The TBK Bank team returned from El Salvador at the end of April – however, they each left a piece of their hearts in El Salvador.
While serving the community of San Josecito, the team learned many lessons – some the same and some very personal. Regardless of their upbringing, where they live, or their position in our company, one thing was constant. Their experience with Living Water in El Salvador has changed their lives for the better.
We asked the team members to reflect on their time in El Salvador. Below are their responses.
Jacqueline
TBK Bank – Dallas, TX
When our eager group arrived in the village the first day, we were greeted by the community with big smiles, balloons, handmade posters, signs, and hugs. The generosity, excitement, and kindness of the community was overwhelming. No words can do justice to explain how I felt at our first interaction. Upon our arrival, we were given a tour of their homes and community. They took us to the contaminated water well where the community draws water to cook, clean dishes, and wash their clothes. On the day we struck water, seeing our local friends running with joy towards the drill site and dancing underneath the fountain of water is a moment I will never forget.
I’m deeply grateful for the humbling experience in El Salvador and the lifelong relationships that were developed. Being able to give the community the gift of clean water and the word of God was such a blessing not only to them, but for me as well.
Sheri
Triumph Business Capital – Coppell, TX
“Feeling blessed,” is the only way to describe my Experience. This was so much more than I could have expected. I feel blessed to work for a company who would send us to El Salvador. I feel blessed to work with the Living Water staff (Marvin, Marcela and others), who helped us work as a team to dig, drill and read/act-out Bible stories to share God’s Love.
I feel blessed for the opportunity to serve this amazing group of families in El Salvador– men, women and children, who cared for us and fed us meals, who laughed and cried with us. They are in my prayers each day… I will never be the same.
Stephany
Triumph Business Capital – Coppell, TX
Being able to go on this trip was truly life changing. The people of San Josecito gave us the best welcoming and throughout the week they opened up their hearts and homes to our team. The gift of giving water to their community is something that I will never forget. I enjoyed building relationships with the kids, families, and the Living Water staff. By the end of the week I was surprised as to how much this trip has already impacted my life, just by getting the chance to lend my hands, knowledge, and most importantly God’s love with others.
I’m grateful to work for a company that values the importance of giving back and thankful for being able to share this week with other TBK team members.
Kenyon
TBK Bank – Dallas, TX
The crescendo of my experience may have actually happened on day one as we pulled into the village. We were welcomed with handmade construction paper signs and smiles that stretched from ear to ear. It wasn’t soon after we stepped out of the bus that we received warm embraces and hearty handshakes. While I understood what we were there to do, it was at that moment I realized the week was going to have an impact on my life as well. I am thankful to work for an organization that allows team members to grow, learn, and share in the way we did while in El Salvador.
Gerardo
Triumph Insurance Group – Dallas, TX
Participating in a second trip to El Salvador was a blessing. The team, in the Lord’s name, united into one unit to accomplish God’s will. I enjoyed connecting with everyone; our enterprise, Living Water staff, and the community from San Josecito. I am eternally grateful for everyone who helped us fundraise, prayed for us, and assisted in establishing a relationship between LWI and TBK.
I learned so much from our team, the Living Water staff, and the community from San Josecito. The entire week was full of fellowship, faith, and blessings. Bendiciones to all.
Kevin
Coppell – Triumph Business Capital
I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, when you say “yes” to adventures, you’ll end up working for a company that sends its team members to do this kind of thing. This year was my second time to go on this trip and for that, I am truly honored and beyond thankful. I would go back again and again if Triumph would let me! The hospitality, the teamwork, the relationships built, the love and the joy are all built into one gigantic feeling I don’t know how to describe.
I encourage anyone and everyone to apply and go on one of these trips. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity!
Randi
Triumph Community Bank – Bettendorf, IA
“Volunesia: the moment you forget you’re volunteering to help change others’ lives, because it’s changing yours.” I am beyond grateful that I was given the opportunity to be a part of this amazing team. I have made so many unbreakable friendships with not only my team members, but with the Living Water staff and the people of the community. We started out as complete strangers and ended this trip as family.
This purpose of the trip was to bless the community of San Josecito, but honestly they were the ones who blessed us. After giving the children beads and string to make bracelets after our lessons, I walked down to the drill site to take some pictures. As I was walking back to the children, a little girl named Veronica came running toward me yelling “RANDI!” She held out her wrist and showed me the bracelet she made. She spelt my name out of beads and put it on her wrist.
I signed up for this trip not knowing that I would come home with a whole new perspective on life.
Melissa
Triumph Business Capital – Coppell, TX
It is so hard to put last week’s experience into words. I almost want to say “you have to be there to understand”, but like every testimony it is meant to be shared with others. The welcome at the community showed us so much love and appreciation. They did so much for us, yet they had so little. The entire week we were there, the wonderful people in the community of San Josecito fed us several times a day and opened up their homes and hearts to us.
The welcome on Day 1 was just so overwhelming that the scripture out of Luke 21:1-4 was impressed on my heart: “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ ”
Kenia
TBK Bank – Holly, CO
Going to El Salvador changed my life for the better. I’m so thankful for TBK Bank and their commitment to community service. Our group worked as a team alongside Living Water International to drill a well that will improve the way of life for the San Josecito community. The people in the village made us feel welcome at all times and each member in our group was very supportive.
Furthermore, this trip gave me the opportunity to help others; it opened my eyes to appreciate my everyday blessings and it helped me grow in faith as I realized that Jesus is the Living Water of the world.
Pat
Triumph Commercial Finance – Dallas, TX
For me, this trip reinforced the fact we are meant to help the less fortunate. I always knew that helping people felt good but this trip took that feeling to a new level. I am happy to have found a new addiction and can’t wait for the next trip.
Thank you to all of my teammates. Each unique personality fit perfectly and made the trip special.
Sandy
Triumph Community Bank – Moline, IL
I have so many great memories! This trip was amazing, emotional and life changing. Just experiencing how grateful the people of San Josecito were to have clean water; it was an amazing feeling to see that!
It made me emotional to say goodbye.
