Upon arriving to El Salvador, I was very nervous on the type of experience I would have here. On the one hand, I was very excited to meet our friends here, and use my spanish skills to draw close to people. But I was also scared of how the Lord was going to move. I was praying that this trip would be healing and restorative for a lot of my friends and leaders. And i’m not quite sure I believed it was possible.
But God did it.
As we served kids at SLAM, we got to see God’s resurrection power take over. Kids from all around El Salvador were experiencing God’s presence. Kids going through grief were expressing how they are receiving hope. Poor and malnourished youth are committing their lives to serving others. The community is taking note and feeling uplifted as they see God move in the kids they have raised. I have been able to see with my own eyes how God’s resurrection power works. Like in the story of Lazarus, Jesus does not let death have the final say. Death is overcome by the hope Jesus ushers in. Jesus allows people who are characterized by grief to be set free.
I was able to serve one of the youth from the area in the community our campus is located here in El Salvador. This young man was so full of life. He had a fresh hair cut, new clothes and a big smile. But, his life situation would say otherwise. He is very poor, and has lived a life driven by suffering. Hearing his story broke me. Last year my heart broke for my African brothers and sisters I got to serve with. But being able to serve other latinos, with my skin tone, similar facial structure… hit me closer. God was opening my eyes to the call he has on my life to serve those here in Latin America. That he’s raised me up my whole life to be able to offer my life for youth just like this young kid.
Jesus would say if you want to find your life, you must lose it. I think i’m ready to do that now, I think i’m getting to the place where i’m ready to lose my life for those God sees as chosen and loved. I know it’s going to be insanely difficult but i’m ready to give my life, as I have my beautiful brothers and sisters in El Sal on my mind.