El Salvador is filled with green. I’ve never seen a place that was more beautiful. Everywhere you look is filled with life. I’ve learned to truly appreciate the things God has made for us to be in awe of here.
But the country I now call home is also filled with violence and fear. The civil war that is taking place in the country between the gangs is so prevalent. One day, some of us couldn’t go to kindergarten ministry because there was gang violence that made it unsafe for us to go. Last week about a football field away from my house a man was shot by a gang member. While driving we have passed at least 3 men that were hit by cars, all bleeding from their head. And as sad and heartless as it sounds, some of these things don’t even phase me anymore.
However last night was so different. Our teams went and worked with Pan y Chocolate, a ministry that serves homeless people, and we delivered food to about 2 dozen homeless children and some of their parents. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Their ages probably ranged from 1-14 and they were living in the streets of San Salvador. I am terrified just riding in the back of the truck at night in the city, and these children are living there. God truly broke my heart last night and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since. But even in the sadness of a bad situation, I’ve never seen people more excited to hear about the Gospel. These kids were thirsty for the Word of God. They had so much faith, faith that everyone should strive for.
It was such a reminder that even in the turmoil of this country, Jesus has not left any of us. Jesus is moving here, and we get to witness it. We get to see and experience the healing and miracles. We get to experience His unfailing love. We get to see the light that is breaking through the darkness. We have a choice every day to seek Jesus and to feel the joy He brings. It’s everywhere, we just have to be open to see it.
