On the bus ride out of El Salvador, I couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down my cheeks, and I didn’t want to. As we drove, all I could see were the faces of the youth who we served at our SLAM service camp. And all I could hear were their precious testimonies. I prayed and prayed for them earnestly. I prayed that God would preserve their lives, that he would walk with them as they grow up, and that they would continue to grow in the knowledge that they are the hope for El Salvador.
One youth testified at the end of the week and shared a Bible verse regarding those who serve the poor being blessed. He noted that he wasn’t a man of many words but what he did have to say was powerful. He was very impacted for the love he had been shown. I had been talking with him throughout the week because he often seemed very somber and would sit off to the side by himself. He was always dressed in the same Sunday best outfit, and though he was quiet, whenever I approached him in conversation he was very gentle and kind. I later found out that he didn’t want to come to the conference because he didn’t feel worthy.
He had to gather money from family members and generous people to be able to purchase a pair of shoes to come to the youth conference, because he didn’t have a pair previously. He had endured many hardships in life. My heart ached and still does for all these youth who share similar stories. While they may be lacking in the resources they need to be able live and not just survive, they were eager for God’s Word and that desire to learn and walk with God was stronger than any other desire to meet pressing and real needs they have. I was humbled by their testimonies and deeply convicted that our team needs to continually uproot selfishness in order to be able to serve these precious people with our whole hearts. I
was inspired by the very hard work that our ministry cooperatives are doing at our campus in El Salvador. Orlando, Kenia, and Gabby have been so faithful with the work entrusted to them. I was so good to spend time serving with them, I was filled up by their presence and our conversation. I’m thanking God for his presence with us to make our week in El sal so beautiful and productive. God is working, and there is so much hope.