I just want to take some time to write about a very special person that I have had the privilege to meet this month in El Salvador.
His name is Gustavo. He is 22 years old and has a passion for Jesus that is unlike any other. When he was younger, he became very involved in the music scene in San Vicente, and he was well known throughout the community for his voice. The problem was that he also became very involved in the drug scene here in San Vicente as well. He was caught up in the life of small town fame and drug addiction. Later, he went to a “meeting” at a friend’s house that led to his unintentional involvement in witchcraft.
His brain no longer functions at a full level because of the intense drug use, but The Lord brought him out of all of his struggles. He prayed to God to release him from all the wrong he was doing and he now sings for Jesus. And when I say that he sings for Jesus, I mean that he gives all he has and worships his Maker without fear. He is truly free in the presence of God.
Aside from all of this, he carries so much joy in his spirit. He is always joking and laughing and trying his best to communicate with us in what little English he knows. He usually uses charades to try and explain what he wants to say and this typically leads to hilarious, animated arm motions. We usually fall asleep to his singing, and wake up to hear him belting out again. He constantly keeps us light-hearted and laughing.
He also has a unique ability to see people how God sees them, and he loves with all he has. We went to the hospital to pray for the patients and I was amazed by his care for each of them. When he prayed for them, he broke into tears for them every single time, crying out to God for their salvation and healing. He has been such an inspiration to me. I will never forget Gustavo. He has taught me so many lessons and he doesn’t even know it. He has taught me to see the joy in life and to view other people how God views them. His passion for God is intoxicating, and I could not leave this country without sharing his story.
Just for a quick update, El Salvador has brought us a lot of great ministry opportunities. We have been working at schools presenting skits, playing with children, and sharing our testimonies with them. I am confident that The Lord has really moved through our lives to impact the kids, even if we have not seen the results of it right away.
We have gone out into communities and shared love with people, praying for them and creating a church service right where they live. We have worked with other churches and pastors in this and have been able to bring fun into the communities, one time with a crazy clown throwing confetti. It was so much fun!
We even had the opprotunity to make traditional El Salvadorian pastries and sell them on the streets as the locals do. This involved us yelling “Pastellis!” multiple times and begging people to buy some interesting looking treats made by a bunch of Gringos. Needless to say, we have had some great experiences in El Salvador and God still has more for us! I can’t wait to see what that is.
Thank you all for reading my blogs and for all of your thoughts, prayers, and support.
