Our Blog

Day Three – Reflection by Teri Shecter
The Salvadoran countryside is beautiful. Rolling hills with sugar cane, bananas, eucalyptus and palm trees. The mango trees are currently full of succulent yellow-orange fruit. All of this is set against a backdrop of volcanoes and shrouded in a soft mist. The air...

Day Three – Reflection by Sarah Bradburn
Today was our first day in El Espino. The living conditions of the local residents were interesting to observe. Let's just say that I feel exceptionally grateful to be living in the United States. Even though I grew up fairly poor, I still think we hit the jackpot...

Day 2 – Reflection by Elliot Van Meter
Typically I sleep much later than many other people, but on this trip in El Salvador I have been forced to rise at the ungodly early hour of 7:00 a.m. This adjustment has been tough for me to get used to (as evidenced by my frequent napping on many of the bus rides),...

Day One – Reflection by Sharon Heller
The eleven volunteers from Grand Junction seemed to have forgotten about their early start when they arrived at the San Salvador airport late on Tuesday evening. There was an absolute “yes” vote to stop at a pupusería and try out the local specialty, the pupusa, a thick corn tortilla offered with a variety of savory fillings. The combination of pupusas and the 6:00 a.m. flight from Grand Junction meant everyone was ready for bed when we reached the San José Hostal, a comfortable, family-owned and managed guest house in San Salvador.
Final Trip Reflection by Natalia: Simple Happiness
Day One Reflection by Grace: A Salvadoran Education
Day Four Reflection by Jordan Gray: Family Values
Day Two Reflection by Monee Crosswhite: Living Solidarity
Day Two Reflection by BJ Long: Kindling Passion
Service through humility
Call for Artists: FCE’s City Sister Celebration
Final Reflection by Rachel Wagster: We Left Our Hearts in El Espino
Final Reflection by Benjamin Gemoya: The Way Home
So the last day of this trip was pretty sad and exciting. Exciting because I finally get to see my family after 9 days. I actually miss them. I could stay away longer but my mom will probably kill me. Sad because I am leaving El Salvador and because I hope I get to...
Final Reflection by Kelsi Madrid: All You Need is Love
I have been pondering ways to write my last reflection. How do I even begin? My heart hurts extra today as I think of everyone in El Espino. I fell in love with that country and those people. Everything I do, everywhere I look, I am reminded of El Espino. I found...
Final Reflection by Audrey Maddox: Aching Heart
Last Day Reflection by Jessica Trujillo: What Do I Do From Here On Out?
Midpoint Reflection by Leah Jane Davidson: What Binds this Group Together
Day 6: Reflection by Kelsi Madrid
Day 6: Reflection by Amanda Willmarth
Midpoint Reflection by Kailyn Miller: The Dirt on My Toes
Our Newsletter