Day: Minus One and Counting (Evening)
On the night of November 16th, the mood went from one of reflection to one of celebration as The Fuller Center for Housing of El Salvador hosted a gala dinner and opening ceremony for the 108 volunteers and the 16 blitz build partner families at the Rancho Estero y Mar hotel in San Luis Talpa. The hotel was abuzz with activity as volunteers continued to arrive from the States, Salvadoran families met the strangers that came to build with them, and seasoned blitz builders reunited with old friends they’d made at various builds at home and abroad.
DonTito, the mayor of San Luis Talpa (right) with Jeff Abbott translating
David Snell, vice president of programs, introduced Pastor Jacob Battle of Americus, Ga., who gave a blessing, and then the guests were welcomed by special friends of The Fuller Center. First was Augusto Gonzalez “Don Tito” Varela. Don Tito is the mayor of San Luis Talpa, the site of the blitz build, and he was instrumental in the family selection process. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping these needy families,” he said. “Decent housing is going to change their lives for the better in so many ways.”
Fuller supporter Mrs. Ildiko Tesak
David then introduced Mrs. Ildiko Tesak, a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity, various charitable causes, and now The Fuller Center. Ildiko is Hungarian and emigrated to El Salvador many years ago; her husband, Pablo Tesak, emigrated from the former Czechoslovakia. The Tesaks have made a good life for themselves (Ildiko owns the popular Diana snack food company and other several other businesses) and work hard to help the tiny country they call home. “When I first arrived, I was absolutely shocked at the poverty, inequality and exclusion. I vowed to help.” She urged the homeowner families to take advantage of opportunities, not charity, unless they are truly helpless. “Your house is a base for your new life. You must follow up with education, health care, hard work and faith,” she said.
David introduced Millard, who received a standing ovation. “You families are precious to God and you are precious to us,” he began. “This week I challenge you to let strangers in. Let’s become friends. Let’s cross the barrier of language and get to know one another.” Millard explained that although Habitat for Humanity has built some 6,100 houses in El Salvador and The Fuller Center is about to dedicate the first 16 in its 60-house project, there are thousands more families in need of a hand up. “The Fuller Center is ready to help!” he cheered, as the crowd shouted the first “oyée” of the evening.
Millard with Carmen Gallardo, El Savador project assistant
Next up was Mike Bonderer, FCH El Salvador’s new director. Mike, who hails from Kansas City and is married to Nicaraguan Zuzelinda (“Zuze”, pronounced Suzy), has been in the country for eight years, building homes through his own organization, Homes from the Heart. He took over operations in late summer in order to ramp things up for the blitz build. His two stepdaughters, Wanda and Marley, are volunteers with The Fuller Center, and Zuze is Mike’s right-hand woman.
Carlos Rodriguez and Sara Orellana spoke on behalf of the Salvadoran families and expressed their gratitude for new friends, new houses, and new beginnings.
Then it was on to the buffet line for the first of 11 meals to be shared by the volunteers and families this week, followed by an evening of fellowship and attempts, good and bad, to speak both English and Spanish, all skill levels were welcomed.
