Loving on Some Very Special Kids...

Blog written by Cathy Carpenter

Yet another amazing day in El Salvador!! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Showing God's love to others is what we are here for. The first center we visited was a Catholic center for special needs children. Everyone was so friendly and we were given time with the children, many who needed the touch of love from anyone who loves Christ and was willing to share with them. First, there was a beautiful girl named Claire who I got to love on until she fell over asleep. The caretakers tried to awaken her, but she was sound asleep.

Next I was privileged to make beautiful bracelets. One of the children actually made a bracelet for another one who couldn't make their own. Then I saw two little girls sitting alone and watching me, as well as a young boy seemingly on the sidelines. I went over to them and pulled their three wheelchairs together and just began making up a nonsense song. I sang and jumped around and they just laughed and laughed. They were so sweet and their response so genuine. Time passed too fast and we had to take the children to line up for their lunch meal. Christella, Michelle, and myself entertained with a few songs while Jenny (one of our awesome translators) interpreted everything in such a fun way. We are so blessed to have an amazing team of translators!

I can't even begin to tell everyone how deeply moved we have been by all the children we have met.

Open Hearts and Open Arms

Post written by Melissa Strunk

Today we went to the orphanage that houses children with HIV. We weren't able to take photos of the kids or tour the facility due to security reasons, so they brought the kids out to us. We spent time playing with sidewalk chalk, singing, dancing and handing out gifts. I kept thinking of the verse John 3:16, for God so loved the world. That means that there are no second class people. We must embody the message of love or we fail to represent the Gospel. To see the children you would not think that they were sick. They were vibrant, beautiful and remarkable children. My fear for them is not for their health, but for the struggles they will face by the possibility of being ostracized just like the lepers in the Bible. God loves everyone and therefore we should love everyone! Nobody asks to have HIV and it's our responsibility as Christians to care for them and love them just as Jesus would have done. According to the World Health Organization, at the end of 2010 there were 3.4 million children under the age of 15 living with HIV around the world. The numbers are increasing and the chances of you or me having someone close to us who is infected with HIV is also on the rise. My prayers for each of us is that we will embrace them with open hearts and open arms!

Our team had lunch at KFC today. We thought it would be funny to get a photo of the KY team members together in front of this sign. It has been such a blessing to be able to laugh and joke with one another throughout the day as we process so many heavy and heart breaking stories. We are so thankful that God is in our midst and He is filling us with hope and joy each day.

Dance Party in El Salvador

Post written by Nancy Bates

Today we spent time at the San Martin center for adults with special needs. There are approximately 60 adults there at this time. We toured the facilities, which were obviously in desperate need of funding and improvements. We saw poorly dressed residents laying on the cold, hard cement. Our hearts were heavy and we all sensed a clear, unspoken sorrow throughout the tour. The staff are doing their best with the resources they've been given, but the conditions are absolutely horrible and ill equipped to care for residents with tremendous disabilities.

After the tour we moved to an open area to hang out with the residents, and our sorrows were lifted as we laughed and played together. It was time for fun and fellowship and we had an unforgettable afternoon. We did various activities with them such as making cross necklaces, bracelets, coloring, playing soccer, face painting and painting finger nails. They we so friendly and receptive to us! My favorite part though was when Kurt's team brought out music & speakers for the "Dance Party". We had a wonderful time dancing with the adults and they showed us some pretty terrific dance moves! The smiles and joy that we observed on their faces were life changing.

I have felt God's presence and seen Him working at each facility we've visited. And at San Martin I could see God in all the smiles, hugs, high fives and yes, even the dancing (to Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber songs!). It was truly a blessing for me that I will treasure in my heart forever!

Painting and Playing

Post written by Jill Imperato 

Lamentations 3:22-23  "The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies 
never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."  
Today we had the opportunity and privilege to serve the boys at Cisna, an 
orphanage for boys in San Salvador.  We began the morning with painting.  It is 
truly amazing how much painting can get accomplished when you have over twenty

people working together, next year the team is coming to my house for some projects! 

We ate a delicious and healthy lunch at Burger King, then headed back 
to the orphanage to play and talk with the boys.  We had the opportunity to 
share the Gospel with them and several responded by raising their hands.  What 
an awesome testimony of what God can do even in the midst of so much hurt, 
abuse, anger, and rejection. I am awed by the strength of these children and so 
thankful for the many different talents in our group and their willingness to 
share these with others. 

Following this time, we were able to play with the kids; soccer, sidewalk chalk, 
crafts, football, and Frisbees.  It is awesome to see these boys relax and become 
children again, enjoying the things every child should be able to do.  God has 
not forgotten these boys and we were blessed to be His hands and His feet today. 

What an incredible and humbling privilege. 

Boyz Will Be Boyz!

Post written by Michelle Lynn

Even prior to this trip, I was filled with anticipation to visit the young boys here in El Salvador. I hold a special place in my heart for little boys because God blessed me so dearly for my precious son. My son, in this anticipation asked if it would be okay to send some of his toys to the boys. He was excited to see them being packed in the suitcases on our team packing day.

At the government funded orphanage on Monday, I was able to deliver the bulk of my son's toys to boys very close to his age. Five young boys ranging in ages from 6 to 10, 3 of which were siblings, eagerly watched as we walked through the door of their dorm with a large box filled with unknown treasures. My team mate Carol and I excitedly watched these sweet boys open this box and look at each item like our children do on Christmas morning. They were so appreciative and blessed my heart watching one little man fly his new airplane around the room while his brothers played cars and dinosaurs on the floor. Their faces of adoration will forever be etched in my memory!

Today, Tuesday, we visited a home for boys ages 11-18. When we arrived we were taken on a tour seeing the boys' lunchroom, some classroom areas, and their dormitories. I don't think we were prepared when we saw their dorm rooms and realized they were locked in daily. Melissa, a team mate of mine and mother of two young boys, came up to me during our tour and asked, "Could you imagine Brodey (my son) living somewhere like this?" I said, "Please don't even put it in that perspective."

In retrospect, I knew they would be appreciative and excited about our visit...but...I think we were equally blessed. I knew that the Lord would have something special in store for the day, but what He delivered was not at all what I could've fathomed!

We began the day with the task of painting and continuing some of the improvements that have been done there at the home. Witnessing the transformation of this building from dull faded paint is only a minute representation of the transformation that would happen after lunch.

When returning from lunch we were told we would have a time to deliver the gospel and perhaps share some testimonies. I had no idea I would be one asked to do so...and sing as well! REALLY? Christella sang "Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice and I chose the classic, "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Jenni (our team leader). Prior to singing however, I shared a bit of my testimony to these young boys with tragic lives to explain to them the difficulties I experienced but how, by God's grace, I was set free and gained the strength to go on. After our songs, Larry, Orsy (one of our wonderful translators), and Steve shared with the young boys what it means to be strong. "Do you think you are strong?", they were all asked. Both men explained their strength, through all trials comes from the Lord. The next event, the most moving event, happened right after when all the boys were fixated on Jenny (another wonderful translator) began to share the gospel with them. We were asked to bow our heads and any of the boys wanting to accept Jesus into their hearts, repeat after her--needless to say the repetition of words floating through the air brought instant and heavily flowing tears to our eyes! We then prayed individually with the boys for their specific need, which allowed us to begin to form individual bonds with them.

We then gave them gifts, did crafts, watched as they drew with sidewalk chalk and played hopscotch, and witnessed a great, long-lasting game of "futbol" (soccer for those North American readers!). Each boy was so appreciative of every craft and gift--even if it was as simple as a pair of socks or as embarrassing as a pair of new underwear.

In their shower area, we placed curtains to give them some privacy too.We were told that some boys didn't shower because the showers were open and they would be teased.  It is crazy the conditions these children live in, what they perceive as normal, when we are so discontented with our "outdated bathrooms".

The day ended, walking the path back to the bus, seeing Kurt, the missionary assisting us here in El Salvador, walking in socked feet because a young boy needed his shoes! What a witness to the selfless and compassionate heart we should all have for HIS young children.

Gospel in Action

Post written by Amy Boswell

Today marked a life changing moment for many of us on this journey. Our team was privileged to visit the intake center, a government orphanage that houses infants and toddlers, special needs children, teenage mothers, young boys, and adolescent girls. Upon our arrival, our team split into groups to serve in each area of the center. Because of my background in pediatric therapy, it had been decided that I would serve by providing a training to the "tias" (orphanage staff). The children were left in the capable hands of my fellow team members and I was able to spend the morning training. Our topics ranged from basic child development and behavior problems to special needs and adaptive equipment. Each "tia" was so gracious and eager for information. I was blessed beyond measure to be able to assist them in this small way.

That afternoon, I visited with the special needs and the infant groups to work with the "tias" on specific children and answer questions. As I worked, I couldn't help but realize that all around me was the greatest example of the Gospel in action. I was surrounded by the wounded and the fatherless, children that were all but forgotten and invisible...but not to our God. He knows each of them by name. The beautiful little girl who may never walk, but whose smile won the hearts of the entire Hudson family. The teenage mothers that captivated Melissa and Kristi for the entire day. The darling child who cried for several of our team members for one more hug before we left her. And the baby who clung to me for the entire afternoon, refusing to return to anyone else, whose cries followed me out the door.

 

We may never know the fate of any of the children or young mothers that we met today. But we can be certain that our God is in control of every step. I pray that He used each of us today for His glory, that each child that we touched saw not ourselves but our God and His gospel...in action.

Love God, Love People, Change the World!

Post written by Ashley Ware (age 15)

Today we went to the government intake center/orphanage. As soon as we finished taking the tour, I just knew God had his hand on these kids. They were all so friendly and I instantly found a friend in a pregnant 13 year old girl. I knew from everything I had heard and read to prepare me for this, but it still came as a shock to me to see a girl, two years younger than me, pregnant, due any day now!

After a few hours of holding babies and playing with toddlers, we went to lunch.  We came back after lunch and split into different groups. Everyone has a different perspective of the day, and I know this is a little late since I just talked about my morning, but anyways; I went and painted in the teen girls' living area. We had a great time painting, even little Grace helped out.

After I finished my job of painting, I went back to the infants and pregnant moms, only to find my new friend. We talked, with the 'lil Spanish I know, and played with balloons and puzzles. It was very hard to leave and there were many tears, but we will continue to pray for them and know that God has his hand in their lives.

*Note from our team leader, Jenni....

Since the kids at the government intake center are under the protective care of the state, we were asked not to take close up photos of the children.   They are absolutely beautiful so as you can imagine, it was hard not to take close up shots.  At the end of the day we distributed jeans to the teenage girls.  It was like Christmas morning in their dorm!  They were trying on jeans, giggling and modeling for one another.   Since we need to protect their faces, we chose to take a photo of them from the back. They had a blast taking these photos (and got a little goofy too).

These precious girls do not know that our July team is throwing a quinceanera for each of them.  I met with the director of the center today and the staff is thrilled beyond belief over the quinceanera  They told us not to mention the quinceanara to the girls because so many of them are in transition.  If they are required to return home or move to another center, they will refuse to leave with the knowledge of the quinceanera.   Wow.  I can't wait to return in July with dresses, shoes and gifts prepared to shower them with the love of their heavenly father!!!