San Martin was a dirty, filthy, seemingly hopeless mess! That first visit, I saw things too ugly to describe! Today was a sharp contrast to the first visit! Now the sweet people who live there are treated more humane and it is cleaner, and no longer two adults to a twin bed! They actually have classes, and everyone is learning something!
When I think about all that God has provided, and changed about San Martin, and all the changes that we as Starfish Orphan Ministry have been blessed to be able to help with, I can not imagine what I would have missed, staying in that comfort zone!
I (along with my husband) have friendships with so many people in this center! When I think of how close we came to missing out on the blessing of these precious friendships, I am just so thankful that we didn't miss it!
Please don't allow the state of being overwhelmed to keep you from unexpected blessings that God might have in store!
A few of us were able to go to the teen girls' prison today. What an eye opening experience and a blessing. This prison consisted of around 100 young girls that were split in half depending on the gang in which they were affiliated. As if going to prison wasn't enough and you were not in a gang, you had to make a choice of which gang you wanted to identify with while you were incarcerated. We were able to attend a weekly Bible study held by Sus Hijos. When we walked in the girls were very attentive to the Bible story video. We immediately started showing God's love through massaging their shoulders and praying over them silently while they were listening to the Bible story. They loved the physical touch..... We were just God's hands. One young girl had her baby with her and shared that it was the her 18th birthday. Not knowing what to expect beforehand, it was one of our favorite places. Had we not known we were in prison, we would have thought it was a typical young girl's Bible study.
Cathy & Christy
This afternoon the team also had the privilege of spending time at the aids center for orphans. Our team was able to provide lunch for the children and it was their favorite... Chicken from the States Diner. Following lunch, we had many activities to share with these children! Joe began the activities by telling a story about King David. Even though King David was small, God was able to use him in a mighty way. The children were then able to decorate their own crowns and pretended to be Kings and Queen for God! Soccer and beach balls are always a favorite with El Salvador children. What impacted me the most, was a little girl in a wheelchair. She was also nonverbal but full of smiles. All she wanted was my presence and the touch of my hand. I was so blessed to have been able to share God's love with her!
A few of us were able to go to the teen girls' prison today. What an eye opening experience and a blessing. This prison consisted of around 100 young girls that were split in half depending on the gang in which they were affiliated. As if going to prison wasn't enough and you were not in a gang, you had to make a choice of which gang you wanted to identify with while you were incarcerated. We were able to attend a weekly Bible study held by Sus Hijos. When we walked in the girls were very attentive to the Bible story video. We immediately started showing God's love through massaging their shoulders and praying over them silently while they were listening to the Bible story. They loved the physical touch..... We were just God's hands. One young girl had her baby with her and shared that it was the her 18th birthday. Not knowing what to expect beforehand, it was one of our favorite places. Had we not known we were in prison, we would have thought it was a typical young girl's Bible study.
Cathy & Christy
This afternoon the team also had the privilege of spending time at the aids center for orphans. Our team was able to provide lunch for the children and it was their favorite... Chicken from the States Diner. Following lunch, we had many activities to share with these children! Joe began the activities by telling a story about King David. Even though King David was small, God was able to use him in a mighty way. The children were then able to decorate their own crowns and pretended to be Kings and Queen for God! Soccer and beach balls are always a favorite with El Salvador children. What impacted me the most, was a little girl in a wheelchair. She was also nonverbal but full of smiles. All she wanted was my presence and the touch of my hand. I was so blessed to have been able to share God's love with her!
Melody
Melody
Cathy & Christy
This afternoon the team also had the privilege of spending time at the aids center for orphans. Our team was able to provide lunch for the children and it was their favorite... Chicken from the States Diner. Following lunch, we had many activities to share with these children! Joe began the activities by telling a story about King David. Even though King David was small, God was able to use him in a mighty way. The children were then able to decorate their own crowns and pretended to be Kings and Queen for God! Soccer and beach balls are always a favorite with El Salvador children. What impacted me the most, was a little girl in a wheelchair. She was also nonverbal but full of smiles. All she wanted was my presence and the touch of my hand. I was so blessed to have been able to share God's love with her!
A few of us were able to go to the teen girls' prison today. What an eye opening experience and a blessing. This prison consisted of around 100 young girls that were split in half depending on the gang in which they were affiliated. As if going to prison wasn't enough and you were not in a gang, you had to make a choice of which gang you wanted to identify with while you were incarcerated. We were able to attend a weekly Bible study held by Sus Hijos. When we walked in the girls were very attentive to the Bible story video. We immediately started showing God's love through massaging their shoulders and praying over them silently while they were listening to the Bible story. They loved the physical touch..... We were just God's hands. One young girl had her baby with her and shared that it was the her 18th birthday. Not knowing what to expect beforehand, it was one of our favorite places. Had we not known we were in prison, we would have thought it was a typical young girl's Bible study. Cathy & Christy
This afternoon the team also had the privilege of spending time at the aids center for orphans. Our team was able to provide lunch for the children and it was their favorite... Chicken from the States Diner. Following lunch, we had many activities to share with these children! Joe began the activities by telling a story about King David. Even though King David was small, God was able to use him in a mighty way. The children were then able to decorate their own crowns and pretended to be Kings and Queen for God! Soccer and beach balls are always a favorite with El Salvador children. What impacted me the most, was a little girl in a wheelchair. She was also nonverbal but full of smiles. All she wanted was my presence and the touch of my hand. I was so blessed to have been able to share God's love with her!
Melody
Melody
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