Reflections on our Covid Relief "ALL STAR TEAM"
Blog post written by Jenni Ramsey, HHHF Director, McKinney, Texas
“Learn to do right. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” - Isaiah 1:17
Leading a team of volunteers to serve in a third world country in the midst of a global pandemic is no small feat. There were so many “firsts” with this team: Zoom team meetings, PCR Covid tests taken on Christmas Eve, “nail biting” team members anxiously awaiting test results required within 72 hours of travel, Covid exposure policies evolving just days before the trip, mandatory masks, travel restrictions and team members packing insane amounts of hand sanitizer. Yet each volunteer was led by the Holy Spirit to GO despite the challenges they faced to bring the HOPE OF THE GOSPEL to the beautiful people of El Salvador, all of whom struggled immensely in 2020.
Our first team gathering took place at the beach, when the last two team members arrived on our second day. While our beach days typically occur on the final day of our trips, once again, nothing was normal about this week. Due to the strange schedule and our missionaries’ felt needs, it was decided that our beach day would be first. This was a much needed respite for our missionary partners, who were exhausted and beyond grateful for a day of rest. Our team bonded quickly as we shared our hearts and the “God stories” that led us to this significant trip, for we were the first group of Gringos to return to El Salvador to partner with Sus Hijos since the 156 day mandatory government shut downs began in March. My heart overflowed as I witnessed our team members connecting deeply and quickly with our missionary partners and with one another as the sun set over the breathtaking Pacific Ocean.
Two of our team members, college students from CA, had been led to fundraise $4K in order to build a house. They completed this faith-filled fundraising goal just one week before travel, as our missionary partners met the family that they had chosen to receive the house. Celia is a single mom who became a widow when her first husband was killed. She was abandoned by her second husband. Celia and her three precious children greeted our team timidly, but with smiles as the team arrived at their property to begin the construction process. All of the team members were shocked by the heart breaking conditions in which they were living. Celia and her kids were surviving in a makeshift home with dirt floors, corrugated tin and pieces of wood poorly propped together. The team worked incredibly hard despite the pounding heat to build this struggling family a “forever home.” They watched giddily throughout the day with nervous laughter as their prayers were literally answered before their eyes.
Once the furniture was carried into the home, the team began excitedly decorating the space with items lovingly purchased at Walmart. Beds were made, the table was set, a candle was lit, pictures were nailed into the walls, a closet was built and gifts were placed throughout the home. The team was thrilled to gather together with Celia’s family to praise God for this indescribable moment. Many emotional words and scriptures were shared as the house was dedicated and everyone celebrated the amazing moment of anticipation, handing over the key to the new homeowners! When Celia and her kids finally entered their home, all timidness disappeared. They beamed with joy as they jumped on their beds and cherished each item, elated that their dreams had actually come true!
Sus Hijos has participated in a Christmas celebration in a low income community for over ten years. However, this year, the team from the States which usually helps with the party cancelled due to Covid. Upon hearing the sad news about the team canceling, our team raised $6K in one just month, which allowed Sus Hijios to go on with the party! While there were many long nights throughout the week preparing individually wrapped gifts for over 1,000 children, it was all worth it when we saw community members flowing anxiously into the party and the exuberant faces on every child.
This day was filled with so many miracles, including an unusual rainstorm (in the dry season) which allowed temperatures to drop and the dramatic parting of the clouds when the Gospel was shared. It was truly an unforgettable day filled with music, laughter, dancing, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, piñatas, a Gringo Santa Claus, gifts of food and Bibles for families and Christmas presents that were individually purchased from each child’s “wish list.”
“Stop crying and wipe away your tears. There is hope for your future!” - Jeremiah 31:16-17
The team had other opportunities throughout the week to distribute gifts in low income communities and churches, where many unbelievable stories took place. Our team members enjoyed dressing up as Santa, doing face painting, balloons and playing with the kids whenever possible.
We were honored to go door to door in one community to deliver rice, beans, oil, sugar and Bibles to families who have been devastated by the Covid lockdowns. Every family welcomed prayer. Many of their prayer needs were filled with tragedies that pierced our hearts. This was a very exhausting yet emotional experience for me personally. Our group walked for two hours on rocky, village roads and I had come unprepared, wearing flip flops. But my temporary discomfort dissolved when the woman that we met at the last house shared the heart wrenching story of her son, who had disappeared 3 months earlier. She shared her story as she held her grandson in her arms, her eyes filled with tears. This woman of faith, who was a leader in the church, explained that while they had looked in morgues, jails and hillsides with the assistance of the police, they had no idea if they would ever see her son again. They had told her grandson that his dad hadn’t come back from work. We were devastated by this mother’s anguish yet inspired by her faith. We surrounded her, prayed together and wept. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just to listen and to weep with those who weep. Empathy is a powerful gift.
We were so grateful for a second day of rest at the end of the week at Lake Coatepeque, one of my favorite places in all of El Salvador. This day allowed for some down time as a team and helped us to create more special memories with two missionary families. One of our team members purchased lunch for the entire group as well as 3 hours of jet skis rentals, which was a highlight for many team members (some of whom had never been on a jet ski). Lake Coatepeque is a majestic lake nestled inside a volcano crater. The lush, tropical hills and warm, turquoise water are spectacular. We spent this day processing many of the things that the Lord had done in our midst and discussing re-entry challenges as we prepared to head home.
Words can not express how grateful we are for the support that we received from family, friends and churches, including Lighthouse Christian Fellowship in Prosper, TX and Crossroads Community Church in Mission Viejo, CA. The gift from Lighthouse helped our team to provide food and Bibles in two communities. The Crossroads donations allowed our team to feed the homeless four times. These hand delivered dinners consisted of sandwiches, hot dogs and on one occasion, a warm spaghetti meal. The team was greatly impacted by the people that we met while serving on the streets of San Salvador. One team member was so broken when he saw a man running to the truck without shoes that he gave him his very own Nikes, which fit perfectly.
“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” - Bob Piece (founder of World Relief)
Our team was honored to serve at Casa de Gracia y Paz, a wonderful Salvadorian church that always welcomes the Gringos. Sus Hijos had received Christmas gifts for all of the children, which our team wrapped according to their Christmas lists. Some of the team members gathered with the kids to distribute gifts, see Santa and and enjoy a piñata while our son Jordan gave a powerful message on PEACE in the main service. This mama’s heart was so proud! Team members commented on the exuberance of the church as they worshipped and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit. What a morning!
Many people mentioned how impressed they were by the passion and endurance of this team, despite the fact that we were small (just 11 team members). And we had so many people THANK US for coming despite Covid. It was overwhelming at times. We were so grateful to be there, serving alongside them! As we gathered in one of our last team meetings, we spent time affirming one another in the awesome things that we saw the Lord do through each another. There were many tears as words of truth and impartations were given to each team member. We weren’t even sure if there would be a team just a few months ago due to Covid, but God raised up a mighty team! In fact, we named it the ALL STAR TEAM! Every team member worked hard, enduring exhausting, long days, long bus rides and the fullest schedule that we’ve ever had.
We were overjoyed to gather on our last night together with the teenagers who are currently living in the Sus Hijos transition homes. Sus Hijos opened these homes to provide housing, healing and family environments for kids transitioning out of orphanages. These kids are between the ages of 18-20. They learn life skills, receive discipleship and counseling, work in the Sus Hijos restaurants and create exit plans for their futures. Three of the teenagers on our team decided to share their testimonies that night and it was POWERFUL! They were so vulnerable in sharing mistakes from their pasts and how sin had led them into destruction. They shared how their faith empowered them to turn from darkness to light and how Jesus brought hope when they felt completely hopeless. I sat in the back and could feel the Spirit moving as the kids from the transition homes asked personal questions and related to their struggles. One girl stood up, with tears in her eyes, and thanked them for being willing to share. We were told later by a Sus Hijos staff member how deeply this night impacted the kids. For most, it was their first group of Gringos and they were so touched and inspired by how the Lord had moved in the lives on these teens from the States. I could not have been more proud of our team members in that moment!
Please pray for our team as we process all that we experienced. Pray for the people that we met in El Salvador, for Celia and her family, for the children and families who received gifts, for men, women and children living on the streets of San Salvador, for the mother whose son has disappeared and for the pastors and missionaries who continue serving day in very difficult circumstances. We’re so grateful for this amazing Covid relief ALL STAR team, but the real ALL STARS are the missionaries and local leaders who serve on the front lines day after day.
Thank you again for your partnership with our team. We hope to send two teams this summer from July 3-10 and July 10-17. Please reach out if you’re interested in serving with us. We’re also praying about sending another holiday team at the end of the year. The Lord has truly done great things for us and for His people in El Salvador!
“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” - Psalm 126:3