last full day in El Salv was great, but also tough. I spent my last time teaching and spending time with the kids in the soccer school as well. There was crying, hugs, kisses,pictures, and kind words. What an emotional day as a flood of memories with each and every kid went through my mind. One boy in particular was especially hard to say goodbye to. This little 8 year old, Cristian, stole my heart from the beginning..so much so that I called him my son. He and his mom spent time with me and it was extremely hard walking home with them and saying goodbye as they cried. But Im just so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet them and so many other wonderful people.

Things are getting better at home. It is nice to see family and friends here and Im grateful to be able to have time to rest. I was not accepted into any medical schools, which I believe it is from the Lord. But I would please ask for continuous prayers on my future. In this moment I'm not too sure what is the next step or the next thing to pursue with the Lord. However I know that God's timing is perfect and I can rely on Him with EVERYTHING. I thank you so much for ALL your support for making this trip possible for me. God taught me, showed me, and changed me in amazing ways.  I'm so appreciative for YOU and your love. Not only have you loved me...but every child and person that I came in contact wtih down in El Salvador. Caring for God's children around the world is so close to my heart and I know that it pleases the Lord. So thank you!

With much love of the Lord.
Lorena :)

Only one week left

Today is the official 1 week mark. It still baffles me how quickly time passes by. My prayer is that this week will go by SLOWLY and I'll ENJOY every little detail. Here's a little update on a few things that happened this past week:

~I was able to help prepare meals for the homeless for the 4th time being here. It's always so cool seeing tons of bags being filled with food and knowing that someone's belly is going to be full that night.
~The music pastor from our church asked me to sing again. So that was an honor to be able to practice with the worship team on a Saturday night and to sing for the morning and night service on Sunday. Both songs were in Spanish...and one was a personal favorite.."Hosanna" by Hillsong United.
~Me, Marissa (another short-termer), Eliseo & Josue (local missionaries here) all went to the El Salvador Zoo. I think one of the funniest things for me was that the first animal we saw was a raccoon! I'll admit that it was much bigger than I expected, so we had a pretty good time looking at all the animals.
~I told the kids that my last day would be this coming Monday, and they were all sad and kept repeating.. "Noooo...nooo...whyyy. Don't go!" What a precious thing to know that they care for me...because I sure do care for them and have so much love for every one of those students. They have definitely made an impact on me.

I just want to thank you all again for taking the time to read my blog, pray for me, and support me every day that I have been here. I love you guys!
~Lorena

Yes...this is proof that they have raccoons in their zoo!

This sweet guy is Mario. Every time I see him he ALWAYS has a smile for me.

I was blessed to sit behind him in church and see his little bible with different verses highlighted...

so precious!

2 weeks to go!

Well I sure can't believe it, but I officially have two more weeks left here in El Salvador. Time has flown by SO quickly and it's hard to fathom that I have been here for almost 4 months! I've enjoyed every good, tough, confusing, and fun time here. God certainly has allowed me to learn through all these different experiences and I'm so grateful. My prayer is that I can "finish well".

So this past Thursday through Sunday I had a GREAT and BEAUTIFUL time with my friend Erin in Guatemala. She is such a great friend/sister/and spiritual mom to me and my Spirit always is stirred when I get the chance to spend time with her. This trip was no different! I saw so many great things that God did with those few days. First, I think the trip was good for me and for the people in El Salvador to get a taste of what life will be like when I'm not here. I for sure missed them and they missed me as well, but it was good to kind of feel what it's going to be like in a few weeks. Secondly, it was a straight up blessing to meet the people in Erin's life there in Guatemala City. I have been able to read about her life there as a coach/missionary but it was so much different actually being able to see it for myself! The athletes there and other people in her life are wonderful and I was just encouraged by how God has created His children, all around the world. It was also just a great time for me to relax a little bit and enjoy seeing Guate again and some friends that I had met 3 years ago on my first mission trip. Thirdly, this was the first time I had been around track athletes and a track meet since I graduated. What a pleasure to be around the sport that I love and dedicated so much time to. It's awesome how much you can relate to a person who is interested in the same sport as you. How amazing that God blessed me with little treats like this.

Yesterday was class and I walked in to a whiteboard full of names and a message saying "We missed you Lauren!" from all my students. I felt like the most special person in the world. It was so sweet of them!

If you could just pray for these last 2 weeks for me; that I would make the most of every moment, serve with everything I have, and be able to listen to the Lord in every moment. Please continue to pray for support for the local missionaries here, financially. If you are interested in supporting a missionary or ministry please contact me and I can give you the details.

I appreciate you all and love you very much!
With the joy of Jesus,
Lauren

Me and Erin!

Meeting new friends (athletes of Guatemala's track team)

Florian, me, and Ernie

Just some photos to show you that I am still here in El Salvador..alive and well!

Me and our last missionary here, David.

Almost all of CPCI's staff to celebrate mothers day.

Visiting the biggest/most know "catedral' in ES.

My and the pastor's son, Carlitos, playing at church.

I promise I'm still alive!!

Hello to everyone...it has been way too long since you have all heard from me! Extreme apologies go out on my behalf as it's been 2 weeks since I last wrote. I can't come up with any valid excuse for not blogging except for the time has escaped me every chance I had to since down to write. But...here I am...ready to fill you in!

Last time I wrote you was when our last missionary just left to go back to the States. That week was definitely different without him since we spent the most time working in ministry together. We both taught English together, trained the soccer school kids, and had the most time here in El Salvador. It felt like one my of brothers leaving to head back home. So I had been tackling both English classes by myself for a week and a half. It actually went very well, praise the Lord, teaching by myself. Although the afternoon class can get a bit loud at times...it was very enjoyable and the kids were able to learn more while having fun. It's been such a blessing to not only see how much the kids love coming to class, but also to hear them saying how "cool" it is to be able to learn English! What a blessing! 

Because I had much more alone time since all the missionaries that came in with me are gone, I was able to do some reflecting and deep-thinking. For the first time I was truly able to think about my experience as a student and athlete at Marshall for the past 3 and 1/2 years of my life. There was a day where I just laid in my hammock...crying to God for how GOOD He has been to me specifically with my college experience. I could not have asked for it any other way! God blessed me with SO MANY opportunities during those years and I would not trade any of those times, good and bad, for anything! It was such a sweet and precious moment that Jesus gave me! For everyone reading this who is somehow tied to me through Marshall...I just want to say how IMPORTANT you are in my life, and how much I APPRECIATE you!!! You've played an important role in my life while I spent those wonderful years down in good 'ole Huntington, WV. I truly mean it!! Thank you thank you!

This past Wednesday, May 9th, we received another missionary, Marissa, who will spend the next 3 months down here also teaching English with me and helping at our Church's school, SILOE, with computer classes. So I've been trying to help her with the different cultural "shocks" and other aspects down here. It's been nice to have another person down here again and work together in the ministry.

I am very grateful to be able to travel to Guatemala this Thurdsay to spend about 3 days with one of my wonderful friends, Erin. I met Erin about 3 years ago when I went on my first mission trip to Honduras and Guatemala and she was our coach and basically became a spiritual mom for me. We've kept in touch every since and even had the chance to see each other at a track meet last year. Erin is a missionary in Guate with "Athletes In Action" and she has just 2 months left to finish her year commitment. I will also get to visit with some of the people that I met down there. I just think it's so neat of God to be able to spend time with a woman to has offered so much spiritual wisdom to me, who has similar passions, and is in Central America as well. Who would've ever thought two gringas from the US would be able to visit each other while in Latin America! Im very excited to have this time...thank you Jesus!

One last thing is that I was asked at Church 2 Sunday's ago to help out with the praise and worship team with the singers and also to sing with them as well. At times it's frustrating because honestly things are very disorganized and late, but it is typical in this culture...so I'm trying to understand and be patient. But so far it has been a blessing to be able to share my knowledge of singing (being involved in choirs for 10 years) with these young kids. I really enjoy it...not only teaching and helping them..but having the privilege to sing again. 

I think that is all the updates for now. Please be in prayer for my travels to Guatemala this Thursday and when I return on Sunday. Also for my last three weeks down here. I'm still not sure what God has planned for me after this, but it's all in His control. Also be praying for the local missionaries here. Specifically by name they are: Maltez, Karla, Eliseo, Josue, Alexis, and Guillermo.

Thank you so much for your love and support!

With much love,

Lauren

And then there was one...

I title my blog "And then there was one.." because one of our short-term missionaries, David, left this morning to head back to the states. I will be the only short-termer here for a little over a week...but then we will receive another girl soon! Living with 5 people for two months and now not, has given me much more time to think and reflect. I am so blown away by how awesome our fellowship was that only God blessed us with. It was absolutely incredible and I for sure miss everyone, but we have all been called to different places in different ways and times.

With this free time I've really been praying and thinking much more about my future. To be quite honest, I have no clue what the next step of my life will be after this trip. I know that this time here in El Salvador is not only a time to serve and be transformed, but to prepare me for what is next. The only thing is that I do not know what God has in store for that "next" part of my life. But the beautiful thing is that I may not know what it is...but I know WHO knows. I am continually giving it up to Jesus to steady my anxious heart for the unknown in the future. I would appreciate your prayers that God would give me peace and joy to not worry about what is next and KNOW that He will reveal the next step in His perfect timing, like He always does.

As far as ministry activities down here, all has been wonderful! English class has been fantastic and the students are really learning, but most of all ENJOYING it. We had a going away party for David on Wednesday and it was awesome to see how much of an impact he has made on these students. How sweet it was to see this poor community bringing gifts to him, buying a cake and drinks for the whole class to have! One of the moms even began crying as we were talking with her. It was such a beautiful thing to be apart of.

I was also blessed to be able to feed the homeless for the 3rd time here. Every time we go out, it's such a great wake up call to see that people literally are living on the streets and the meal we give may be the first one they've had in a while or for that day. Thanks to Jesus for providing the resources to make it possible!

I have a little more than a month left here and already do not want it to be that close. Every day the people, kids, culture, and language grows closer and closer to my heart. Please be praying like you have been...because I sure can feel it! I cannot thank you enough for you love, support, and encouragement! I feel truly privileged and blessed!

Praising the Lord,
Lauren

Praising Him for opportunities.

Buenos dias mis amigos!

I hope that all of you reading this blog today are finding joy and peace in our God Almighty. He is so good and worthy to be praised. I hope to encourage you all with a few stories that I have to share about some great opportunities that the Lord has presented me with!

This past week we had a group of people come to give/install some water filters to the Island that we work with. I was talking one night with a boy named Pedro who is Guatemalan but goes to high school in the US. One question he asked me was if my parents supported me doing the mission work here, and somehow it lead to me talking about my life with Christ and what it was like without Christ. One cool thing was that it was all in Spanish! Hallelujah! The second thing was that this boy actually was not a Christian and he told me that he was really encouraged to search more and think more about faith. I was really encouraged by one of our missionaries here, Ashley, as she told me that I basically just shared my testimony in Spanish. It's funny because before I came here I was asked by our short-term coordinator to share my testimony in Spanish, but I was not confident at all in my speaking abilities and could not do it. Then to add on top of that night, one of the girls from that group straight up asked me what my testimony was. She also is a Spanish speaker so that whole conversation was also not in my native language. I just smiled seeing what the Lord was doing that night. What a cool God!

After having that night to share spiritual things in Spanish, I felt more confident and also prompted to do more. I felt that God was showing me...Lauren you can speak Spanish well enough to share what I've done in your life and the experiences you have had as a Christian. So this Monday I gave the devotional for the afternoon session at the soccer school. I talked about my experiences running track in college and how my first year I really didn't understand what it meant to honor and glorify God in my sport. Many times I was only running for myself, my coach, or my team. But God taught me that it doesn't matter if I win or lose, it matters HOW I win and how I lose. I can honor God by having a good attitude, respecting my coaches, having humility when I when, or still having joy when I lose. So that is the sum of what I shared with them...just to encourage them that there is peace, freedom, and joy when you play your sport for the Lord. But it's their decision to either play for God, or someone/something else. I am so thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to share that with them...but im even more grateful that He gave me the words to say in SPANISH! Although I'm sure that my Spanish was not perfect, I think the guys all understood it and God was moving and speaking to their hearts!

Could you please continue to pray for opportunities such as these to share the word of God and how incredible He is! Also pray for our missionary Ashley who just left this morning to go back to the States. That means the only short-term missionaries left here are David and myself.

Thank you for YOU and I'm praying that God is doing amazing things IN and THROUGH you as well! :)

With much love,
Lauren

Much to tell...

Well hello my friends and family!
I know it's been a while...so hang in there with me as I update you as best as I can on everything that has been going on!

For starters, this week has been Semana Santa (Holy Week)...so for our organization we've had the whole week off for vacation! It's been great to relax and just have fun! Monday was extremely chill...we just hung out in the house, went and got coffee, and just took time to really rest. Although it can be boring sometimes, I think rest is much needed at times in our busy lives. Tuesday, however, was much different. All of us missionaries and the staff for CPCI shoved ourselves into a van and headed out to the beach! It was a great day, filled with sunshine and great fellowship! It was my first time swimming in the Pacific Ocean. I definitely got beat up in the ocean from all the rocks that were near the shore, but being able to body surf and swim in the waves was so worth it! Our lunch was also phenomenal! Such a huge spread of fish, veggies, potato salad, bread, and beans that were out of this world! Such a blessing to enjoy God's creation and beauty at the beach, and enjoy it with people that I love. Wednesday was yet another blessing to be apart of! The 5 of us missionaries have gotten pretty close to a boy at the soccer school named Henry. He is a great person and his dream is to become a pastry chef! He would love to be able to study the art of pastries in the U.S. one day, and that has been our prayer for him...to be able to have the means to one day study in the States and pursue his passion. So on Wednesday we invited him over to cook some "American" treats with us, and we had a blast! Not only did it bless us to be able to spend time with him in fellowship while cooking, but he also expressed interest in coming to church with us that night. That was also another great part of our day because me, Douache, and Ashley (the 3 girls) had the wonderful opportunity to sing a song, in English, for the church we attend. We sang "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe and it was amazing how God blessed us with 3 unique voices to sing a 3-part harmony. The highlight for me of that night was seeing how moved our friend Henry was after the service. He was very touched by the message that he began to cry. So we gave him a bible and all wrote in it, which was just awesome! Thursday was yet another great day! In the morning we planned a lunch meeting with the kids at the soccer school and their parents. It was the very first one and went SOOO well! We were able to inform the parents on the principles and goals of this ministry, show them a slideshow of photos, eat lunch together, play some games, give out items from a raffle, and just fellowship. It was the first of many to come and I think everyone had a great time. We were then able to go to a market to do some souvenir shopping the rest of the night.

Today is just a day to relax again and do some reflecting. For me I have been learning a lot about peace and unity. I never realized how much Jesus talks about unity just in the chapter of John alone. I think it has been a blessing to experience that peace and unity with the missionaries here. Today was a bit sad as we said our goodbyes to Douache as she is going back to the states. But we all talked about how cool it is that God called us here at the same time, and also how unified we all have been! Praise the Maker!

Tomorrow we are traveling back to the mountains of Jicalapa for the third time with our church and some of the soccer school boys. We will be playing some games there and simply reaching out and spending time with this community that doesn't get too many visitors. It's a long and hot trip up there...but soo worth it! Please be in prayer for our journey up there, and just for God to open doors to reach out and share the love of Christ with this community!

Sorry this was a long one, but hope you have been encouraged by it and feel apart of the ministry the Lord has placed me in!

With Christ's love,
Lauren

Thank you thank you!

Quick update....this should have been sent out earlier but I am feeling wonderful and back to normal! Praise be to God, the day I wrote my blog I had my meds in hand and the next day was already back to normal! Thank you so much for your prayers....they were DEFINITELY felt! I am so appreciative to have a family in Christ to lift me up when I need it!

Hope to update you all soon!

In Christ's love,
Lauren

Calling all my prayer warriors...

Hello friends and family,
Just had a quick prayer request for you all. Today I went to the doctor because my throat wasn't feeling to good and he thinks that I have an infection in my ear and throat. The Doc thinks it's from 2 weeks ago when I went swimming in this gorgeous lake, and the dirty water probably got in my ear. Praise the Lord I'm already on medication and have been able to rest all day. But I just wanted to ask for your prayers that I would heal quickly and feel better soon! I know that the Lord hears us when we call and He delights in answering! So it is my prayer in faith that our cries to the Lord are heard and that He brings about healing all over my body!

I am so blessed and privileged to have everyone of you to rely on and know that you are praying for me! Love you all and will keep you updated!

In Christ's Love,
Lauren

Pictures...

Update

So it's about time for an update, wouldn't ya think?! :) There has been a lot going on in the past week so bear with me as I try to inform you on everything!

To start things off, I'll tell you about our staff meeting last Thursday. In order to celebrate the leaving of our wonderful Short-term missionary Coordinator, Elsa, we all went to this gorgeous waterfall and had dinner in old San Salvador as a staff. As much as I wanted to swim in the water I could not get past how extremely cold it was...needless to say, I had fun watching the others. It was so nice to take the adventure and see such a beautiful sight and be with all the people who are apart of CFCI and their families. I love it how the culture down here is so people-oriented. Down here it's not about what you have or what you do, but rather who you are and how you can get to know one another better. I feel this is so much of the heartbeat of Christ. He invested in peoples lives, spent time with them, and most of all LOVED them. How great!

Now for the busy stuff! We received two teams from the US this past Saturday and have been working with them in and out. One team from Wake Forest is staying in the Missionary House with us while the other is in a different house. The team from Wake has been helping to transfer our medical clinic from Altavista to here in Soyapango. One Tuesday we traveled with the team back up to "Jicalapa" in the mountains to provide free medical care for the people there. One of the highlights for me was on our way up to the mountains. We took a microbus which holds 25...and we had 34 people. Not only was it extremely crowded but incredibly hot inside. We couldn't turn on the AC because we needed all the power we could conserve in order to actually make it up the mountain, but also the windows needed to be closed because so much dirt was flying inside. Someone made the comment that it could be worse and I thought to myself, "There is no stinkin' way it could be worse than this". But as I started thinking, God slightly put the thought in my head that it certainly could be worse, and I began to think of the treacherous journey that Jesus had to take up a mountain while carrying a heavy cross on His beaten back. What a convicting yet awesome realization! Right then and there I definitely stopped complaining and was so grateful!

We've done a couple of other activities with the different teams and spent some time with them. It's been good seeing the different personalities of people who come down here and hearing their stories. How cool that God weaves together all different people for the single purpose of glorifying His name and loving on His children of the world!

Last highlight was last night as we had another fiesta for Elsa. Again, people here love to get together with people! Nothing else is needed! Except maybe some music and dancing! I finally learned how to Salsa...well just a little taste. All of the "Gringas" had no clue how to dance to this type of music...but it sure was fun! It makes me love the culture even more! Everyone had a great time and it was such a pleasure to enjoy the fellowship and relax after all the work we've been doing so far. I still have to remind myself that it is OK to relax and have fun, even though I'm a "missionary". :) Please feel free to email me with ANY more specific questions you have. Love you guys mucho!!

p.s...pictures to follow later

Praise God for the little things!

I want to take the time tonight just to praise the Lord for the small things in life that we often look past, or take for granted. Things like going to the bathroom normally. I praise God that after about a month of living here, I believe that my stomach has finally adjusted to the food here and it is wonderful! Yay :) On a more serious note, this Saturday the missionaries and I had the privilege to serve the homeless on the streets. We made and put together about 100 bags of food and rode around in a pickup truck, dropping them off to various locations and people. What an eye-opener to see so many people living on the sidewalks, under bridges, and in filth. Talk about being grateful for the roof over your head and food in your belly. While we may not be able to solve all world hunger at once, we can help one person at a time, through one meal at a time.

I also just praise God, and thank you, for all the protection that is around us. I KNOW that our prayers are being heard by God as He has kept us all safe. I don't know if I have expressed this yet, but me and the other missionaries really do stick out. I saw three other "gringos" about a week ago and was in shock! But God has been so kind by putting His angels all around us and keeping us safe! I ask that you continue to pray for all of our safety, keeping our bodies healthy, help with speaking the language, and the hearts of the people all around us! Thank you for your support and your prayers! I feel truly blessed by you :)

God bless you and show you His love more and more every day :)

Lorena

You can help!!!

Busy week!

So, I know it's been a while since I last wrote but it has been a long yet wonderful week. This week we had a team come in from Roberts Wesleyan, New York. Our schedule was very busy and we did quite a bit. Thursday and Friday we traveled to remote communities on an island and in the mountains. Neither get visitors very often so the people were so excited to have us. We put on children's VBS programs and played soccer in the afternoons. At the beginning of the week we helped out with the other teams soccer clinics and did community service projects like painting and picking up trash. It really was great to work alongside 13 other believers...all here for one purpose. They added a lot of laughter to the week and it was a pleasure to have them here with us. I think I learned a bit this week on how to be a servant, even when I don't feel like it. Lots of times...ok all the time...it was hot, we were sweaty and cramped, and some didn't even feel good...but it was good to know that God still provides the strength to serve Him and carry on with His work. I praise Him for that! Here are some pictures from this week! Enjoy! I love you all so so much :)

Dios le bendiga!