El Salvador Mission Trip – July 9th – 16th, 2011 – Passion for Purity/Followers of Christ Academy
I so enjoyed our time in El Salvador during July with our team from First Boynton. It was a blessing to serve alongside Buz and Sandy, Jessica Shoe, Noemi, Michael and Wanda; and a double blessing to serve on a trip with my husband and daughter, Rick and Megan. It is the first time the three of us have had the opportunity to serve together in the mission field.
This was my second trip to El Salvador, Megan and I had the opportunity 2 years ago to serve in the orphanage Passion for Purity was involved with. It was quite difficult to leave those children 2 years ago, and this trip was no different. Different children…still difficult to leave. The children in Los Planos have great needs: Spiritual, Economical, and Educational. I would like to give them all I have, my clothes, my shoes, my money, everything. Thankfully Rick will not allow that, nor will Noemi and Wanda, because that does not truly help them. What helps the children of El Salvador is discipleship, education and a means to support themselves. It is the only way the country can arise from its current state. The Followers of Christ Academy exists for these reasons. The children come before and after school to learn English, receive tutoring in their studies, and learn a skill which will enable them to support themselves now, and save to further their education. Sandy and I spent the majority of our time guiding the children in ‘Card making’. They are quick learners and very creative. Jessica and Megan assisted us as well. Sandy and I marveled at how Megan and Jessica could more easily communicate with the children with their limited Spanish. Sandy and I had a more difficult time. Must be those young minds, and maybe the fact that Megan and Jessica, at their young adult age, have been all over the world serving the Lord!
I was equally amazed when Jessica and Megan would tutor the children in English and Algebra. How do they do that in a different language? Must be a God thing! I watched as Jessica bonded with a young girl named Saria. I am quite sure Saria misses Jessica. Saria comes from a family of 8 children. Buz and Rick built a chicken coop for their family. Megan tutored two young teens, Marlon and Carlos, several days in Math/Algebra. When they were given the opportunity to either make more cards or be tutored, they choose ‘Mathematica’.
Anyone who knows my husband knows he loves children and children love him. He loves to play, tease, and love. The gentle children of Los Planos, quickly learned that about Rick and would flock to him for his attention. As I write this, a lump forms in my throat as I vision him with the children, especially a young child named Feradina. Feradina’s family owns a restaurant 2 doors down from The Academy. We ate lunch most days there. A quarter chicken with rice and vegetables was $1.50. Feradina is 4, and her mother cooked in the kitchen. She took a special liking to Rick and would hold her arms up for him to pick her up every time he came into the restaurant. Feradina has some special needs and Buz was able to teach the parents and family some sign language to help them better communicate with her. I don’t believe Rick will ever be same after loving on the children of El Salvador.
We are given an amazing opportunity to go into the public school while we were there and host a game day for Kindergarten through 6th grade. We were able to invite the children back for a Saturday morning bible lesson. 50 children showed up at the public school on Saturday to hear us talk about Jesus. Once again, God created an opportunity for Buz to sign our lessons as one child that came was hearing impaired.
God is at work in El Salvador. It is a dangerous country in some areas, however I experienced Great Peace while serving there. I am committed to keeping Noemi, Nicole, Michael and Wanda in my prayers. Will you join me? What a blessing for our church to have the opportunity to serve our Lord in El Salvador.
Sherry Melear
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