statistics say that El Salvador is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. they call it the murder capital of the world. they say the gang violence is off the charts. they say that their government and security systems are all corrupt.
these statistics may be true, but what about the hearts of those who are part of these statistics? are the people themselves considered dangerous and corrupt too?
i sat down to write this blog wanting to write something completely different. i even typed half of a different blog out, but really couldn’t find a way to say what i wanted to say. so i’m deciding to just spill my heart in this blog instead:
we leave el salvador for vietnam tomorrow and i honestly feel like part of my heart is being ripped out of my chest just thinking about saying goodbye to these people.
as soon as we stepped off of the big church truck being dropped off here with our massive packs, we were embraced and loved as family.
we lived at a church this month with a family of seriously precious people. the pastor’s mom, Sonia, cooked for us three times a day, did our laundry, and constantly made us laugh with her sassiness. her brother William is an older man who is most likely on the autism spectrum and is the most joyful (and obnoxious) human that walks around these streets. he does a lot of yard work and upkeep around the church with us.
the church has also taken in a young adult named Carolina who was no longer wanted by her family because she too was created in a special way. Sonia has kind of adopted Carolina into the family, as well as another boy named William who is 17 years old, and David who is in his twenties. these people were no longer wanted or taken care of by their families, and were subject to being recruited into gangs, and for Carolina, being taken advantage of by the gang members. Sonia demonstrates being Love by living her whole life serving people, and looking after the lost sheep.
Pastor Aldo, the main pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Timoteo and Sonia’s oldest son, is the most gentle and kind man. he has shown me the love of the Father by the way he cares for us and looks out for us. we are living on a dangerous street in a very dangerous area of town, and pastor is very cautious of that. there is always someone on the church grounds eager to walk us to the supermarket or down the street for a fresh juice anytime we want to go. the simple pats on the shoulder or genuine “que tal” from Pastor Aldo make me feel so secure and warm here in this church.
Pastor Mario is the other pastor here and he is a trip. he always jokes to crack with everyone. there is a soup here and the brand is “Maggi”, so he calls me “sopa Maggie”. he has this kid side as well as his adult side, in which he uses his google translator to have in-depth conversations with us about who we are, where we come from, who God is to us, and teaching us the same things about himself. he gives the best “dad hugs” that i have gotten since i last hugged my own father.
these are very few of the many hearts that have impacted me here in el salvador. we have become family to this church. they have become my family. they are who i spent christmas and new years with, and loved every second of both holidays for the first time in many years. i have learned more spanish from these people because they are patient and gentle and kind with the way they speak and the way they eagerly teach me.
this church has shown me what it looks like to BE the church. i honestly have no idea where the money comes from for this church and the way they serve people, but i believe God provides all of it because of the faithfulness of His people. the amount of toys and food and supplies that they provide for their congregation is amazing. they provide because the Father has provided that money to them.
i can’t help but think of all of the mega-churches back in the states and what they spend their money on. much of that money is spent to build up their church, but what i see here is the money provided to this church is being used to build up the Church – capital “c” church. this is the way God intended for the church to operate: provide what is provided and have faith that it will keep flowing in.
i’m amazed at the faith of these people. the faith, the grace, and the pure simple JOY. i have experienced a new way of life, a new perspective of the church, and a new sense of who the Father is.
this month has proved statistics wrong for me. i have been loved deeper here than anywhere in the world, i have felt the security of the Father, and i have been seen for who i am. this place is special and the lump in my throat thinking about leaving tomorrow is probably going to evolve into tears within the next 24 hours.
thank you Jesus for places like el salvador and for the opportunity to see for myself what a place is like without making judgments based on population statistics.
i’ll be seeing you again soon, san salvador <3
