We began corresponding with Luis in March 2018. I will update this post as we hear from him.
We have received 1 letter from Luis, but we do have a country director's letter. His birthday is March 10. He lives with his parents Wilson and Leivi.
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Project Info and Activities:
Luis attends ES-008 near Santa Rosa de Lima
* Home to approximately 6,000 residents
* Most common work is market trading, street vending or subsistence farming, although majority is unemployed
* Average earning is $150 a month
* Regional Diet: bananas, beans, bread, chicken, maize & rice
* Common Health Problems: flu, coughs, parasites, diarrhea, dengue
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud walls, tile roofs
Center Activities: Bible teaching, health screenings, hygiene training, community service opportunities, retreats, educational assistance, computer courses and remedial classes.
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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:
* Favorites: language, learning about God, listening to Bible stories, snack/meal time, group games, running, soccer/football, balls, shirt & shoes to play soccer; beans & cream; yellow & blue colors; story of Noah, math
* Dreams: to be a professional soccer player
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Letter Highlights...
"I want to tell you that I want to be a professional soccer player, I play forward."
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Artwork
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To read the other posts in this series, click here.
Today's letter is from El Salvador, where we correspond with Erick. The original letter and photo can be found here.
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Dear Friend,
My name is Guillermo Muñoz. God has blessed me since 2004, when I became the country director of this wonderful ministry. Everything we do helps the most marginalized, the most forgotten, and the most underestimated by our society: children in poverty.
Thank you for joining us in our fight against poverty and hopelessness. Your love, support and faithfulness to your sponsored child make an eternal difference. I know sponsorship works. Compassion began working in El Salvador in 1977. We work with about 250 church partners, serving more than 60,000 children. Poverty hurts so deeply, and in the child development centers, children receive encouragement, vision, healthy food, medical treatment, vocational training, protection, and the love of God.
El Salvador has gone through decades of militarism and civil war. Now, in the post-war period, more than 45 percent of the population lives in poverty. More than 20 percent of children under five suffer stunted growth. Our country has a low-quality public education system and low attendance due to violence. Also, more than 95 percent of the population lives in territory at risk from floods, mudslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tropical storms. Finally, our children live in one of the most violent countries in the world.
Poverty tells our children there is no hope, no opportunity to have an education. They become targets of the gangs and never learn their identity in Christ. Amid these struggles, we find the local church that has the vision, passion, heart and unlimited love that only come from God. Our vision is to continue giving children the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God created them to be. We provide programs focused on preventing children’s involvement in violence, helping them discover their potential skills and talents, and opening opportunities for academic reinforcement workshops and nonformal education.
One example of transformational impact is one of our pastors, who is so passionate and willing to work with the gangs. He just sits with them, sharing a meal, showing the love of Jesus, and telling them there is hope no matter who you are. Many gang members have surrendered their lives to Jesus, and they send their children to the Compassion center. Now this new generation will not be the same, because they have hope! They are building an eternal relationship with God.
Talking about relationship, the connection children have with their sponsors through letters is so valuable, because they feel loved, appreciated and encouraged. I consider the loneliness of a 13-year-old boy who doesn’t have siblings; his mom passed away, and his dad is in prison. His sponsors (a married couple) made him feel like family despite the long distance between them. Their kind, loving words in letters encourage and bring him hope. This boy wants to be a civil engineer because his life was changed through letters from his sponsors.
We believe in a better future where children can overcome poverty. We plant seeds of hope in each of them, and you are part of this through your constant care for your sponsored child. I want to express my deep gratitude for all the support we get from you. You give your sponsored child the love of God. Thank you!
Please pray with us: Heavenly Father, give us wisdom, strength and enough love to reach out and support children who suffer a lack of opportunities imposed by poverty. We pray for those threatened by violence. We pray for a strong and committed church that upholds the cause of children, and we pray for our sponsors, who lovingly join the mission of releasing children from poverty in the precious name of Jesus.
Sincerely,
Guillermo Muñoz
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If you would like to sponsor a child from El Salvador, please consider sponsoring Keiry, who has been waiting over 220 days for a sponsor!
Keiry is 8 and her birthday is March 9. She lives with her uncle and mother. She's in kindergarten where she's performing above average, and she has a whole long list of activities that she enjoys! Click here to see what she enjoys doing and to sponsor her.
We began corresponding with Erick in August 2016. I will continue to update this post as we hear from him.
We have received 6 letters while corresponding with Erick, in addition to one pastor's letter and one country director's letter. His birthday is May 21. Erick lives with his mother, who is a housekeeper.
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Project Info and Activities:
Erick attends NI-198 in Reparto Hamburgo, Leon
* Home to approximately 1,100 residents
* Primary language is Spanish
* Most common work is work is collecting things from municipal garbage dump to sell
* Average earning is $45 a month
* Regional Diet: maize, beans, chicken, bread, cassava, plantains, rice & potatoes
* Common Health Problems: flu, infectious diseases
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, cement walls, corrugated iron roofs
Center Activities: Bible teaching, medical checkups, health education, fluoridation, Bibles, special celebrations, field trips, tutoring, academic reinforcement and school uniforms and shoes.
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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:
* Favorites: group games, bicycling, running, art/drawing, listening to music
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Letter Highlights...
"I am doing good in classes, let me tell you that I am on this football league at the project and I like this sport and I have a lot of friends, and soon we will have uniforms and we will have our toys election."
"I like to go to the project because I learn a lot about God."
"I have learned a lot about Spanish and Mathematics. I have so many friends in my school. I attend to the project...I learn biblical stories. My teacher is dynamic and she shows us videos which I liked Jonah and the fish."
"My family and I are fine, we have been going for a walk where some cousins and a botanic place...Where did you go for a walk this January?"
"Are there forests in your country? Why?"
"I want to tell you that I have many friends at the project and I got good grades and I also attend to the church because I like to praise God."
"I went with my mother to visit my grandmother in a place called C and there are many avocado and mango trees and other kind of trees like bananas. What kind of trees do you have where you live?"
"I received the photo of your baby who is very pretty and handsome."
"How did it go with the hurricanes that came? I and my family and my teacher were praying for all of the sponsors and special you and I hope that you were praying for me."
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Artwork
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To read the other posts in this series, click here.
We began corresponding with Erick in March 2016. I will continue to update this post as we hear from him.
We have received 10 letters, one pastor's letter, and one country director's letter while corresponding with Erick. His birthday is December 3. Yonatan lives with his parents and his father works as a church worker.
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Project Info and Activities:
Erick attends ES-821 in Metapan, Texistepneque
* Home to approximately 10,000 residents
* Primary language is Spanish
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $114 a month
* Regional Diet: maize, beans & rice
* Common Health Problems: respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud walls, tile roofs
Center activities: Bible teaching, medical and dental checkups, nutritious food, birthday celebrations, sports, academic reinforcement, vocational training and computer courses.
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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:
* Favorites: soccer/football, bicycling, baseball, walking, swimming, ping pong, listening to music, other ball games, Bible story of Joshua, verse Philippians 4:13, "Perfume a Tus Pies," pet parrots, tigers, chicken soup, science, Barcelona
* Dreams: to be a soldier, a minister, to have a wife and children, to be a mechanic
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Letter Highlights...
"[M]y best friends are Omar, and Oscar. We like doing everything together. When we re at school we like to play basketball in the recess and when we are in class we like to sit near and sometimes the teacher complains because we talk too much. When we have some homework we get together at home to do it. Omar is 15 years old and I met him when I was in third grade and Oscar is 16 years old. I met him last year when he came to live near my house. On weekends we get together to do homework and when we finish we watch comedy movies and we eat popcorn with soda. Sometimes we go to the park and we buy ice cream. I love to spend with my best friends... I ask you to pray for me that I can continue to be a good friend and that I can live in harmony with all people around me and specially with my family."
"I am very happy to know about [José's] birth. I feel very awesome when I see the photos of the baby because he really is handsome and big. Thank you for the other photos you have shared with me, Juanito and [Rosie] are very precious."
"I feel amazed to hear Sherinah's story and motive me to move forward and to fight to achieve my goals overcoming all the obstacles in my way."
"In the future I would like to be a solider and be a minister in the church and also be blessed by a beautiful wife and children."
"We have a devotional in which we read the Bible. What I have liked is the love God has for us and that is why he sent his son to be called his sons and daughters."
"I want to tell you that I love to spend time with my nice dog I have in my house called Snoopy and it is brown and when we got to the street he likes to run."
"I like to watch TV programs where I can watch the cultures. This last week we had holy week and I watch a documentary about the life of Jesus and this inspires me to come closer to God and to church."
"I thank God every morning for giving me the chance to be his son and for being always with me. I thank you for the beautiful drawings about the cross, I am going to color them and put them in my bedroom so I will be able to see them and think in Jesus' sacrifice."
"I want to tell you that I am attending to the music workshop from the project where I am learning to play the drums."
"I thank God I'm doing well and in the future I want to be a car fixer cause I like cars. And I also want to visit Hawaii and see the dolphins, is there any country you would like to visit?"
"It is good that you are able to listen to the Bible in that way. I am not as disciplined to read it, but I learn from your letters. The picture of the Bible is very nice and I ask you to pray for God to give me the desire to study His Word more."
"I also wish to share with you about my learning at the project. I am learning about the importance of personal hygiene and to have an adequate nutrition, and good family relationships. I am learning that God loves me just as I am am and that he has a plan for my life. I am also learning how to make a job resume."
"Good morning, beloved friends Eric and Hannah! I greet you very warmly and I hope you are very well! I want to tell you that I am very glad and thankful to God because He has kept me all this time, and I am also happy because on this day I received the precious letter with all the pictures of whales that you sent me. I loved watching the origami figures that you made, and of course that I will have fun trying to make one too. I have not had the opportunity to learn a lot about whales, so it seems interesting that you study about them and keep me informed about your discoveries. I tell you as well that today I will tell you about my dreams and if I think well, someday I will go diving in the ocean and to know about sea life, and for this I plan to travel by ship and to enjoy the trip and to arrive at some island and to start the adventure. I would also like to have more effort about knowing Jesus and to let Him guide my life. I have always dreamed about being an engineer and to get to build very high buildings because I love heights. What are the dreams you have and that you expect to fulfill later on? I want to ask you to please pray for God to let me fulfill my dreams, and also, someday I want to have the opportunity of meeting you in person. I send you all my fondness. From: Erick"
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Artwork
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Gift Photos
Erick's sponsor sent him a financial gift in 2016 and Erick shared, "I bought a blue jeans that I use to go to the project. I also bought food for me and my family: corn flakes, juices, cookies, oil, sugar, eggs, sauces, soups, oatmeal, spaghettis, milk, salt, toothpaste, soap and shampoo."
Erick's sponsor also sent a birthday gift in 2017!
Eric's sponsor sent a general gift in 2017, and Eric sent us this photo in return in early 2018:
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To read the other posts in this series, click here.
We sponsored Saul from November 2008 until September 2012.
We received 15 letters while corresponding with Saul. His birthday is July 3. Saul lived with his parents, Nelson and Maribel and with his siblings, Dalia and Ronald. His father worked as an electrician, pastor and did seasonal work on a coffee plantation. His mother sold fruit at the market and also did seasonal work on a coffee plantation,
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Project Info and Activities:
Saul attended ES-862 in El Boqueron, San Salvador
* Home to approximately 5,000 residents
* Most commonly spoken language is Spanish
* Most common work is work is plantation work, although majority are unemployed
* Average earning is $120 a month
* Regional Diet: maize, beans & bread
* Common Health Problems: respiratory diseases, stomach illnesses, undernourishment
* Typical Houses: cement floors, adobe walls, tin roofs
Center Activities: Bible teaching, health education, medical and dental checkups, nutritious snacks, birthday celebrations, field trips, academic support and school supplies.
"The child says he is fine he and his family, always go to church, asks 'if you have any special praise?' He loves to sing and knows many praises."
"He says he likes when they take him to eat hamburgers from the Student Center, soda and ice cream too."
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Artwork
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Final Letter
Saul's family condition improved and so they no longer needed Compassion's assistance!
"Dear sponsors Eric and Hannah:
Cordial greetings in our Lord Jesus, hoping that He is blessing every area of your life with His presence and great love. We send this letter to inform you that your Sponsored Child Saul has departed from the project, because the family's economic situation has improved. However, we want to state that during the time that you sponsored child, he was benefited with Christian education, refreshments, classes in the cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, and spiritual areas, remedial courses, birthday and Christmas parties, and gifts in the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, receiving extraordinary gifts, school uniforms from the project, medical check-ups, lab samples, extracurricular field trips, going to the zoo and park. In Christ, we bless you and deeply thank you for your generous heart to support this ministry, hoping that you will continue sponsoring another child in Compassion International. God bless you greatly!"
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To read the other posts in this series, click here.
Receive grace and peace from God, our father and Lord Jesus Christ every day of your lives and ministries. My name is José Daniel VM, pastor from ILV in the state of SA, El Salvador in the west region, [ES-821] CDC. I would like to thank you for your sponsorship of Erick with much affection to our children from our church and community.
Our vision as a church is to become a congregation that worships Jesus Christ, living under his dominion to reach families of children enrolled in the center of [ES-821]. One of the biggest impacts we have had is our graduation event, as we had over three hundred people from the community in our church, children have benefits that others would like to have. In this fiscal year we had about eighteen children saying their faith prayers.
Our church this year will train a team of assimilation to approach to the families more effectively in order to share the gospel of Christ. We currently have twelve families who attend church frequently.
The sponsor relationship is very good and full of joy to our children, as they know that someone loves them. When they receive letters from you their sponsors they are happy to learn about you, your life, your pets and everything. It blesses them to know that they are loved and cared for. The children are always looking for communication from their sponsors and their eyes show sadness when nothing comes for them for a long time. Please continue to make a time often to write to Erick. The children enjoy responding to your letters and write them with great excitement.
We deeply appreciate your investment of sponsorship in Erick and we wish with all our hearts that the Lord will abundantly bless your unconditional help to all these children who are part of this beautiful ministry of Compassion International. Again, thank you.
Blessings,
José Daniel VM
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If you would like to sponsor a child from El Salvador, please consider handsome Jose who turned 18 on March 5.
Jose lives with his mother. He is responsible for carrying water, making beds and running errands. His mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. There are 3 children in the family.
As part of Compassion's ministry, Jose participates in Bible class and youth group. He is also in middle school where his performance is above average. Soccer, bicycling and listening to music are his favorite activities. To sponsor Jose, click here.
I'm continuing with sharing interviews with people who have traveled with Compassion to visit their kids! This week we're going to hear from Katie, who blogs at Living a Story Worth Telling. Katie shared about her trip to El Salvador! (My questions are in bold, Katie's answers are italicized, and photo credit goes to Katie.)
Where did you visit? Sandra lives in the eastern part of El Salvador
How long were you there? And what did the schedule roughly look like? We were with Sandra for a day. The Compassion host picked my friend Megan and I up at our hostel first thing in the morning (8:30-ish) and took us to the Compassion church where we were very warmly welcomed. The kids lined the church driveway cheering for us as we walked up, they had special seats set aside for us, and had a little presentation prepared for us. Then we got a tour of the project before heading to her home. Then we took Sandra on the trip of a lifetime—to the Salvadorian equivalent of Chick-fil-a. She had never been to town before much less to a restaurant. Unfortunately after lunch we had to say good-bye—around 2pm—so we could get back home before it got dark.
How many kids did you visit and what were their ages? Sandra’s eight and I had been sponsoring her for almost three years at the time.
Did you feel like the language barrier was a hindrance? There actually was no language barrier because I speak fluent Spanish (Sandra’s language). It’s likely she’s never heard gringa Spanish (white girl Spanish) before and she was really timid so she always looked at the translator to confirm before she answered my question. I think she was nervous to disappoint me more than anything.
What tips would you share for trying to connect with your child? Any questions you wish you had asked? Have questions for your child ready—favorite color, favorite food, favorite animal, do you want to be when you grow up, etc. Some of them I’d already asked in letters so I could say things like, “In your letter you told me Noah is your favorite story in the Bible. Is that still your favorite story?” I also had little gifts for her and everyone in her family (a Bible, a book, a t-shirt, a bag, some coloring books, crayons, towels, etc.). Bubbles were the highlight of the gifts, no doubt.
Was this your first trip? If so, would you go again? It was and yes definitely! I had to be careful not to say things like “next time I come” to the family just in case it doesn’t happen but I do want to visit them again.
Would you recommend going on a trip with Compassion to see your kids? Definitely! She’s no longer just a name and a dot on a map. She’s a very real girl with a real family and a real life.
What was the most impactful thing you saw? I’d been traveling through lesser-developed countries for the majority of the year so I thought I would be prepared to see her living conditions—but I wasn’t. I was shocked by the condition of her home. I was also incredibly touched by her family—all of them there waiting to greet us. When thanked for being there, her dad said, “Of course I had to be here; you guys were coming!” That meant a lot to me not necessarily because they wanted to meet this American woman but because they love their children so much and care so much about their children that they wanted to meet this woman who cares for her too.
What was the highlight of the trip? During the presentation at the beginning of the morning, I was sitting to Sandra’s right and we were holding hands. When they played the National Anthem, Sandra reached across her body with her left hand to hold my left hand so she could put her right hand on her heart like she had been taught. It was a very precious moment.
Compassion recently created some wonderful videos to share about communities where they work! I only know of three countries so far, Uganda, Bolivia and El Salvador, but I hope to see more of these soon! (And if you know of any others, please let me know!)
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This first video shows what life is like in urban Uganda.
I am advocating for two girls from this area of Uganda right now! You can read their profiles here or you can see a list of waiting children from Uganda on Compassion's website.
I am also advocating for four kids from Bolivia and you can see their profiles here. Or you can check out a list of waiting children from Bolivia on Compassion's website!
Compassion's Blog also just shared this wonderful testimony from Oscar, who is from La Paz.
If you would like to see a list of waiting children from Compassion's website from El Salvador, click here.
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Finally, Compassion Canada created a video showing BR-417's surf school! I love BR-417, this is where our Gizelle and Estela attend, and was so excited to see a video highlighting one of their project's activities! You can check out Compassion Canada's video here.
I am also advocating for four kids from BR-417 and you can read about them here or you can view a list of waiting children from Brazil on Compassion's website.
And Compassion previously shared Jorge's story. Jorge is a young man who lives in Fortaleza, Brazil, where the project BR-417 is located. This is such an amazing testimony of God's work!
Compassion's Facebook page also shared this incredible video about Compassion Brazil's shift in focus from working in southeastern Brazil to northeastern Brazil:
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Compassion's work! And if you have videos to recommend, please share them with me and I'll write another post soon!
If you sponsor a child you have to watch this video! What I really enjoyed was seeing how versatile Compassion's program is! There are a number of other projects featured: ES-885, GH-801, BR-417, HO-312, BD-305 and CO-527. Enjoy!
And if you'd be interested in sponsoring a child from BR-417, please let me know! I'm currently advocating for two kids there.
Lizzie, who blogs at Love is an Action, is a lovely teenager who has a passion for God and Compassion. She sponsors one little guy, Eduardito, from El Salvador, via what she raises through cycling!
I love her creativity and her hard work that she puts to support and encourage kids via Compassion. I thought that you might be blessed by her too, so I asked her to share a story from her Cycle4Compassion experience! Without further ado, this is what Lizzie shared. I hope it encourages you as much as I was encouraged.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Do not be anxious about anything. That is telling me that I shouldn’t be anxious ever….even when I am very short of a fundraising goal when the deadline is not even 24 hours away….even when I can see no way that I will make that deadline….even when I feel like freaking out and begging everyone I know for money! Yes, even then, especially then, God has it all under control.a
What I love about this verse, though, is that it doesn’t just tell me to not be anxious, but it tells me what I should do. I should pray in every situation, with thanksgiving. So when I was short of my fundraising goal and did not know what to do, I prayed. I presented my request to God. My request was simple - please, please provide, not for me, not for my glory, but for Yours. Provide for Your little boy in El Salvador. And if I screwed up somehow, please don’t let Eduardo suffer for it.
I was sure that somehow I had messed something up, that somehow I didn’t do my best to raise money for Eduardo’s sponsorship. Honestly, I was scared that I would not have enough money to support him for the year. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to sponsor him anymore. I thought I had failed.
But then, I prayed. I poured my heart out to God and put my trust in Him. Just like Paul said in Philippians, the peace of God filled my heart. I was reminded that Eduardo was His child. I was reminded that God has a plan in every situation. That night, I rested in His faithfulness. I didn’t know what the next day held. I did not know how it would turn out, but I knew that God is faithful forever.
The next day, I got up. I still hadn’t gotten any more donations. I was still short of the amount I needed. I went to church. No one handed me money. I was still short. I went home. My mom told me that my grandma had something for me. So I went to see my grandma (who lives in an attachment to our home). She handed me an envelope from one of her friends, who I have never met. In it was a check…..for the exact amount I needed. My grandma and her friend didn’t know that I was short of what I needed. She just decided to follow God’s leading and give generously.
I realized that I hadn’t failed and that God didn’t fail me either! Instead, God was just stretching my faith and helping me to grow in my faith in Him. God is always right on time. He’s not always early, but He’s never late!
Isn't Eduardito adorable? I had to show this most recent photo that Lizzie received! I love hearing testimonies of God's work! If you would like to read more of Lizzie's posts, I highly recommend checking out her blog and her Cycle4Compassion page. Also, Lizzie is raising money for a missions trip to Mexico, so if you're interested in learning more, check out this page.
If you want to read more about the history, education and other information, read Compassion's page on El Salvador.
Compassion asks that we pray for two things for these kids here:
1) Please pray for the fathers, mothers and caregivers who are facing unemployment in light of the economic crisis. May the Lord be faithful to provide jobs for them. May they witness the kindness and greatness of the Lord during this time.
2) Please pray for our child development center workers, pastors and churches in violent areas. Pray the Lord's peace will surround them as they work on His behalf, and may His strength and mighty protection go with them in everything they do.
And for some beautiful photos of Ecuador, check out Compassion's Flickr album here.
COMPASSION IN EL SALVADOR
If you want to read a thorough description of Compassion's work in El Salvador, read their ministry highlight here. These are my favorite summaries of Compassion at work in each country!
If you want to know what life is like for a kid in El Salvador, check out this post: Life in El Salvador.
Watch this video on the Compassion staff in El Salvador and how modern technology allows their staff to receive better training!
And enjoy this video about Moises and his experience with Compassion.
There is an encouraging story about a sponsored girl, Cindy, and how God used the sponsorship program to work in her whole family: Hardworking and Blessed.
Here's an interview with Kenia Servellon, a supervisor in the Sponsor Donor Department of Compassion in El Salvador: 10 Questions With Kenia Servellon.
There was a bloggers trip to the El Salvador. You can read all the Compassion blogger's posts here. But I went through and found my favorites for you! So check out the posts below:
I have a blog because my brain stopped cooperating with me sometime in college: a possible side-effect of one too many late night Route 44 cherry vanilla Dr.Peppers from Sonic study enhancers. For instance, I remember a younger (less gray) skeptical me taking a trip to see the ministry of Compassion International for myself and coming home a different person. But, thanks to my blog and its handy dandy search function, I know that trip was in August of 2005...
So - frankly - I came this week and my mindset was that I felt a little guilty asking any of you to sponsor a child. I know we are in a recession. I know a lot of you have lost your jobs and possibly even your homes. I know a lot of you are struggling financially and asking you to sacrifice to sponsor a child - maybe it was too much. I try to be sensitive to the fact that a lot of you might not be in a great place right now...
This morning we visited another project. We were met by a whole new group of very loving kids! Seriously - I don't need to be hugged when I get home for a good year - I've gotten so many hugs and kisses! (Just kidding - I'm totally becoming a HUGE hugger after this trip!) Today I want to share with you about a different part of Compassion. This is called CSP - Child Survival Program and I'm very glad to have seen this in action today...
I was trying to think about one story I could tell you to really affect you. One thing I want you to know about Compassion and El Salvador and about my trip. One thing I wanted to leave you with. And I couldn’t come up with just ONE story because I have seen so much this week. But I can tell you what I think the one thing that has struck me the most. And I can tell you that two years ago – I could have come on this trip and felt completely different...
Warning: I’m not in El Salvador anymore but there’s plenty of El Salvador left in me itching to come out. Unlike the bloggers on our trip, I didn’t have the time to write much while we were in El Salvador. So, if you’re burned out on the subjects of poverty, kids, hope and hurricanes, you might want to stop reading my blog for a few days. I’ve got some stories to tell...
In the first year of our relationship Yanci asked me in a letter to pray for her Dad because he needed help. What kind of help? I thought. Is he OK? Is there something more I can do than pray? On the bus last week I asked Yanci’s mom what that prayer request was all about. “I’ve been praying for him for four years now and I don’t why. I don’t know if God’s already answered my prayers.” Her face broke into a huge grin as she told me the story through a translator...
FOOD
Compassion's website shared this Ecuadorian recipe:
Corn and black beans are the daily diet of most families. Families also like to snack on pupusas (corn cakes filled with chopped meats, beans and spices).
Sautéed Plantains
2 very ripe plantains
1 jalapeno chili seeded and sliced in thin rings
2 Tb. butter, more if needed
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
Peel plantains and cut into quarters. Cut each quarter in half lengthwise. Sauté plantains and chilies in butter over medium heat, turning frequently. Remove when browned. Drizzle sour cream over plantains. Serves four.
Please be praying for the kids of El Salvador who are still waiting for sponsors.
Update: Wilber has been sponsored! Meet Wilber, who's 7 and who has been waiting 277 days for a sponsor.
Wilber's birthday is September 13. He lives with his parents and one sibling and his parents are employed as laborers. Wilber enjoys soccer, playing with cars and bicycling. Wilber is responsible for making beds, running errands and cleaning. To sponsor Wilber, click here.
Update: Ingrid has been sponsored! Meet Ingrid, who's 5 and who has been waiting 247 days for a sponsor.
Ingrid's birthday is May 15. She lives with her parents and 2 siblings. Her dad is employed as a farmer and her mom as a laborer. Ingrid enjoys playing house, playing with dolls and running. Ingrid is responsible for washing clothes and cleaning. To sponsor Ingrid, click here.
Update: Astrid has been sponsored! And meet Astrid, who's 7 and who has also been waiting 247 days for a sponsor.
Astrid's birthday is April 21. Astrid lives with her parents and 4 siblings and her dad is employed as a laborer. Astrid enjoys hide-and-seek and baseball. And Astrid is doing above average in school! Astrid's chores include caring for children, running errands and cleaning. To sponsor Astrid, click here.
To see more available kids from the El Salvador, please click here.
(Note: all facts & photos are taken from Compassion's website and blog.)
