Will you remember me? Gifts from El Salvador

I’ve been sharing this week about intangible gifts of friendship and love that I received on my trip to El Salvador. Today are some of the tangible gifts.

While gifts we get can be wonderful, what truly makes each gift special is the person behind it.

When I see the gift, I will always remember the giver!

1. Ring/Bracelet from Glorhy
On Saturday morning I commented to my beautiful friend Glorhy that the ring she was wearing was bonita (pretty). She took it off and handed it to me. I tried it on, admired it, then gave it back.

But she wouldn’t take it back. She was giving it to me. I felt guilty at first, but when she said it was to remember her, I accepted it gladly.When she found me later to give me the matching bracelet (also off her arm), I felt guilty again. But I treasure her generosity, and next time I go on a trip like this, I will wear jewelry so when someone likes it, I can take it off and give it away like Glorhy did. I love you, Glorhy!

2. Cup/Saucer from Mireya
The story of Mireya’s lovely gift is here. Mireya is very special to me.

3. Letter from Josselyn
I sat by Josselyn Friday night at the gospel meeting in Ciudad Real. Because she could speak a little English, I leaned over and asked her halfway through the sermon what buscar meant (to search). We talked more later. She brought me this very, very special hand-written letter on Sunday afternoon before we left. What a beautiful gift I will treasure.

And I treasure Josselyn!

4. Bracelet from Connie Connie (I think it’s really Consuela)—the mom of our trip’s leader, Hector—lives in a different part of El Salvador, but she traveled to stay in the Santa Ana region to help us with VBS and to visit with her beautiful grandson Zachary who was with us from Georgia.

She didn’t speak English so she and I mainly just smiled and hugged each day. On the morning we left, she gave me this beautiful bracelet.

Muchas gracias, Connie!5. Mucho from everyman
I tried talking in my muy poco (very little!) Spanish with the children when we had VBS. After conversing (sort of) with one young boy, he came back later and gave me one of these keychains. I followed him back to thank his family, and his young father then gave me this bottom bracelet that he had made. And another keychain.

And later, this necklace. Wow. I never got his name, so to me he is “everyman,” representing the Salvadorian spirit of generosity in a people that I had once been timid to meet, but now am so grateful I faced up to my fear and did.

Praise be to the Father for revealing himself through many gifts and many people in unexpected ways when we step out of our comfort zones.

He is the ultimate Giver.
May we never forget!

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