Last day of ministry :(

Tuesday was our last day of ministry. In six days, we did 24 programs in different neighborhoods around the city of San Salvador. Our national team leader, Wendy, said that set a new record for all the teams she has ever led. I am so impressed by our team. They danced and acted in every program like it was their first one of the day. The energy was always high and the smiles were constant. Regardless of whether we were at a school with 200 students or on the street with 25 kids, we gave our very best.  Going to high schools is definitely the most intimidating. Just like in the US, they don't wanna be vulnerable in front of their whole school, so they rarely respond to the salvation invitation. But we quickly learned that if you look around at their faces, you will always find students in tears...and they are so ready to have you pray for them. Once we approach them, they immediately soften and let us pray. I had the privilege of helping to lead several teens to the Lord with the help of our incredible translator, Katie. She is a missionary associate through the Assemblies of God and a huge help to our team! She has taught me so much about this beautiful country.  Students were able to pray for kids of all ages to believe for healing and problems at home. They got more bold as the week went on and began to speak into the lives of people on their own. It was incredible to see the response of people as they sensed the presence of God through us. We don't know the outcome of many of those we met, but we know the God of the Harvest knows each name. He knows Noemi and Leo and Samuel and Karen...He knows just what they need and where they are. I am writing down names of people I have ministered to and will continue to pray for them when I leave here.  I'm trying to ask God how I will ever be able to share the things that have happened here. There's so much to tell and words often fall short in explaining the experiences. So I will be in prayer about what and when to share, and I will have stories for the next several months. It is proven yet again that traveling overseas to share the Gospel is a life-changing experience for everyone involved. I am so grateful for those who helped me raise the funds to come on this trip. I am so thankful to God for all He has done. We are not quite finished yet, but my heart is truly full to overflowing. 

Halfway Through...

Well we are just past the halfway point. I have to admit I feel sad thinking about it being over in a few days - although I miss my family like crazy. I wish I could bring all of you here to experience this.  We headed to the Dream Center in San Salvador this morning for church. What an AWESOME time together with the familia de Dios! We sang the worship songs in English while they sang in Spanish - and we all worshipped as family together. The presence of God was just like home, even though we were sitting on metal chairs under a giant tent in crazy heat with a few hundred people. They were having "Big Day" - which they have once a month - a different ministry does the whole service. Today was the youth ministry's turn. It was so great!! They had a pirate theme (pics on Facebook). It included a dance, skits, and several testimonies from students. It was powerful. The youth pastor preached a short message as well. Pastor Jacob was American! So he would interpret for us while he preached. It was such a blessing to be there with them. I couldn't understand everything they were saying, but they still felt like family!! God is so amazing... I feel like words are so inadequate to describe what God is doing here. So far, we have done 15 programs in various areas. We have prayed with over 100 children and youth to receive salvation!! We have prayed with many others for healing, comfort, provision, and deliverance. It absolutely blows my mind. And what is so exciting is that the local national churches are with us at every program so they know who to follow up with and begin to disciple. They call this form of ministry "spectacle evangelism". :) A bunch of Americans show up in a neighborhood with clowns, dances, skits and candy to talk about Jesus. I'd say that's a spectacle!! We draw them in with curiosity and the nationals preach the gospel. It's incredible!  The students are giving 100% at every program - even when we're dripping with perspiration and sometimes super crowded. We know that the results of what we're doing here will be fully revealed in eternity. But we can already see the influence of Christ coming through our songs and conversations. We are led by a wonderful team of nationals, whom I am getting very attached to. They are our voice to the people when we can't communicate effectively, and they are filled with a passion for the lost that is so inspiring. King's Castle's mission for this year is to present the gospel to every single child in El Salvador at least once. They work tirelessly toward that purpose. Their vision is clear and everyone here is passionate about it.  It makes me ask myself some questions that I would also ask you to consider... Do you understand what our vision is? Is your life driven by God's purpose or by your plans? Do you think about the eternity of those around you? What is your role in furthering God's Kingdom? If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a role! We are all a part of the body and if we don't do our part, it puts strain on the other parts of the body. They have to try to overcompensate and are never as effective that way.  This trip has been a powerful reminder for me about the importance of eternal priorities. There are things in life that may be important but are not eternal. But everything eternal should be the highest priority. Thank You Heavenly Father for reminding me and for allowing me to be here. 

P.S.

Watch for pictures on Facebook. Loads faster.

El Salvador day 4

Buenos Dias! The country of El Salvador is beautiful and the people are as well. Let me do a quick recap... Forgive typos - in a hurry. Tuesday was our travel day. We had a five hour layover that gave us lots of time for escalator rides and people watching. We met a few other missions teams there as well - goin to Ireland and England. We arrived in San Salvador at 6:30 pm (mountain time - they don't do daylight savings). We took about an hour and a half to get everyone through immigration and customs, and our team from King's Castle (Castillo del Rey) was waiting. We arrived at the camp about two hours later. It's fun to hear the reaction of the students when we're driving. Roads are small and our bus driver has no fear. Haha Wednesday was our training day. We learned all the guidelines - like the wipe and toss rule (bathroom), taste everything placed in front of you, and don't touch ANY of the animals. They have monkeys, horses, chickens, random dogs, and a big frog pond in the camp. Then we learned five different dances and four dramas - two funny, two evangelistic. We were sweating in a gym for about five hours. :) Thursday was our first street ministry day. We did two programs right on the street, one in a high school, and one in front of a community center (casa de la cultura). The kids were the most visibly responsive to the messages, but there were some teens that broke down and were very emotional after our ministry drama. Its so cool to work alongside the Masters Commission students from here. They lead our team. We left Kings Castle at 7:30 - did four programs in different areas - and returned at about 7:00 pm for supper, completely drenched from the heat and spiritually soaring from the experience. Today will be even better because now we know what to expect. Thank you so much for your prayer support! Dios de bendiga - God bless you!

Destination El Salvador!

After all the fundraising and planning and packing, we are finally on our way! Heidi, Mahri and I are joining a team of 23 from South Dakota to travel to San Salvador for 11 days. We all met in Sioux Falls for orientation last night. We got to know each other a little...through some crazy icebreakers. We weighed our bags (all three of us girls were 15+ pounds under, thank you very much), and we heard a great message from Pastor Tom Rooney. He encouraged us from the book of Luke, where Jesus sent out the teams of two, to proclaim peace over the places we go, minister to their needs whenever we can, and to remember that when we are in the center of God's will, it is the safest place to be. I think he included that for the parents who were in attendance. :) The most important thing that we can do on this trip is to demonstrate LOVE of Jesus everywhere we go! I am so excited to build relationships with students and the people of El Salvador. But I'm most excited to see what God has planned for us to be a part of. He is already working in that country. We are getting the privilege to be a part of it for a short time. I know that He will transform the lives of the students and leaders who are going. I'm the only female leader on this trip and I LOVE THAT!!! These girls are so fun to be with and I can't wait to hear their hearts as God ministers to them. I'm thankful for the outstanding leadership of David Bauchspiess - our DYD. He has a passion for Jesus and a love for missions that is contagious to our students. We covet your prayers and will update you as I am able! Gloria a Dios!!