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