Week Uno

       This week we have learned to adjust to life here, and we have so much to be thankful for.
1. That we learned our way to the market, vegetable stand, and most importantly-- the ice cream shop.

      2. We are thankful for all the laughter our "Spanish speaking" brings. Constantly being surrounded by a language that we don't understand can be frustrating, but we try to find the humorous side of it. Today we went to a restaurant (alone). Unfortunately, the waiter didn't understand anything we were saying. We babbled on, trying to communicate when we noticed that the man sitting beside us was rolling laughing. We then knew that he understood English but wasn't making an effort to help us out. We then forced him to translate our broken sentences. Thankfully, by the end of the meal, we were all laughing (and they were saying something about us.... And we still don't want to know what it was).
It really touches us how people go out of their way to try and communicate with us. Even if they only know a few words, they try to show kindness by saying nice things in our language.

      3. We were blessed this week to be able to go to the clinic. There, we played with children in the waiting room and were able to talk to Linda, a woman from the US who heeded God's call to serve in El Salvador. She is such an encouragement to us.

4. We are thankful to have been accepted by the people here, on the streets, and in the office. While the WOL team is diligently preparing for the groups that will be coming from the US in a couple of weeks, we've been able to help them prepare sets, but we have also had time go out on the streets and experience the culture.

5. We are grateful for the late night skype sessions that have kept us connected with our families (and Richard) and the laughter it has brought us.

Looking forward to the next 50 days!!



XOXO

~Kaylee and Anna

The Arrival

     We left our tearful families this morning at 7:00 am to fly to Atlanta, GA. We were fortunate to be able to see the sun rise as we ascended into the air. As the sun filled the sky with vibrant colors, we looked out over the horizon and realized how in control God is. Just to see His creation made us feel so small, but so blessed not only to see the creation but also to know the Creator.

     One of our greatest concerns was being able to navigate the Atlanta airport. As soon as we arrived in Atlanta we knew God had His hand on this trip because we asked for directions one time and found our tram and gate within ten minuets. We were then able to explore and rest before we boarded the next plane to El Salvador. Three hours later, we landed in San Salvador. We went through the immigration line, found our luggage, and went through customs in ten minuets. As we were waiting for some of the missionaries to pick us up, a kind man noticed how out of place we were, and offered his phone for us to use. Soon after, Emilia and Rodrigo picked us up and took us to the Word of Life office where we will be living for the next two months. We are so grateful to be in this beautiful country. Thank you to everyone who has and is praying for us, without you we might have ended up in Africa.

XOXO
~Kaylee &Anna

Four Days

     Our names are Kaylee Goad and Anna McKinney and we are two high school seniors who are looking to serve the Lord in any way possible. In January of 2013 we began praying about an opportunity to spread the gospel while serving in a foreign country. We contacted Word Of Life, which is an organization that has many locations around the world, working to spread the gospel. Together we chose to go to El Salvador. We applied to the launch program (a program that allows teenagers to experience what its like to be a missionary). We were accepted in October of 2013, and began making arrangements. This trip is possible because of the support of our family, friends, church family, and World of Life team. We will be in El Salvador from January 20th-March 14th helping the team spread the gospel.

 

     One thing we are especially grateful for is a youth group that has blessed us with their prayers, support, and friendship. Sunday we had the opportunity to present a presentation with details about our trip. The youth commissioned us through prayer as they surrounded us and laid a hand on our shoulders. It is beautiful realization that you have so many people who care about you, and as we left Sunday morning our youth pastor hung the flag of El Salvador in the youth suit to lift us up in prayer while we are away. We are blessed to be apart of what God is already doing in El Salvador. Four Days!

XOXO 
~Kaylee & Anna