I just heard from our in-country coordinator, Patty Cordero. Patty has been an incredible help to me in setting up this trip, and I know she has been extremely busy in working with all the other teams coming into El Salvador this year!
Habitat arranges our lodging during the time we are working and building, and they do an excellent job of making sure we are as comfortable as possible.
The hotel they have chosen for us in February is absolutely beautiful--it took my breath away when I looked at the hotel's website. I think we are going to be VERY happy there!
We have also finalized some of the final pieces of the itinerary. It's all coming together, and 16 days to go!!!
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Updates. Show all posts
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Less than One Month!!!
In one month from yesterday, 14 people will be in El Salvador! It's hard to believe that it's so close!
A lot is already finished. Our number is set at 14, everyone is registered, and almost everyone's paperwork is filled out. The tickets are purchased, and everyone seems excited to get there!
We got an update from Habitat El Salvador today. We will be building in the area around Sonsonate, a beautiful little town almost directly west of San Salvador. It's where I built when I was there in August, and I'm excited to go back.
There has been one change to the itinerary. Instead of taking the free day at the end of our trip to go to the beach, we have decided we would rather see some of the beauty that is the country. So we're going instead to a little town in the mountains named Juauya. It has some beautiful hiking and waterfalls around, and the town itself has a very rare black Jesus statue (it was burned in a fire and never repainted). Best of all, it has a huge food festival in town every weekend, and it's supposed to be one of the best in the country.
I spoke to the leader of the trip I took in August, and she and her husband are helping me set up our hotel in San Salvador. If it works out, we'll be at the Casa Concordia and connected with the El Salvador Lutheran Church. Hopefully we'll even have a chance to meet and talk with Bishop Gomez. We'll keep you updated!
A lot is already finished. Our number is set at 14, everyone is registered, and almost everyone's paperwork is filled out. The tickets are purchased, and everyone seems excited to get there!
We got an update from Habitat El Salvador today. We will be building in the area around Sonsonate, a beautiful little town almost directly west of San Salvador. It's where I built when I was there in August, and I'm excited to go back.
There has been one change to the itinerary. Instead of taking the free day at the end of our trip to go to the beach, we have decided we would rather see some of the beauty that is the country. So we're going instead to a little town in the mountains named Juauya. It has some beautiful hiking and waterfalls around, and the town itself has a very rare black Jesus statue (it was burned in a fire and never repainted). Best of all, it has a huge food festival in town every weekend, and it's supposed to be one of the best in the country.
I spoke to the leader of the trip I took in August, and she and her husband are helping me set up our hotel in San Salvador. If it works out, we'll be at the Casa Concordia and connected with the El Salvador Lutheran Church. Hopefully we'll even have a chance to meet and talk with Bishop Gomez. We'll keep you updated!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Flight is Booked!
Well, all 13 people going to El Salvador are registered, and we have booked the group flight from DC to San Salvador!!!! The great news with the flight is that we got a spectacular deal on the airfare--about $100 less per ticket than we had originally thought we might be facing. Pr. Tom joked that the flight was so cheap that several of us might have to fly the plane! Plus, the flight is non-stop, so no dealing with changing planes in Miami or Dallas and all the hassle that means, especially on the way back.
There are still details to iron out, but much of that will be done in conjunction with the El Salvador folks. We still need some hotels in-country, and I'm beginning to rethink the beach proposition. I've found this neat little town with spectacular hiking, a unique little church, and a food festival every weekend!!! The beach just seems to be a surfer's hangout, and from what I've read, it's a semi-dangerous area, as well. I think more people would be happy with the change, but I'll talk to the coordinator in El Salvador and see what she thinks.
It is great to have some of the biggest steps out of the way and finished. Since this is the first time I've led any group like this, I won't really be able to relax until things are set and ready to go.
There are still details to iron out, but much of that will be done in conjunction with the El Salvador folks. We still need some hotels in-country, and I'm beginning to rethink the beach proposition. I've found this neat little town with spectacular hiking, a unique little church, and a food festival every weekend!!! The beach just seems to be a surfer's hangout, and from what I've read, it's a semi-dangerous area, as well. I think more people would be happy with the change, but I'll talk to the coordinator in El Salvador and see what she thinks.
It is great to have some of the biggest steps out of the way and finished. Since this is the first time I've led any group like this, I won't really be able to relax until things are set and ready to go.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Our Trip is On!
With our Habitat for Humanity trip to El Salvador confirmed and the initial members registering, I thought it would be a good time to establish this blog so that we can share the details of our journey with all our friends, families, and supporters! As the official leader of the trip (though with plenty of help from Pr. Tom), I decided to get the ball rolling.
Come February 16-24, members and friends of First Trinity will be headed to El Salvador to build a house with Habitat for Humanity. This trip will be organized through Thrivent Builds Worldwide, a division of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent will not only help us with coordination, etc., but will also provide a great deal of financial support for the El Salvador affiliate! In addition to the $500 per person donation (and right now we have 20 people going), which Thrivent will pay for Thrivent members, Thrivent will give HFH El Salvador an additional $10,000 because of our trip! That's enough to pay for the materials and labor for two additional houses!
With the trip coming up so quickly, however, things are moving at a fairly hectic place. Right now team members are registering and paying deposits, securing our place on the schedule. We'll be sure to keep you updated with our progress and let you know how you can help!
Come February 16-24, members and friends of First Trinity will be headed to El Salvador to build a house with Habitat for Humanity. This trip will be organized through Thrivent Builds Worldwide, a division of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent will not only help us with coordination, etc., but will also provide a great deal of financial support for the El Salvador affiliate! In addition to the $500 per person donation (and right now we have 20 people going), which Thrivent will pay for Thrivent members, Thrivent will give HFH El Salvador an additional $10,000 because of our trip! That's enough to pay for the materials and labor for two additional houses!
With the trip coming up so quickly, however, things are moving at a fairly hectic place. Right now team members are registering and paying deposits, securing our place on the schedule. We'll be sure to keep you updated with our progress and let you know how you can help!
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