I have to start with the land

So, the bottom photo is the road into Nuevo Rencer in March and the 2nd photo is 2 weeks ago. Yea, so March and October are pretty different in El Sal.

In the states, we recognize seasonal differences as an opportunity to celebrate holidays and a excuse to buy new clothes. When we drive everywhere in our cars, stay inside most of the time and own gortex suits for the times we choose to be out in it, the seasons don't mean a lot.

In El Salvador, the seasons mean the difference between life and death. For farmers, water is the key to financial health and to a village with no running water yet, the hand of God via those puffy cumulus clouds is imperative. And yet, the villagers seem to so often takes things with an accepting grace, rather than forcing their will on the situtaion.

It rained on our first day of work and pretty much put work to a halt. But so much happened while we got so little done! We crowded into homes, hung out and waited for the storm to pass. It was one of the best times of connecting. Rosa taught some of us how to make tortillas from scratch and we met Mariposa, the precious gift goat. Carlitos showed me his room and eventually we all just talked on the front porch as the rains slowed. There was no getting around it, no umbrellas or rain boots --just a natural pause in the work caused by the hand of God.

Maybe next time it rains really hard in Portland, invite a friend over for tea and just take the time to enjoy the moment. I bet something special will happen that you would have never expected from such "wasted" time.