God brought me here to Las Delicias so that in some way I would preserve it, because Christians are the salt of the earth. But the Bible also says that we are the light. And what better light, what better testimony, how much better can we shine with the light of Christ, than by showing people love? In John’s letter he tells us that we don’t love with words, we love with action. What good is it for us as a church to tell the world that we love them, to tell our people, our community, that we love them and that God loves them too but walk away after seeing them hurting on the street. What good is it if we see their need and move aside? If we really love God, and the love of God is in us, we must love our neighbor. We cannot say that we love God if we are indifferent to the pain of those around us. We can’t.

Many people ask, “What makes ENLACE different?” While there may be a variety of unique qualities about ENLACE’s methodology and approach, I think a more pertinent question might be “what makes the difference in ENLACE’s ministry?” Every Monday morning at the ENLACE office in San Salvador all of the staff and volunteers come together for a time of prayer followed by a devotional reflection. In January, ENLACE director, Ron Bueno, started the year with a series of devotionals entitled “La Diferencia” or “The Difference.” Over the next few months we’d like to share some of these devotionals with you as Ron explains “La Diferencia” for ENLACE.

Many of you have been following closely the events related to Project Milagro. Some of you have even had the distinct privilege of meeting Pastor Miguel and working alongside his church and community members as they work towards making a dream come true. For more than 30 years the community has been striving to bring clean water to their community where the average family spends up to 30% of its income during the dry season to buy dirty water from water trucks.

Another historic day for Project Milagro! On March 2, more than 100 volunteers gathered to begin the excavation for the piping of the distribution system. More than 65 volunteers will work every day until the first stage of the piping is complete. The community is extremely motivated and excited to get the first stage of  piping underway.

This Sunday El Salvador will go to the polls to elect a new president. Please pray with us that the elections are transparent, fair and void of violence. There has been significant tension leading up to this election as this is the first time since the civil war that an opposing party has lead in the preliminary polls. No leftist politician has ever secured the presidency and regardless of who wins, leaders will face many challenges ahead. Read and hear more about the elections from the following organizations.

This year’s team from Faith Chapel San Diego came ready to work, and work they did! On this, their third trip to El Salvador, most of the team worked many long, hard hours paving a dirt street using heavy rocks and cement. Another part of the group provided dental assistance at various area churches. About half of the team had been to El Salvador before. The other half was comprised of new visitors.

The week of February 9 a group from the Orange County Chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA came to visit El Salvador with 2 geologists and 4 engineers. They spent a week near the community of Las Delicias in San Martin helping Project Milagro. Michelle Guarde, the team leader, came to El Salvador in 2008 with a team from Terra Nova Church in Tustin California and felt motivated to get Engineers Without Boarders involved.

A prayerful life is one that seeks God’s presence daily, one that takes Jesus’ words seriously that we should “ask,” “seek,” “knock.” It’s rather amazing that God gives us this possibility—to be in His presence just by seeking Him, revealing to us His will and then not only hearing our requests but honoring them, as well.

In El Salvador, especially among people from rural areas, there is a common response to the question “Que tal?” or “How are you?” People often say, “Por aqui, siempre en la lucha.” Translated literally, they are saying, “Here I am, always in the struggle.” And from my experience, as a hopeful observer and missionary volunteer, a difficult struggle it can be indeed.