We were somewhat discouraged when upon our arrival we learned our translator had backed out on us and when we visited the worksite and learned before we could even get started we’d have to remove a partial wall in three feet of dirt. But glory to the Lord, not only did we get our wall plus a partial wall built, we finished ahead of schedule.
Apancino Apulo, the village where we worked is located approximately 15 miles from the capitol city of San Salvador, and a 45-minute drive through the mountains. It’s somewhat nestled in a valley and only blocks from Lagode Ilopango Lake, one of the largest lakes in El Salvador, with some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen.
In a part of the world where people have very little if any of the modern convinces I was moved by their humility and outward love toward us. Beginning at the airport we were greeted with hugs and their hospitality continued throughout the week & a half we were there.
The village consisted mostly of shanty shacks. Four tin walls and a tin roof. We were told that as many as three generations live in these shacks. Their water is trucked in each day. As the truck enters the village it honks its horn and those needing water waves them down.
Laundry is done in the lake, which was about 3 blocks from where we were working. Each morning you would see women or young girls carrying large tubs of clothes on top of their head. Once at the lake they would wash their clothes on a washing rock (a large flat rock) with a bar of soap. They would then walk back up to their shacks and hang the clothes out to dry.
Those fortunate enough to find jobs in the city would travel by bus or hitchhike into the city where several factories were located including Nike and Puma. We were told that mostly women worked in these factories. The hours being from 6am to 6pm 7 days a week for a meager pay of only $100 for 15 working days which averages out to $1.80 an hour.
Throughout the city and along the main road vendors were set up selling everything from candy and soda to fried foods cooked on portable propane stoves.
Due to the appearance of armed guards at our hotel, all convenient stores and restaurants we felt relatively safe during our stay. The armed checkpoints set up periodically outside the city was a little threatening though. These guys, armed with military typed rifles, were very intimidating, especially when you didn’t understand what they were saying to the driver. Luckily we only had to endure this once during our stay.
We tried many different foods, mostly fried, that we had no idea what they were and the children brought us different fruits grown right there in the village such as bananas, mangos, limes, coconuts and avocado’s. Out of all the different foods we tried coconut milk was the only thing none of us cared for.
Spending time with the children in the village was probably the highlight of our trip. There were five boys in particular we bonded with because they would come to the sight every day after school to help us. Fernando, Julio, William, Danilo and Bayron ranged in ages of 5 to 11 years old. William and Danilo are brothers who were orphaned last year when their mother was murdered by their stepfather. They now live with their grandmother and the other boys are their cousins. Seldom did you see them apart. They really enjoyed Larry’s animal impersonations, and by the end of the week Larry had them all crowing like roosters.
The whole community seemed very close knit, like one big family and they seemed to take great pride in what little they did have. In the evenings I almost felt guilty going back to the comforts of the hotel where we had running water and flushable toilets, not to mention a comfortable bed to sleep in. It was truly humbling to realize how much I’d taken these luxuries for granted back in America. It was even more humbling to see a child’s face light up like a Christmas tree when they were given a simple candy cane or small McDonalds toy.
What impressed me the most about these wonderful people was their passion and commitment to the Lord. In the village where we were they had church services every night except Thursday and members walked a mile or more to attend. We had the opportunity to take part in two of their services and it was an truly awesome experience. Aside from the United Brethren emblem painted on the outside of the tin-roofed cement building you would never know you were in a church until everyone was gathered for praise and worship then you knew the presence of God was all around you. There was no musical instruments, just 40-50 people singing their hearts out for the Lord. Both times I was moved to tears by their passion. It was absolutely beautiful.
Most everyone we met was open and friendly and very appreciative of our being there. Friday night they held a special service in our honor. A translator was brought in to interrupt and 2 women who sung and played guitar performed for us. Each of us was presented a souvenir plague and asked to give a brief speech. As Pastor Walter gave a wonderful speech about us being their friends someone placed an American flag in the window. He said they pray for America because they know she has many enemies, but that they are her friends. He said they are grateful to America because of the missionaries who brought them the gospel. They then served us a delicious diner of Papusa’s. We didn’t know what was in them, but they were very good.
Saturday we were treated to a fun day of sight seeing with Pastor Walter, his wife, Esther and several members of the congregation. They took us up to Puerta De Diablo, which means Devil of Door. It is the highest point in the region and overlooks the capitol city of San Salvador and one of many volcanos in the country. We also spent a couple of hours at the Market Place in San Salvador. It is like a gigantic flea market with all kinds of goodies. I think even the men enjoyed it, though they wouldn’t admit it.
As we departed El Salvador Sunday morning, I left with mixed emotions. Though I longed to return home to family and friends I knew I would never be the same. A part of me would be left behind and I would always long to return to a place that had forever touched my heart.
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