Okay, so my little brother got a Siamese fighting fish for his thirteenth birthday. He named him Tom, but I call him Fish Fish, and my other brother calls it Asher Junior.

In the fishbowl there was this shell, and it's pretty big, so the fish likes to hide under it. Great. But today, he managed to wriggle right up into the shell and get stuck there for like 6 hours. So finally I called my dad at work - "I should probably try to get it out, right?" "Yeah." Okay. So what do I do first? Why, get out the hammer, of course!

Actually, the first thing I did was try to break the end part of the shell with my hands, but that didn't work. I also tried shaking the poor fish out. But the hammer! Well, that only succeeded in breaking part of the shell and probably gave the fish brain damage. All ten cells of his brain. Anyways, after some more thinking, I called my dad back and he suggested I try to use water from a tap to flush the little guy out. He told me this after he told me NOT to use a hammer to get the fish out of the shell. Go figure.

And, what do you know! After using the tap, the fish came right out! He swam at a tilt for a while, though now he seems okay. And, he no longer has a shell in his bowl.

Back from El Salvador! Every night, I wrote an email to our church to let them know how we were doing, so here's a summary of what we did in the past week. Beware, it's a long journal.

Saturday

We arrived safely in San Salvador at around 9:20pm local time after a long day of flying. We left Powers Creek Church at 3:30am. Everything is going well so far, except for we have lost some luggage! Please pray for its safe return.

There is only one lane running on the bridge into San Vicente, and signs of destruction from flooding along the road. Two men, Trent and John, are staying from the last team to help us transition into disaster relief and building.

Sunday

Wow! What an emotional and busy day. After a great sleep (or not so great, depending on who you are), the team went out for breakfast with Pastor Jorge to Pollo Campero, a restaurant much like A&W. There, we met properly with Trent and John, the two men staying from the Calgary team, and were introduced to Oscar, who will be working with and helping us. This Oscar works with Teen Challenge in San Vicente, and with the church here.

After breakfast, we came back to the hotel, and were briefed on what has happened here in the past week. Trent and John told us about the devastation here and in Verapaz. It was overwhelming to hear the things that have happened so recently, and we are all eager to help. We drove to Pastor's house, and loaded up beans, rice, and blankets to take to Verapaz. We needed to see the situation there, but didn't want to go empty handed. Most of the drive out to the village was beautiful cane fields, small farms, and a looming volcano. It wasn't until nearer to the village that we started to understand the full extent of what had happened. Huge sections of cane fields were completely gone, replaced by 100 meter wide rock beds, where the floods had passed through. Rocks ranging from head size, to the size of large trucks were littered all over, carried down the volcano by water. The roads were very busy, full of people trying to get into Verapaz to help with the relief work. The village itself was a disaster. Mud was piled on either side of the already narrow streets, and brief glimpses into houses showed several feet of mud still inside. Main street has been wiped out. We found churches serving as food, clothing, and blanket distribution centers, and we left our supplies with them. Despite all of the devastation, it was amazing to see the huge amount of support given by people in the community. We are going back tomorrow with shovels, to help dig mud out of the houses.

A quick stop to the Texaco for icecream and junkfood. Then we walked the short ways to the bridge into San Vicente. It is about 50 feet above the normal creekbed, and last week, the water was covering the whole bridge. Near the bridge, about 15 homes have been destroyed, and some swept away, like they were never there. Forty people died or went missing.

We returned to the hotel, then were off to church. Oscar lead worship, with Pastor Jorge's children singing and on the drums. It was interesting for us to recognize some of the songs, but not be able to sing along! Pastor Jorge's message was excellent, especially since we had an interpreter. Then, we had a huge dinner with the team, the Pastor's family, Oscar, Trent, John, and Jose, the interpreter, at Pollo Campero. We met back at the hotel for a time of reflection.

Tomorrow we will be helping at Verapaz, and we will start building the houses on Tuesday, Lord willing. Please pray for the missing bags, and that we will make meaningful connections tomorrow. Grace and Peace!

Monday

Everyone is exhausted, but happy. Went to Pastor Jorge's house at 7:00 this morning, had a wonderful breakfast of huevos rancheros, did a devotion, and then we were off to Verapaz for some good hard work. We stopped at a hardware store on the way there to pick up some shovels and other tools. In Verapaz, we connected with Pastor Heraldo to find out which people in the community were in the most need for having their house cleared of mud and debris. The team split into two. Half of us went to Jose's house to clear the back of two feet of mud, wood, rocks, and various other debris (like a cast iron stove). The other half went to Douglas's house to clear two to three feet of mud from his back patio area and the kitchen. Guy figures we moved five dumptruck loads of mud.

Douglas escaped from his house with his wife, a thirteen year old, an eleven year old, and a 17 day old baby. They left through the back door, after hearing the mudslide coming through the village. The water was up to his chest, and they just barely escaped with their lives. He had cleared his entry way and two bedrooms with some help over the past week. He and his family have yet to move back into their house.

Jose is 85 years old, and lives with his son. In the middle of the night, he woke up and saw the water and mud rushing past his house. He didn't leave his house, but stayed and prayed. His house is still intact, with some damage to the patio roof. Both him and his son were very grateful for our help, and they were smiling broadly when we left. Both of these families worked alongside us as we cleared the mud, rocks, and debris.

After finishing, we walked up the main street where most of the devastation took place. The top end of the street is virtually gone. We don´t know how many houses used to be there, but in some spots we could see foundations and bent rebar, where the flood swept the house clean away. Huge boulders are also littered all over this area. The volcano is where the flood originated, and it is approximately one mile away. We are amazed that such enormous rocks could be carried so far. Some of us pictured Verapaz as being right on the side of the volcano. We are exhausted and overwhelmed with the enormity of what happened. What we accomplished today seems like nothing compared to what still needs to be done. But, what we did mattered greatly to those two families.

Headed back to the hotel to shower the mud off. After supper at Pastor Jorge's house, where we had cabbage salad and pupusas, we saw ourselves on the local Channel 12 news. During the day, the reporters came to Jose's house and interviewed Andrew. A few of us saw ourselves in the background. We had a reflection meeting, then headed over to the Texaco for dessert. Everyone is glad to have been able to do something to help with the relief effort, though there is still so much to be done. Tomorrow, we are planning to start building the houses. We are going to build two houses in San Felipe (which is where we will start tomorrow) and two houses in Apastepeque. We are all ready to crash. Please pray for recovered strength and healing for sore muscles. We'd like to report answered prayers in that the four lost bags have shown up. Adios for now. Grace and Peace.

Tuesday

What an absolutely amazing day! Back to Pastor's house for a breakfast of beans, rice, and fried banana, at 7:00. Then we drove to San Felipe to begin building the houses. We split into two teams. The houses were about a block away from each other, which was very nice. Everyone began work eagerly. First we had to dig twenty holes, which all had to be on the same level. While some people were digging, others were getting the walls prepped for raising. We laid the frame for the walls on the ground and screwed the corrogated galvanized steel on while it was sitting there. Then it was a piece of cake to raise the front, middle, and back walls into the holes, and bang the trusses down onto them, holding the walls in place. After some adjusting, the house was squared, and the rest of the walls were put up.

Lunch break! Back to work with attaching the steel for the roof. Once that was finished, the house was pretty much done, save for the windows, doors, and trim, which we finished in excellent time. So, today, the team built two whole houses, with nothing left to do (though Trent's team needs to replace two screws on their house), except have the cement poured in. Amazing day! Much, much easier than yesterday, physically speaking.

Back to the hotel for a quick rest, then to dinner at Pastor's house. There we had delicious chicken enchiladas, sang some songs, and had our reflection meeting. Texaco was the next stop, of course, and back to the hotel for some sleep. Tomorrow, we are going to be building in Apastepeque. We are thinking that we will spread the work over two days, and spend some more time talking to the people and getting to know them. Everyone is excited about how much was accomplished today, and excited about the rest of the week. Trent and John are heading home tomorrow for some well deserved rest, and to finally see their families. Please pray for their safe journey. They have been a huge blessing to us the whole time we were with them, and we are sad to see them leave.

The week so far has been truly wonderful, though at times difficult and overwhelming, and we have been truly blessed. There have been no serious injuries and the team´s spirit is up. Please pray for continued safety, and that the rest of the week goes equally well. Grace and Peace!

Wednesday

Today was an excellent day. Everyone is still doing well, no one has been seriously injured, though some have been a little under the weather, and our team works really well together. Same routine for breakfast with some very El Salvadorean pancakes, haha, some songs, and off to work in San Felipe, but at two new sites. The houses are a few minutes drive away from each other. We didn't finish the houses today, which was like we planned, but there were a few small bumps in production over the day, and it all worked out. Many of the same people who helped out yesterday at the first houses, were back again for more, helping to build a house that wasn't even theirs. The houses are now roofed and almost completely walled. Trim, windows, and doors are going to be done tomorrow.

After lunch today, the ladies went back to Basilio's house (which is something of a temporary centre of operations for us) to do the small craft with some children. "Some" is a huge understatement. Something like 60 kids showed up from San Felipe and the surrounding area. In the style of the five loaves and two fish, we had enough supplies for every kid to have something. Using broken Spanish, we managed to communicate the story around the wordless book (black, red, white, green, and yellow beads). Afterward, we entertained the kids with juggling, and some frisbee in the street.

Back to base for a super quick shower before rushing over to church, where Al gave his testimony, and Gord shared an excellent sermon. We were blessed to have Jose as our translator again, and everyone in the church could understand what was being said, whether Spanish or English. Many of the people we had worked with all day in San Felipe came to church, and it was wonderful to sit next to our new friends.

After church, we walked the block to Pastor Jorge's house for some tomales. Reflections around the table, and over to the Texaco. Tomorrow, we are going to finish the houses, and after lunch, have the key ceremony for the four families whose houses we built. Right now, the ladies are putting together the gifts for the families, as well as some treat bags for the other children in San Felipe. Some of the guys are next to me here, playing Rook. We all love working on the houses and playing with the kids, but it's also exciting to see the houses almost finished. We get to sleep in an extra hour tomorrow! Grace and Peace!

Thursday

Finished! We had a whole hour extra to sleep this morning, which we all needed. Tamales, eggs, and ham for breakfast, and we had to stop at three different hardware stores for extra supplies to complete the houses. Once we finally did get to the houses, though, they were finished in a few short hours. By lunchtime, everything was done. After lunch and some waiting, the key ceremony finally started. The four families whose homes we built were there, as well as a good number of people from the community. Pastor Jorge said a few words, and a representative of the mayor of Apastepeque did as well. As the the happy new home owners were given their keys, we also presented them with a soccerball, and a backpack full of cutlery, bowls, fabric, some toys, and many other items. It was an amazing celebration! After the ceremony, the guys inventoried the tools while the ladies set about learning how to make earrings from Loralee. The four of us made a few pairs and handed them out to some of the moms who were watching, as well as to a couple of the older girls.

Back to the hotel for showers, and off to Pastor's house for barbeque dinner, songs, and reflections. Viva la Texaco after that, and back to the hotel again.

Tomorrow, we are going to buy food to be handed out at some of the relief centres, and prepare some things for the next group coming, which is a medical team. We are also going to buy some pinatas and candy, and take them to Verapaz and San Felipe for the kids. Some of the team is currently packing about sixty treat bags for the children in San Felipe, and we are going to take them there tomorrow with the pinatas. For dinner, we have been invited by the mayor of Apastepeque to his house.

Everyone is excited that the houses are finished, and finished well, and we are excited to interact some more with the people of El Salvador tomorrow. Thank-you for your support and prayers. Happy thirteenth birthday, Forrest! Grace and Peace.

Friday

We're finished! Today, we had yet another late-ish start, and after breakfast and devotions, we drove the entire block to the church where we set about packing food. Several people from Pastor's church helped us, and we packed enough rice, beans, sugar, salt, spaghetti, and corn to feed 289 families for a week. It was relatively easy work, and it was a great time to get to know some of the people better. Some of the team also went and bought powdered milk, cooking oil, noodle soups, and water, which will all be handed out by the medical team. We also bought seven pinatas and filled them with candy.

We had lunch at Pastor's house. Then we piled the pinatas, the gift bags for the kids, and the team plus some, into the back of the truck, and headed off to our first stop in Verapaz. We stopped at a church we had contact with earlier this week. Two pinatas were smashed to sugary pieces, and the beautiful quilt we brought with us was gifted to the young pastor and his wife. The next stop was also in Verapaz, but on the other side of the town. There was a lot going on at this site, and two more pinatas were destroyed. Then, it was back to San Felipe.

It was really amazing for us when we pulled into San Felipe, and the street around Basilio's house was full of kids and parents all expecting and recognizing us. Three pinatas were smashed. Then, the team handed out all the gift bags that were put together at the hotel last night. As so often happens, there wasn't enough for everyone, but we had approximately sixty bags, and all the kids were excited to get them. It was really sad for us to know that we wouldn't be seeing San Felipe again this trip.

To the hotel, and then to Apastepeque for dinner with the mayor. He was a very gracious host, and gave us all presents. Dinner was delicious, and we got to learn more about the situation here with the flooding, and more about the mayor. Then the mayor and his entourage came with us to Texaco for another dessert, then back to the hotel for packing and rook.

Tomorrow we are heading to San Salvador to go to the market and the beach. It's an amazing feeling to know that we finished everything we came here to do, and then some. We made so many lasting connections with the people here, and the memories and effects of this trip with last us the rest of our lives. Grace and peace!

Saturday and Sunday

We're back! Arrived in Kelowna last night at 6:00, everyone tired and travel-weary. Saturday morning we got picked up at the hotel by the bus that brought us into San Vicente, and had breakfast at Pastor's house. Then the team, Pastor and his family, and Oscar, all drove back to San Salvador. We went to a market, and had some adventures in bartering and hand-made pottery. After that, we all piled back in the bus and headed for the beach. The beach was very nice. Black volcanic sand, clear skies, and great waves. There, we had lunch, swam, and had some time to connect with each other and with Pastor Jorge's family. After some hours of play and relaxation, it was time to go to the hotel in San Salvador. There, we had dinner, played some rook, and wrapped up the day and the week with prayer. Sunday morning, we were all down in the lobby, packed and ready to fly, by 4:50am. Another short bus ride to the airport, and the full day of travel began. Three flights later, and we were standing, safe and glad to be home, in the Kelowna airport, and without any missing luggage.

Everyone on the team is more grateful than can be expressed in an email - to everyone who donated their time and resources to make this trip possible, to everyone who prayed for us and the people of El Salvador, and to the Lord for watching over us in the back of the truck, helping us connect to the people, and giving us this amazing opportunity to serve Him in our small way. Grace and peace to all our brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Team

It's really funny. People ask me what I'm up to, now that I've graduated and I'm not heading to school until the beginning 2010. The short answer is -- NOTHING! This isn't entirely true, but close enough without going into a lot of detail. I do lots of chores (yay washing dishes...), watch a lot of tv, and play a lot of videogames. It's nice for me also, cause I'm able to draw and write and do things that I wouldn't normally have time to do.

Consequently, it also allows me time to go to El Salvador for week to build houses, without having to worry about missing a week's worth of classes. I'm heading down there with a team this Saturday, and I'll be coming back on the 22nd. There's been a lot of bad weather down there in the last week, but the trip is still a go as of right now. Please pray for a safe trip, and that we will be able to make a difference, however small. Thankeesomuch! <3

Short journal... will update when I get back! Brought to you from a galazy far far away...

Movies movies movies!

I've seen four movies this month! Haha. Surrogates, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Where the Wild Things Are, and Astro Boy.

Surrogates was an okay movie. I like that sci-fi type of movie, and I thought the concept behind it was really interesting. I thought it was weird, though, you know, with all the people who like to dress up as ninjas or elves or Dr. Spock, why there weren't more roleplay type surrogates. People with purple skin and the like. But, then it might be a little farfetched for the "normal" folk.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs was absolutely HILARIOUS. Loved it! The animation is very cool and slick, and the characters are memorable. Flint Lockwood is a super-nerd! The way he types cracks me up. The movie was a pleasant surprise in how solid and funny it was, which isn't how the commercials portrayed it. Cool story too, with a good plot, and some wonderfully unexpected character development. Very, very good movie, and I highly recommend it.

Where the Wild Things Are was a sweet and nostalgic movie, cute, but not fantastic. I liked how much of the book they actually stayed true to, which, with a children's picture book, is an impressive feat. The wild things look exactly like they do in the book, which was awesome, and the way they were brought to life and given personalities was cool too. However, the movie didn't finish things up as nicely as I would have hoped, as it left quite a few things unresolved. But, then again, that is the nature of life and families. If you liked the book, you'll probably like the movie, but it's not one that HAS to be seen in the theatre.

Saw Astro Boy last night, and fell immediately in love! Love the animation, the voice actors that were cast, and the revival of a beloved character! I came home and watched some of the old Astro Boy cartoons, and I think that the movie did a really great job of creating a solid and entertaining origin story. The characters look super good, and are pretty darn accurate in comparison to their older cartoon counterparts. If you liked the old cartoon, I think you'll like the new movie, and if you're like me, and don't really know much about Astro Boy, I think you'll still like it. Highly recommended!

I'm totally buying Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Astro Boy on DVD when they come out! What do you guys think of these movies, and have you seen some other ones recently that you want to recommend?

I watched the entire first season of Lost this week, and now I'm hooked! It's got some very awesome survival plot (which I love - Lord of the Flies, Hatchet), and just enough sci-fi-ness to keep the crazy part of my brain happy. Now, waiting for the second season. No spoilers, people!

In other news, through some crazy connections I made, someone at Disney's Club Penguin asked me to send in a portfolio. Still haven't heard anything, but I'm hoping and praying! It's not what I want to get into in the long run, but it would be absolutely fantastic work experience! Anyways.

I picked grapes at a vineyard last week. We picked mostly Pinot Noir grapes, which are tasty. The vineyard we picked at doesn't use pesticides or anything, so we were allowed to eat the grapes right off the vine. They have huge seeds in them. Pinot Gris grapes are very pretty and tasty too! I ate a lot...

Finally got my hands on a copy of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 5 - The Last Olympian, and it was a stellar ending to a fantastic series!

Other than that, I haven't really been up to much. Still working slowly at my comic, and doodling here and there. Filling out student loan applications. Getting ready to go to El Salvador.

Anyways, drop me a line and tell me what's been going on with all of you!

Edit! - Congrats to Mistress Tate who caught the 5000 hits. I'm sorry to everyone else. I really should have mentioned this a loooooong time ago. I will have another one sometime!

Heys all!

So, yeah, I've never done this before, but my 5000 mark is coming up sorta soon, and I'm going to offer a character drawing to whoever catches the screen shot. No background other than some colour (this might change) but it will probably be coloured and everything cause I tend to get carried away with things like this. XD It can be one of your original characters (or someone else's original characters but they must say it's ok), but I won't be drawing any fanart for this. Just your very own awesomeness!

In other news, I totally stayed up until 6:00 Tuesday morning watching Heroes like a maniac. Now I'm totally addicted. I must see the end of the season, and beyond! Who else here likes Heroes? Who's your favourite character?

Most of you won't know this, but I totally started to rewrite my werewolf comic. I know, I know, it's hard to believe that I, the person who never ever finishes big projects like this, is actually steadily working on this. Right now it's nowhere near to ready to be drawn and posted, just writing, but once I have more written I will start to draw. Since I graduated and I'm not in school yet, I'm making this my big personal project for this fall. Big huge thanks to Mistress Tate for her invaluable help on this!

I'm looking for more work before I go to school, so I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in commissioning me. Unfortunately my skill set isn't very broad yet, but I sure can learn. Let me know!

*Is debating whether to catch a bus into town to buy Heroes...*