These past couple of days in El Salvador have been a learning process for me and has opened my eyes to a lot. My heart is heavy for the people we have done ministry with, and yet I see God working everywhere around us continually.
On Saturday we went to the prison to talk to the inmates and pray with them. I didn`t know what to expect and went with an open mind. Needless to say when I walked into a room with 4 cells I was somewhat in shock. I was blown away by how small the cells were and how many people were in one cell together. In one small cell (probably size of your closet) there were 8 guys that were in for gang related activity. In the cell across from them it was a larger cell with some rooms branching off it. There must have been about 70 guys all crammed in there together. In the cell next to it was the women`s cell. There was about 10 women in there. They had no beds, just blankets and a toilet with a faucet for water. In the next cell there was about another 10 guys with the more serious crime background. I was saddened to see these conditions and learned that the government doesn`t support them at all. They get two meals a day and that is it. They have to sit in the cell and wait for a judge to come to go to trial. That can take months to years. And then often their trial is postponed. They wait and wait. They live with all these people and they don`t even have shampoo or soap.
When we came in we went with the people from the church to the different cells. They preached to them for 10 minutes and told them of God`s love. They prayed for them and by this time many of the men and women had tears in their eyes. They all sat there on the floor just watching and listening intently. They were so eager to hear more of the word. In the women`s cell alot was happening too. Some of my team mates and myself went up to them and started talking to them through the bars. We met a sweet lady about 70 years old with arthritis. She wanted us to lay hands on her and pray. Other women had bibles already and were giving us scripture to read with them. They were so ready to hear more and pray. We ended up singing songs with them too. They loved every minute of it. We got to sign a women`s bible too. God is so present there and working even though it is heart breaking. Even though they have done wrong in the past they are forgiven.
On Sunday after church they have about 8 busses that go to different ministries with people of the church. I was in awe as all the busses were filled up. My group went to the hospital to pray for people. Again I went to the pediatrics ward to pray for the little ones. I went with a young girl from church and followed her as she spoke to the moms and prayed for them. I didn`t understand a lot as I coulnd`t speak Spanish so I went off on my own. I walked around from bed to bed with little infants. These children are newborn to 1 years old. Even though I didn`t know the language I just smiled at the children and rubbed their backs. I prayed for them as I went around.
As we were leaving the hospital we saw an older man being put in the back of a pick up truck. We asked what was happening. The people who were with us told us the family was bringing him home to die peacefully. The dr`s said there was nothing else they could do as he had a tumour. We right away went over to the truck and asked if we could pray for him. The family eagerly said yes. We laid hands on him and prayed for healing and peace over this man`s soul. We don`t know what will happen but it was a great opportunity to pray God`s healing over the sick.
Over the past couple of days I have been having a hard time seeing how I was making a difference when I couldn`t speak the language. When at the prison I was asked if I had a word to share with the people as they had a translator for us. I right away said no as I wasn`t prepared and couldn`t think of anything. I felt really bad and yet wanted to say so much to these people. When I did approach people through the bars I couldn`t communicate and it frustrated me at times.
At the hospital I felt the same way. I wanted to talk to the moms and ask what was wrong with their children etc. And it hit me how I felt so inadequate and unable to help others with language barriers. At our team debrief I was reminded that it`s not just words that we can share God`s love but through our actions and non verbal communication. I was reminded that by smiling at the children and mom`s and praying I was making a difference. One child was smiling and laughing at me and we were having a great time. I was reminded that can make a big difference to the people there. The fact that we love them and want to be there is huge. I was also reminded that maybe God was putting me in this position so that he could speak to me and I could hear. Instead of me saying what I wanted to say and not listen to God, I had no choice but to listen and then speak. God always has a word for us to speak we just have to listen. Just by sharing what God is teaching me would be something that could benefit others. I needed to be reminded that it didn`t have to be a perfect presentation but from the heart.
Even though I have felt discouraged at times God is teaching me so much through the people here. Seeing how they work and have a heart for evangelism is amazing. I am doing ministries that have been on my heart to do and now I am so excited to be doing what God is calling us too. This week we are going to the poorer communities to evangelize and work with the children. We are also going to do some radio and TV ministry!! And on Saturday we are going to a prison with moms who are pregnant or have had their babies in jail. The children have to live at the jail till the moms are released. Sometimes they are there for 18 years!! I can`t imagine how powerful this will be for all of us.
Keep the people here in your prayers as the governement does nothing for a lot of people. They are racist to women so alot of women prisoners spend years behind bars because of it. The government favours the rich people which is not fair for the less fortunate. Alot of stuff that is heartbreaking. Pray that my team may continue to bring light to the dark places. Thank you for all your love and support thus far:)
