Hello all,

Well the team from New York left today, so life has been slowly getting back to normal here. The kids are a little somber, and some of them are pretty sad that the team left. The team was really good with the kids, so their presence was a definite blessing, but it is always hard for everyone to say goodbye.

Even though the team left today, it was still very busy. Bobby and I got up early as usual (although Bobby always gets up way earlier than me). I did my devotion first thing this morning and then afterwards became very busy helping the team prepare for their departure. I also managed to squeeze in about an hour of office time this morning as well before the team left. In addition to all of this, I was also getting last minute details covered for the arrival of Deb, a new missionary who came today. Finally, at about 9:30am, we had everyone and all of their luggage loaded up and we took them to the airport. I was very sad to see them leave, knowing that I may never seen some of them again. But, it was a real blessing to have met them and to share part of my El Salvador experience with them.

After we got back from dropping the team off at the airport I busied myself picking up their rooms. They did a great job of cleaning the rooms before they left, but several of them left sheets, blankets, and pillows behind as a donation for the kids. So, I needed to collect those items and get them washed before handing them out to the kids. Bobby and I then ate lunch (homemade pizzas that he prepared with fresh vegetable toppings from our garden) and then we left for the OASIS feeding program.

OASIS has become one of my favorite programs because I love working with the community, and especially with the poorest of the poor. Immediately after arriving to the OASIS location, me and several of the girls went around door to door to invite people to come. I love getting out into the community and going into the peoples homes. It makes me feel connected to them in some way. I chatted briefly with a lady I met in her home who recently had surgery. I told her that I was a nurse and that I would be happy to check up on her and help her if she needed. I plan on visiting her again and checking on her surgical wounds and possibly taking her some food. I told her that I would pray for her. We then continued on going door to door and we came across a little boy sitting on the street corner looking dirty and drabby as many of the kids there do. One of the girls from the orphanage that was with me gave him some cookies and then they began playing. There was a cement sewage drainage "slide" near his home and they began sliding down it. I told them that this was disgusting, but it was dried up right now so they didn't seem to care too much. It was funny though to see this little boy with cookies in his hand sliding down this cement sewage drain. He didn't care what it was, he just thought it was fun. We then returned back to the OASIS building and continued with the program as usual, which is singing and a basic Bible story. We then fed them a simple meal of beans, cheese, and tortillas.

After OASIS was over we came back to the home and by this time Deb had arrived. We greeted her and I then helped the girls wash the mound of dishes that they had from lunch and OASIS. After all of the dishes I was hot, sticky, and I smelled like beans. But, oh well. I then spent more time this afternoon getting Deb acquainted as well as doing more washing of the items that the team left behind. I also did my spanish homework and filled out some postcards that I need to send out to family.

Bobby and I then ate pupusas this evening for dinner. The cafeteria was serving chicken feet, and that is the one meal that I just can't stomach. So, we went to the little pupusarisa down the road and bought 6 bean and cheese pupusas for $2.10. After dinner I spent time with the older girls here at the home and now I am back in the office again working.

So, it has been a long, busy, but good day. I have been thinking of you all a lot lately and we miss you all a lot.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

Lots of love,
Britney