Monday in El Salvador

We left early this morning to begin our drive to Santa Ana, an area not far outside San Salvador.  It was a beautiful drive past bright green covered mountains, dotted with silhouettes of volcanos.  The countryside is so lush.  We spent the day at Nehemiah Project, a community outreach center begun ten years ago by Virginia whose heart is to see this entire village come to Christ.  A few years ago they were able to build a small center to house their preschool, after school tutorial program, as well as a church, youth center, women's outreach and weekly medical clinic.  We spent the morning with the preschoolers, precious 4,5, and 6 year olds who were amazingly attentive.  The team did a puppet show presenting the story of the flood and Noah's ark, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  We had some singing time and then made visors depicting the various animals brought on the ark and they colored rainbows, signs of God's promise never to flood the world again.  We talked about how God provided a safe place for Noah, his family, and the animals so that they would be saved from the flood, preparing for what Jesus would later provide through His death and resurrection to provide our salvation and our "safe place" with Him.  We then spent a little time visiting with the older children who come there for tutoring and just some fun in the mornings before they go to school at noon.  They told us that they love coming to the center, get lots of help with their school work and enjoy being together there.  We got to share with them how much God loves them, that He does have a very special purpose for each of their lives.

This morning we told Virginia that if they would like to invite ladies in the community to come to the center this afternoon, we would love to meet with them.  After lunch we went into the main meeting area to see if any of the women had arrived.  There were only two there, and though we didn't have any idea if any would come, we knew that we could have a nice visit with these two women.  As we began to get out some supplies, a constant flow of women began to fill the room.  Before we knew it, it was entirely full!  There were at least 55 women who came, and even 2 men!  Of course, there are always small children with their moms, so it was a full house.  We shared the story of the woman and the alabaster jar, her lavish offering of love and devotion to Jesus and how He commended her, respected her, and blessed her.  It is always wonderful to encourage women who often feel that they have no value, importance, and receive little respect, as is often the case here.  Then we made tissue paper flowers, a small thing, but one that brought such joy and excitement to the women.  They really enjoyed making them and enjoyed just being together.  It was a wonderful afternoon. We didn't know it at the time, but while we were meeting with the neighborhood women, four ladies chose to meet in the room next door to pray for our time together!  How humbling to find out that they chose to pray for the Lord to work mightily in the hearts of these women.  We finished our time visiting with Virginia and the staff, hearing about their needs, dreams of a new building to house the church, feeding program that they have three days a week to feed 350 children as well as additional ministry space.  They totally depend on God to provide, just as He has provided all their needs.  She shared stories of how God provided a car, someone to repair the car when it would barely run, and then provided a pick up, which was more what they needed.  Miracles!  We ended our time praying with and for Virginia, the staff, those ministered to at the center, and for God's blessing for them, His provision, protection and mercy.  How we saw Jesus today in the faithful servants at the center!

We were all struck by the loving welcome we received today, for the openness and eagerness of the children and women to be with us, listen, share, and just enjoy being together.  The simplest things brought so much joy.  Smiles, hugs and a loving touch are universally understood.  Regardless of the language barrier (though we had a wonderful young lady interpreting for us all day!), there are things that transcend words, and we felt that His Spirit transcended all barriers today, allowed us to communicate compassion, caring, and hope that we pray will encourage the people of Santa Ana to know Jesus if they don't yet know Him and to deepen their relationship with Him for those who do know Him. Please join us in continuing to pray for the Nehemiah Project Center, Virginia, the dedicated staff, precious children, and all the families touched by this ministry.

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