I am finally home from traveling the world and through this last experience I have realized a few things.
3. I love my bed
2. I wish the sun came back with me to Indiana
1. I am SO BLESSED
A week after traveling from China for work, I boarded the plane again to El Salvador.
This time I was traveling with Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity Team to build a home close to Santa Anna.
I even got to take Denise’s Niece, Sara Brown with me.
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(Laurie, Sara, Teah, Kory, Me, Mike, Mark, Mark, Milton)
This trip was so different then all my others have been,
and not just because I was responsible to bring Sara Brown back alive.
It was such a physically exhausting trip, but more then anything it was so rewarding.
Our Team was AMAZING and El Salvador is stunning!
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(Fabulous Artisans Market in San Salvador)
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We were able to complete 2 weeks of work in 4.5 days.
We did anything from digging trenches, making concrete, more digging, sifting sand, and more digging.
(Did I mention digging)
(First Brick)
Other then digging, there were so many moments I want to share with you that are hard to capture in photo.
Moments during lunch when we sat with the family who was receiving this home, moments with the masons teaching them English and them teaching us Spanish, moments with the El Salvador Habitat Family and a Mariachi Band, laughing moments at dinner, moments after dinner as we stay up late playing cards, or even our last day celebration
So many moments that made this trip awesome because there were such awesome people involved.
People who left everything they had in El Salvador that week.
It was really an honor to work with them.
I love having the opportunity to meet so many new people.
People who inspire others to be better, to make a difference, and push themselves outside their comfort zone.
I feel so honored to represent Matilda Jane, and many times I wonder “WHY ME.”
How have I gotten so lucky to see the world in its more rawest form? Before materialistic things tarnish it.
I am not sure I will never know the answer to that, but what I do know is I am so BLESSED.
(Such a great team)
You ladies have given us the opportunity to make a difference in so many other people’s life. I know I will never be able to capture the gratitude that the kids in Africa feel, or the family in El Salvador, but I assure you there hearts are full because of it and my life has been forever changed.
XOXO
Kayla
Amazing work!!!!What a blessing for all involved!!!!!
thanks for sharing! The pictures are gorgeous & give a great sense of being there with you. Maybe one day
Welcome back! Sounds like an amazing trip!
LOVE! Just LOVE!
Thank’s for sharing this with us Kayla. You are all doing amazing things and this is so up lifting to see/hear. Bless you all
What an amazing opportunity you have been given!
What a humbling experience – I love that the best “takeaway” from your trip is knowing how very blessed you are! I’m so thankful that this company invests in more than “just clothes”- and has the vision to invest in changing peoples lives.
Oh, you gorgeous girls doing good deeds all over the world. Can’t wait to hear about THIS trip. Glad you’re home safe!!
“How have I gotten so lucky to see the world in its more rawest form? Before materialistic things tarnish it.”
Love this learning. Looks like a trip to carry in your heart for a lifetime.
Kayla (and the rest of the team too!) you inspire me!I so wish I had teh opportunity to go and do this type of work as well! If you EVER need an extra pair of hands locally or abroad- I AM IN!
Keep doing what you do! It’s the only way forward and I hope more and more people start to think this way!
I’m a little jealous that its not me out there too. You’ve given this ole gal a slew of wonderful ideas for when the kids are grown and out living their lives. We are so blessed and it takes a loving heart to share that blessing with others. God Bless.
This looks… AMAZING.
Nothing like building something with your own hands and giving it away.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
SO inspiring as always! All of your efforts and work are extremely heartfelt! I wish there were more wonderful people like you and all the gals behind MJC. Keep up the wonderful work! Your truly remarkable!
WOW! Building a house there is quite different that building one here. That is something I had never considered before. How awesome are you!?! This is quite inspiring, and something I would love to have the opportunity do as well.
Kayla – What a great post! You are so beautiful (inside and out) and it is amazing that you have been giving this opportunity to make this difference….one day, one person at a time…btw, the sun is always out if you really look hard for it!