Moving to Texas

My two years in El Salvador are over. God has been so good and real to me in these last two years: leading, refining, teaching, molding, and challenging me to go deeper with him. I have loved every minute of the time I’ve spent here- difficult and challenging times included.

It was very difficult to leave El Salvador but God was so faithful in leading me and confirming what steps I needed to take next. So this is exactly what I want to do through this post- share about my next steps. 

After much prayer, I decided to pursue seminary; as you might recall I applied to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary last Fall. God has been opening many doors there. To start, I was accepted into the program I wanted: Master’s in Missiology with a concentration in Hispanic Studies. Then, I found out I would only be required to pay half of their regular tuition given that my church in San Diego, CA is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Association. Next, I found out that my two years spent here in El Salvador will count for their graduation requirement of serving oversees with a missionary organization for two years. Lastly, I found out that the first year of the program I would be partnering with a faculty member to process through my experience on the mission field. Pretty intense, YES, but I think this will be most helpful in transitioning back to the States. 

Another big piece to all of this is that I’ll continue to be part of Christ for the City Int’l. CFCI shared that they wanted to continue to be part of whatever God was doing in my life, whether that meant coming back to El Salvador after seminary or not. They also agreed that seminary was the right next step for me in my missionary career. With that they extended me a two year study leave during which I can continue to be part of the CFCI family as a full time missionary and serve with them (if possible) during school breaks and holidays. It was very encouraging hearing them talk about the work I have done here in El Salvador and the ways they have seen God work through me. In all honesty, I feel like I’ve received so much more than what I have given. In the last two years, the CFCI staff has encouraged and challenged to me to rise above the hurdles which I have experienced here. At this point I am not sure if being a lifetime missionary is God’s call for me, but I do know that God has given me a passion for missions and I am excited to have CFCI by my side to help me explore this further.

Before I move further I want to say MUCHAS GRACIAS to you who have shared this journey of living in El Salvador with me! You have believed in what God has been doing in and through me, even at times when I didn’t believe in myself. You truly have been God’s hands and feet. You have supported me not only financially, but also with your prayers, with encouraging words, with notes of appreciation, and with various tokens of love. Thank you so much for believing that God can use a broken vessel like me and for your faithful partnership. I pray and hope you will continue to partner with me on my next steps. Needless to say, I still need you. And would love to be able to continue to share with you what God does in my life in the years to come. 

As I move to Texas, I will continue to need both prayer and financial support. I’m planning to find a part time job while in seminary, but even with that income I will not be able to cover all my expenses. I will need to raise an additional $2000 a month in order to cover all my expenses. I will continue to be responsible for covering required US payments such as Insurance, federal taxes and social security. In addition, I still need to raise $400 for moving expenses.

If you feel lead to support me financially, please go to www.cfci.org and click on the “Donate” button (right under the CFCI logo). At the end of your transaction, before hitting the final “send now” button, please be sure to enter "Elsa Urquilla" under the expandable comment box that reads “Enter Missionary or Project Name”.  In that same box you can write “sign up for automatic credit card or payroll deductions” if you desire to sign up for either option. A CFCI staff member will contact you with further details.

• If you prefer sending a check, please make checks payable to Christ for the City International and mail them to P.O. Box 390395, Omaha, NE 68139 with a   separate note attached saying “for Elsa Urquilla” and “one time” or “monthly” (depending on your preference). Also remember that all donations are tax-deductable.

You are very important to me. Once again, THANK YOU for sending me to El Salvador to love on God’s people here. I pray that God continues to bless your life in greater ways than you have blessed mine. May His love and grace go before you always.

PS- Im starting seminary in exactly 15 days!!!

MIA- not anymore. Elsita is Back!

Wow, this post is long overdue. So let me catch you up to speed. Here is a snippet of what the last couple of months:

CHRISTMAS TIME: 

To start the Christmas festivities, I invited a few of my students to my house to bake snow ball cookies. Its hard to describe how exciting this experience was for them. This was the 1st time they visited my house as well as the 1st time ever baking something. They did a great job. We had a very good time eating cookie dough, baked chocolate chip cookies and for lunch some peanut butter, jelly, banana and marshmallow sandwiches. They were all very full and sugared-out that they ended up using dad's exercise machines to loose some weight, haha. It was fun. They also kept calling my dad "Papi" (father in Spanish) which I thought was pretty awesome and a bit emotional. Most of these girls don't have a father figure in their lives yet they are in such hunger and need for one. This is so important in a young woman's life.

Also, got to visit the people at the Island La Calzada and brought them a Christmas basket. The basket included rice, flour, beans, 2 lt soda, salt, sugar, 1 lt juice, a whole chicken, chips and some cookies. Sister Magdalena, the key  leader at the Island, helped us identify who were the people that needed these the most. She found out who were the ones that didn't have any  livestock and who didn't receive a "remesa familiar". A "remesa familiar" is
usually referred to any money donation that families abroad send to families in El Salvador. Many families here in El Salvador receive "remesas familiares" from family members that have moved to the US or Canada (two main countries where Salvadorans move to) in search of better ways to provide for their families (promise to share more about "remesas familiares" on another post). Sister Magdalena identified 35 families that needed this special gift the most. A special THANKS to all of you who donated to help us put these basket together. These families were deeply thankful & touched. MUCHAS GRACIAS!

This Christmas was also filled with very special friends, some from out of town. I decided to have a traditional old times Christmas Eve. So I started this adventure around 6pm by visiting various family members and friends, then going back home to have a traditional Christmas dinner, fireworks, presents and cake with dad, siblings, nephews and nieces. And finally, ended the night (around 1am) hanging out with good friends. I used to do this every Christmas growing up. Well except "the going out after midnight part" which I only did after turning 16. Oh, growing up we started the Christmas Eve festivities with going to church around 5pm. The rest
was pretty close to what I got to do this evening. Grateful for this special time. I did find out though that my body no longer works properly after 1am. I was super sleepy the entire time and struggling to keep up with conversation and what was going on. Yikes, I guess someone is getting old.

It was also fun to think back to what Christmas' have been like in the past 10 years living in the States and compare how similar and different this time of the year is here in El Salvador. I definitely miss my immediate family who is now in LA, my friends, peppermint lattes, scarves and the smell of real pine trees. I miss mom's Christmas dinners & our movie/game times after opening gifts. However, the fireworks, aliveness and big groups of family & friends here in El Salvador is pretty great too. Im grateful to have experienced both.



THE NEW YEAR:
The new year brought new adventures, so I went on to doing some fun sightseeing around the country. I got to visit one of El Salvador's biggest and most beautiful lakes: Lago de Coatepeque aka Coatepeque Caldera. This volcanic lake is about an hour away from the city and it is surrounded by houses and small restaurants. I am very blessed to have a friend whose family owns a house there, so during the Christmas break, we got to go spend the day there. Click here to read more about the lake. It was a beautiful day of sightseeing, boat riding, tubing, friends and relaxing. So grateful for all of God's creation and the many beautiful sights of El Salvador.

On another of my adventures, I got to visit the Mayan Ruins of El Tazumal. According to Lonely Planet, this are the most important and best preserved ruins in El Salvador. The site was very beautiful and the history in this place was rich and enlightening. "Archaeologists estimate that the 1st settlements in the area date from around 5000 BC". Pretty cool right? I thought so. I especially liked our tour guide. He was full of information and gumption.

Also, the Ruins are located in a small town called Chalchuapa. This small town happens to be the place where my great grandparents first settled in when they moved from Palestine. Coincidentally, this tour guide knew my family and shared with me of the legacy that they left in that place. This was super exciting to hear. I definitely will be coming back to this place to find out more about my family and their history in that place. My fingers are aching for perhaps a short story on my family's immigration to El Salvador. Ill keep you posted :)

The new year also brought new challenges and lots of hard work. At Siloe School, the same school where I taught English last year, they offered us a classroom of our own, to teach our English classes (last year us teachers had to move around, this year, students move around). SUPER EXCITING cause we get to fix the room however we want to and also get to store our teaching materials and such. God has been so good and faithful. The only set back we've had with this room is that they didn't give us the room until a week before school started. And there were many repairs plus decoration that needed to be in place. Guillermo, another long term missionary has been the lead person in getting this room up and ready. A lot of people have helped but he has done bulk of the job. Starting the new year, he actually took over the English program "Speaking Hope". I am very grateful for him, his partnership and for the ways God has been working in his life. I am confident that God will use him in powerful ways to love and reach out to those little rascals God has entrusted to our care.

Before

After

Simultaneously to getting our English room ready, we had to get our new missionary house ready as well. A while ago, back when Pastor Javier came to visit me in California, we talked about starting a missionary house and how awesome that would be. Almost 2 years later, we retook this conversation. This time, and with the support of more people, the idea seemed more doable than before. In a matter of a couple of weeks, after praying, looking at numbers and to all that we would need, we decided to get the upstairs part of our office ready and set up to host small teams and short term individuals. Of course when we made that decision, we didn't realize how much work had to be put into it. There was a lot of painting and cleaning that needed to be done, plus lots of repairs. So for the last 3 weeks that is where I have spent most of my time and energy. Getting our missionary house ready for the 5 short term missionaries that were arriving this week. Yeap, 5 of them. Truthfully only through God's grace and strength has this project come together. Final details were finished that same day when the 5 arrived, praise God- at least for the main things. Details are still being worked out, but thankfully it all came together. The missionary house is pretty awesome- I want to move in, live there and run the house, haha. But Im not sure how wise that will be. Anyways, the place is pretty nice. Wish you could come down to see if for yourself :)

Top L: David (OH), Jimmy (KY), Ashley (OR),
DouaChe (MN) & Lauren (OH)

Well that is pretty much the update of the last couple of months. Things are busy with the new short termers visiting us.They are such a neat group though. We are very excited to have them with us. Next week we are expecting a team plus 1 more short termer. Plus plus my friend Jaclyn who is visiting me from Canada. I'm very excited. But in total need of your prayers. Just 2 days ago, after giving the new comers their orientation, I started with a sore throat and mild fever. In the last 48 hours my sore throat has progressed to a horrible cough, runny nose and lots of mucus :-( Im on antibiotics now, but definitely need your prayers for health and for God's strength to help me get through this super busy time.

Thank you for your partnership, prayers, love and support. I cant express how grateful I am for each one of you and thankful to share this journey TOGETHER!

Ps. Stay tuned for some exciting news... more updates coming pronto!

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Look no more. GIFT HOPE TODAY. Instructions below.

U.S. Friends: Click on image to enlarge or to print document to mark your donations and send it via U.S.P.S. (more detailed instructions are found on the flyer below).

Salvadoran Friends: to make donations in El Salvador please send an email to elsa_u@yahoo.com for more details/ Para donaciones locales por favor manda un correo a elsa_u@yahoo.com para mas detalles. Muchas gracias!

A Busy Summer

Hola again,

I hope this post finds you well and enjoying the many flavors and colors of Fall. Fall is my favorite season and one that I miss the most here in El Salvador. Leaves falling off, trees changing colors, pumpkin carving, Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies...ooh so many wonderful things all together. I hope that thinking about these things, and missing them as much as I am, can encourage you to enjoy them extra this year. And as you do, please enjoy an extra portion on my behalf :D

Thankfully Sept, October and November are also my favorite months here in El Salvador, the weather is a lot cooler, there are fun festivals around these time, and things just tend to have a slower pace to them so there is much more time to reflect on all that is happening around you. I am looking forward to this time.

From my lack of posts, you can tell that these last few months have been super busy for me (this is not an excuse to keep you updated, so my apologies). We have had all kinds of fun activities and events taking place around here. There have been a number of teams, short term individuals, close friends and family visiting me here in El Salvador. As well, as an opportunity for me to go back to California for the 2nd time this year, to be part of my friends Kathryn and Jacob's wedding. I was a bridesmaid for the 1st time and had a wonderful time sharing this special day with them. I also got to spend some time with family and even got a couple of days off by myself. God is so good to us. So grateful for all these wonderful blessings.

God has also been at work in my heart BIG TIME, continually challenging me to love deeper, even at the risk of getting hurt, not getting this love reciprocated, or not even seeing any real change as I do love others.

Check out this Summer's newsletter where I have shared in more detail some of the things I have been involved with this summer, as well as some of what God has been teaching me personally.

Thank you for reading, staying on top of what is going on down here, and also for your love, friendship, prayers and financial support. I am grateful for you and your partnership.

May God bless you!

My North America 2011 Visit!

Queridos amigos,

I am now back in El Salvador, after 1 month and 1 week of traveling around Houston, TX, Los Angeles and San Diego, CA, Tijuana, MX and Kelowna, Canada.

I am grateful to be back and for the opportunity He gave me to visit family and friends, as well as to fundraise for my 2nd year in El Salvador. God faithfully provided for every need and more while I was away. He took care of places to stay, food to eat, money to purchase resources to bring back to El Salvador, transportation, airplane tickets to visit N. America and to return to El Salvador, speaking engagements, fundraising for my 2nd year, visits with friends, time with my family, time with boyfriend Darnell and with his family in Canada, and so much more.

The time away was very refreshing and valuable, especially in preparing to come back for my 2nd year in El Salvador. Thank you to all of you who made this trip possible and so wonderful. I am beyond grateful for all the love, care, thoughtfulness, grace and encouragement that I received from many of you. MUCHAS GRACIAS!

SPECIAL THANKS TO (drum roll):

• Jon and Emily Shum- for having me over, feeding me, loving me, teaching me MONOPOLY DEAL, driving me around, praying with me and encouraging me in so many ways.
  
• My family- Carolina, Jaime and baby- who loved me, fed me, entertained me, provided transportation/housing while I was there and so much much more.
  
• John Strickland- who so generously provided for a new round trip ticket to come back to El Salvador.
  
• Isela Sanchez- for helping me with all the logistics of purchasing the ticket and stuff. MUCHAS GRACIAS for your patience!
• Chase and Helen Stafford- for your love, being so intentional and for driving over an hour to come have dinner with me. Oh and of course, for treating me to Thai food. So yum!
  
• Vanessa Hines- for our coffee time, the heart to heart conversation, for seeking reconciliation & for your generous donation. You are so special to me. I love you!
  
• Tara Grubb- for staying a few extra days in LA hanging out, catching up, loving on me, my family & Darnell.
  
• Lisa Lee- for finding the time to meet up for coffee, to catch up and pray together. You are an inspiration friend.
  
• Shawn Emile- for letting me store at his place some boxes with stuff I left over. Thank you friend for your kindness and generosity. This means so much!
• Kathryn Ude & Jacob Cabrera- for driving Darnell and I back and forth, for letting us stay with you, for all the great conversations, for all the fun adventures, for your love.
  
• Deborah Crumlish & family- for your love, for the delicious homemade food, for the goodie bags, for sharing your grandchildren, for the excellent time at Six Flags, for the ride to LA, for your continual support.
  
• Kaiser Permanente Rounding Office Ladies- for the delicious luncheon and time together!
• Kevin Jung, Crystal & Dave Kaplan, & Community Group- for the lovely welcome back, the time praying and studying God's word together, our monthly CG Skype sessions.
  
• Familia Martinez- for the delicious homemade Mexican dinner, for sharing all that God has being doing, and for your love/excitement for all that God is doing in my life.
  
• Anna Fellers- for making time to meet up on your very short visit to San Diego. It was so lovely to see your beautiful face again!
  
• Narbeh Minasians- for inviting me to share with your youth group, for the lovely time catching up and your continual support. God bless you brother!
  
• Familia Jacob- for the amazing Indian food, for all the love, for the delicious Chipatis, for the lovely conversations, for your prayers, your care and continual encouragement.
  
• Jen Mcmains- for loving me as you do, for feeding me, for driving me around (even into TJ), for all our insightful conversations, for sharing your wisdom & for even sharing your special red chair.
  
• Kay Fleming- for your love and warm hugs, for always reminding me to rest and enjoy life more, for all your wisdom and lovely conversations.
• Connie, Tyler & Joan (Tj friends)- for such a warm and loving welcome, for letting Darnell & I love on the kiddos, go on adventures w/them & for all the fun. May God continue to bless the work that you do with the kids. You all have a very special place in my heart.
  
• Margarett & Dave Armstrong- for picking us up from the border, feeding us, sharing all that God is doing, introducing us to the Phantom of the Opera, for the splurging money & all the good laughs.
  
• Tim Barham- for letting me use your awesome van to drive around while I was in San Diego. It was such a blessing. Thanks a ton bro!
• Jen Yang- for making time to hang out in your 2 day visit to San Diego. Miss you friend.
  
• Ps Yucan Chiu- for all your support hermano. For your help coordinating the get together, meeting for coffee, your wise counsel and continual encouragement, for all the great books. Gracias!
  
• Ethnos Community Church- for your CONTINUAL SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT, for your care and love, for your prayers and partnership, for the various books and donations. I'm incredible thankful to be part of this church and to continue to have your prayers and support as I serve in El Salvador.
  
• Stephanie Lee & Veronica- for all your help in coordinating the get together in San Diego. It was such a blessed time. Thank you for all the behind the scenes preparations.
• Jaclyn Bacon- for picking Darnell and I at the airport in Vancouver, having us over for a night, and dropping us off in Kelowna (a 4 hour drive each way). THANK YOU!
  
• Familia Johnson- for the beautiful and lovely time I spent in Kelowna. For the lovely pijamas, all the delicious foods, the special & royal treatment you gave me while I was there, including Darnell driving me around in the new SUV, for the so very generous donation of Ms. Barb, for showing me around, for all the love you gave me! I had a wonderful time. THANK YOU TONS!
  
• Darnell Johnson- for loving me the way you do, for your patience & understanding as I met with so many people, for being such an awesome travel partner & boyfriend, for loving on my extensive family and friends. I am so blessed to have you in my life & to get to do life together. TAM Big Time!
• TO ALL THE FRIENDS THAT MADE IT TO THE LOS ANGELES &/OR THE SAN DIEGO GET TOGETHER- for taking the time to come out and hear about what God has been doing. I am so thankful for your friendship, your support and your continual encouragement. You mean so much to me and I couldn't do what I am doing in El Salvador if it wasn't for your partnership. I love you and I am so thankful for YOU!
  
• To the rest of the friends I got to see/bumped into and spend some time with- for your love, excitement at seeing me again, your encouragement, financial support and friendship over the years.

SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE I DIDN'T GET TO SEE FOR A OR B REASON- I am sorry we couldn't meet this time. Hopefully next time I am in town I can see you!

Truly I am blessed! This trip wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't by all you guys' support and love. Thank you for making it so special. May God continue to bless you and lead you in all and everything that you do!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE. IT WAS GREAT SEEING MANY OF YOU AND PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF!

To really end, CLICK HERE to see the pictures from my North America visit. Enjoy!

"Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will even change so much to the point where we're not all still friends"

Spring Newsletter is Here!

Beloved friends and family, it is hard to believe that I in a few weeks I will have been in El Salvador for a year already. Wow. Time flies by. Please take a look at my Spring Newsletter (click here to read entire newsletter) and at some of my favorite moments from these last few months. Also, take a look at the ways God has been moving in my life and ways I would appreciate your support and prayers (Praises and prayer request section). Lastly, I am coming home (California) to see family, friends and fundraise some more support to come back to El Salvador to continue to love, encourage and work with the people of El Salvador.

Please check out my dates (hopefully I can see most of you) and consider supporting me financially/prayerfully on my 2nd year of service in El Salvador.

Thank you so much for your continual love, care, encouragement and support. May God continue to bless you richly!

See you soon. California here I come :)

Elsita

CAMPING SURVIVOR!

Wohoo! I survived camping for 5 days, praise God! And I actually really, really, really enjoyed the experience. I am looking forward to the next opportunity to go camping again. Here are some of the highlights of some of the things I got to do & try out:

-Hiked Lots!!!

-Built tents

-Slept in a sleeping bag on the ground for the 1st time (only for a night though then I slept in a delicious inflatable mattress)

-Learned to build a fire

-Cooked with wood

-Learned to use a chain saw

-Helped build a table and bench from scratch (went and cut down some trees, chain sawed the pieces, dug some holes in the ground to place the table/bench and nailed the wood together)

-Jumped off a cliff

-Bathed my stinky body in a waterfall that we found that was super hidden

-Rock climbed

-Roasted cashews

I really had a blast and enjoyed my time there. The team was so great and they were also expert campers, which really just made everything all the better. The team was from Center Lake Bible Camp in Michigan, and was here for a week. We camped at Cinquera for 5 days and then lead two other day camps at Siloe (a school we work with that deals with children of gang members). While at Cinquera we lead 2 youth camps. One team was from our soccer school in Altavista and the other one was the 7th graders at Siloe. After camping, we lead one day camp with 5th & 6th grade and the other day camp with 8th & 9th grade, both at Siloe. In total and at the end of the week, we worked with over 200 kids, such a blessing. These kids definitely have crazy stories of abuse, neglect, addictions and all kinds of things that they've experienced at such young age. Please do pray that the seeds that were planted this last week, will continue to grow and bring healing and restoration to these young ones. Click here to see pictures of this blessed time.

God was so faithful as He always is. We saw Him moving throughout the week in our team and also in the other team from Wake Forest, North Carolina that was also here during this time. Wake Forest's medical team held various health clinics in different communities that we work with. For the 1st time in Christ for the City El Salvador's history we saw over 1115 patients in a week. Totally amazing, praise God for this as well!

Thank you to all of you for your prayers. Through them, I continually see God at work and experience His grace and overwhelming love for me. So grateful and humbled by your continual love and encouragement.

May God bless you richly and keep you in His infinite love!