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Day 6: Reflection by Adrian Reyes
Yesterday one of my most precious dreams came true, the dream to visit Monseñor (Archbishop) Oscar Romero’s tomb. Since the moment I learned about his life I have always wished and wanted to come and visit not only where he fought for Salvadoran civil right but this...
Midpoint Reflection by Kelsi Madrid: Love, Laughter, and Poverty
Wow. I don’t even know where to begin. So far this trip has been so amazing in ways that I cannot even begin to explain. When I was seeing El Salvador for the first time in the daylight, I remember thinking to myself how beautiful this country is and how different my...
Midpoint Reflection by Jessica Trujillo: Culture Shock and Family
I can’t believe Day 5 in El Salvador is already over. Time is flying by. Today was our “tourist” day in San Salvador, coincidently it was also the 35th anniversary of Oscar Romero’s assassination. It was interesting to learn more about his life and see where he lived...
Day 5: Reflection by Rachel Wagster
Today has been an intense, incredible, and infinitely life-changing day in El Salvador. We had the honor of visiting some of the historic places of Oscar Romero on the 35th anniversary of his assassination. First we went to the Jesuit school to see a memorial...
Midpoint Reflection by Leah Jane Davidson: Thirsty
This country makes me thirsty. The humidity is quite the contrast to the arid desert climate that I’ve grown accustomed to. I lick my dry lips and take a gulp of water, and yet my need remains unquenched. This thirst I can’t seem to satisfy isn’t one that my body...
Day 5: Reflection by Audrey Maddox
If you had asked me yesterday about the year 1989, I would have told you that my older brother Jake was born. The movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was released in theaters, which forever transformed my concept of the backyard. Nintendo released the original Game Boy,...
Day 3: Reflection by Leah Jane Davidson
Tired is a feeling that hangs heavily in my bones this evening. Normally I’m sleepy by this time of night because of my “three-job-18 credit hour-study-exercise-socialize-then clean it all up” lifestyle. But tonight, tired is my state of being because of the wonderful...
Day 2: Reflection by Audrey Maddox
After arriving in the capital late last night, today we got our first glimpse of El Salvador in the daylight on the road to El Espino. The team crammed all of our luggage into the back of the van, piled in and observed the scenery in anticipation of what was to come....
Day 1: Reflection by Rachel Wagster
Wow. As I look around and feel the warm Salvadoran breeze against my back, I am in awe. I feel so blessed to have made it to San Salvador. The day has been filled with laughter and smiles as we all anticipated our arrival in a new country. Getting to know the group...
Pre-trip Reflection by Leah Jane Davidson: Seeing life through new eyes
In a mere two days I will be in El Salvador. I can smell the Central American air when I take a deep breath in...Of course, I’ve never had the opportunity to travel to Central America before so the scent in my nostrils is just my mind playing tricks on me. But I’m...
Pre-trip reflection by Kelsi Madrid: It’s almost time!
I cannot believe we are leaving to El Espino in a few days! The months that we have spent preparing for this trip have been so remarkable. I have learned so much and am very thankful for this opportunity and for everyone who has helped make this possible. So many...
Pre-trip Reflection By Benjamin Gemoya: Living the Dream
As the days get closer for our trip to El Salvador, my mind is just exploding with thoughts, nerves, and excitement. I am really excited to go on this trip for many of reasons—one is that I have never left the country and I am excited to see how other people have to...
Pre-trip Reflection by Rachel Wagster: Together we can make the world a better place
In four short weeks we will embark on a journey to El Espino, a trip that will change our lives forever. Even though we are yet to go, I have learned many lessons in preparation for this adventure. First, I have seen the passionate and giving nature of those around...
Pre-trip Reflection by Kailyn Miller: Filling an empty cup
My cup is empty, and I am more than ready to have it filled. I am a returning El Salvador delegate, and even though I know what to expect from this entire trip, I still feel as though I am navigating uncharted territory. The individuals that I was blessed to interact...
Pre-trip reflection by Jessica Trujillo: On Taking Life for Granted
Five weeks from today, I will be completely immersed in a different country, a different culture, speaking a different language, in a completely different world than the one I’m in right now. It’s weird to think about how fast it’s approaching. I remember when I first...
Pre-trip reflection by Adrian Reyes: Dreaming about El Salvador!
Dreaming about El Salvador! I have never been so excited to share and to talk to people about any of my past trips. We are just weeks away from diving into a new completly different culture for which I am absolutely excited for. I have being having some difficulty...
Pre-trip reflection by Amanda
We’re now a couple weeks closer to our trip to El Salvador, and we’re starting to get a lot of responses back from our fundraising letters to friends and family. I’ve been truly surprised and humbled by the shocking generosity that so many people have displayed during...
Pre-trip reflection by Audrey: Human Dignity and Planting Seeds
By Audrey Maddox With the trip to El Salvador just a little more than two months away, I am slowly beginning to learn more about my fellow team members and our upcoming experience in El Espino. Even this early in the process, I have learned a lot from my trip leaders,...
Gearing up for Alternative Spring Break 2015!
We have another great group of students preparing to travel to El Espino this March through Colorado Mesa University's Mesa Catholic group. They are participating in what's called "Alternative Spring Break," which is exactly what it sounds like -- an alternative way...
Resilience, Violence, and Juxtapositions
I am unsettled tonight. And I am rarely unsettled here. I just took one of the Xanax that I was given after the accident for nightmares in the hopes of calming my nerves enough to sleep. The day was tranquil; I spent it with my goddaughter sitting for hours working at...
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