Unripe Mangos are Sour

Dia numero dos

Today was an immensely productive day in El Salvador. I mean, the sun was out (I got sun burnt, and so did Natalie) and we planted trees and re-painted the new playground. This morning started well with mass at around 8AM, which was a challenge for some people, we were and are, pretty tired. I tend to look at the exhaustion associated with this trip in a positive light, we are just starting the Lenten season and I believe that the suffering that comes with mission work and service helps to mold us into better Christian models. I digress. This morning after mass we gathered again to discuss the days itinerary. We were to be split up into three groups and were to be assigned three separate projects. The first was planting lime trees, the second was painting the new playground and the third was working on developing flower displays near the recreational area near the entrance to the compound. (I accidentally omitted the third task that some of us had been assigned). I had been assigned, rather I volunteered, to work planting the lime trees. The majority of the men on the trip also opted to plant trees however some decided to help paint parts of the playground, which was also a valiant cause. As we began digging the holes for the trees, which were to be 2ft deep and 1 and 1 half foot wide, we discovered that the soil was rather easy to dig up however, when we approached deeper depths of earth we soon found out that the soil turned to clay, which slowed the digging process. Whats funny is the first reading for today's liturgy mentioned the creation of man from clay, I understand there is very little spiritual correlation between the clay we dug up and the creation of man, but I just thought it was a happy coincidence. We planted 12 lime trees today and after a hard days work, shifted our efforts to aiding the other group in their artistic endeavors. By the time we had finished they had almost completed their task so those of us who were already down moved to cleaning up some of the garbage that had been tossed by the side of the road just outside the compound walls. We worked for about 45 minutes that proceeded to call it a day. Safe to say, we had an excellent first day working in El Salvador. The members of Unbound proved to be amazing hosts yet again, and as we continue to become acquainted with them, we are discovering a plethora of humorous jokes that will continue to be "inside jokes", so sadly, I can't share them here.

After we halted our work, we all decided that the best decision would be to partake in a friendly, yet competitive, match of volleyball. A volleyball net had been set up earlier after our lunch and many more of the mission workers wanted to play the second go round after work and before dinner. Safe to say, my team dominated, but others will disagree. Where we lacked organization and say, a real team, we made up for in spirit and mental prowess. We scored entirely different types of "points" and we gained victory on a unique scale. We had fun. Dinner followed our game of volleyball and as we proceeded to fill our bellies with warm, scrumptious lasagna, darkness enveloped us and we encountered our first thunder storm. I have to say, thunder storms make the most magnificent backgrounds to warm dinners and friendly conversation. I enjoy watched God unleash his almighty power via millions of volts of pure electricity. Its pretty neat. El Salvador really is a gorgeous country and I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to call it my home for these next few days. As dinner ended most of us went off to shower and get cleaned up before the movie. We had decided the previous night that we would all watch a film entitled, "Innocent Voices". Its a film about the El Salvadorean revolution and how one small boy endured hardship and intense suffering. His tale is told through his eyes, and while there are some humorous parts in the movie the vast majority of the movie is focused on the conflict between the Army and the Rebels. The movie certainly made an impact and provided all of us with a small window of insight into some of the experiences shared by the Salvadorean peoples. I really enjoyed it.

As I wrap up this short note describing some of our share experiences, I would like to point out that we are all so fortunate to live lives in the United States. We are also so very blessed to have the ability to aid those who require greater aid then ourselves. I hope that this experience gives me a different set of eyes; eyes that allow me to appreciate the simpler things such as a warm bed, decent clothes and a full belly. So many people forgo simple commodities on a daily basis, most of them things that we take for granted. I just hope that we can make an impact and continue to do so on a daily, even after we leave. Just in these first few days, God has taught each and every one of us a lesson. My lesson has been in patience and gratitude. I cannot speak for the others, but I see it in their eyes and in their words; they have been affected as well. I cannot wait till tomorrow to help out in the outlying community. I look forward to what God has in store for this mission trip and those on it. God bless those who support us everyday. God bless El Salvador.

-Peter Reimer (assisted by Natalie Roberts)