By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

It was only one week.

Nonetheless, the time Shana Arnhold spent in El Salvador is likely to leave a lasting impression.

Participating in her first international humanitarian/missionary expedition, the 27-year-old former Hays resident was one of about 20 members of St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe -- including her husband, Paul, also previously of Hays -- who brought clothing, medical supplies and toys to the small farming village of El Higueral this month.

"The people were just incredibly gracious and thankful we were there," Arnhold said of the villagers she encountered.

As a sister community of St. Andrew, El Higueral welcomes its American guests twice a year.

During their most recent visit, from July 2 to 9, Arnhold said her group also helped build a brick retaining wall at the village church, painted the entire religious structure, stocked and assisted at an "impromptu" medical clinic, helped solve community problems, such as water concerns, and generally spent time with the local inhabitants in an effort to improve their lives.

"They don't have much money," Arnhold said of those living in El Higueral. "It's very poor down there."

For that reason, the donated supplies were "well received," she added.

"They really appreciated that."

Through previous efforts, Arnhold said her church also has funded a papusaria, where women gather to make papusas, a traditional Salvadoran food made from tortillas stuffed with beans, meat or cheese, and supports the education of village children by providing scholarships.

"They gave us a list of their grades and how they spent their money," she said.

Spending time amongst the locals and becoming so personally involved in their lives - eating nearly every meal inside the villagers' homes - Arnhold said close relationships are easily formed, especially with the children.

"It was really fun," she said.

The trip also led her to realize a previously unknown truth about humanity.

"It just boils down to everybody being the same," she said. "They really do have the same kind of issues. That's probably what I learned the most from it."

With St. Andrew worshippers making regular trips south of the border, Arnhold will have several opportunities to revisit the village, which she genuinely intends to do in future years.

Just give her a little time, she said, to remember not to take her current comforts for granted.

"I really like having a toilet and a bed."