This month we are living and working with a YWAM (Youth With a Mission) base in San Salvador, El Salvador. For those of you who aren’t familiar with YWAM, they are an amazing organization based out of the U.S that has over 1,100 locations in more than 180 countries worldwide. Their purpose is simple: “to know God and make God known” -and they do a phenomenal job at discipling and equipping young adults to spread the gospel all around the world.
We are in El Salvador for four full weeks, which is a bit longer than we are used to. Our days are long, but our hearts are so full thanks to the strength and love that the Lord is continuing to pour over our team. Home is only 50 days away and I would be lying if I said it was easy to stay fully present every day and not dream about the moment I can eat Cracker Barrel and drive my car again. But I think it is just increasing my need and dependence on the Lord as I push full steam ahead into my last month and a half on the field.
Ministry-
We are involved in many different ministries and activities this month. We work with kids in churches, teach ethics in high school classes, help university students practice their English, talk with prostitutes and transvestites on the streets, Bible distribution, and run a children’s program.
The children’s program takes place in an impoverished community on the outskirts of the city known as “GB”. GB is an area controlled by gangs and is home to over 1000 families living in tin houses. YWAM has been able to build a relationship with the gangs and start programs in the community. Every Saturday morning, the group heads over to GB and does stories and games with the kids. YWAMers started noticing that some of the kids were very lethargic and a few would even faint during playtime due to lack of proper nutrition. This sparked the idea for a feeding program.
The program is called The King’s Table and comes from the chapter in 2 Samuel when King David invited the servant Mephibosheth to come and eat at his table. Mephiobosheth asked King David why he would show such regard to someone who is equal to a dead dog and David answered him in love and insisted that he eat at the king’s table for the rest of his days. The first day the program was open for the kids, they were given a crown and told they were princes and princesses and forever welcome at the King’s table.
Here’s how it works: every child checks in, pays 10 cents, and goes over to a washing station to wash his/her hands before they eat. Then they are seated at a table, they pray for the food, and are provided with a nutritious meal prepared by the YWAM team. After they eat, they go over and brush their teeth before leaving.
It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this ministry. To see the thankful attitudes and big smiles on their faces as they come in and the sense of pride that have while eating at the King’s Table is so rewarding.
Please keep this ministry and community in your prayers. Pray that the Lord may use the children’s outreach and feeding program as a stepping-stone to share the gospel with the gang members controlling the area. Below, I have attached a link to a video and photos of ministry at the King’s Table and of the team.
See you guys next month!
xx
Ali
