The past few weeks have brought many blessings in the work here in El Salvador. God has opened doors to ministry that we never knew possible. Following His direction has proven to be both challenging and exciting at the same time.
In May the Lord directed a young lady, Miss Elena Caballero, to visit us for what we thought would be a weekend. She specifically works with the deaf community in the Spanish-speaking world. God saw fit, through what seemed to be adverse circumstances, to keep her with us for 12 days. During those 12 days, she won a deaf lady named Rosa to the Lord. Rosa has been coming to our church for several years. She lip reads and had been coming faithfully, even though we do not have an interpreter.
We were also able to make contact with Nathan, a young deaf man who is a Christian but who has not been attending church for several years because he does not have an interpreter. Nathan introduced us to several of his deaf friends. He has been coming to our church for five weeks and teaching a group of 10 – 12 church members how to communicate in sign language. He has brought his sister to church, who has interpreted for the deaf in two evening services. Last week she was not able to attend, but a young deaf lady named Jazmine came, and after Nathan read the passage I was going to preach from, he just took off and introduced Jazmine to the Saviour. She trusted Christ that night! As far as I know, this is the first time Nathan has actually won someone to Christ. Please pray as we seek God’s leading in having someone come work with us, even if it is temporary, to try and reach the deaf of our city. It is a great need. Please pray that we will act wisely.
We celebrated Mother’s Day on May 15 in our church, and 86 mothers attended. Each mother received a special gift that they enjoyed very much. They received a cupcake and coffee to enjoy between the Sunday school hour and the church service hour. This past Sunday we celebrated Father’s Day, and 33 fathers attended. Several came for the first time, and one accepted Christ as his Saviour. The drastic difference in the attendance on Mother’s Day in comparison to Father’s Day reflects the one-parent family culture here. Very rarely do you find a home where both mother and father are present. Because of this, Father’s Day is sometimes difficult for many of the young people in our church. The man who was saved this last Sunday is the father of one of our young people. She wept with joy to see her Father make this decision. God has been so good!
Please pray, as there are two church-wide activities coming up in August. The first week we have Youth Camp. This year it is a Junior Camp geared toward helping the up-and-coming new youth group in our church, the 11- through 17-year-olds. They are very excited about having a camp for their age bracket.
Toward the end of August, Evangelist Missionary Darrell Ratcliff will be coming to El Salvador and has a goal of preaching to 10,000 people. We are in the process of visiting the public schools and asking for permission to preach to the students during that week. Please pray that we will see many saved during that week.
We are three months away from our annual pastors’ conference. This year, as it was last year, it will be in September. Last year we were honored to host 26 pastors. Please pray for the needs to be met as we plan for this event. Please be in prayer that pastors will come from all over El Salvador to attend this conference and learn how to better reach their cities with the Gospel. The Lord has used these conferences to encourage many men of God in the past.
Another event coming up in August is that Tommy Joel will be leaving to finish high school in Mexico at Mount Hebron Christian Academy. His plans are to attend Bible college in January 2017. Please pray for him as he steps out into this new adventure in his life. Please keep him in your prayers.
We have seen God work mightily in the work here in Santa Ana. I pray you understand that, without your faithful sacrificial giving and faithful prayers for this work, none of this would have been possible. We are humbled each month when we see your support given and receive cards from the members of the churches that support us. We are undeserving servants, but our God is more than deserving of our service. You hold the lifeline for us. Thank you!
Henry Gonzalez
