Spiritual Formation | 3/13/2026 1:12:00 PM

Written by: Audrey Tucker
 
Yesterday was a day filled with both joy and gratitude as we began to wrap up our time here in El Salvador. It was one of those days where every moment felt like a reminder of how faithful the Lord has been throughout this entire trip.
 
We started the morning by heading back to the community of Thomas Rodriguez. We were greeted by smiling faces and eager children ready to play. Even though the language barrier makes conversation difficult, joy and love don't need translation. Being able to spend time with these kids—simply playing, laughing, and showing them the love of Christ—was such a gift.
 
But what made the morning especially meaningful was knowing it would be our last time seeing them this trip. The relationships formed, even in just a few days, are real and impactful. As we hugged the kids and said goodbye, there was both gratitude and sadness in our hearts. At the same time, we were reminded that God is the one who continues His work in their lives long after we leave.
 
After leaving the community, we stopped at a local market filled with all kinds of souvenirs and small handmade items. Walking through the booths together, laughing and picking out little reminders to take home, was a fun way to celebrate the week we've had together.
 
From there we drove to the beach, where we spent the remainder of the day resting and reflecting on everything the Lord has done during this trip. The beach gave us space to slow down and soak in the moment. Some of us swam in the ocean, others walked along the shore, and many of us played volleyball and soccer in the sand. Conversations flowed easily as we talked about our favorite memories, the people we've met, and the ways we've seen God move throughout the week. It was one of those moments where you can clearly see the Lord's faithfulness woven through every small detail. As the evening went on, we spent time watching the sunset. We took time to sit together on the beach and worship the Lord. It was another peaceful moment to pause and praise the Lord for His faithfulness throughout this trip.
 
After that, we gathered together around a bonfire for one last time of reflection. We read Joshua 4:1–9, where the Israelites set up stones of remembrance to remind future generations of the Lord's faithfulness. These stones were called Ebenezer stones. To close the night, we each wrote our own Ebenezer stones. Writing on our own stones gave us the opportunity to reflect on the many ways we have seen God work throughout this trip: in the kids we played with, the conversations we've had, the laughter shared, and the quiet moments where the Lord met us personally.
 
This trip has shown us again and again that God is faithful. Faithful in the big moments and the small ones. Faithful in the laughter and even in the goodbyes.
 
As we head home, our prayer is that we wouldn't forget what the Lord has done here. Just like those Ebenezer stones, we want to carry these reminders with us so that when life gets busy again, we can look back and say with confidence: we have seen the Lord's faithfulness again and again. And He will continue to be faithful in the days ahead.