Working with Ywam (youth with a mission) was an amazing experience. We stayed at the base in San Salvador with the YWAM staff, a DTS (discipleship training school) group and another YWAM team from Mexico there on outreach. It was a full house that’s for sure.
Throughout the month we all worked different ministries but would come together and work as one big team every once in a while. It was 24/7 community, which we were used to after the last 9 months, but this time we were getting to know 30 new people. Some that didn’t speak any English, some from across the world all coming together in one place and it was beautifully difficult. I’ve never regretted not taking Spanish class with Ms. L a little more serious in high school than I have entering Central America. Knowing just enough to get by, but not enough to hold a real conversation.
This month consisted of a lot of worship, community, painting, digging trenches, sorting donations, feeding programs, handing out coffee at a local hospital, walking around the university to talk to people, prayer tables and so much more.
Every week we worked in a community that was run by a local gang. They have been doing ministry in this village for the last 9 years, and have built a great relationship with the everyone including the gang members. They have an understanding, that they were there to help, bring the good news and provide resources for the people. The ministry happening here was so logical, realistic and very well put together. Every Saturday they hold a children’s ministry for all ages! Each group had a bible lesson and quality time with the YWAM teams and volunteers. We stepped in to help facilitate this month. On Monday’s they did an adult group, and we would go to the center to hangout with the kids of the adults participating. This consisted of honestly playing lots of tic tac toe, tag and jump rope. But was a huge support for the families trying to build a relationship with the Lord and YWAM.
A little while back, during the Saturday ministry they noticed some of the kids were really weak, to the point where they were fainting. They discovered it was due to malnutrition and lack of a real meal. This gave them the idea to start a feeding program at the community center. They started with one day a week, but saw a greater need, noticing that this meal was probably the only REAL meal these kids were getting for the entire week. So now, Tuesday through Thursday The Kings Table is open to those children that attend the Saturday ministry. I absolutely loved this part of our ministry and respected how well it was organized.
In order for the kids to get a plate, there were a few stipulations they needed to follow:
They need to
-attend Saturday children’s ministry
-Pay 15 cents at the gate check in [this teaches them responsibility, and that the missionaries don’t come in and just give them things]
– study in school [even asked to bring in grades to show they are trying]
– they have to wash their hands upon arrival
– pray before eating
– eat all of their vegetables
– clean up their plates
– brush their teeth and get a stamp!
It was beautiful to watch 80 kids come into the building, behave so well, and be soooooo appreciative. We had the pleasure of going in early; setting up, preparing the meal, serving and assisting in any way possible. These days were by far my favorite. I have such respect for the simple acts of kindness and love shown in this community that change lives and bring people closer to God. We love because he first loved us. We are all welcomed to God’s table, poor, sick, blind, lame, sinners of all kinds (Luke 14:15-24) he is saving a seat for us and this is a beautiful example of how to prove that to people still searching!
