El Salvador is a Spanish-speaking country, but team members are not required to speak Spanish. Shelter provides all teams with interpreters to assist them throughout the week. However, teams are encouraged to learn some basic phrases as a gesture of care and respect towards the families they will be meeting.

It's worth noting that families and team members often share laughter over poorly pronounced words and attempts at communication, which helps break the ice and foster rapport when getting to know one another.

Approaching a team trip to El Salvador with openness and curiosity towards Salvadoran culture is highly encouraged. When encountering culture shock, it's helpful to remember that cultural differences are just that—differences—and one is not inherently better than the other.

Taking the time to observe, ask questions (Shelter interpreters excel at explaining differences to teams), and reflect on why a practice may seem unfamiliar or unsettling can all contribute to reducing culture shock. In fact, this approach may even lead to embracing a new culture in a personally enriching way.

Shelter recommends Sarah Lanier’s book, “Foreign to Familiar: a Guide to Understanding Hot and Cold Climate Cultures,” as a valuable resource to prepare for cultural differences. One immediate practical difference you may notice is Salvadoran greetings, which are warm and often involve hugs, and are extended to everyone, in contrast to North American greetings, which are typically reserved for those you know or see first in group settings.

A meaningful family connection can greatly enhance a build day, and simple steps taken ahead of time can make this time significant for both team members and families. Here are some suggestions:

• Read the bios that Shelter sends out beforehand. Learn the families’ names and try to remember any personal details that stand out to you.

• Plan ahead how you want to introduce yourself, and organize any photos you intend to share in a separate album for easy access.

• Pray as you prepare, inviting God to direct this time and being open to sharing intimate or vulnerable details of your story that point people to Jesus or give God the glory.

• Volunteer to go first. Shelter interpreters are skilled at encouraging teams to share first, which helps reduce nerves and fosters balanced interaction. Remember, to connect meaningfully, you need to be prepared to do what you hope they will: open up. Be authentic and open in your interactions—it's often the key to creating meaningful connections.

• Treat families and their stories with respect and dignity. If a family shares something difficult or emotional, offer care and support, as emotional connection transcends language barriers. Be curious but mindful not to be voyeuristic. Ask questions with empathy and understanding, not to exploit stories for shock value.

Take the time to pray with the family and inquire how you can pray for them. If they offer to pray for you, accept their offer graciously.

Teams spend time with the families throughout the week, from Meet the Family events to build days, providing numerous opportunities for playing and working alongside one another. Additionally, each family has a dedicated Family Connect time that allows for intentional one-on-one bonding. The length of these Family Connections varies, influenced by factors such as the build's smoothness, the team's schedule, reciprocity in the connection, and personality differences in families and teams.

Gift-giving is not permitted on Shelter trips. Despite well-meaning intentions, there are often unintended consequences associated with gestures or gifts that fall outside of the Shelter program. This is primarily due to cultural differences and a lack of knowledge on the part of team members.

Instead of giving gifts, team members are encouraged to freely offer their friendship, time, and love. While refraining from gift-giving may be challenging, it's important for team members to recognize that the gift of providing a home, their presence, and, most importantly, the love of God is more than sufficient to leave behind.

Shelter staff collaborate with community leaders to evaluate the needs of families requesting a Shelter home. Families facing the most urgent needs are prioritized, while those with relatively stable situations may need to wait longer. Shelter ensures that the process is fair and impartial by working closely with families in each community.

Community leaders, despite often facing their own needs, frequently prioritize the well-being of others in their community over their own.