ENLACE el salvador - picture gallery

picture gallery > Old Friends (11)

Two groups from Seacoast Grace Church in California came to the region of Ahuachapan to work hard and create friendships with the Nueva Jerusalen Church in San José El Naranjo and Voz Que Clama en el Desierto Church in San Antonio En Medio. The first team repaired more than 300 feet of a steep road that had been prone to mudslides and endangered the lives of pedestrians and motorists. The second team completed digging almost 300 feet along the community’s main road. When finished, the water channels will prevent road erosion, keeping the road safe and clear. 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.

Old Friends

Seacoast Grace has been partnering with Pastor Marcos and the region of San José El Naranjo for six years. This year, they sent two teams to help build roads in San José El Naranjo and San Antonio En Medio.
What a Climb!

Getting to the job site every day was quite a climb, but there was always a rewarding view at the top of the hill. With such an incline, it’s not a surprise that potholes and perpetual mudslides and landslides made passage on the street difficult for vehicles and extremely dangerous for pedestrians.
Quality Work!

Local masons are paid to serve as foremen on construction projects. Volunteers from the church, community, and Seacoast Grace Church in California provided additional labor for the road projects in San José El Naranjo and San Antonio En Medio.
Great Helpers!

Children from the community helped carry loads of rocks uphill by working together to pull a rope attached to the front of an old wheelbarrow. Seeing people come together to complete projects has taught them a lot about the power of teamwork.
Solid Ground

With the completion of the road and its two new curbs that will help direct the flow of rainwater, the area is now safer for pedestrians and vehicles that use the road to get home.
Paving the Way for a Better Future

In 2010, the leaders of the church and community identified the need to improve a severely deteriorated section of the community’s main road. The construction of new roads will generate opportunities for agriculture and other economic activities, better access to schools, health and other community services.
Joyful Working

Seacoast Grace team members worked for hours under the hot sun, but always found something to smile about. Their group members ranged in age from 13 to over 69!
Learning New Skills

Team members from Seacoast Grace learned how to dig trenches and mix cement by hand. When finished, the water channels they helped build will redirect the rainwater to prevent erosion on the new road.
School Visit

Both Seacoast Grace teams visited the public school in San Antonio to share a drama and song about Noah’s ark, play with the children, and give away marbles, jacks, puzzles and a giant hoola hoop. Due to the community’s organization and capacity to manage large projects, the public school recently received help to expand their campus, and they were happy to show off the new classrooms, bathrooms, and recreational area to old Seacoast friends.
In Sickness and in Health

Last year when Seacoast Grace worked in San Antonio, the local pastor, Pedro Flores, was incapacitated by a recent stroke. However, Seacoast continued their partnership in the area and returned this year to see Pastor Pedro in good health, leading church services and home visits.
Special Guest

The community of San Antonio held a road dedication and goodbye service for the Seacoast team that helped them on the road. Special guests at the small event included those who worked on the road, the president of the community association, Pastor Marcos from a neighboring community, ENLACE’s church coach for the area, and the Mayor of Jujutla.