This year’s spring break trip to El Salvador was an unbelievable experience… again. The Christian Medical and Dental Club from Wake Forest University (WFU) took a team of 17 to work in temporary clinics that were set up in three different towns. We were able to see 1,105 patients- a record number for s short-term CFCI team!

In El Chaperno, one of the rural towns in which we worked, the people expressed to us what a blessing it was for them to have access to medical care and medicine. El Chaperno is one of the poorest communities CFCI works with and its medical needs are provided solely by the annual WFU team. It is so empowering to feel the hope we bring to an entire town.

Another town we worked in, Cinquera, is a very high risk, impoverished rural town. There is very little CHristian influence, so CFCI is excited to rbing the word of God to these people through our service to them. The average household income in Cinquera is $2/day with about eight people per household. The children would come to the clinic to play with us and were certain to be there the next day at the same time we said we would be giving toys away.

My experiences working in El Salvador have been such a blessing to my spiritual growth. Thank you for the opportuntity to return this year, and I hope to continue this project throughout the years as we hope for this to become a long standing relationship between Wake Forest University and CFCI- El Salvador.

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The Bendicion de Dios Community Before Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida struck El Salvador on November 8th. Its damage was immense, but hardly a blimp on our TV screens. Natural disasters strike all the time with little thought on our part… BUT when it hits people you know, people you work with, places you’ve been you pay attention. Such was Hurricane Ida…

In the dark Ida hit hard a slum neighborhood called Bendicion de Dios (Blessing of God). This is where Salvadorian CFCI missionaries are involved in Christian community development work. Twenty-somethings Alexis and Jamie, who themselves grew up and escaped poverty, are leading organizing efforts with four followers of Christ who live in Bendicion de Dios. Together they are working to bring the Gospel of Jesus and the love of Jesus to this marginalized squatters community.

So Ida sent a wall of water into Bendicion de Dios, killing 4 people and destroying many houses (a house defined as a 12×20 foot sheet metal shack, dirt floor, compete with no running water). And now, our CFCI missionaries are working on recovery efforts with the followers of Christ in this poor community.

Bendicion de Dios Community After Hurricane Ida

Step One. Bringing in water, rice and beans… still no electricity… cooking done over a fire of scrap wood… not a proper way to cook your rice and beans.

Step Two. Rebuild a dozen families shacks that washed away. Sheet metal and some wood framing are all that is needed.

Step Three. You.

Our Christ Followers on the ground in El Salvador need you… honestly; they need some of the resources you’ve been blessed with… so they can continue providing food and begin to rebuild their community… El Salvador is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and there is no money in any budget for relief… they can only rely on those brothers and sisters who the Lord has blessed with resources to carry their burden… that’s you if the Lord lays in on your heart.

Many of us need a goal, so for $600 we can supply sheet metal and wood framing for one house… If you can’t do a house, can you get a couple friends, your small group Bible study or Sunday school class to buy one? If that is too much, what ever you can give will bless the “Blessings of God” community. Please click here to donate.

This summer we’re organizing construction teams to head for El Salvador and help the community rebuild… if you’d like to be a part of a team, or have your church go, please email anji@cfci.org for details.

Just a few days ago, Hurricane Ida swept the Central America Atlantic coastline and leaving the people of these countries to clean up the aftermath. We heard from CFCI missionary Javier in El Salvador that many people are without food and shelter. Yesterday CFCI missionaries and a church went to give donations of food that they had received from friends and supporters to the Bendicion de Dios neighborhood. Javier said that there is still much to be done as people have lost their houses and need help to get sheets of metal (to remake the houses and roofs) and more food. Please pray for the people in El Salvador and the other Central American countries who were affected by Hurricane Ida. Also, if you would like to help make a donation, please click here.

Blessings,
Anji for the Christ For the City International Team

2009 OPEN TEAMS:

June 8-17: Panama… Put on Children’s Evangelism Festivals: dramas, puppet shows, music, games and teaching.

June 20-29: El Salvador… Work in the  Soccer Training School, an alternative to teens joining gangs, and at a medical clinic located in a poor neighborhood.

June 20-29: Peru… Reach out to the children and neighborhoods of Lima through seminars, dramas, and music.

July 31-Aug. 9: Costa Rica… Spend the mornings helping a local church and the afternoons doing community evangelism.

July 31-Aug. 9: Tijuana, Mexico… Makes repairs to orphanages and local churches. You’ll also show God’s love to a community located in a garbage dump.

CONTACT

If you’re interested in serving on a short-term mission team with Christ for the City, or if you just have a few questions, contact Michaella at michaella@cfci.org.