Islanders reach out
A short-term missions team to El Salvador works with children and their families
Tamara hugged the little girl with great affection. She has never met her before but somehow felt such love and compassion for her.
The little girl was one of over one thousand students that Tamara and the other members of a short-term missions team to El Salvador from Charlottetown met. The team left P.E.I. on June 27 and returned home on July 7.
El Salvador located in Central America is experiencing an epidemic of violence that is destroying the country. Over six homicides were committed in the month of June making it the bloodiest month in the country's history even outstripping the number deaths in a similar period of time during the civil war.
The mission team made up of teenagers and adults worked with an organization in El Salvador called King's Castle, which was founded on a an ideal to offer the children of this broken country hope through the Gospel message of Jesus. Thankfully it is having a dramatic affect on thousands of children and their families.
Children who are initially contacted through outdoor presentations at school or impromptu street gatherings are introduced to the love of Jesus through songs, fun activities and the presentation of the word of God. The children that indicate an interest in learning more or seek spiritual help are followed up with a visit to their home and an invitation to regularly planned discipleship classes.
One of the most unique features about King's castle is that the presenters are all children. We had the honour of watching them so confidently and enthusiastically reach out to their fellow students. It is truly revolutionary in these young lives as they find hope, meaning and place to belong.
One young man shared with us a quote from a boy.
“I could decide to join a gang or I could decide to join God it all depends who gets to me first.” Thank God for King's Castle Ministry and others like it that offering God and his hope to these broken lives.
Thank God also for Islanders that are willing to leave their comfort zone, give of their own time and money to stand with these gospel organizations. Thank God for the hundreds of people who supported the team going through local fundraisers and donations.
Yes there are some very dark places in the world where terrible things, unspeakable things happen daily. However, we have personally witnessed that the darkness cannot resist the light and love will overpower hatred.
The gospel of Christ is still the hope of the world and young Islanders like Tamara, Allie, Jonah, Kayla and Pater are spreading that hope to their generation.