PALABRA DE PODER, ANEMONA

Led by Pastor Marta Vaquerano (the first female pastor with whom ENLACE has had the privilege to work), the Palabra de Poder Church is a dynamic congregation of 100 members committed to transforming its community. In 2010 Pastor Marta prayed for clarity about how to better meet the needs of her community of Anemona, a shanty town compressed between the Panamerican Highway and old railroad tracks. In what she describes as an answer to prayer, she learned about ENLACE through Pastor Miguel Durán .

A devastating monsoon in November 2009 left the community extremely damaged and vulnerable. In response, the community and church worked together to meet basic needs and later to provide access to water and electricity. In the short time the church has been working with ENLACE it taken the lead on many projects such as home gardens and road repairs. Through these endeavors, the congregation has made new friendships in its community and built alliances with other organizations such as the mayor's office.

The goal for 2012 is to continue strengthening the church’s leadership through ongoing coaching and training and to facilitate the development of projects such as road repairs, home gardens, and tilapia ponds.