Teammates Thoughts the Day Before Departure

Rosalee Roloff

My biggest fear is getting sick--either from exposure to someone on the plane or the dreaded diarrhea from local food and water. I have all precautions in order. I am excited about visiting a part of the world I would never see another way and being a part of this great project to provide housing to people who have a great need.

Kathleen Fayard

My biggest fear? I don't have too many fears, but my least favorite part of traveling (I LOVE traveling, especially the excitement of boarding a big metal bird en route to a foreign place) is making it through security and wondering whether or not my backpack will be violated and my 3 oz. bottles scrutinized.
What excites me: the chance to get to know a beautiful country and its people! Working on my arm muscles! And of course giving back and helping to create something beautiful.

Dewey Carl

My bigggest fear is having to take a 9 hour lay over in Houston prior to flying on to San Salvador. However the excitement is to go and do something for those who have so little. It will be a great experience for all. The opportunity to give back is what is important.

Stephanie Burton

If by biggest fear you mean actual fears, that would definitely be snakes. I am deafly afraid of snakes. As for the trip, I am super excited to meet and work with the family that we are helping out. To be a part of something this huge for a family that really needs it, words cannot even cover how major that is for me. That, and actually seeing my ma in a foreign country doing what she is so passionate about.

Marcia Pethke

My biggest fear is not getting food made for my husband and the possibility that he could starve while I am gone. Just kidding, my biggest fear is that my back will not hold out. I want to be able to do the tough jobs but I also don't want to hurt my back in the process. God give me strength and hopefully the exercise program I have been in engaged in will help too!!
I am excited to see my friends from the Habitat Affiliate in El Salvador again!! Plus, I get to spend an entire week with my daughter Stephanie too.

Shelly Vosters

Biggest fear - Flying into a Hurricane or having some kind of natural disaster happen while we are in El Salvador.
What excites me about the trip - Experiencing another culture and a whole other country with a bunch of fun people!!

Dan Stremkowski

This is kind of my first trip to a place where I don't speak the language. I've been to Canada and have been told I sound canadian so that doesn't count. Man do I now wish I would have studied my Spanish. I'm afraid of not being able to communicate well. I'm also afraid of getting sick and not being able to help. I look forward to the workout in the heat, maybe I'll drop a few pounds. I also will enjoy playing games with the children. Our cultural exchange is going to be kids games! Yeha!

Is It Possible to Pack for 10 Days in just a Carry On?

1 Duffle Bag
pair of work jeans, pair of khakis, 5 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shorts, swimsuit, jammys, sneakers, 4 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts, sport drink mix, licorice, trail mix, jerky

1 Computer Bag
computer, power cord, camera, camera battery charger, hard drive of music and movies, internet cable, working gloves, safety goggles, several hats, granola bars, spanish book, book I can read, journal, pen, gum, passport, money, toiletry bag, ziploc bag, phone, phone charger, flip flops

1 Toiletry Bag
toothbrush, pepto-bismol, IMODIUM A-D, brush, deodorant, ibuprofen, cold medicine, razors

1 Ziploc Bag
skin lotion, shaving cream, carmex, shampoo, conditioner, cologne, aloe gel, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toothpaste

1 Dan
pair of work pants, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, belt, underwear, socks and work boots, wallet

What I need to fit yet
mosquito spray, malaria pills, shades, bandana, sandals, kids games

Does anyone know if I can carry on all this stuff? It does look possible that I can carry on enough for 10 days. Unless I'm missing something big! Might consider wearing two pairs of jeans on the plane to make some room for what I have left.... NOT!

I was given some great advice to pack first before I wrote this blog! THANK YOU POLLY!

Good Luck packing Girls!

Welcome to our blog!

Hola!
Diane and I started the journey of planning for this trip almost immediately after returning from our habitat build in El Salvador last year and now we are less than two weeks away from going back!! Wow!! We are extremely blessed to have wonderful, supporting families who support and encourage us to do this kind of work.

Our team is eager and ready to go on this life changing mission. Team members are:

Diane Geurts, Kaukauna, WI - co-lead
Marcia Pethke, Bear Creek, WI - co-lead
Lynn Eckes, Appleton, WI - team photographer
Diane Jonen, Kaukauna, WI
Mary Fritz, Appleton, WI - team photographer
Katie Freiburger, Appleton, WI
Dan Stremkowski, Greenville, WI - our blogger
Shelly Vosters, Freedom, WI
Stephanie Burton, Fish Creek, WI
Kathleen Fayard, Lake Forest, IL - our translator
Dewey Carl, Manawa, WI
Lucy Keuntjes, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Rosalee Roloff, Clintonville, WI

Through our work in El Salvador, another family will have hope for the future and a decent, affordable home to live in. What we will get in return is memories that will last a lifetime, new friends in the warm and wonderful people of El Salvador and a deeper appreciation of everything our Lord has provided to us.

Special thanks to our team members and their families for supporting Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador!!

We hope you take the time each day to follow us as we take this exciting journey!!!

Hasta la vista!

Marcia and Diane