From a Neglectful Blogger

Once again it has been longer than I prefer since my last blog.  The schedule in El Salvador was busy and then I flew towards California.  I took a few stops along the way, but ended up in Fresno, California for a Convoy of Hope Outreach.  It was the first time I had ever attended an outreach.  So, I have a lot to say, but I know your attention span is already waning =).  I made a video that explained the work we were doing in El Salvador.  I can't seem to figure out how to post a video.  They took off that option on the top of my blog editer.  I don't feel like being the geek squad. So, you will have to wait, with great anticipation for my video =).

I stayed a few days in El Salvador after the team left to visit with a missionary from Enlace and to surf with a friend from Cincel.  Enlace, for those that don't know, is a non-profit organization in El Salvador that equips churches to transform their communities.  After returning from El Salvador I had a day in Springfield to pack for California.  The Outreach in Fresno was fun.  It was a nice fall day and lots of people showed up to the outreach.  Here are some basic statistics:

10,158 Guests

2,342 Volunteers
76 Participating Churches
65 Participating Organizations
5,100 Guests Prayed With
542 Salvations
160,000 lbs of Groceries & Fresh Produce
505 Haircuts
600 Family Portraits
275 Haircuts

A food bank in Fresno donated fresh produce.  I worked in this area most of the day.  The guest would get their bagged food and then would go around a fresh produce circle.  Volunteers would help them carry all the food.  I would get two thirds around the circle and wouldn't be able to hold the box anymore.  There would usually be two or three volunteers helping each guest carry all their food and produce to the shuttle.  I'm a fan of vegetables and fruit, so I was happy that the attendees could leave with produce.  Especially, since produce can be expensive, so most probally buy canned and boxed goods first. 

Finally, there has been alot of flooding in El Salvador.  Some of the schools where we have our Nutrition Program were damaged and we lost some of our students. Many families lost all their material goods and these were families who probally did not have much before the floods.  It may even be difficult for students to return to school.  Please remember these families and communities in your prayers!  When a volcano exploded in 2000 many people were put into a refugee camp.  These people are still living there and have never been able to move away from the camp.  When disaster hits no matter your economic status it is difficult, but for those in the developing world and the lower economic strata the struggle is much greater! 

These pictures were sent to me from our staff in El Salvador of the damage done from the floods!