As many of you may have heard the team will be arriving at Reagan National Airport at 11pm. Check your email please. :)
But before then, you might as well read the blog because Tori and Kathryn won't be home for a little while. You have some time.
So yesterday. It began as usual with a typical El Salvadorian breakfast (because Edward, Mr. Crews, and Kara ate all the (in espanol) pan-cakes), then traveled to a mountain public school. There, the 300ish students gathered under a small pavilion to watch us put on our David and Goliath skit, sing the banana song, do Tootie-Tot, sing worship songs, and pass out cookies/candy. Because there were so many kids we had them originally split into two groups. The older group (12 yrs and up) had about 200 kids. We all thought the "Go Banana's song" was fool proof, but apparently not there. With laughter and awkward stares, we cut the songs short. Those crazy Americans. In contrast, we had a much better response with the younger kids. One of the teams' favorite things at the school was practicing their Spanish with the kids. The kids there, enjoyed practicing their English.
(Kathryn and Tori continue to sip their hot drinks because their caffeine boosts are dwindling)
After the school, the team went to their final lunch in the mall, then returned to the hotel to check up on Casey. Earlier on she was feeling sick, but with the promise of enjoying the company of other teenagers (specifically El Salvadorian teenagers) she came with the team for the afternoon. During their afternoon jaunt the team traveled to a local Wendy's where a Tirzah women co-hosted a youth group meeting.
With voices rising in a cappella, the El Salvadorian teens and American teens intertwined the two languages of Spanish and English to worship the most mightiest one of all. Later on, the floor was opened for a time to share testimonies and answer/ask questions. It was great getting to know the teens and they must have thought the same as the Americans because one strapping young man asked Kathryn to stay in El Salvador. Kara said that she had promised Kathryn's mother that Kathryn had to return home. Bummer.
That same young 18 year old proposed to Kara, however, her protective and caring brother, James, stepped in and said, "I would like my sister to marry someone with a job." The boy in good humor replied that he had a small job so he thought that he and Kara could make it work.
Now for dinner. CHINESE FOOD. It's funny how Kathryn and Tori started the blogs with Chinese food and ended the blogs with Chinese food. Bookending trips with it is definitely the way to go. During dinner we were joined by the head of Tirzah International from Colorado Springs and Mercedes Dalton.
With dinner coming to a close around 8:15, the team and the Dalton brothers headed out. That evening they enjoyed an affirmation circle, reminding one another how much they had seen God present in their lives and how much they are loved. Tears of compassion were leaked, but smiles were present everywhere. Ask you kids about what was said about them. They are all great, amazing, and awesome. You all are truly blessed to have a relationship with each one of them.
Packing quickly that evening until 12:30am, the team settled down for a long blink...three hours to be exact. Now here we are, waiting to return home to America and our families. We'll see you in a bit.
Signing off for the last time as El Salvadorian travelers of 2011,
Kathryn and Tori <3



