“We all thought we would be coming to change peoples lives, but in reality it was quite the opposite, they changed our lives and gave us an experience we will never forget”-Justine Phillips. Service, prayer, faith, were some of the lessons each member of the team could learn during their first mission trip to El Salvador in La Estancia. Despite the fierce heat, every team member did their best to join the church in building a health clinic that will serve around 2000 families, and bringing transformation to an entire community. The strong relationships created during the week impacted the team as well as the community involved in the construction. As Justine said, their lives and the community will never be the same.
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The Crossing Church (Costa Mesa, CA) has a very special relationship with Pastor Miguel Durán, El Buen Samaritano Church and the people of Las Delicias. For the past seven years, teams have come to support the ongoing work in this community. The team has watched the church’s influence grow as it has taken on a number of projects and have witnessed Pastor Miguel become both president of the Water Board and superintendent of his denomination. Last year, Pastor Miguel and his congregation partnered with Compassion International to open a development center which now helps 150 children. This year the team helped repair a road, provided dental care, and hosted a variety of ministry events including hosting a group for mothers. Before final celebration, the team challenged students from the private school in a soccer game which has become an annual tradition. After working with Pastor Miguel for so many years, the team feels like they are visiting family when they come to El Salvador, and Las Delicias excitedly welcomes them.
A dynamic and dedicated group of 13 youth and 4 leaders traveled from Timberline Church in Colorado to spend a week encouraging Pastor Santos and the congregation of Tabernaculo Biblico Salem Church in El Espino. On Sunday, the team presented a children’s ministry workshop for the Sunday School teachers and church leaders of El Espino. The team also taught a few games, which helped break the ice on the first day as everyone played and laughed together. For the rest of the week they joined volunteers from the church and community to help complete the final phase of a perimeter wall for the public school. With so many kids around the work site, team members couldn't help but join in games of soccer, jump rope, and tag. In addition to participating in the Sunday service, the group also attended a midweek service where many team members shared their testimonies. One of the team leaders, Maura Buckner, shared the great impact of her trip to El Salvador the year before. She recalled the story of how Nuria Reyes, ENLACE Church Coach, told the team that for three years she had been praying for the church that would accompany the church in El Espino and that they were the answer to her prayer. Maura was shocked that someone had been praying for her trip to El Salvador for three years--even before she attended Timberline. She said, “My world expanded that day. My understanding that God is so much bigger, so much more intimate, and so much more in control than I had ever understood...I feel like a little part of my heart is now a part of this church and this community and it is now yours. God so changed my life because of the prayers of people here. People who didn't know me then but whom I now consider part of my family.” At the end of the week, the team, the school, and church and community members all celebrated with a special dedication. The school’s band played and the students gave the team cards they had made. A note, outlined by a heart, written on the board in a classroom expressed thanks saying, “Thank you for your visit. You will be in our heart. PLEASE PRAY FOR EL SALVADOR. We need it.”
A second group from Willow Creek Crystal Lake came to support and encourage Pastor Francisco Mendoza and The Arca de Dios Church in El Ranchador. The team continued the work started by a group of students from their church in March, assisting the community with the construction of a new medical clinic which will serve 5,000 people. They also visited the nearby Compassion International site sharing a Bible story, songs, and other activities. The week was filled with joy and friendship as the transformation continues in El Ranchador.
Take a moment to read our Summer Newsletter 2012 highlighting two young enterprenuers in San Martin, as part of the Community Economic Development Program.
A team from Willow Creek Chicago traveled to rural western El Salvador to serve with Puerta del Cielo Church in El Progreso for the second time. Despite a recent transition in leadership, Pastor Orlando Majano has only been there two months, the relationship between the churches remained strong. The team helped repair the main road in the community and brought great joy to the people of El Progreso
The Gateway Church is a vibrant young church in downtown Des Moines Iowa that is dedicated to "join God in the renewal of all things." As part of living out this mission in Des Moines the church committed to join in the renewal of the San Martin region of El Salvador through a church partnership with ENLACE.
New Life Church from Exeter, California joined Principe de Paz Church in Santa María during the last week of June bringing change, hope and transformation to the community. On their fifth visit, 11 members from New Life Church worked alongside the church and community to build a mitigation wall. Their hard work, passion, and dedication to serve the local church with their talents and abilities has brought new life to the community and a safer neighborhood.
Vineyard Christian Church from Pataskala, Ohio has worked alongside Zurisadai Church in San Jacinto since 2006. During during their fifth visit to the region, they supported the work of the church in its effort to give shelter to one of the most vulnerable families identified by the church and community. Through this housing project, the church has further strengthened relationships with the community and also ties of friendship with the Vineyard Church who collaborated in the building of a home for Rosa Estrada, her daughter and six grandchildren. During her six days working with the community in San Jacinto, Vineyard Church members also directed activities for the church, men and children, and visited eight homes to those in need of food and prayer.
Ali's (left) warm heart and solidarity were an inspiration to many people like Gloria (right) from AbelinesIn 2004 ENLACE was delighted to welcome Ali Yarosevich, now Ali Hunt, as a volunteer. Due to her incredible willingness, simplicity and humility, we had the opportunity to walk with her as God transformed her heart and life. We are now blessed to celebrate how God has honored and moved her life forward to other transformational places.
Until recently, Maria Francisca Santos (63), lived in a tiny mud dwelling with her two daughters and their children. One of her daughters, Ana Julia (40), is extremely sick and cannot walk. After having to undergo hernia surgery, Maria was unable to continue running a soap business that brought her $25 per month, let alone address the problems associated with a dilapidated home. As a result, Maria began to cultivate corn and beans just to provide basic sustenance for herself and her family.
All her life, Teodolinda Santos (42) has wanted to love, serve and enjoy her life with her family. At one point, she had eight children, a husband, and brothers and sisters. The dream collapsed after her husband left her and one child died. She was forced to live off the begrudging charity of a brother, who allowed her to live in a small shack on his land. Her sadness was compounded when one of her daughters left home and chose not to return.
On May 24 Getsemani Church in Pajigua, the community and its leaders held a dedication for 25 homes that were built over a six-month period. The project not only provided safe and secure homes for 136 people, but also provided an opportunity for the church and community to collaborate and to bear witness the movement of God in Pajigua.
