Sal's journal:
In any relationship, there is a period of time that's needed to break the ice with another person. We had to feel comfortable with a whole village. The church is in a rural area, semi-jungle, with many tropical trees and stark mountains, stripped bare from clear-cutting. The village huts are spread out along a dirt road, off the only paved road on this end of the island. There is no running water, no electricity, nothing we take for granted in our homes. The communications between families is by word of mouth. But that seems to spread like wild fire! Within minutes, our presence is known and the villagers begin to arrive, most with smiling faces. It is the children who have the courage to be the first to approach us, and touch our hands and move away. We smile back, make friendly gestures, and they know we are approachable. At this time, we also feel secure enough to respond back in a language that they do not understand. However, it is easier to overcome a language barrier with children than with adults.
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