Category: Blog

Many people ask, “What makes ENLACE different?” While there may be a variety of unique qualities about ENLACE’s methodology and approach, I think a more pertinent question might be “what makes the difference in ENLACE’s ministry?” Every Monday morning at the ENLACE office in San Salvador all of the staff and volunteers come together for a time of prayer followed by a devotional reflection. In January, ENLACE director, Ron Bueno, started the year with a series of devotionals entitled “La Diferencia” or “The Difference.” Over the next few months we’d like to share some of these devotionals with you as Ron explains “La Diferencia” for ENLACE.

David McGee, Director of Communications

Part 2: God’s Spirit in Us

In 2 Kings 4:8-37, we read an amazing story about how the prophet Elisha resurrected a young boy. The story is all the more interesting because the boy had been a gift from God to a generous and kind Shunammite woman. The story tells us that a well-to-do woman invited Elisha to stay for a meal during his travels to and from Shunem. She eventually added on a room to her house for him to stay during his visits. Elisha, out of gratitude, and not upon the request of the barren woman, promised her a son.

The son was born and grew. One day he was working in the fields with his father and complained of a headache. They took the boy home to his mother where he soon died. The mother immediately went to visit Elisha. She told Elisha the news of the boy’s death. Elisha sent his servant, Gehazi, with his staff ahead of them to resurrect the boy. Gehazi placed Elisha’s staff on the boy’s face as he was instructed but nothing happened. Gehazi returned to Elisha to tell him that the boy was still dead.

Elisha then went to the boy himself. The boy was lying dead on his couch. Elisha closed the door and began to pray to the Lord. Then, he got on the bed and stretched his entire body over the boy’s body so that his mouth, eyes, hands were over the boy’s. Incredibly, after a couple of times of lying on the boy’s body and praying, the boy opened his eyes. While this is a breathtaking story, I find myself wondering what made the difference between the actions of Elisha and Gehazi? Why did God answer Elisha’s prayers and not Gehazi’s obedience?

The first and most important part of the answer to this question is that God is sovereign. He heals when He wills it. Second, I think that there is another important answer to these questions which is embedded in the life of Elisha. I believe that God did not answer through the staff used by Gehazi because the staff was merely an object. Even if Elisha had ordered Gehazi to place his staff on the boy’s face it was not the same thing as Elisha being there himself.

I believe that there are two very important applications to this story for our lives and ministries. First and foremost, Elisha lived in the fullness of the Spirit of God. Elisha’s primary desire was to have a double portion of the Spirit of God in his life (2 Kings 2:9). He also gave himself to the call of God on his life (1 Kings 19:20-21), lived in complete integrity (2 Kings 5:15-16) and in the authority of God (2 Kings 3:16-17). Elisha made the difference because God’s Spirit was in him. Likewise, Jesus promises us his Spirit (Luke 24:49) to transform our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:9) and empower us to fulfill God’s purposes (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Ephesians 3:16).

The second application, which stems directly from the first, is that we cannot replace our lives in Christ with any formula, model or ritual. Our lives and ministries depend upon us desiring more than anything in our lives to be in the presence of God and letting God’s Spirit transform and empower us for ministry. We must remember, ministry that makes a difference is only realized through the Spirit of God resting and moving in us, not in the tasks, strategies and programs—no matter how proven they might be. The difference in our lives and ministries is that God’s Spirit is within us.

Many people ask, “What makes ENLACE different?” While there may be a variety of unique qualities about ENLACE’s methodology and approach, I think a more pertinent question might be “what makes the difference in ENLACE’s ministry?” Every Monday morning at the ENLACE office in San Salvador all of the staff and volunteers come together for a time of prayer followed by a devotional reflection. In January, ENLACE director, Ron Bueno, started the year with a series of devotionals entitled “La Diferencia” or “The Difference.” Over the next few months we’d like to share some of these devotionals with you as Ron explains “La Diferencia” for ENLACE.

David McGee, Director of Communications

The Difference: Only God’s Presence before us makes the difference in our lives, families, work and ministry

Several months ago, I attended a missionary retreat where Dr. Byron Klaus spoke from Exodus 33:12-17. The message moved me deeply, but the verse that stuck in mind and heart was verse 15, “Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Over the next few months I reflected upon and prayed about this text. The Lord impressed upon me again that only God’s Presence before us makes the difference in our lives, families, work and ministries.

Moses’ words in Exodus 33:15 are even more meaningful to our lives and ministry when we study them in context. In Chapter 31, Moses is having the most incredible time in the presence of God on Mount Sinai. Chapter 32 begins with the Lord telling him to return to the people of Israel because they had already forgotten who had delivered them from Egypt and were hedging their bets on other gods. Moses becomes angry at seeing that the people had built a golden calf. God threatens to destroy the children of Israel and offers to begin again his plan through Moses. In the most desperate of times, Moses makes a “tent of meetings” to wait on God and intercede for the children of Israel. God agrees to spare the children of Israel and at first offers to send an angel to accompany them on their journey to the Promised Land. But Moses pleas with God to accompany them himself and says,

If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? (Exodus 33:15-16)

At ENLACE, our mission is to equip local churches to transform their communities. For us, community transformation begins and ends with the redeeming work of God to restore people to Him and to each other. As relationships are renewed, the church and community begin to work together to develop sustainable initiatives that reduce poverty and build more hopeful futures. As I studied Exodus 33:15-16, God confirmed in me that community transformation begins and ends with God’s transforming presence in the lives of our staff and the local church community. He called us again to create a space or “tent of meetings” to wait before God privately and as a team to hear God’s plan for his church and community and be guided by his presence to partner with him to fulfill his mission. Our prayer this year is that we might wait for God to guide us and go before us to make the difference in the churches and communities in which we work.

Our 2008 Annual Report is now available.

In 2008 ENLACE’s local church partners grew from 11 to 21 churches impacting 45,000 people through 42 initiatives!

Click here to see the summary of yet another year of God’s faithfulness in El Salvador.

Many of you have been following closely the events related to Project Milagro. Some of you have even had the distinct privilege of meeting Pastor Miguel and working alongside his church and community members as they work towards making a dream come true. For more than 30 years the community has been striving to bring clean water to their community where the average family spends up to 30% of its income during the dry season to buy dirty water from water trucks.

2008 was a year of slow progress as the community struggled to legalize the water board and finalize system plans. Many families began to lose hope and motivation, believing that the project would never become a reality. However, over the past few months a number of amazing events have taken place giving the project the renewed energy it needed to continue forward. Here are just a few of the highlights that are happening now:

ADSA Legalized

After years of pushing for the government to authorize their request, the locally elected water board was officially legalized as a non-profit entity late in 2008. They named their organization ADSA, or Association for Water System Development. The legalization gives ADSA the authority to own and manage the water system for generations to come.

Project Hope Partners with Project Milagro

Every year the Women’s Ministry of the Southern California district in the Assemblies of God take on a project. They call this yearly endeavor “Project Hope.” In 2009 Project Hope selected Project Milagro as their yearly project.

 Watch the video.

 ANDA gets involved

On February 3, 2009 a potable water association funded by the Salvadoran government, ANDA, signed a crucial agreement with ENLACE and Project Milagro’s water board, ADSA. ANDA agree to provide more than $130,000 in materials for the first stage of the distribution system.

Watch the video.

Mile-Long Ditch Dug by One HundredVolunteers

 On March 2, more than a hundred volunteers showed up to begin the excavation for the piping to be laid on the first stage of the distribution system. More than 80 volunteers are showing up everyday until the first stage of the piping is complete.In less than three weeks the volunteershave dug a ditch nearly one mile long and five feet deep, outlasting and outdigging the excavator provided by ANDA. The community has never been more committed or motivated to make the miracle happen.

Watch the video. See Picture Gallery.

 JOIN THE MIRACLE!

Now is more exciting than ever to get involved. There is still a long way to go to complete the project and we still need your help to make it happen.

A $500 donation brings water to an entire family for generations to come. Or commit to setting up an automatic payment of $50 /per month for 10 months by clicking here.

Another historic day for Project Milagro! On March 2, more than 100 volunteers gathered to begin the excavation for the piping of the distribution system. More than 65 volunteers will work every day until the first stage of the piping is complete. The community is extremely motivated and excited to get the first stage of  piping underway.

Note: If you are having trouble viewing the video hit “play” and then “pause” to allow the video to load fully.  

Click here to see a picture gallery from the first day of excavation.  

This Sunday El Salvador will go to the polls to elect a new president. Please pray with us that the elections are transparent, fair and void of violence. There has been significant tension leading up to this election as this is the first time since the civil war that an opposing party has lead in the preliminary polls. No leftist politician has ever secured the presidency and regardless of who wins, leaders will face many challenges ahead. Read and hear more about the elections from the following organizations.

BBC

NPR (Mar 11)

NPR (Feb 23)

Washington Post 

This year’s team from Faith Chapel San Diego came ready to work, and work they did! On this, their third trip to El Salvador, most of the team worked many long, hard hours paving a dirt street using heavy rocks and cement. Another part of the group provided dental assistance at various area churches. About half of the team had been to El Salvador before. The other half was comprised of new visitors.

     Among these new members was Rose Necoechea, a dental assistant. She and her husband, Alfredo, dedicated the trip to the memory of their son, a dentist who provided care in the same area in 2007. Mark passed away in 2008 due to brain cancer. To see and work in this area of the world that had such an amazing influence on Mark’s life, was something extremely special to Rose. When a community member, who had been working alongside the team all week, expressed his gratitude at a farewell gathering, it was Rose who felt humbled. He compared their service to the community as following the model that Jesus showed us when he came into the world to serve.

     “It turns out that working on road construction and giving dental assistance was just a small part of the trip,” Rose said. “This was more than a trip. This was a life changing experience.”

The week of February 9 a group from the Orange County Chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA came to visit El Salvador with 2 geologists and 4 engineers. They spent a week near the community of Las Delicias in San Martin helping Project Milagro. Michelle Guarde, the team leader, came to El Salvador in 2008 with a team from Terra Nova Church in Tustin California and felt motivated to get Engineers Without Boarders involved.

The team of engineers and geologists were able to offer input on the project design as well as take health surveys, soil samples, and preliminary water samples of the new well. They interviewed public school directors, the nutritional center director as well as many women in the area. They returned to the U.S. with the goal of raising the $20,000 necessary to build the final tank in the system and return to El Salvador this summer to continue working on the project.

The arrival of the group marks yet another small miracle for the people of the Las Delicias area. These small “milagros” are building off of each other to help make Project Milagro a reality and bring clean water to 10,000 people for the first time.

engineers taking soil samples

A prayerful life is one that seeks God’s presence daily, one that takes Jesus’ words seriously that we should “ask,” “seek,” “knock.” It’s rather amazing that God gives us this possibility—to be in His presence just by seeking Him, revealing to us His will and then not only hearing our requests but honoring them, as well.

I’m constantly surprised that the act of bowing my head, or raising my hands, or falling on my knees before God opens up the possibility that God might visit me, might be present in my own present, and is actively awaiting my requests.

If God has shown us anything here at ENLACE, it has been the importance of prayer. Over the years, ENLACE has grown from a small ragtag group to a slightly bigger, more organized ragtag group. We are currently helping 23 rural Salvadoran churches reach out to tens of thousands of people. Yet every day we become more and more aware that without God’s presence going before us, nothing is worth the effort.

We know God desires wholeness for those around us struggling daily for water, bread, peace, and yet He asks us to pray for change. God must be present in our present in order for meaningful change to happen.

Join us at ENLACE as we join thousands of others around the world in the Global Poverty Prayer Week 2009 hosted by Tearfund International from February 23 through March1. Join us as we seek God together to end the ravages of poverty in our world.

To find out more about this powerful week, watch this video.

You can also post your prayer to end poverty on the global prayermap.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened. (Matthew 7.7-8)