Let me just start by saying, I know, it's the end of June, I don't fully understand how it's the end of June, but none the less the end of June it is! I have sat and began writing this post more times than I can count, each time I have been called away or have simply put it off until I really had a chance to sit down and fill you folks in. I didn't however intend for whole months to go by without a chance to get my thoughts in order. I was told by one of my favorite people "Just write a quick sentence letting us all know you're still alive!" So here I am, alive and well!
So many things have grown and changed over the last three months as I continue to settle into my life here. I feel like I am truly finding my place here, whether that be embracing my new freedom in driving, prospering relationships with old friends and new ones, and finally transitioning into a position within MTES.
Returning this year has come with so many new responsibilities but also a much needed feeling of freedom, something that I often feel is rare, way out here in El Salvador. Driving here has been a huge change for me, as the traffic is horrible here, but having a chance to run errands around town, go on adventures or simply be responsible for getting myself to work on time, have been pure joy. When I have some free time I often go to Sucree, a beautiful place for coffee and fine desserts, but most importantly, a place I truly see as my second home. I have become dear friends with the family that owns it and am welcomed with big smiles and hugs from the whole staff, bringing a feeling that mean more than me the they will ever know. Having a place that is beautiful, peaceful and welcoming means the world to me, a place I can go and be truly known, in a country I often feel little lost in, makes my heart warm! I have places that are beginning to feel familiar and comforting. I have come back to the church I attended last year, and have even joined their young adults Bible study, another huge blessing. I am meeting new people and am doing my best to embrace this culture I have come to serve. I love being back at the guest house, making it home to those who comes and visit MTES, adding joy and love as I go. It feels so wonderful to feel settled into one place for a little while. I have my personal space all decorated and cozy, have planted a garden oasis on the upstairs terrace and am adding to my canning cupboard regularly. I love having the space to welcome others into my home and fellowship with them, something I have always dreamt of doing. I get the opportunity to open my home and my heart to those that God has so perfectly placed in my life, I get and walk alongside so many journeys for a short time. Our house has been blessed with many visiting groups from different places in the US as well as two new interns, one from the US and one from England, so needless to say, life and the house have both been a little chaotic lately.
I have begun my new position as manager in our bakery micro enterprise. which has been both exciting and challenging, which I enjoy. I have a wonderful assistant, Jocelyn, who is quickly becoming one of my dearest friends. She is Salvadoran and only speaks Spanish, so that of course has made for lots of confusion and even more laughs as we learn to communicate with each other. I have loved seeing Gods faithfulness in this new endeavor, as I always had a sort of idea in my head of how I could use my baking skills and education as a way of serving others in a way that helps give life skills to those in need. This bakery enterprise has been a surprising answer to a prayer I have always had, but it was just a thought. I get the opportunity to not only sell bread and be in community but also be part of providing work for people who have been effected by poverty, addiction and sex trafficking. I have an opportunity to teach the boys in our program important life skills and job training that they can use in the future. I get to come up with new ideas and inspirations that can better serve our clients, and of course, am able to get my hands dirty and create something delicious. I am so looking forward to where God leads this program in both growth as a business and growth in the community. Your continued prayers for this endeavor are always appreciated.
I have continued to take some much needed Spanish classes and I am beginning to surprise myself with the amount I actually can understand. I love seeing the fruits of my labour in the conversation and special moments I am now able to have, because I can actually speak the language. It also helps that I am good with charades! I don't always love the learning aspect, as I do much better working with my hands than sitting in a desk having to do book work, but the Lord has blessed me with wonderful teachers, who are so patient with me, and that makes a huge difference.
Another big excitement we had here at MTES last month was the graduation of one of our boys in our New Dawn Program. This is a huge step for these bright young men and it bring me so much joy to see them walk across that stage and receive their diploma. These guys have worked so hard during their time here and I am honoured and blessed to have the opportunity to watch God change lives first hand and get to be a part of the work He is doing. I will admit, these events always bring a few tears, ok a lot of tears, but the guys always make sure to come back and visit regularly so that makes a big difference. I love having them stop by and say hello, with big hugs and bright smiles, getting to see how they are doing with work and their family, seeing them be the wonderful, incredible and brilliant young men they are. It really does bring so much joy to my heart, to think that God has placed me, even for a short time, in their lives, and it's something I will cherish all the days of my life.
As the summer carries on, so do the months of not seeing my family and friends back home. I have had a really good time of settling in here and am slowly beginning to feel God nudge me and show me that maybe just maybe I could settle into a life here. He continues to show tiny little details to persuade me, which is always fun to see. However I would love to just get through these coming months without worrying about that. Most days I am quite happy here, as my days are always filled with all kinds of wild adventures and wonderful things, and then some days, out of no where something tugs at my heart and makes me long for home. I miss being able to drop in for cosy visits with my family and make memories with them at special events. Some days I miss the days when everything went according to plan, and I didn't have to deal with ridiculous issues, like running out of drinking water while having a team at the house, and not being able to simply drink from the tap. Having to find someone to walk to walk with me to the store up the street because it's not safe, constantly having plans change not only daily, but hourly, because honestly that's just life here in El Salvador, and we just gotta roll with it! Often I just really miss Canada, and the beauty, love and freedom it has to offer, a freedom I will never again take for granted. The long back roads, lush forests, and cool weather, honestly just the beauty all of it is. As the days keep rolling on, please pray for this heart of mine, that I am able to miss home and still be content here on the days when it's tough to be so far away. Pray as well that God continues to nudge my heart towards His will for my life, where ever that may be.
I want to take this time to thank you all for your continues love and encouragement. The kind words, prayers and little messages, mean more to me than you could ever know. It's with this support that I am able to serve here. I would love to get connected with you to share more in depth about my time here and can be reached at erica.byleveld@gmail.com If you would like to come alongside me financially, see the information below, and know that any contribution is a huge blessing to the work God is doing here in El Salvador.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
~ 1 Corinthians 15:58
Love and Prayers
Erica Byleveld
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