My first Lutheran church service then off to Santa Ana

This trip is already many firsts for me; my first time in Central America, my first time on an international volunteer trip, and my first time with a Thrivent Builds project. Now I have added another item to my list; my first time attending a Lutheran service.

Under most circumstances, there really isn't much of a difference between a Lutheran service and a Catholic mass... however... today the Lutheran church just happened to be celebrating the Reformation, that moment in history when Martin Luther did his whole theses thing and separated from the Catholic Church. Really? Of all the services to attend, it's the one where they celebrate NOT liking Catholics. Great.

The church building was very run down and in need of repair. It was a drastic comparison to the Catholic churches and cathedral(s) we drove by on the way there (and I'm solely basing that on the views from the outside). After the service, we were invited into the Bishop's office as he shared his insight on the community and his teachings. He said sometimes the rich are really the ones in more need of God's help and guidance than the poor. After taking group pictures around the alter, and shopping with a local artisan selling jewelry in the back of the church, we piled back into the van and headed back to the hotel to check out.

For lunch, we enjoyed the popular fried chicken chain, Pollo Campero (YAY!!!). We have these in the states too, especially in Northern Virginia, but this was a first for many of those in our group. We stood out and caused stares as the 18 of us white Americans sat together at a long row of tables in the middle of the restaurant. A few kids gathered behind us and I kept looking back and smiling at them until they'd giggle and hide. Eventually, one of them tapped me on the shoulder and asked me my name and where I'm from. I think he was excited to practice his English. The 3 others that were with him were younger and just giggled shyly as he briefly chatted with me. It was pretty darn adorable.

Back into the van we went as we left the big city to head out west on the hour and a half drive to Santa Ana, where we would be calling Hotel Sahara "home" for the rest of the week.

Iglesia Luterana La Resurreccion

Example of the comparison to the Catholic cathedral right down the street.

Houses tightly packed together on the hills in San Salvador.

Downtown Santa Ana

We celebrated team member Sue's birthday later that night at dinner.