Tires and Kids and Clinics, Oh My!
Monday, June 28, 2010 at 10:30AM by Kim Frederick
San Jacinto, a small rural community in northwestern El Salvador, was full of smiles last week as seven enthusiastic “gringos” from Vineyard Christian Church in Pataskala, Ohio trotted through the streets, greeting everyone they passed with an enthusiastic “¡Hola!” or “¡Buenas tardes!” Even with only two members able to communicate in Spanish, everyone was able to make friends and encourage San Jacinto residents.
Vineyard Team, Pastor Mauricio, Kim and FelixThe team came to work on one of the community's current initiatives, which was to build a retaining wall. They also helped repair a main road to prevent further erosion. They worked happily alongside the Salvadorans, literally pouring their sweat into the tires, dirt, and concrete used to construct the wall.
“But some of the most meaningful moments had nothing to do with the wall,” explained one of the team members from Ohio. The team was able to participate in two church services during their time in the community with a local church, Zurisadai Assemblies of God. Additionally, working alongside the director of the children’s ministry and Pastor Mauricio, the team conducted a special program for over 80 children, distributed school supplies to the local school, and visited some of the area's neediest families, praying and encouraging them. And if that were not enough, the women from Vineyard partnered an event with the women of Zurisadai. Both North American and Salvadoran women shared with each other their faith and their lives.
“This mission trip was so different than the others I have been on,” said one member. “This trip,” he explained, “was more about relationships. It was a perfect mix of work and being with the people.”
On their last day in San Jacinto, the Ohio team met with community leaders from surrounding hamlets
Part of the team with a local member of the community to discuss the health of the community and to tour the public clinic in order to better understand the accomplishments of the community in the area of health. Each team member expressed a desire to return and to continue this strong connection. “It’s incredible, the bonds we made in just four days,” one woman expressed, “...I mean, some of them were just really hard to leave.”
The Vineyard Christian Church of Pataskala has committed to an ongoing relationship of giving, serving, and prayer with the San Jacinto area. Their commitment allows for an ENLACE church advisor to work in the community with Pastor Maurico and his church to build their capacity to reach out to the community to transform lives and alleviate poverty. For more information about church partnerships and becoming involved in this life-changing process, please contact us at partner@enlaceonline.org, or call Peter DeSoto, Director of Partnership Development, at 1-888-675-2314.
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