This summer, SCG sent two mission teams to the country of El Salvador in July & August.
Over the past six years, the country of El Salvador has captured the hearts of the SCG Family. The culture, breathtaking countryside, and most of all the people have blessed our teams in life-changing ways.
Our in country partner ENLACE, has provided opportunities for SeaCoast Mission Teams to travel to El Salvador, serve, connect, and build lasting relationships with a multitude of communities and partner churches. ENLACE believes strongly in empowering communities by equipping local churches with skills and resources, the churches in turn transform communities through training, initiatives, and outreach. According to Reyna Angelica Perez, a Community Health Promoter for ENLACE, the church is the key element to the development of communities because they have chosen to think of others before themselves. We feel blessed to work with ENLACE and to be a part of God’s plan for El Salvador.
This summer, our mission teams worked on two separate road projects in Northern El Salvador. We served alongside the Nueva Jerusalen Church in San José El Naranjo and Voz Que Clama en el Desierto Church in San Antonio En Medio. El Salvador has a tropical climate and during the rainy season, steep and un-developed roads are prone to mud slides which endanger the lives of pedestrians and motorists. The first team repaired more than 300 feet of a steep road in San José El Naranjo and the second team completed digging water channels almost 300 feet long (which prevent erosion and keep the road safe and clear) for San Antonio’s main road. According to ENLACE, “not only do these projects generate safety and more opportunities for agriculture and other economic activities, but they also help the local church reach out to their neighbors in ways that create profound connections and long-term transformation” (David McGee, communications director).
In addition to the road projects, our teams connected with local schools where they spent time with children, played games, and shared bible stories. Our teams also had some fun playing soccer and baseball with community members and we even had a movie night where some of the locals enjoyed popcorn for the first time.
ENLACE and many communities we have served in El Salvador in the past six years have blessed SeaCoast Grace Missionaries profoundly. One of the greatest impacts comes from returning year after year and witnessing the holistic development of churches and communities. Initiatives such as training for community leaders, potable water, home gardens and fish production, latrines, health education, business coaching, sturdy homes, school infrastructure, road, bridge, retaining wall development, and emergency relief create healthier communities.
Due to ENLACE’s long-term commitment to the development of churches in many regions of El Salvador, Community members who may not be involved witness that the church is the driving force behind the transformation of their communities and seek involvement. With a focus on praising God and utilizing the strength and courage He provides each one of us, this would not be possible. God is truly at work in El Salvador and to be a part of His work year after year is an incredible blessing.
Email contribute@seacoastgrace.org to get involved.
El Salvador Missions Trip Photos:
