We are three months into our mission and the locals say we are still in the "honeymoon" stage. They say the reality of living in a foriegn country hasn't hit yet! We feel like we're in a foriegn land but with the church we have had instant friends so we haven't felt too isolated. And with the Internet and Skype we are able to keep in touch with family and friends at home.
The construction project progresses slowly with pre-construction no one ever sees or thinks about! They are putting in sewer and storm drainage lines, digging huge holes for cisterns (water) and fuel tanks(generators), and rain water storage tanks (for the 70 inches of rain they get here a year). This is all underground to get ready to build above the ground! It's fascinating. Jim is on the site everyday walking around, looking at everything and visiting with the workers.
We have taken day trips for sightseeing and are grateful to be able to do this now. When construction starts on the three projects they work 6 days a week. Which means we will be working 6 days a week!
All is well. The worst this month? Mosquitos! The best this month? The abundance of fresh fruits and veggies!
This is a journal of our experiences as missionaries in El Salvador assisting with the construction of their Temple.
The view of San Salvador and our project.
Taken from our local architect's home. The Temple is 1 inch to the right of the tall apartment building in the center of the photo. Look for the orange tower structure.
Monday, February 16, 2009
3 months in El Salvador
The city of San Salvador from halfway up the volcano
Quezaltepec. Our house is just above the trees in the middle of the picture next to a large building. That building is called "The World Trade Center". It is under construction. The joke is that if there is an earthquake we'll be under that building! Actually there has been a couple earthquakes since our arrival 3 months ago. One was last Sunday early morning, a 4.9 centered 50 miles out in the ocean. We never woke up!
This month we have taken some day trips to explore. Since the country is so small it easy to do this. One Saturday we went to the beach and the fish market. The next Saturday we went to a town called Nahuezalco which is known for it's furniture and baskets. We ate lunch at a coffee plantation called Santa Leticia.
The next week I went to a friend's moutain home on a coffee plantation with a group of American women who are "expats". Ladies who have married Salvadorenos or are living here with their families working. There about 13 women. It is a fun gathering with everyone from all different backgrounds and religons.
Jim at a Mercardo Artesnia. Everything is so colorful here. 
The central plaza and church in Juayua.
The construction site. These are our offices. They take the place of trailers in the states. It's cheaper to build these temporary buildings then try to rent something here, since there isn't anything to rent!
Quezaltepec. Our house is just above the trees in the middle of the picture next to a large building. That building is called "The World Trade Center". It is under construction. The joke is that if there is an earthquake we'll be under that building! Actually there has been a couple earthquakes since our arrival 3 months ago. One was last Sunday early morning, a 4.9 centered 50 miles out in the ocean. We never woke up!This month we have taken some day trips to explore. Since the country is so small it easy to do this. One Saturday we went to the beach and the fish market. The next Saturday we went to a town called Nahuezalco which is known for it's furniture and baskets. We ate lunch at a coffee plantation called Santa Leticia.
The next week I went to a friend's moutain home on a coffee plantation with a group of American women who are "expats". Ladies who have married Salvadorenos or are living here with their families working. There about 13 women. It is a fun gathering with everyone from all different backgrounds and religons.
Jim at a Mercardo Artesnia. Everything is so colorful here. 
The central plaza and church in Juayua.
The construction site. These are our offices. They take the place of trailers in the states. It's cheaper to build these temporary buildings then try to rent something here, since there isn't anything to rent!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Lots of dirt!
The last month we have seen major changes on the project site. Lots of excavation; which means lots of dirt and dust. Polvoso. Dusty. We have had only one rain since our arrival. This is the dry season until May.
Our temporary offices are being constructed. They should be finished in a couple weeks, complete with air conditioning and a bathroom! We will have all the modern conveniences in a tin "shack" office!
Our New Year's was a blast-literally. We watched fireworks from a highrise apartment and it was amazing. The entire city was popping with lights and colors from dark until after midnight. Fireworks in San Salvador are a major part of celebrations. Big, loud ones.
We had an opportunity to visit La Casa de Reina de Sophia, an orphanage, last week. It is really a home for children who have the AIDS virus whose parents can not afford medication or are not being given proper care. It is funded by the Queen of Spain. It was very well run and maintained. The 16 children were very happy. We brought cookies and juice.
We also visited Suchitoto, a colonial town near a large lake. There are some great artisans in El Salvador. We are enjoying this free time which will come to an end once the offices are completed. As the project advances we will have more responsibility on the site.
The worst so far? Mosquitos and me not being able to communicate!!
The best so far? 80 degree weather every day, the Internet and Skype and oovoo and being able to keep in touch and see our family! It's a great time to be alive!
Our temporary offices are being constructed. They should be finished in a couple weeks, complete with air conditioning and a bathroom! We will have all the modern conveniences in a tin "shack" office!
Our New Year's was a blast-literally. We watched fireworks from a highrise apartment and it was amazing. The entire city was popping with lights and colors from dark until after midnight. Fireworks in San Salvador are a major part of celebrations. Big, loud ones.
We had an opportunity to visit La Casa de Reina de Sophia, an orphanage, last week. It is really a home for children who have the AIDS virus whose parents can not afford medication or are not being given proper care. It is funded by the Queen of Spain. It was very well run and maintained. The 16 children were very happy. We brought cookies and juice.
We also visited Suchitoto, a colonial town near a large lake. There are some great artisans in El Salvador. We are enjoying this free time which will come to an end once the offices are completed. As the project advances we will have more responsibility on the site.
The worst so far? Mosquitos and me not being able to communicate!!
The best so far? 80 degree weather every day, the Internet and Skype and oovoo and being able to keep in touch and see our family! It's a great time to be alive!
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Elder and Hermana Fenn
10 Nov 2008 MTC
Self portrait
On site with our "cascos" on. Mine is pink.
Our Backyard
We chose the casita for the garden