On El Salvador Time
Information about El Sal
1. The cost. It is true that the church's mission trips have involved costs to the participants. We have created and participated in numerous fundraisers to offset these costs. In the past, the Team has asked the team members to come up with a nominal "deposit" to make the plane reservations. In most cases that is the only direct cost that was seen by the team members. We either raised the remaining funds for the trip or others in the congregation have generously donated to cover the costs. We have always been able to cover the costs in the past and trust we will in the future. We are sincere in wanting to stress however, that even if the deposit we have asked for in the past is seen as a deterrent, we do not want that to prevent anyone from participating. With that in mind, we do NOT plan on "requiring" a deposit for upcoming trips. We trust in the faith and generosity of both the participants and the PGUMC congregation. We will find a way to make it happen.
2. Safety. There have been reports in the news lately of violence, primarily gang and drug related, in many Central American countries and specifically El Salvador. The Mission Team and our sponsors and friends in El Salvador are well aware of potential security concerns. That being said, the Team takes every precaution and avoids dangerous situations. We have not felt any undue concern being there and hope it won't prevent others from participating.
3. Language. It is true that El Salvador is a Spanish speaking country. It is also true that in many of the places we work and visit, few of the local population speak English. There are interpreters with the team during formal "events" and on work sites. Also, several team members speak Spanish with varying degrees of fluency. It is not a problem that should deter anyone. You can take it as a challenge to try another language, it's fun.
4. You'll get sick. No, you cannot drink the water. However, you will be constantly supplied with SAFE bottled drinking water. You will get supplied SAFE meals to eat. We have also found that other methods have been used, probiotics, etc., that seem to be effective at preventing most tummy problems. That being said, people have gotten sick and the possibilities are there. However, if you were to ask anyone who has gone and gotten sick, we think that most would still think the experience was worth the risk.
by El Sal team member
2. Safety. There have been reports in the news lately of violence, primarily gang and drug related, in many Central American countries and specifically El Salvador. The Mission Team and our sponsors and friends in El Salvador are well aware of potential security concerns. That being said, the Team takes every precaution and avoids dangerous situations. We have not felt any undue concern being there and hope it won't prevent others from participating.
3. Language. It is true that El Salvador is a Spanish speaking country. It is also true that in many of the places we work and visit, few of the local population speak English. There are interpreters with the team during formal "events" and on work sites. Also, several team members speak Spanish with varying degrees of fluency. It is not a problem that should deter anyone. You can take it as a challenge to try another language, it's fun.
4. You'll get sick. No, you cannot drink the water. However, you will be constantly supplied with SAFE bottled drinking water. You will get supplied SAFE meals to eat. We have also found that other methods have been used, probiotics, etc., that seem to be effective at preventing most tummy problems. That being said, people have gotten sick and the possibilities are there. However, if you were to ask anyone who has gone and gotten sick, we think that most would still think the experience was worth the risk.
by El Sal team member
More photos here