Day Ten

Even though we only went to one place today, I think I learned more about myself today than most days.

Today we went to the Jabali Coffee Cooperation which was very different than the other organizations we have visited. It was a long bus ride up the VERY bumpy mountain, but our lovely driver Enrique (kique) got us there safely! Like I’ve mentioned many times before, people in El Salvador are SO creative and it surprises me every time! Even though they only created this co-op because of a governmental decree, they were one of the only co-ops that actually survived and is thriving. In a last ditch effort to prevent a civil war in the late 70s, the El Salvadorian government decided to create 'co-ops' on farms instead of only owned by one boss, but they had to pay for it. In 1978 the Patron (boss) of the Jabali farm told the workers that if they didn't start running the farm, then the government would, so it became their responsibility to run and operate it, even though they had no experience doing that. This farm, unlike many, made enough money that they could pay off the farm and stop all government intervention, so they could run it how they wanted to, and it was successful. There are 146 'associates' that are members of the co-op, and they all work together equally for the farm. I thought this was interesting because there are not very many places in the United States where people work together for a common goal, but rather people just work to benefit themselves.

They made coffee for everyone EXACTLY how they wanted it!

It was clear that this coffee co-op is pretty important and influential because even though there are only 146 members, they each have spouses and children, so overall the co-op influences and supports around 2,000 people! When the president spoke, it was obvious to me that he, and the other workers, really cared about the co-op and saw it as much more than a job too, since it was so influential. He even said that in the years where prices were really low, he had to go without a salary in order to keep the farm afloat, but it was worth it because it supports so many people! It is rare that you find people who are so generous like that, most people just want what is ‘rightfully theirs’ because he worked just as hard that year, but had to give up the money for the sake of the farm. A lot of the people, like the men today, have impressed me greatly in El Salvador. So many of the people I’ve met are kind (even though I’m a stranger), compassionate, giving and selfless. It seems to me that the poorer the area, the more helpful and supportive people are because they have had to learn how to deal with certain issues, and learn not to take things for granted like wealthier people do. For instance, even though we had just arrived at the Jabali, the men said to us, “Feel free to stay all day today, tomorrow, or come whenever you like! This is your home now and you are always welcome!” Who says that to strangers?? I have never seen anything like this before in my entire life! People are so REAL and GENUINE here, it really makes me step back and look at how I treat strangers or new friends.

Packaging our own coffee after lunch!

On a tour of the coffee plants

The bugs were REALLY bad today--> Jen was prepared to fight

The other MAJOR thing I learned today was patience, and being flexible. At home I am notorious for scheduling my daily activities down to the minute, and I rarely stray from my plans. So I was very happy when we got to El Salvador and we had an itinerary that had each hour of the day planned out! So today the itinerary said we were going to leave at 2pm, but eventually 2pm rolled around and we had still not taken a tour. Then it was 3pm…then 4pm…..and even though we were scheduled to be home early at 4:30 pm, we were still sitting in the middle of a thunderstorm waiting for our coffee to roast up in the mountains somewhere. I quickly found myself getting annoyed, because when I make plans I need to stick to them, and the unknown makes me uncomfortable. But then I started to realize that this was good for me, because people at home always tell me to loosen up, and be more spontaneous, so I realized that maybe I just need to sit back and think that maybe something good will come out of it! So when I got home I decided to read my devotional, because I knew that I needed to think about this problem more, and of course it applied perfectly. This is what it said, 

“These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me. When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance” 

 Oh baby did that make me think. I've never thought of my planning and to-do lists as idolatry before, but when I think about it, I am SO obsessed with having control over my life and my actions that I forget to stop and think about what I'm actually doing! I definitely need to remember this more, and El Salvador has helped me realize this. I am always so worried about doing things the right way, at the right time, but maybe I don’t know the right time or the right way to do something; sometimes I need to just sit back and let God decide.

Day 10: Unexpected, frustrating, eye opening. Successful