Well...to summarize this trip....I'd say it was different from the first trip, but in a great way. My first trip I dealt with a lot of getting to know the culture, language, people, and the ministries. There were also 5 other amazing American missionaries that served along with me for most of the time. We also came in contact with many different teams that traveled down the El Salvador. This time, however, I already had built relationships with the people, was accustomed to the language and culture, knew the ministries very well, and only spent a week or two with other American missionaries who were either starting or ending their trips.
Because of this difference, I was able to be a bit more intentional with the people there. My main service was working with the classes of English...but in a different manner. As I had explained in earlier blogs...we focused on teaching English, but using Biblical truths. Because the people and children there knew me better, I could share my heart more freely about the Lord. What a wonderful privilege to not only teach but speak openly about God. I got to know my students better and spend some time with them after class while waiting for the soccer school to be finished.
There was a bit more free time on this trip, which enabled me to plan and pray more for the English classes. I also was blessed to have this free time to hang out and spend quality time with others. This trip was much shorter...but just as meaningful and blessed as the first trip.
I want to thank you ALL for loving me! If you supported me financially, prayed for me, thought about me, or took any interest in my trip....then you have loved me through this. I definitely felt it and still do! I hope you have all felt as much apart of this trip as you truly were! As of now I don't have anything planned for going back, YET, but know it's always a possibility and I'm sure it won't be the last time I serve there.
Although I am not currently serving in El Salvador....there is still MUCH NEED and many ways that WE can support the people and ministries in Christ for the City-El Salvador.
I'd like to present to you the opportunity to pray, share, and consider supporting one of the local missionaries, Jonathan Maltez. Jonathan (or Maltez as most people call him) is the Director of the Soccer School (Escuela Formativa de Futbol) in Altavista. At 22 years of age, he is the director of this ministry both in Altavista and in the NEW soccer school at La Linea (close to our church), and also coaches level 6 in Altavista. His testimony is posted at the end so you can read all about his life story.
He has shared with me that he would love to be able to start up his studies again. Jonathan began studying at a university, but after less than a year could not continue because he simply had no way to pay for it. Unfortunately his single mother has just enough money to pay for his two younger siblings who are still in school. So, he's been working as a missionary for Christ for the City ever since. As of now, he is the only young local missionary who isn’t able to study.
But what he hardly ever shares with anyone is that the support he receives is barely enough for him to get by. He now lives with his mom to help cut down the cost of living expenses. He has a great attitude and continually says, "God will take care of me", which He certainly has. However, I believe God can and will bless him with an education as well. Maltez has been wanting to go back to school and get his degree for a while. He also would love to be able to take a course to get his official soccer coaching license, which would enable him to coach internationally.
Im asking that we prayerfully pull our resources together and help this humble servant of the Lord receive enough financial support to be able to go to back to school and actually LIVE...not merely survive. By our American standards, it's very cheap to live down in El Salvador. You could eat a meal for less that 3$. That’s ONE drink at Starbuck’s. What things could we give up in order to offer someone an opportunity to shape their future for the better? We are so incredibly blessed to live in the US and be provided for…but how many things do we do, have, or want that in reality are unnecessary? The average monthly payment to go to a university is around 60$ a month (more or less depending on your major). Maltez thinks he has just around 4 years…so you do the math! How incredibly cheap for us...and such an attainable goal. And to receive his coaches license…there are three levels…each costing 600$. Think...the total for getting a University degree and international coaching license is less than what many pay ONE SEMESTER!
We are looking to be able to find him supporters who can consistently help him. One-time gifts are also a huge support! You can also help be TELLING others his story. Please share this letter and his testimony with other friends, family members, your church, whoever. Im convinced that many people, even ones you don’t expect, want to help others in some way….but they are denied that opportunity when they simply aren’t told. So let’s SHARE his story and needs with others who might also be able to help. Here is a link to directly support him via internet:
http://cfcidonations.wordpress.com/ministry-bases/el-salvador/jonathan-maltez/
Thank you so much for taking time to read this and prayerfully consider to continue to support those in need down in El Salvador. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
Love,
Lauren
