New Years was spent on a different level, Tom got sick with parasites a few days before so he was on medication and his body was physically exhausted. Therefore Tom was in bed by 9pm while I was again at the Arili´s house for the dance (yes another dance), however it just wasn't the same without Tom so I went home rather early. We were in bed by 11:30 and that's how we spent the New Years. A group of our neighbors from the community however used the still brilliant light from the moon to walk to each of the communities singing songs all night long, some of them did not sleep at all that night.
The day before New Years a delegation from Lutheran and Presbyterian churches in Santa Cruz, CA arrived in our community. We had heard lots about this group from various people in our community and we were excited to meet a group who had been coming to our community for the past 10 years. They were scheduled to eat breakfast everyday at Arili’s the week they were in the community. So every morning Tom and I would wake up bright and early to help Arili serve breakfast for the 22 people (21 + the interpreter Brenda). Unlike other delegations that have come through our community this group spent a majority of a week in the Ciudadela, giving them time to connect with many people, including ourselves. We found that we were not only helping with breakfast but also trying to spend time with them during the day. Throughout the week we noticed from their strong presence in the community that we had much to learn from them. Those who have been coming for years have developed very close relationships with people from our community. 
This particular delegation supports AMUDESCO, particularly paying the salary of the doctor and the health promoters for the majority of the year, if not all. Without this group from Santa Cruz I don’t know financially where the clinic would be. They also support the school, providing scholarships that include school supplies and uniforms for a number of students. Recently they also have started supporting some of the graduates to continue to study in college. Needless to say, we had a fantastic week with them; they left us with a lot of inspiration, hope and energy to continue the work that we do.
As I finish this long rambling blog, I hope I am not boring too many of you. I hope that many of you are able to connect with an organization, church, or start a group of your own, to see what role you can play in the developing countries that most need your help. The options are as limitless as your ambitions, and for those of you interested more in Santa Cruz you may visit the following link:
http://www.santacruzalsalvador.org/
Posted by Melissa and Tom
