We have a real sweet opportunity coming this week…YL in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse are all going down to El Salvador! We're teaming up to do a service project down there. Each city has 'adopted' a town. Rochester will be in Taura, Syracuse in Rancho Grande, and Buffalo in Montechristo.
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| Blue - Taura - Rochester Pink - Rancho Grande - Syracuse Green - Montechristo - Buffalo |
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| full map of El Salvador (gives a little perspective on where we will be) |
Each group will be working on service projects. In Rochester, we have the opportunity to put in an irrigation system, build a playground, and host a medical clinic. And more than all that, we get to meet and spend time with the people of Taura! This will be such a blessing to this community and we're really excited to be able to serve them in this way. There are 36 of us from Rochester going on the trip, including YL staff, adults, volunteer leaders, and high school students. The team from Pittsford consists of: myself, Mike (volunteer leader), and 7 high school students (Caroline, Linnea, Amber, Elizabeth, Kelsey, Cole, Kyle).
We are leaving Thursday and will be there for a week. We have been preparing for this trip for about 5 months. Each person who is going had the opportunity to raise support to go, as well as gather supplies. The kids have spent months going to their doctors offices, dentist, doing drives at school, etc to gather supplies. On Saturday, we had a packing party, where everyone brought together their supplies. The airline we're flying with allows for 1 free checked bag per person. As a group, we're using these bags to bring our sleeping bags (we're sleeping on the floor!) and all the supplies collected (We're bringing all our clothes in a backpack!) Here's a few pictures of everyone packing up the supplies:
No makeup allowed! This week is going to be a stretch for some of the girls coming. No make-up, limited showers, no straighteners, no cell phones. Most of the things that girls, in particular high school girls, cling to will not be present this week. I think it will be challenging, but a breath of fresh air. I pray that they will experience freedom from trying to fit a certain image while they lay down their lives and serve others.
I'm really excited for this trip. I'm excited to serve alongside of my high school friends. I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in all of our hearts. I'm excited to meet people who have joy not based on material things.
Please, please, please pray for this trip!
Prayer Requests:
1. That myself and the rest of the Pittsford crew would come not to be served, but to serve
2. That I would lay down my 'want to be a good leader' face and simply serve and love people
3. That the Pittsford kids coming would fall in love would Jesus this week
4. That the Pittsford kids would come back with an incredible love for people and a passion to share Christ with their friends
I look forward to updating you after the trip! Thanks for your continued support. Jesus is changing hearts and I'm thankful to be a part of it.
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