Greetings! We are
home again after a ‘fast and furious’ visit to the states this summer. We were able to meet and be encouraged by so
many dear people that God put into our paths.
As we see the ministry grow here in El Salvador, we also see that God is
on the move in many hearts to come alongside us and provide the vital support
that we need, relationally, spiritually and financially.
Gelmarie, Christina and Sherry with our gals! |
Gathering at the Friesens home in Lake Oswego |
Knowing we had our own transportation when we needed it was
priceless! And we needed it a lot!
Maddie and Kath with Skyler, Lisa and Raeleigh. |
Our church in Vancouver, Calvary Chapel Downtown, was going
through a very big change when we arrived.
Our pastor and friend, Daniel Gettemy, was in the process of retiring as
pastor of the church, and moving back to New Mexico, with his wife, Karen. The church was merging with another
fellowship in the area, and so we were able to experience a little of that
process, which was good.
We met the new pastor, Jake, and enjoyed a few hours of getting to know
each other. We were able to listen to
him preach a few times, as well. We
believe that the church is in good hands.
The united churches now have a new name, Union Chapel. A few weeks before the merge, we were able to
share on a Sunday morning with the then, Calvary Chapel, and update them on what God is up to in
our lives in El Salvador. It was a sweet
time and we left very encouraged.
Grandma planned a fun 'minute to win-it' competition! |
Auntie Maddie planned a treasure hunt on the beach for her littles! |
We also got to hug Leslie and Mike Freeman! (In the middle) |
On our way back to Vancouver, we had another stop to make in
the Seattle area where we met another of our supporters whom we hadn’t had the
chance to meet face to face.
While in the states,we also received tragic and heart-breaking news on two fronts.
The first: we learned that Lupita's nephew, (her sister, Dinora's son), a young man of 18 years old, Miguelito, had been murdered by the gangs here in El Salvador. He had been threatened by the gangs: join or die. He chose not to join, and when walking home from work with his mom, in San Julian, where we used to live, a gang member walked up to them and pulled a gun. He tried to run, but was shot in the legs, and then, repeatedly shot, at close range until he was dead. Because his mom, Dinora, looked the killer in the eye, she was in danger. She and all who live in their home, are now being given refuge in a secure location: mom, grandma, little brother and little sister. Miguelito was Lupita’s nephew. She was a second mom to him and had led him to the Lord. He loved to cook and wanted to be a chef. He worked as a cook in a little restaurant in San Julian, with his mom. We had hoped to open a home for young men and invite Miguel to be our first young man in the home. There he would have been given the opportunity to study to become a trained chef. But, it wasn’t to be. The gangs got him first. This has hit us with such force. We have walked through some heart-wrenching days here since returning. One thing we know: we will, by the grace and help of God, be opening that home for young men sooner than later, and it will be named after Miguelito. (For security reasons, please don't make any comments about this on facebook, nor post this blog on facebook or any other public site)
After this, the week before we left to return to El Salvador, we learned the heart-breaking
news that my sister, Janie, has pancreatic cancer. It had metastasized to her liver and spleen. This type of cancer is very aggressive and very painful. She needs all the prayers and support she can get! Please keep her daughter, Tarah, in your prayers as she is caring for and advocating for her health care. If you feel led to help her, please click on this link and read more! Please keep Janie and her children in your prayers. https://www.gofundme.com/2k2fpgv8?pc=fm_co_dashboard_a
The first: we learned that Lupita's nephew, (her sister, Dinora's son), a young man of 18 years old, Miguelito, had been murdered by the gangs here in El Salvador. He had been threatened by the gangs: join or die. He chose not to join, and when walking home from work with his mom, in San Julian, where we used to live, a gang member walked up to them and pulled a gun. He tried to run, but was shot in the legs, and then, repeatedly shot, at close range until he was dead. Because his mom, Dinora, looked the killer in the eye, she was in danger. She and all who live in their home, are now being given refuge in a secure location: mom, grandma, little brother and little sister. Miguelito was Lupita’s nephew. She was a second mom to him and had led him to the Lord. He loved to cook and wanted to be a chef. He worked as a cook in a little restaurant in San Julian, with his mom. We had hoped to open a home for young men and invite Miguel to be our first young man in the home. There he would have been given the opportunity to study to become a trained chef. But, it wasn’t to be. The gangs got him first. This has hit us with such force. We have walked through some heart-wrenching days here since returning. One thing we know: we will, by the grace and help of God, be opening that home for young men sooner than later, and it will be named after Miguelito. (For security reasons, please don't make any comments about this on facebook, nor post this blog on facebook or any other public site)
After this, the week before we left to return to El Salvador, we learned the heart-breaking
news that my sister, Janie, has pancreatic cancer. It had metastasized to her liver and spleen. This type of cancer is very aggressive and very painful. She needs all the prayers and support she can get! Please keep her daughter, Tarah, in your prayers as she is caring for and advocating for her health care. If you feel led to help her, please click on this link and read more! Please keep Janie and her children in your prayers. https://www.gofundme.com/2k2fpgv8?pc=fm_co_dashboard_a
All in all, we left feeling encouraged and loved. Physically and emotionally, we were pretty exhausted when we returned to El Salvador. We ask for your prayers as we walk through the difficult task of helping Miguel’s family start over again. Next week, we are taking them to begin grief/trauma counseling which our dear friend’s ministry is providing for them. They have a long road ahead. They need jobs, a home to rent, they need healing and to feel safe again. The situation in this country is so difficult. It is tempting to despair. Our hearts are raw and hurting. Please pray for wisdom and provision for us as we seek to minister here in El Salvador.