Day 8 - El Salvador to Iowa

We actually made it out of bed at 4:45 a.m. and we were ready to go when Alfredo came to pick us up one last time in the dark blue microbus with Becky's Tours on the side. Alfredo is a small handsome man of small stature (pictured here with Kathy Mahler). If he was lucky, he came up to Larry's armpit... (and Larry Lepper is 6'5") But sweet? Oh my, what a nice man. He takes good care of all of Kathy Mahler's delegations and also of Kathy. And that's good to know.

The day was not too eventful... other than traveling back home to Iowa – only (lots of) miles. We went through every checkpoint – I couldn't seem to get my act together at the first security stop and had to be reminded to take my shoes off and then set off the alarm when I forgot my phone was in my pocket. The next time I did a better job. Mary (MacKenzie) got stopped at Customs to check her bag. That was after they confiscated her hot sauce that she was taking home. I guess she might have gotten it through in her checked bag, but after Blair's (Lawson) experience with the flavoring on the way down, could you imagine all of Mary's clothes smelling like hot sauce when one of those bottles broke?

Larry (Lepper) and Blair also got pulled aside to have their shoes checked after they declared that they'd been on a farm, or spending time with cattle. Larry actually got his shoes washed, but Blair didn't. I guess they didn't figure Blair had been doing as much serious cattle rustling as Larry, since Larry had on his cowboy hat and Blair didn't (don't think he has one).

It was a rude awaking to come home to 30 mph NW winds after the warm temps we'd experienced. I guess it's back to reality... huh?

But, before I close, I just want to say a few thank yous. Thanks to my Trinity United Presbyterian Church friends for planning a trip of which I could be a part. I was the last to join and they very bravely took me under their wings and showed me all I needed to know to not look too unintelligent this past week. Being the only rookie didn't prove to be too challenging with all of their help.
There was Larry Lepper, our financial guru who kept close track of all our money. He spoke much Spanish and was not afraid to jump right in and try to speak to anyone. He wanted very badly to just blend in with the natives, but at 6'5' which white hair, he wasn't too successful. He was a huge asset to the trip and this was his second. Thanks, Larry.

There was Dave Endriss, our fearless pastor. He kept a quiet profile all week and only stepped into his pastoral role when asked. Otherwise, he made us all feel his equal – just 6 Trinity folks wanting to learn all we could. Thanks for your quiet leadership and friendship to all and lots of balloon fun! Thanks, Dave.
There was Blair Lawson, long time friend and our quiet, insightful one. He always had the interesting questions. I've lost track of the number of times he's been to El Salvador. He knows much about what goes on there. He will soon be president of the Indianola Rotary Club, so was taking lots of notes for them regarding the water filter project. Thanks, Blair.

There was Denise Core, a long time friend... the organized one. This was her third trip(?), so she knew a bit about what to expect and kept me informed when need be so that I'd look halfway intelligent. Always had anything we'd forgotten to pack. Thanks, Denise.

And then there was Mary MacKenzie, also a long time friend... her second trip. She's the strong and steady one – never afraid to try anything new. She was right there every time we went anywhere in the back of the truck with the guys hanging on for dear life. But, she was there. Thanks, Mary.

And Kathy Mahler... what can you say about Kathy? What a rock of a mission co-worker! She's there. She's wherever she needs to be. She does whatever she needs to do. And she's doing it well. And I enjoyed so much being able to see her there in her own world. I'd heard all about it, but now, I've been able to experience it. Thanks, Kathy.

And to Compañeros... my deepest thanks for making this trip happen for me. I come home with new insight into the El Salvador mission. I've been there and I've seen it. Not only have I seen my Casa de Zinc brothers and sisters with my own Trinity brothers and sisters, but I've seen El Tablon and El Recreo. I was close to Virginia, San Francisco, Las Delicias, Corazol, Munosis, San Felipe (I either saw the names on signs or Kathy would say, we're now in.) I couldn't make it to all of them, but I've seen what you're doing there. I've been there. I thank you with all of my heart for allowing me this experience.

And thanks to Nancy Lister-Settle and Kim Coulter for planting the seed... two months' ago, this trip wasn't even on my radar screen.

–Betty

(Pictured left to right) Milagro, Mary MacKenzie, Betty Dyer, Denise Core, Blanca, Kathy Mahler, Idalia, Larry Lepper, Otilia, Dave Endriss, Cecelia, Blair Lawson.

Day 3 - San Miguel

I'm back... it's still chilly here, again this evening. It was hot today when we drove to San Miguel. We took the Pastoral Team's pickup truck - it's a red Toyota, the pickup of choice down here. I did something that I couldn't do at home... rode in the back of the pickup all the way standing up. There's a metal railing to hold onto. It's the law that you have to have your seatbelts on in the front seat of the car or truck, but you can stand in the back of the truck. Go figure. But, we got to see the place where they make the water filters. We got a demonstration of the whole process of how they're made and how they work. It was kind of an out-of-body experience to stand back and see the following stenciled on them:

Compañeros of Central Iowa, Club Rotario, Indianola

And what a great opportunity we had to actually see the gentlemen making them.

And then we went to the hardware store to pick up the tools for our families in our sister canton, Casa de Zinc. Unfortunately, they didn't have all that we'd ordered or paid for, so we'll have to make another trip back. It was a lot like a Home Depot – very modern on both the outside and inside – a little different than all we'd been seeing prior to that time.

We traveled back to Berlin and then had lunch here at the pastoral house – another wonderful meal from the sweet ladies here that are taking care of Kathy and all of us. After lunch, we excused Dave to go take a nap, as he did not sleep well last night. The rest of us and Cecelia walked up town... and when we say walk UP town, we mean it! This is a very hilly little town, right on the side of the mountain. Everywhere we go, we go up and down and wind around on very narrow roads. Dramamine is my friend! Thanks to Karen M. for giving me the advice of taking it every day! We bought more items for our Casa de Zinc families and walked back. After another short break in the action, we crawled back in the pickup (and no, I have not been standing in the back since the way to San Miguel this morning.)

This time, we took a very long windy road down a very long ways to El Recreo - the sister parish of St. Boniface in Waukee. Yes, I got to see the wonderful church that you helped build for them, along with the museum! What a great experience that was. And I took lots of pics for others to see. (Yes, I've already taken close to 400 pictures in 3 days. Thank goodness for digital cameras!)

We thought we were going to run out of gas before we got back to Berlin because all the way down the hill the gas tank read "E", but when we started back up the hill, we had nearly a quarter tank again! Kathy was going to be upset with herself if we had run out, as it would've been a first for that. So, she and I went to get gas when we got home again.

And speaking of Kathy Mahler – today was her birthday! We knew it, so sang to her in both Spanish and English at breakfast time. Of course, she was hugely embarrassed, as she gets at times like these, as she hates to be the center of attention. But I need to tell you that she NEEDS to be at the center of attention because as a part of her first delegation as a full-time mission co-worker, I can tell you that she's doing a wonderful job! She is so good at this job because you can tell how much she loves it! It fits her like a glove. Without her, this trip would not be nearly as great or informative. And her Spanish has improved immensely.

And speaking for myself again, I didn't realize how much I missed her. I didn't properly say goodbye when she left in January, as someone came into the office and she snuck out. But, we didn't want to do it again, as it was hard enough to say goodbye in the fall of 2007 when she came down and in the winter of 2008 when she came back. As all of you know who know her, if you know her, you love her. That sounds like a song coming on... but not really. It's just the truth. And we knew that we'd be seeing each other again soon, so we didn't need to say goodbye formally... good excuse, anyway!

Well, I think that's all for now and I'm going to bed, as is everyone else now. (and yes, it's only 9:00 p.m. But it's been a long day in a lot of wind and fresh air. Looking forward to that shower tomorrow morning. :-)

– Betty