Porters Across the Borders: Open Doors

Reprinted from our September 2011 Newsletter with additional photos

We are thankful that the Lord is in charge of our lives, and as He leads all we need to do is follow. Sounds easy, huh? Sometimes God requires us to step out in faith before He reveals his complete purpose. We have been earnestly praying for direction as we live and serve here in El Salvador. We know that God brought us here to begin the school of ministry, but we also know that the school is not the only reason we are here. Doors of opportunity are opening and we are seeking the Lord as a family, for wisdom, discernment, and direction. As we stick our toes over the threshold of each door, and take it one step at a time, we ask that you would hold us up in prayer. We know that not every opportunity is necessarily a door we should walk through. But, we want to be faithful to boldly step out of the boat, if God is commanding us to walk on the water.

Kathy has been given the opportunity to help lead worship at a church that our family and the Pursley’s attend, once or twice a month, in San Salvador, called Union Church. It is a church with a mission to English speakers. Much of the church is made up of missionary families and those who work for the U.S. Embassy. It is a very interesting mix of cultures, as there are people from all over the world who attend the church. The church has a few teams that take turns leading worship each week. Kathy was asked to form a team to lead once a month. This Sunday was her first time. We have been very blessed to be able to get to know Pastor Gary and his family. They started and operate a children’s home in San Salvador, called, My Father’s House (Casa de mi Padre). They are also in the process of building a children’s ranch, which we had the opportunity to see for ourselves. We love the purpose and vision of this ministry. Could it be that the Lord wants us to be a part of it in some way? We are praying and seeking His will.

Finally, you have heard us speak of the Baby House (hospital) in San Salvador, which is called Lovelink (Vinculo de Amor). It is run by our dear friends, Sam and Julie Hawkins. This ministry takes in mal-nutritioned babies, most of whom would die without their help. They nurse them back to health and work with their families to educate and enable them to properly care for their child. Those who are orphans, are at times adopted out to families across the world. Their work also goes into communities…with medical clinics, educational programs, food, clothes, and the love of God. If that isn’t enough, they also have a ministry to one of the men’s prisons. They have a house next door to the prison where prisoners are allowed to come into the program to be introduced to Jesus, discipled, loved on…and very importantly, to learn a trade in order to support themselves and their families when they leave the prison system. They teach the men to make beautfiul, hand-made shoes. This ministry has been absolutely blessed by God from its inception. We have seen for ourselves the work there, and it blows us away. Lives are changed, saved, and redeemed from a terrible pit. It is dangerous work. Many of these guys are gang members. But, each one, God loves and calls there to be given the opportunity to see Jesus, and be changed. That is why the ministry is called, "Metamorphosis". Like a caterpillar that breaks out of his cocoon a beautiful butterfly, these men’s lives are completely transformed. We are also praying about involvement with the ministries of Lovelink, and Metamorphosis.

There is so much opportunity here…everywhere you look…and we want to make sure that we are following our Masters’ leading; fearlessly going where he calls us.