Hey Folks!
It’s been a while since I’ve sent out a blog, and I know you have been sitting in anticipation waiting for my next one to be posted.(: In all fairness, Life has been a little crazy down here in El Salvador. But, I have some free time so I thought I’d share what we have been up to.
In the last couple of weeks we have been all over the map in ministry. We have gotten to partner with some awesome people to do some of the most random of things. Here are a few of the big ones:
BEACH CLEAN UP:
We got the chance to head down the road a few miles and help out at a neighboring beach community. We spent a couple hours partnering with locals for the community beach clean up. Which by the way, I have never seen so many shoes or shredded Styrofoam pieces in my life. Two things I did not expect to fill bags and bags of. One of the coolest parts to me was when a few tourists who were on vacation decided to join in and help out!
FEEDING PROGRAM:
This feeding program was by far one of my favorite afternoons that we have spent here in El Salvador. A husband and wife answered God’s call a couple years ago to physically and spiritually meet the needs in their community. Every day for lunch they cook up whatever they have to feed the children and women that are their neighbors. They have to completely rely on God to provide. Sometimes, they partner with groups like ours who sponsor lunch for the day. Instead of just giving money, it was so much fun to actually be a part of the whole process. We went to the grocery store to buy the food, prepared it, and passed it out. Then we were able to play soccer with the kids and just talk and get to know them. We also got to play games with them and share the story of Jesus walking on water. And then just for fun we let them destroy a pinata. 🙂 At the end of it all, after we had cleaned up and everyone had left, we got to pray over the couple who answered Christ’s call, and they prayed over us.
WATER GAMES:
Who doesn’t love a traditional water balloon toss and water fight that eventually turns into a pool party? One of the Friday afternoons that we spent at the orphanage, we got to throw a water party. It was an absolute blast and everyone had enough fun to last for a while. These precious children steal my heart every time I get to see them.
LA CASITA PROGRAM:
This past week was the first week of this beautiful program that has been in the making for months. Countless hours of brainstorming, praying, and preparing went into this moment captured by a simple picture.
The program started with the desire to teach kids that they can dream to be whatever they want in life. Here in El Salvador most kids expect to stay in poverty; working as waiters, trash clean ups, and other typical jobs. They are not typically given the opportunity to dream to be more; doctors, teachers, government officials, and whatever else they can dream up. This program not only gives them the opportunity to dream, but gives them the skills to make their dreams become a reality. It also teaches them how to live a better life.
Two separate groups of 48 kids, ages 6 to 14, come for 2 days a week. The first group comes Monday and Tuesdays, the second group comes Wednesday and Thursday. They are taught 4 different classes: Reading Comprehension, Art, English, and Computer. They are also taught hygiene, and learn to wash their hands and brush their teeth. The program also serves as a feeding program, as the kids receive a healthy generously portioned lunch.
Our role in the program is helping out in each of the classes, teaching English, helping set up and tear down, and helping prepare and serve the meals. There is something so special about this program and being a part of it. The things these kids learn in these 6 weeks are going to impact them for the rest of their life. It goes beyond the lessons to the classroom, as cheesy as that may sound. But it also teaches these kids confidence and helps to boost their self esteem.
My favorite moments because of this program are now seeing the kids outside of the program as they shout down the street when they see you..”Hello! How are you?” And of course when we say “Good! How are you?” they respond with “How are you?”. They are still learning the response part…give em a break.
But seriously, God is going to do big things through this program. Of course, I appreciate all the prayers you guys have lifted my name up to Jesus. However, I’d like to ask that especially in the next two weeks, as this program will fill our schedule, that you would specifically pray for the La Casita program. That the kids would be impacted far into their lives from this. And for the teachers, directors, and for us that we would all be filled with energy and rest and love to give to these kids.
Thank you all for making it possible for me to experience all these awesome opportunities. I know for sure I am being impacted more by these kids than I am impacting these kids.
