Wednesday, February 27

Tuesday Thanks - Our thanks goes to Dr. Martinez, the Bridges of Hope El Salvador Board Member, for his help in making connections prior to our arrival which supported the development of the projects we are doing.

Wednesday, February 27 - Our devotion this morning focused on reacting to what comes our way in a manner that displays our reliance upon God, not ourselves or others. In John 18, we are told how Peter had cut off the high priest's servant's right ear. Jesus' response in verse 11: Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Today we were in two separate groups. One group spent the entire day painting at Exodo orphanage where we had been yesterday. It was a privilege to be there and be able to see the joy in the kids AND the house parents. An example, the house mother of one unit had her kitchen painted and when she saw it for the first time her face lit up like the freshly painted kitchen! Understand how very dirty the walls were from living with windows almost always open so close to the equator with no air conditiong. Also, each house mother joyfully cooks for 10 - 15 people, every meal, 7 days a week in a galley-style kitchen with three small cabinets, one standard refigerator and standard stove, and one sink with limited stainless steel countertop! The kids were at school until early afternoon. When they arrived home, some wanted to help as we were painting in their living quarters and bedrooms. These kids were having such a great time, singing as they painted, that one team member described it as 'being in the middle of the Sound of Music Von Trapp family'!!! There was plenty of work for all of us to do and even our van driver, Fredy, helped all day. At the end of the day, there were two out playing soccer and basketball with the kids while the final touches were wrapped up. It was hard to drive away, as the kids were all over us and the van!
The other team of people visited a deaf school in the morning. With the help of interpreters, our team was able to communicate with them and see smiles and happiness appear on their faces as relationships were established, the love of God shared, and gifts presented. What an appropriate devotional verse we had this morning for these deaf children who each, at such a young age, already has their own life story to share.
Next, this group visited current gang members. Let us explain some of the culture here to help you understand. In El Salvador, it is very common that children are homeless at a very young age. As we drive, we can easily see kids that appear to be in this state. A gang member will approach them being very kind and invite them to come home with them. This provides the homeless child with what they understand to be a safe place with food and people to care for them...something they may not ever remember having before. Once they are within the gang, it is difficult for them to leave at any age, other than for their 'gang work', as they are very likely to be killed by a rival gang member, their own gang (because they left), or the police who want to eliminate the gangs. The gangs are growing in El Salvador and at most businesses, restaurants, malls, etc. there are security guards holding very large guns to protect against gang violence. As an example, the hotel we are in, has an armed security guard. The mall where we ate in the food court a few nights ago had an armed security guard in the food court. The grocery store we go to just down a few blocks from the hotel, has four armed security guards in it (remember, these are mostly BIG guns). Our group was able to go meet with a few of the gang members and some of the wives and children, as they were accompanied by a local social worker who goes weekly. There is so much detail to this gang member visit that it will be best to hear it first hand from the team members. God's hand was evident in this, as one of our team members, just months prior to coming to El Salvador learned from an acquaintance she has because of her work, of an American missionary who has been down here for 23 years who has a heart for gang members. Our team member and her family has been praying for a specific El Salvador gang member, prior to his death, and now for his family. The gang member had accepted Christ and was murdered when he left the gang. This missionary came along on this gang visit as she has a vision she believes God has given to her related to the gangs. She had never met two other local people that were with our group who also feel called to reach the gangs. God brought them together through this trip!
Finally, from a culture standpoint, we will share that if you have any heart problems, it is best you do not sit in the front seat of the vans! That helps describe how the El Salvadorans drive!!! :)
We ask for your continued prayer that God's will be done through each of us.