He is more than our Pastor and ministry host for this month; he is a man full of life and passion, he has more energy than a 5 year-old on sugar and he walks in miracles every day. God has always provided. When Melvin needed a new church God literally opened doors that were once shut. When there wasn’t enough money God stepped in again and provided an alternative. When the monthly dues were more than Melvin had, God provided another way. God provides over and over for His children that are faithful. When the community needed hope, Melvin was there, when they need resources they call Melvin. One thing I have learned over the last two weeks is Melvin is critical for the future of this community.
Right now, we are living amongst the gangs. I don’t say this to scare anyone, but I say it because it is the truth. Outside the safe church lies the reality of the world. The walls that protect the church are the same walls that invite the people in. In the past two weeks of living here, we have never felt the danger; we don’t hear gunshots or fighting. Although, there is the incessant rooster next door that is never quite sure when morning is. Or the dogs that keep the court yard safe and the pigeons at bay. We hear laughter while waiting for the temple doors to open. We see the friendly waves of the people out on the street, we receive the curious stares as to why there are six gringos (white) around, and we feel love.
Each Friday night there is a teen service where 100 teens come to worship the heavenly father. Many of the teens’ parents are in the gang, yet they come to church. The church offers a freedom like no other. Without the church these kids would know each and every cop in Santa Ana by name and receive daily visits. Melvin has created an escape from a future of crime and the harassment of authority, if it wasn’t for him the kids lives would be so different.
He chooses to live deep within the gang territory because he knows these are his people, these are the people God has instructed Melvin to serve. Members of the gangs are not bad people, some have been dealt a tough life and needed protection, and others made a mistake in their youth. But God is about forgiveness and grace! There is no one person better than another, He accepts you as you are; with every hair out of place, dirt on your clothes and thorn in your past.
Matthew 13. The Parable of the Sower
Jesus went out into a boat to preach to the large crowd that had gathered on the shore. “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop”
Melvin is the farmer, he is scattering the seeds of the church all around. Just like the seeds the message will fall on deaf ears and the birds will take it away. The seeds that fell on the rocky places is the community, Melvin is reaching out sharing what he knows and loves of Gods glory; but many people will only believe as long as life is good. As soon as the community senses trouble they will wither away without having roots of depth. Seeds that fell amongst the thorns are the kids pulled from church by the gangs. These kids had all the potential in the world but couldn’t escape the life they were born into. The 100 teens that attend the youth service and participate in church each week fell on the good soil. These are the kids Melvin has dedicated his energy and heart to because he knows where the crop is produced more seeds will be spread. Those 100 teens today will become 150 tomorrow until each one is inviting 10 new teens to meet God.
The future is never clear, God has a plan and a path but to find it you must listen to His voice. El Salvador is a special place full of incredible people just waiting to impact a life. Take a risk to change, because God (and Melvin) will not let you fall.
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