A Sunday Afternoon Drive

The Volcanoes

After church we all headed to Dena’s and ate a huge El Salvadorian lunch that Dena and Isabelle had cooked…it was delicious.

Swinging.

After a short rest we piled into the cars and headed to the mountains and the volcanoes.

The views were incredible of the Lake and the city on the way up.

Once there we enjoyed the peace and quiet of nature and just enjoyed each other’s company as the day passed.

God gave us a peak at the top of the volcano.

I am a blessed mama.

Grier and Mother Dena

God shows off His Majesty...

He is sooooo good! :-)

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Psalm 145:5

“Cristo Yo Cree En Ti”

On Sunday GB (aka Gloria) preached!
By Grier Cash

She did such an amazing job, teaching, encouraging, and challenging the congregation.

GB preaching (Brother Antonio Escalante translating)

She spoke on Hosea and Gomer. It was a breath of fresh air to hear a sermon in English. I didn’t have to strain to understand or guess at what was being said.

I also had the opportunity to share an interpretive movement during the service. Originally I had hoped to share “Shout To The Lord”, a song in English but one that the congregation knew well. For several days it just seemed to not come together. I then remembered that I could download a song in Spanish that I had done an interp to several years before.

The very first time I learned an interp (interpretation through dance) it was to a Spanish song – “Cristo Yo Cree En Ti” It was 10 years ago and I was in Venezuela. The song was dear to my heart because my mission trip to Venezuela at the age of 15 was very instrumental in my spiritual walk and it was the first time I danced before the Lord.

But this time when I shared it here in El Salvador the song took on a whole new meaning.

For many months/years now I have been really struggling with the Lord. His presence has seemed very distant from me and I have even doubted his existence at all. My spirit has been dry and I have had overwhelming sadness in my heart. Many times lately my prayer has been… "Lord I believe, but forgive my unbelief"

As I performed this song it became my prayer as well:

Though I can’t see your holy face
And your throne in Heaven above, it seems so far away
Though I can’t touch, can’t touch your nailed scarred hands
I have a deep unspeakable joy that makes my faith to stand

Lord I believe in you
I’ll always believe in you
Though I can’t see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart your presence I find
Lord I believe in you
I’ll always believe in you
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord I believe

This past week I have also had the opportunity to teach the interpretive movement to the girls at the church here.

There are about 10 girls ranging in age from 7-10 years of age who meet each week to learn new dances. Though we have not been able to communicate easily it has been so much fun spending time with them. I teach them and they teach me. It has been such a gift to be able to pass on something that transcends cultural and language barriers.

When we dance we speak the same language.

(Grier is a very dear family friend who joined us for the El Salvador leg of our world mission trip. She was also our host in New York http://gearyfamilymission.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-york-school-of-urban-ministrys.html)

Oscar: Bless The El Salvadorian Children

Sunday, September 7, 2008
Oscar
The children were sitting around a large table eating breakfast when we arrived.

There were about 30 of them and they ranged from pre-schoolers to around twelve in age. As we walked into the compound, they began yelling excitedly in Spanish. There was one boy who out yelled the other children and he was trying to use what little English he knew. I took one look at him and knew he was trouble. He had a smile on his face, but he exuded mischief. In fact, he was leading the pack to see who could yell at us the loudest. I turned to look at my boys and Grier. The looks on their faces conveyed what I felt. This was going to be a tough and rambunctious audience. I prayed in my head for God to lead us and show us how to connect with these kids.


These precious children are a part of Ricardo’s ministry. Ricardo and his wife minister to recovering drug addicts, but on Saturday they minister to poor children who live around the compound where their ministry is. Many of the men who are recovering from drugs and alcohol sat around the outside area and watched as we were there. Ricardo had a microphone and speaker so that all we said to the children was heard by those close by.

As the children finished eating they began moving to a different area and started to play. I was introduced to Ricardo and his wife and we discussed the logistics of our talk. When I looked around for the boys, I realized they had joined the other kids to play.

I then looked for Grier and she sat at a table of about 4-5 kids trying to share with them in Spanish.

I saw another small table of children and joined them.

I asked the names of the children at the table. I understood David, Marta (Martha) and Mario. I then looked at Martha and told her there is a Martha in the Bible who was with Jesus and she cooked for Jesus. I explained to David there is a David in the Bible who was very strong and God said David had a heart for Him. It was then that the mischievous little boy showed up. He sat at the table and smiled that smile at me. I asked his name. Oscar.

As God would have it, I had been with two men the day before named Oscar. I told Oscar this and that they both loved God and were good men. I then shared about a third Oscar back in my hometown. “This Oscar is much respected in my city because he is very kind and loves the Lord. Maybe one day you will be respected because you are kind to others and show them the love of the Lord. It’s possible.” I stated it as a fact and gave him questioning eyes. He took this in a minute and then he nodded.

Oscar’s hand is going up to accept Christ.

We were called to begin speaking. Oscar sat on the front row, right in front of me. The children were perfectly still during the whole presentation. They listened intently and participated enthusiastically when asked. We shared the Gospel and when we asked if anyone wanted to accept Christ, guess who the first to raise his hand was? Oscar. He led the way and several other boys came forward too.

The boys who accepted Christ… Oscar is third from the left (with a hand on the boys on either side of him). Ricardo and Julio (our translator) are in the back.

Please pray that God will break through the obstacles in the lives of these children and that they will follow Him.

Pray they will all have a heart for God and will be known by the love of Jesus they show to others.

Please also pray for the other Oscars who were wonderful role models to a boy they never met.