Prayer

The Fight Against Poverty

Justice, Kids at Risk, Prayer, Thinking About God, Urban Ministry -

October 17th has been declared the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The day was first recognized back in 1987 with the purpose of focusing the world’s attention on issues related to poverty. In El Salvador, poverty is a root cause of many issues that face our friends. Things like human trafficking, homelessness, and the potential to be victimized by violent crime are all perpetuated by poverty. A child born into poverty has a higher chance of being victimized or exploited, and ultimately of ending up living a life on the streets or in unsafe conditions. This is the case for millions of people around the world who struggle to get through each day, and have to work their hardest simply to survive. It is a tragedy that so […]

The Face of Human Trafficking in El Salvador

Free the Girls, Human Trafficking, Justice, Kids at Risk, Prayer -

On Saturday morning I opened the newspaper and began to read the local stories…immigration, crime, the economy. As I flipped through the paper, it fell open onto a story about the recent arrest of 7 people accused of trafficking underage girls for sex.  Five of them are women, and two of them are men. All of them are young, not much older than their victims. This is the face of human trafficking in El Salvador. These are real traffickers who were selling girls in malls around San Salvador, and on their Facebook pages. A news website reported that one of the men had an album titled “My New Girls” advertising young virgins for sale. The article also reported the disgusting fact that the victims were forced to fake their virginity […]

A Generation Lost

Gangs, Justice, Kids at Risk, Prayer -

New statistics have been released regarding homicide rates around the globe. I am saddened to see that El Salvador lands in the top five along with other Central American countries. As a whole Latin America is more violent than any other region on earth, and while the rates of femicide are high, the majority of the victims are males. That means that more people lose their sons, fathers, brothers, nephews, uncles, cousins, boyfriends, and friends to homicide than in any other region. What is more tragic, is that they lose them young. This report shows that the homicide rate among 15-29 year old males is more than four times the global rate. Four times the death, the pain, the loss, and the suffering. Four times the mothers that have to […]

Am I Becoming Religious?

Family, Prayer, Thinking About God -

I don’t think of myself as “religious.” At least not in the sense that I am willing to mindlessly repeat actions because that’s “right” or “required.” I like to think that I consistently act from the heart. Apparently I’m not as consistent as I thought, and it took a six year old to show me that. Last night we had some friends at our house, and everyone was downstairs talking while I went upstairs to rush the kids through the bedtime routine so that I could get back to my company. I quickly tucked Ian in with his stuffed animals, and said a standard bedtime prayer thanking God for the day and requesting a peaceful rest for my son. And then a small voice asked me two big questions. “How […]

Tolkien and Tragedy

Gangs, Prayer, Stuff We're Reading, Thinking About God, Uncategorized -

Sitting at my desk in El Salvador, the news reports are pouring in…bombings, death in Boston. I scroll down the other news stories and I read about death in the Middle East, hatred in Asia. I take in the local news stories. Gangs at war, youth lost again. “So much death. What can man do against such reckless hate?” These epic words were spoken by King Theoden in the second film installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge J.R.R. Tolkien fan. I’ve read the books, and a weekend spent in a LOTR movie marathon is a great weekend as far as I’m concerned. I think Tolkien resonates with so many people because his themes of tyranny, tragedy, […]

Ministry Center Update

Discovery, Fundraising, Ministry Center Project, Prayer, Thinking About God, Urban Ministry, YWAM -

I am going to try to put into words the amazing things that have been happening in El Salvador regarding the community ministry center. When we set out to open this ministry center, we did so with a lot of praying and a lot of hoping. We weren’t sure what the timeline would look like, or where the funds would come from. Friends, I am excited to share that in just a few weeks time all of the needed $80,000 to purchase this center have been donated! Yes, the FULL amount! We never in our wildest dreams imagined that we would have the funding so quickly. Literally, we are still shaking our heads in disbelief that this has even happened. There is nothing to do but express our gratitude to […]

Community Ministry Center Coming Soon!

Discovery, Fundraising, Gangs, Justice, Kids at Risk, Ministry Center Project, Prayer, Urban Ministry -

Three years ago we came to El Salvador with the dream of impacting those who live on the edges of society…the fatherless, the poor, and those on the streets. We have seen this dream grow into reality and we are excited to share with you the next step for our ministry. Through prayer and circumstances, God has directed us to a permanent location in the city and we are beginning the process of opening a community ministry center! We thank you for your prayers and support as we move forward to secure and renovate this building. Our ministry is focused on reaching kids at risk, homeless children and adults, and individuals working in prostitution… this building will allow us to expand all of those ministries. Up to this point we […]

Roberto Update

Prayer, YWAM -

We want to say thank you for everyone who has stepped forward to sponsor Roberto as he participates in the Discipleship Training School through YWAM El Salvador. The lecture phase of the school, and the practical field assignment have been completely sponsored by our generous donors! Thank you! Right now we are a month into the school, and he is really enjoying being in the classes and making friends with all of the staff and students. He is also learning to read and write little by little and everyone is cheering him on. Thank you so much for your support for Roberto, and please continue to pray for him!

Journeying

Prayer, Training, Urban Ministry, YWAM -

“This has been such an incredible journey.” I think that phrase is required for any indiviudal taking part in a reality TV show of any kind from an on-screen search for a husband, to making the cut on America’s Got Talent. It also seems to be scripted for all the Olympians who were competing for gold last week. I think the Olympic athletes were closer to the mark with describing their experience training and competing as a “journey.”  A journey implies going the distance. It implies a long road with ups and downs, twists and turns, challenges and joys along the way. There is failure and learning involved. Right now, at the YWAM base we have nine individuals on their own journey. They have made the choice to dedicate five […]

Small Successes

Crossing Cultures, Fundraising, Gangs, Kids at Risk, Prayer, Transitions, Urban Ministry, YWAM -

In El Salvador, many times we count the small successes as big ones. This weekend we are rejoicing in one such success. Three years ago, we were fundraising and in the process of transitioning out of our home in Pittsburgh. Our main goal for moving to El Salvador was to enter into the lives of the people of El Salvador, particularly the fatherless. We had a dream of seeing the fatherless connected with their true Father, and to see them begin a life-long journey of coming to know Him. Beyond that, we also came with the hope of bringing physical and emotional healing and seeing people’s lives change holisticly. The thing we have learned is that small successes come by small steps. Day by day, moment by moment walking through […]

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