Today was a little less demanding day. This morning we went to Wally's for breakfast like usual, and then we assembled the pastor's buckets that they are going to get tomorrow at the retreat. We bagged beans and rice, and got sugar, soap, oil, and a few other things ready to give to them tomorrow. Our retreat is going to be for about 17 pastor's and their wives tomorrow and our goal is to just encourage them and serve them. After getting the buckets ready, we rode up to Comasagua, El Salvador, about an hours drive from where we are. We got to see the house for the pastor that a previous group from FBC had done. The pastor's house had been hit made a landslide and his bedroom fell off the side of the mountain. He was telling us that it was hard on his family and they asked God why he had allowed it to happen, but now his house is better than it was for him, his wife, and their 7 kids. We got to meet his whole family, play with the kids some--they became friends once we pulled out balls and other toys for them! He took us to the church which is right next door to the house. It has a metal roof and metal sides, but that is it. There is a little pulpit area that has a drum set, piano, and guitar for the worship music. The baptismal pool is right under the pulpit area and is covered mostly by pieces of wood when not being used. In the corner, he had a model of what he visioned the church to look like in the future with another story to the church, making the worship area upstairs and downstairs they would feed children and do other ministry. They hope to have a food place next to the church to help cook food for the children and open it to the community during the week.
We had a chance to talk to the pastor a little, and he and other pastors in the area are struggling a lot. He has been trying to set up a network of pastors to work together, but sometimes it is hard because they are so legalistic about certain religious laws unlike this pastor. He even said that if his wife is wearing pants, they won't talk to her, and if he is wearing cargo pants, they won't talk to him. He is hoping this retreat tomorrow will help them work together more and be encouraged and excited about ministry. He also shared with us that on September 18 they will be feeding 40 kids every week because they have been burdened about the kids in the city who have died from hunger. They aren't quite sure where the money is going to come from, but they know God is calling them to do this and they know that God will provide.
Tomorrow is our final day of ministry before we head back to Wallace. Pray that we have the strength and health to make it through strong and with the same energy we started with. We aren't really sure what to expect tomorrow, so pray the pastors come open to what we have to say and do. Thanks for your prayers!
Lauren
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