New Volunteer Comes to Serve in Her Mother's Native Land

Michelle enjoying one of her first visits to an ENLACE communityMichelle Zúñiga, ENLACE's newest missionary-volunteer, first visited her mother's home-country of El Salvador when she was 16 years old. She was drawn by a desire to meet her mother's family and to experience the fascinating culture. She says that she was captivated by the kind and hardworking Salvadorans as well as by the beautiful mountains and beaches. However, El Salvador also revealed a world that was previously unknown to her; a world with vast inequalities, injustice, and a country left with gangs and serious problems with violence after struggling through a 12-year civil war. After returning to the US and becoming a Christian, Michelle felt a renewed desire to come to El Salvador, but this time in order to serve, and learn from a country with which she had fallen in love.

Michelle finished her studies in International and Cultural Studies in May of 2010. During her last year of study she decided to look for an organization that might give her the opportunity to return to El Salvador and serve the country that she loved so deeply. She wanted to find a way to help in the area of economic development with an organization that strives to serve as Christ did. She stumbled onto ENLACE's website in March of 2010 and decided to come for an exploratory trip.
Michelle (right, center) with ENLACE staff, and Douglas, a member of the New Jerusalem Church and housing recipient.

Michelle says that what she likes most about ENLACE is that it's an organization that is willing to "roll up its sleeves and get its hands dirty" while making a difference for Christ. The initial trip helped to confirm her desire to be a part of ENLACE as a volunteer and provoked her to commit to at least one year of service in her mother's home country. She says,

I’m happy to be here and anxious to see what I can learn through God’s people.

ENLACE is glad to welcome Michelle who will serve as a translator, short-term mission team leader, and assistant to the ENLACE church coaches who work throughout the country.

!Bienvenida Michelle!
 

Missionary-volunteers like Michelle are responsible for raising their living expenses through gifts and donations. If you would like to sponsor Michelle's valuable work with ENLACE, click here.

Comments

[Jeff Costa /Crossing Church]

Michelle was great to work with when we came down to serve the community of Las Delicias. You can tell she has a heart for the people in El Salvador. I know God is with her as serves side by side with each group that comes down. Way to show and share Gods love Michelle can't wait to hear the stories of how He will work through you!!

[Jaime Marsau/ Crossing Church]

We LOOOOOVE Michelle!!!!!!!!!

[Michelle Zuniga]

You guys are awesome! Come back soooon!

[Priscilla McKinney]

Michelle, I can't wait to get the chance to meet you, but until then I just want you to know that there are many behind you, supporting you, praying for you and excited for you as you do what is in your heart to do. It will be fun to watch your journey play out and pray for strength and safety for you everyday!
Priscilla Negron McKinney
Board Member, Enlace USA

[Michelle Zuniga]

wow thanks so much! I can't wait to meet you as well and it means so much to have your suport!

[Rhonda]

Michelle is such a neat person and has a huge heart for God and for the people of El Salvador. Thanks for all your hard work last week! 'Great to have you on the team.