Family Radio Mission to San Salvador, El Salvador
March 5th - 25th, 2008
LETTER #1
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
Saturday, March 15, 2008. Our group of 22 “Ambassadors for Christ” (11 men and 11 women) from various parts of the US and Holland has arrived in San Salvador , El Salvador on another Family Radio trip.
We plan to proclaim the True Gospel of Christ to the people here during the next nine days by distributing over 200,000 Does God Love You? tracts in the Spanish language, some Spanish Bibles (a King James equivalent), and many booklets and CDs of Family Radio Bible teaching materials in Spanish.
The tracts, which were at our hotel upon our arrival, have been printed locally and contain 1. the current Family Radio broadcasting schedules for this area, 2. School of the Bible information (which offers free correspondence courses in English and Spanish), and 3. a reference to the multilingual website. The Bibles have been purchased locally as well, and the missionaries brought in the FR teaching materials as checked luggage.
El Salvador is located on the Pacific coast of Central America . It is bounded by Guatemala on the northwest, Honduras on the north and east, and the Pacific Ocean on the south. Its population is currently estimated at 6.9 million; and over 2 million people live in and around the capital city of San Salvador , which is centrally located near the coast.
About 90% of the population are the Mestizos [mes TEE sos], who are of mixed Spanish and AmerIndian descent. The indigenous AmerIndians account for about 5%, and the remaining 5% are mainly Spanish and a variety of other ethnic groups. Spanish is the principal language, and the literacy rate is over 70% for people aged 15 and over. Christianity is the major religion, and nearly 95% of the people identify with the Roman Catholic church.
Our visit has been planned to coincide with the annual Holy Week festivities prior to and including Easter Sunday. This event draws many celebrants who come from all over the San Salvador area and other parts of the country to parade in the center of the city near the Roman Catholic cathedral, which is a national monument.
Though ten of the ambassadors did not receive their luggage, this did not dampen their enthusiam as we all look forward to sharing the Gospel of Christ with the people of El Salvador , and we pray that God will open the spiritual eyes of many to the true meaning of Christ’s atoning work at the Cross.
“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” (Acts 10:42)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #2
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Sunday, March 16, 2008.
Today is the Lord's day and we feel very blessed for the privilege to engage in the wonderful act of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of El Salvador, to His praise and glory. After a short meeting to discuss the logistics of our distribution efforts here, six teams were assigned and sent out the various parts of the city one team went to the Mercado Central in the epicenter of the city, three teams covered the churches in and around the city, one being a Pentecostal mega church with over 10,000 members. Another team worked at the Oriental Bus Station, while the remaining team traveled to the Playa del Sol beach which is about an hour away from our hotel.
The team that visited the beach reported that they had a very good day of distribution. The beach was very crowded and stretched for many miles and the people traveled there by the busloads as well as by cars and minivans, from the barrios along the route, and were just out for a family day of fun. Even though they were eating and drinking and enjoying all the beach activity, yet they graciously received the tracts, interrupting whatever they were doing, and many were responded with "God Bless You". As one team member approached an elderly lady and her daughter, the elderly lady said, as she read his cap "O, Family Radio". Then the daughter stated that her mother was listening to Family Radio for 22 years and that she is very appreciative of what she has learned from the teachings that she heard during this time. A security guard had received a tract and read it and asked for "Time Has An End" but we did not take the book with us; however, he received a Bible for which he was very pleased. Our taxi driver took us to many points along the beach, some of which were private so we could not get in, but the public areas provided us with fruitful distribution and we thank the Lord for many opportunities to witness His precious word to these dear people.
The team that went to Mercado Central, the largest market in the city reports that their taxi driver dropped them off at the beginning point for the open air market, and where bus loads of people exited to begin the day's shopping. Two team members remained at that location, while the other two walked down to one of the entrances to the market. They asked the security guard if they could distribute at the entrance and by God's grace, permission was easily granted. One ambassador stayed at the entrance and shared with the droves of people entering and exiting, all accepting with smiles and thank yous. The other ambassador went into the market and distributed to the many vendors and also had opportunity to witness to the people, she being fluent in the Spanish language. At the location where the buses let off the people one of the team members would get on and distribute to those that remained on the bus. After being at this location for a while, a man (Rafael is his name) came to the team leader and after a little discussion (he knew some English) stated that he wanted some tracts to help distribute. The team leader asked him if he read the tract he had received and if he agreed with the message. He replied "yes" to both questions, so the team leader tested him with one bundle. He walked along with the team member for a little and distributed and then he took off. Later, the team leader ran into Rafael and he wanted more tracts so he was given another bundle. He was very poor man but very excited to share the gospel. The team leader asked him if he needed any food but he said no. We pray that God would adopt this poor man into His kingdom where he could obtain the spiritual blessings that each of us need.
The teams that went to the churches stated that though in a few instances they had a slow beginning, the pace picked up as the day progressed and they were able to distribute thousands of tracts with no hostility from the people, not even from the people at the mega church and they were thankful for the open door to share the true gospel with these dear people.
Overall the reception was excellent, with very few refusals and the discard rate was practically zero. The people were very friendly, with not an angry word from anyone. One team even commented on the warm hearted nature of the people in that they were given a bag of oranges while they took a break from their distribution. Many were reading intently and were very keen about receiving additional information. We thank the Lord for a very productive beginning to sharing the words of life to the people of this city.
“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,” (Ephesians 6:19)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #3
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” (Revelation 14:6)
Monday, March 17, 2008. Today is our first full day on the mission field and the teams again spread out to areas in downtown San Salvador and a little beyond and reports of the day's activities are as follows:
One team returned to the Mercado Central and had a very productive morning with the hordes of people going about their shopping and other activities of the day. They emptied their backpacks and returned to the hotel for a short lunch break and to refill. The taxi driver took another route to the Market, but because this market is so enormous, we did not return to the site where the buses unloaded their passengers, but to the National Palace where there were just as many people so the team leader said, "let us get off here." Many of people at this location were homeless and lined the steps of the palace. Everyone took a tract, many sitting reading attentively. Beside the homeless, there was a steady flow of traffic as given that it was approaching the end of the work day and people were returning to their residences. They too were receptive to the tracts, as were the many security guards who were very cordial. A little later, after receiving and reading the tract, one of the guards came and thanked the team member who then gave him a Bible, which he gladly accepted. When this guard returned to his post and showed his colleagues his precious gift, a second guard came running, excited to receive his Bible as well. May these guards be spiritually nourished as they partake of the rich food of God's Word.
Another team was assigned to the Apoga Central Market which is about 15 miles outside of San Salvador. Two members took bundles of tracts to a bus stop where there was an overwhelming number of people. They entered the buses by both the front and rear doors so as to reach and distribute to everyone within. This pattern continued for a while, then when the team leader entered one of the buses and gave the driver a tract (as he normally did), the bus took off with the team leader inside and his fellow ambassador outside, anxious that her leader is gone. But, all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28) because the team leader was carried only about a half mile away when the bus driver stopped and let him off, and as he walked back, the team leader was able to distribute tracts to many people along the way who would not have received a tract, had this incident not occurred. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.
One team reports: We went to Soya Panga, an area about 20 minutes from the hotel. The taxi driver dropped us off at a huge bus station where there were many street vendors and much foot traffic feeding the overpass that led to the entrance to a busy shopping mall. This provided a grand opportunity for us to reach the people before they got into the mall so that it was not necessary to have to seek (and perhaps be denied) permission to enter the mall Our distribution went at a rapid pace with great reception. As we were finishing up our tract load, an elderly lady, displaying visible evidence that she had none of this world's goods, came over to a team member and humbly asked: "Can I have a New Testament Bible?" Given that it this was at the tail end of the day's distribution, this team member did not have any Bibles, but by God's providence, another team member had one Bible remaining and so this dear old lady received more than she asked for. She got a whole Bible (Old and New Testament). During the day's activities, one team member saw two employees from our Hotel who serve us at dinner. We pray that their seeing us sharing the tracts, would testify that we love them and care for the spiritual well being of their countrymen.
Yet another team went to Santa Tecla, a town located at the foot of one of the many volcanos of El Salvador. The bus ride was about 35 minutes from our hotel and we told the bus driver that we wanted to get off at a location in the town where there were "mucha gente (HENTE)" many people. He dropped us off at a large park with many stores, street vendors and a gigantic market around its perimeter. The steady flow of passengers from the many buses, taxis and minivans, and foot traffic entering and exiting the park, provided fertile distribution opportunities and our tract load was diminishing at a rapid pace, by God's grace. We had displayed the many FR teaching materials and booklets in a suitcase near the park where we were working and the people were wonderfully receptive to them. On about six occasions when a team member was giving a tract to a vendor, it was a wonderful sight to see the vendor reading his/her Bible. Also in the late afternoon when we were about to leave, we met a man who said that he had been listening to Family Radio for some time and we were pleased to hear that he listens to the broadcast on the AM dial. Thanks be to God, we finished our entire tract load and the scores of FR materials, and with the pedestrian traffic alone (we did not even go into the market). We were told that the Market would be at its busiest on Thursday, since it would be closed on Friday and Saturday for the holiday celebration, thus a return to this city is definitely in our distribution plans.
Because of the excellent reception (about 95%) today we ordered an additional 25,000 tracts, receipt of which is anticipated for Wednesday, given that the printer will be away on vacation. Also the group leader was able to visit with a FR listener who had made contact with the Spanish Department of Family Radio in Oakland and had indicated that he will assist the mission group while here in El Salvador. Through his efforts were we able to rent a van at a less expensive rate, so that we could travel to many distant areas and blanket the country with the true gospel of Salvation.
After a long day in about 85 degree weather, we were glad to retire so as get an early start tomorrow. We thank the Lord for his mercies and we covet your prayers for the strength to continue this spiritually gratifying work of serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #4
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008. With our strength renewed after a restful night's sleep by God's mercy, we embraced the new day, thankful for another opportunity to share the words of life with the people of El Salvador. As is customary on the mission trips we like to travel to the far away cities and to that end, three teams visited the cities of Zapatecoluca (ZA PA TEY COLOOCA), Usulutan (U SU LU TAN), and San Miguel which were one, two, and three hours away, respectively, from San Salvador. The remaining three teams stayed within the city limits, one visiting hospitals, one returning to the Mercado Central where there is a steady turnover of people in preparation for the Holy Week festivities, and the other team visiting a large mall in the city center.
While on the way to the ZA PA TEY COLOOCA, the first stop on the long distance assignments, our FR listener contact (Joel Padilla), who traveled with us called up two of his friends, who were locals of that town, to assist the team in the distribution there. We stopped at the Cathedral in the center of the town, with the Central Market only a stone's throw away. The two locals were already there when we got to the town, and lo and behold, one of the two men (Emanuel) had worked with the mission team from the Alameda Fellowship, who had visited El Salvador about eight years ago. Emanuel, who had remembered one of the female team members, was very excited, was grateful that FR had returned to his town and stated that he still listens to Family Radio.
One team remained there (while the other teams proceeded to the other two towns), and this is their report. The market place was very conducive to our distribution efforts, with hundreds upon hundreds of people (shoppers and vendors) in the market and on the streets. Again there were very few refusals and in no time the supply of Bibles and FR teaching materials was exhausted. One man, upon receiving a tract, was very broken and the team member told him about the need for a "neuvo corazon" (a new heart). He started crying and praying with anguish to the Lord. The team member asked him if he had a Bible, and he said no he did not have a Bible but he could read. He was given a Bible and the team member pointed him to Ezekiel 36:25 28, but not knowing the language he could not effectively witness to the man (Guillermo), but providentially, the team's local helper arrived that very moment, and read the verses to Guillermo, who was very thril led to receive God's precious word the Bible. The team also visited a hospital and while two of the team members were taking a break, they shared a tract with an x ray technician who had just returned from lunch. The man asked what church were they with and one ambassador responded that we are not affiliated with any church or denomination, that the Bible was their only authority and showed him on the tract where it addressed the end of the church age. The ambassador also told the man about 2011 being the end of time and the Lord's return and he became more interested. While explaining to the man about contacting Family Radio for a copy, with joy, the ambassador discovered that she had the team's last copy of the book in her back pack. May it be that this man's interest would develop into repentance unto Salvation, by God's mercy.
The other two teams went on to their towns and a friend of our FR listener contact worked with the team in the second town. In each town the markets aided greatly in the distribution of the true gospel of Salvation which many would have been receiving for the first time. The team with the San Miguel assignment had the least amount of distribution time, this being the last stop. However, though we were able to stay only three hours in this town, the hundreds of people, coupled with the continued excellent reception rate, greatly facilitated our efforts and the booklets and Bibles went like hot cakes. Also, on our return journey to pick up the teams at the second and first towns, we were delayed because of road construction along the route, but this was to our benefit and God's glory, because we were able to share tracts with the construction workers and the drivers and passengers of the cars, buses and trucks who were waiting to pass by. By God's grace, one team member distributed to an entire busload of passengers, who would not have otherwise received the True gospel of Salvation, had we not been delayed. While talking with our van driver (a woman) she indicated that she was a university graduate, and that she had driven a lot of mission groups, but had never seen a group as dedicated to sharing only the Word of God, as was our group, and she was also amazed at the fact that we were not representing any church organization. We are thankful that by God's enabling, we, as unprofitable servants, can be such a marvelous testimony to His glorious name and we pray that the Lord would have mercy on our van driver, and many others in the distant towns that we have visited, before His wrath to come.
The teams that stayed within the city limits also reported continued excellent reception and how remarkably warm, friendly, and humble the people are. Of course there are incidents that tug at one's heart strings, while simultaneously giving opportunity for praising God. Here is a case in point: An ambassador states that as he was distributing tracts around the Central Market area, there came along a man with no arms, and prosthetic limbs. As he was about to place the tract in the man's shirt pocket, he realized that the man wanted to read the tract, so the ambassador held the tract in such a way that the man's robotic hand could clamp on to the tract. Having accomplished this, the man started reading the tract. What a wonderful blessing. May it be that this is one of God's lost sheep being gathered into the fold.
Though tired from a hard day's work (and a long drive for some),we were reinvigorated by the fact that the luggage for nine of our ambassadors have finally arrived (after four days) and was waiting in their rooms. Thanks be to God for His manifold blessings. In addition, with our Bibles being distributed at such a rapid pace, we are thankful that we were able to purchase an additional 240 bibles, even though the Bible Society (the customary source of supply), is closed for business during the holiday festivities. We are also grateful to the many FR listeners who contribute to the purchase of these Bibles, for it is a marvelous moment when we see the sincere delight in the faces of the recipients of this precious book the words of which are directly from the mouth of God.
Brethren, we covet your prayers for us and for these dear people.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #5
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Again today three teams were sent out to cities that were one and two hours drive east of San Salvador. One team stopped in Cojutepeque (CO HOO TEY PAY KAY) and the other two teams went on to San Vincente. The remaining teams conducted their distribution efforts in the downtown area, which included the Occidental Bus Station, the Mercado Central (Central Market), and the Metro Central Mall complex across the street from our hotel.
The team with the Central Market detail reported that at the market place there were hordes of shoppers, purchasing everything from beans to bicycles in preparation for the week's celebrations which really gets underway from Thursday, with the grand finale on Sunday. At the large Cathedral located in close proximity of the Central Market a loudspeaker was blasting out a charismatic sermon, but the vendors and shoppers seemed oblivious to the preacher, yet this did not prevent them from accepting the tracts with the same warm and friendly demeanor. Praise the Lord that he blocked these people's ears to the preacher's rantings in tongues, so that they could receive the words of truth told by the tracts, the many FR teaching booklets and the 15 Bibles that they received.
On our first day of distribution, a team returning from an assignment in another location in the downtown area had stopped by the Metro Central (an upscale mall complex obliquely opposite our hotel, with two large cinemas, restaurants for fine dining, and where there is no lack of designer clothing and other purchases that cater to the one's epicurean tastes). By God's providence, upon requesting, we received permission to share the true gospel with the shoppers and visitors, at any time during our stay in the city. So, today, this mall was the assignment for one team and they report as follows:
Upon entering the mall an elderly gentleman notices the team's "Does God Love You?" T Shirts and he said, "we are so happy that you are visiting this country". As we get closer to Thursday, the crowds are much larger because for three days practically all commerce would be at a standstill for the holiday. Indeed this greatly facilitates our efforts as we see the steady reception pace continue. While at the location, one team member was approached by a young man who had earlier received a tract, and he asked "How did all this world happen?"; the team member responded "it was created". He asked: When? and 13,000 years ago, based on biblical information, was the reply. Another question: "How do you know that the church age has ended?" Response: Based on information God has revealed in His word in these last days. Then he said: "If that is the case, where do we worship God?" The ambassador told this young man that worship is a direct and personal relationship between that person and God, and the ambassador directed him to the FR website where he could find detailed information and she encouraged him to sign up for the FR School of the Bible. May it be that God is merciful to this young man, who seems to be very curious about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another team member encountered two brothers who readily accepted the tracts and were interested to learn more about the truths declared therein God's judgment on the church and the world and Christ's soon return. The ambassador witnessed with these two brothers who were happy to exchange e mail addresses so that they could communicate with the ambassador if they had questions in the future. Two ambassadors were on a lunch break and at their dining table were two young ladies, who when asked if they had received a tract, replied: "Yes, in Zacatecoluca (ZA CA TEY COLOOCA)" this was the town an hour's drive south of San Salvador, which a team visited yesterday. This shows that God's word is reaching far and wide in this country. Thanks be to God. On the way back from a park community that the team also visited, many families that were picnicking there were seen intently reading the tracts, in one instance there was a family around the table and one daughter (about 10 years old) was reading the tract to the family. What an encouraging sight. We pray that a great harvest would result from our efforts here.
The Occidental Bus Station was a hive of activity with the buses letting off and picking up passengers practically every two minutes. The team more or less concentrated their distribution efforts with the departing buses so that the precious gospel would reach the outlying villages and towns where these people reside. Wanting to cover as many locations in this huge downtown area, the team went on to the Hyper Mall at another end of the city; but because of the very high security in the Mall complex, they were able to distribute the tracts for only a few minutes, when they were stopped. And, they could not continue because the personnel that might have provided permission were on vacation for the holiday festivities. Undaunted, the team went to the Metro Central Mall, where, a few days ago, we had gotten permission to distribute our tracts and other materials at any time during our stay. They finished their tract load at this Mall, and the reception remained at the same steady rate, despite the fact that it is now four days that the mission has been conducting its distribution efforts in this area.
The first stop on the van drive to the outlying areas was the town of San Pedro within the municipality of Cojutepeque (CO HOO TEY PAY KAY). One team disembarked and the other two teams went on to San Vincente. In San Pedro there was a large outdoor market in front of a church where a mass was in progress, so we were right on time to share the true gospel with the parishioners as they were leaving (which was only a few minutes after we arrived at the location). With the marvelous reception of the tracts, our distribution finished within three hours. Three little girls about 4 or 5 years old stayed with the team and picked up any discarded tracts and we redistributed them. One ambassador met a man who had lived in the US for fifteen years and he stated that since he came back to El Salvador he has been listening to Family Radio every morning. He was truly excited to see the tracts and materials in his country and remarked that this indeed is a small world. He also said that in his years of listening he has learned a lot from Family Radio. May it be that this man would be amongst those who the Lord would raise up to continue the work that we have started here in El Salvador.
The two remaining teams went on to the municipality of San Vincente were dropped off right in the heart of the large market. On entering the town we had seen a very large gathering at the public square, right in front of the Cathedral, a perfect target for sharing the tracts. Two ambassadors of one team got situated at two funnel points outside the market area to capture the hordes of people entering and exiting the market, and they also shared with the vendors outside, while the other team went through the whole market area, distributing to as many as willing accepted the tracts. Two ambassadors went to the back of the Cathedral to capture that crowd. It turns out that the church was having a dress rehearsal of the reenactment of the Crucifixion, the performance of which would be in full force on Friday. These people were able to receive the tracts and other materials, and of course Bibles, that would point them to the truth about the Crucifixion and Christ's atoning work on the Cross of Calvary for His people. In addition to the gathering at the Cathedral, there were three long lines with hundreds of people who were participating in coupon redemption activity. Of course, since in our line of work we are always attracted to crowds, this provided ample opportunity share the gospel that allows for the redemption of sins, in accordance with God's will. So huge was the crowd at this event, that the hundreds of tracts that the two ambassadors took were exhausted within an hour. So they returned to get some more tracts from the van, to return to the Cathedral, but by that time the crowd had dispersed. Given, the time constraints, and the fact that the people were on a siesta break, we were not able to finish our tract load in San Vincente, however, with the many people that received the tracts, the town would not be the same again. We went back to Zacatecoluca (ZA CA TEY COLOOCA) and was able to finish off our tract load there, as the people there returned from their siesta break. We pray that many of the people of these two towns, that would have received the true gospel for the first time, would be included in the great multitude that is being harvested during these latter days. Also we thank the Family Radio listening audience for their continued prayers for these dear people of El Salvador.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:35)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #6
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)
Thursday, March 20, 2008. Going in the strength of the Lord, we continued sharing the gospel of Salvation maintaining a presence in the downtown area of San Salvador, as well as visiting other towns and municipalities outside of the capital.
One team made a return trip to the town of Santa Tecla, specifically to visit the large market there, given the fact that today is its busiest, since it is the last shopping day before the holiday. The crowds at this location confirm that the people are very serious and committed to the Holy Week celebration and its attendant revelry, but in the midst of all this there are many who exhibit a great curiosity and hunger for the words of eternal life. The team reports a few events that clearly show God's hand of mercy on the people of this country.
One ambassador had given a tract to a macho looking guard wearing a large shotgun across his chest, his demeanor bespeaking the fact that he could not be easily swayed. Surprisingly, he took the tract, read it a little and then moved on. The ambassador continued working and a few minutes later another team member encountered the same guard and gave him a tract (not knowing that he had already received one). He took that as well and started asking questions about what he had read, but she, not knowing the language, beckoned to her Spanish speaking team mate, who started witnessing to this young man. She told him about everyone needing Salvation which is found only in Christ, sensing the strong need in this man and praying that the Lord was drawing him. She asked him if he was given a Bible would he read it. He was wavering a little, trying to keep his macho image, in front of the people that had gathered around. Providentially, the ambassador was in possession of the team´s last Bible and she held it up to the guard, quoting scriptures to him and looking him in the eyes. She could see tears welling up in his eyes, but he still held his ground, not wanting to break. She told him that Santa Biblia (the Holy Bible) has all the answers and that he should beseech God for mercy and for a one on one relationship with Him. He reached for the Bible, wanting desperately to satisfy his hunger for the God's Word of truth to mankind. The ambassador told him to read it and, seeming finally broken, he said: "I will". We pray that this man´s macho image would be replaced with fear and deep humility, as God gives him a heart of flesh, in accordance with His will.
In another incident, this same ambassador saw a mother and her daughter (about sixteen years old) sitting together with the Bible open. The ambassador remarked: I see you have received one of our Bibles. She responded: "Yes, I do, but I do not know where to start reading." The ambassador conversed with the woman in Spanish, suggesting that she could start in the Old Testament with the Book of Psalms, reading one Psalm a day which would allow her to finish reading the 150 Psalms in three months. For the New Testament, the ambassador suggested the Gospel of John. Immediately upon receiving these suggestions, the mother told the daughter: "OK start reading to me." Either the mother could not read, or she did not have glasses to do so, nevertheless, this woman was overwhelming thankful for the precious gift of God's word.
This team reports yet another gratifying incident: We had depleted all our tracts and Bibles and had only a few FR teaching booklets, including 'I Hope God Would Save Me' and 'What Is The True Gospel?' At the Bus Station, still busy with people on their homeward journey, the ambassador stood outside the bus, holding up a booklet for the passengers to read, stirring their curiosity and waiting to see who would reach out to take the literature. She went alongside the first bus (on the outside), booklet held high and when she got to the end a man grabbed the booklet out of her hand. The pattern continued for about five buses, with the same response. Then she went over to a waiting area where some young people were sitting, awaiting their transportation. She continued the action, showing the booklet and walking from one end of the stand to the next. One young man was intently watching and reading the cover of the booklet and the ambassador asked: "Do you want it?" He said yes and pulled it out of her hand. The same thing was done with another teenager. May it be that the Lord would do a mighty work of grace in the hearts of these dear people.
Three teams again drove to the outlying towns, the first stop being Quezaltepeque (QUE SAL TEY PEH KAY), then Santa Ana, and Chalchuapa (CHAL CHOO APA), the last stop, which is about two hours and 90 kilometers west of San Salvador.
Quezaltepeque (QUE SAL TEY PEH KAY), is a quaint old town where rickshaws are the mode of transportation. In all the towns we have visited on the trip, there is the ubiquitous large market and the town Cathedral, and this town was no different. The team's distribution went very well in the market, with the outside vendors, and around the Cathedral where the shoppers had gathered to listen to the chantings of the priest. The pastor, after concluding his session, came over to an ambassador and gladly accepted the tract that was offered. He then asked the ambassador for a Bible, but the ambassador, thinking that as a pastor he should have a bible, instead gave him the books "End of the Church Age"and "Open Forum", which surprisingly, he accepted. May this pastor's heart be opened to the true gospel, as God purposes. The team finished their tracts in under three hours with the high reception rate maintained. On the way out to see if they could find a taxi to return to the hotel they stopped at a coconut vendor who was conducting his business right in front of his house. They shared tracts and the last couple of teaching booklets with the man, his wife and two daughters. While quenching their thirst with the coconut's refreshing juice, they saw the family sitting around the house, intently reading the tracts. Our Spanish speaking ambassador witnessed with the family and learned that they were very knowledgeable about the Bible and they expressed how appreciative they were that the team had come to their quaint little town to bring the message of peace to its inhabitants. During the conversation, she noted that the town had no taxis, but by God's grace the man graciously offered to take them back to the hotel, in his old dilapidated car. We pray God's blessings on this family, and also the people of this town.
Santa Ana is the second largest city in El Salvador, and is its major processing center for Salvadorian coffee. There is also a large Hydro electric power station and two huge markets. The team worked the market and the streets sharing the words of life and the FR booklets with the vendors and shoppers. They continued on to the public park and the Cathedral, distributing to the street vendors along the way. One ambassador met a young man who said he went to high school in Los Angeles and who remarked sadly that the people are too entrenched in signs and wonders. He said that even his family was trapped in that false gospel and he wondered how he could make them see the truth. The ambassador told him that only God could make them see the truth and that he should pray for God's mercy for himself and his family.
We thank the Lord for the Salvadorians' continued warm acceptance of the tracts (over 90%), and the minimal discard rate. Again we seek your prayers for the people of this country, that God would be merciful to many, before the wrath to come.
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #7
“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.” (Isaiah 66:15)
Friday, March 21, 2008. Today the Salvadorians celebrate Good Friday, and the Lord woke us up to a glorious day that undoubtedly confirms Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork". Again, wanting the mission's presence to be maintained in the downtown area where most of today's religious activities would take place, three teams were assigned to work at the two Cathedrals in the city center.
The actual Holy Week celebration commences today, and we see the solemnity of the re enactment of the Crucifixion juxtaposed against the backdrop of the revelry of clowns dancing and gyrating to a secular beat, stereos blaring the music of the world, and vendors displaying their raunchy wares (including x rated DVDs). Undaunted, the ambassadors shared with these dear people, the true gospel of Salvation, that we pray would give them a hatred for the world and its daily blandishments. During the time at the location, there was a procession where they displayed the statue of Jesus Christ bearing the Cross. The people carrying the statue were attired in purple gowns and their faces were covered with purple hoods while they collected offerings from the public (hundreds upon hundreds of people). One man followed the procession on his knees, as a sign of penance, while others showed reverence to the statue (certainly not God glorifying). So fruitful were our distribution efforts at this location that we reloaded and returned.
Two teams went to the town of Sonsonate (SON SO NAH TEE), one of the busiest manufacturing towns in El Salvador, where the products include mats, baskets, shoes, sugar and cotton clothing. Though many towns and villages have a mini rendition of the reenactment of the Crucifixion, the town of Sonsonate (SON SO NAH TEE) has a large scale production. We got to the location about an hour before the noon time celebration so we worked the market, street vendors, and with the pedestrian and vehicular traffic making their way to the town's central square to participate in the day's religious activity.
Even though the people of this town are died in the wool Catholics, very serious about their faith, they provided a fertile ground for the true gospel to penetrate, because almost everyone was taking and reading the tracts. When the time came for the religious observance, the people, dressed in purple (signifying royalty) and white (picturing purity) processed from the Cathedral to the Municipal Building (which was also decorated with purple and white drapery). Twenty men (ten on each side) carried a large and heavy Cross with the statue of Jesus and though there hands were pretty much occupied with the task at hand, nevertheless, they accepted the tracts, an ambassador even tucking them in the men's waistband. They congregated in the circle and those whom we were not able to reach along the procession route, were reached around the circle. The many guards and police were very accommodating, they did not bother us and they warmly accepted the tracts and even asked for and received bibles. Within three hours in this city, our entire tract load of about 20,000 tracts was exhausted, and we even reused the discards, which surprisingly, were minimal compared to the thousands that we shared.
While waiting for the team that had traveled on to Puerto de Acajulta (ACA HUL TAH), team member was sitting on the park bench beside a man to whom she gave one of the discarded tracts. He read the entire tract and then got up and walked away, leaving the tract behind. The ambassador, thinking that he forgot it ran to give it to him. When she caught up with him, to give the tract back to him, he said angrily: "I am Catholic", indicating that he was did not believe what he read. Another ambassador was sitting besides a man who was intently reading the ambassador's T Shirt. The ambassador sensed the man's interest but did not have a tract to give him. At that very moment the ambassador who was rebuffed by the man spoken of earlier, returned with the tract in hand and it was offered to this other man who gladly received it. This confirms the Scripture that the gospel is a savor of death unto death and life unto life (2 Corinthians 2:15 16) and evidences the fact that the DGLY tract has a life of its own.
In another instance a street vendor, who had earlier received a tract, approached an ambassador and requested a bible. He was indeed appreciative, holding up the Bible and more than once, shouting: Muchas Gracias (thank you very much). It is indeed a great joy to see the sincere gratitude of these dear people when they receive the bible the living Word of God, and we are very thankful that it is with the financial contribution of the FR listeners that we are able to have this precious gift to give to many that are hungry for a relationship with God.
Yesterday two members of the group were ill (perhaps from something they ate) but by God's grace, this evening they are both well, after needed rest, coupled with care from the very accommodating staff of this hotel. Today was very productive, the reception rate remained at its 95% level in all the places visited, and we thank the Lord that He has seen fit to use sinners as we are to share the gospel of Salvation with these dear people.
May the Lord bless, with His word, the thirsty hearts all with whom we shared the "Does God Love You?" tracts, FR reading booklets, and many of the additional bibles that we were able to purchase, by God's grace.
“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.” (Isaiah 62:6)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador
LETTER #8
“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (Psalms 119:27)
Saturday, March 22, 2008. We praise and thank the Lord that He has given us another opportunity to serve Him and spread His precious gospel to the spiritually hungry people of El Salvador. We were told that the beaches would be very crowded today, because, traditionally, that is how the Salvadorians celebrate the day after Good Friday. We assigned one team each to three public beaches where there were thousands of people. The teams worked the traffic of buses, cars, and minivans, went inside the many beach huts and cabanas, sharing the gospel of Salvation, and many graciously accepted the tracts, some even tucking the them in their swimwear, and promising to read them later on. Although the people were in a relaxed atmosphere, nonetheless they were very accommodating and so our distribution efforts were successful.
On our return trip, we had a little set back in that when we were only about fifteen minutes from our hotel, the van engine died (it perhaps being overworked from transporting the many heavy boxes of tracts and bibles, together with at least ten ambassadors, with their backpacks filled to capacity, for five consecutive days). While some of the ambassadors returned to the hotel by taxi, four of them waited with the driver to ensure that she received assistance to move the vehicle from the spot where it broke down. We see that God had His purpose for this seeming mishap, since the ambassadors were presented an opportunity to utilize the wait time to share the words of life with the people, at a busy intersection a little distance away. Here, an ambassador gave a tract to a street vendor who was selling candy. She immediately started reading the tract, deep in concentration, no more concerned about her surroundings, nor the loss of sales. After about thirty minutes, she was still reading intently it was as if she was transfixed. Though the ambassador did not have a Bible, by God's providence, his team mate across the street had the team's last Bible. He presented it to the lady who gladly received it and was very thankful. As the Scripture passage of John 4:4 "And he must needs go through Samaria" comes to mind, could it be that this incident occurred so that we could come in contact with this possibly lost sheep of Israel, like it was with the Samaritan woman. May God be merciful to this dear woman.
A team of four visited the "Barrios de San Marcos", one of the poorest barrios on the outskirts of San Salvador. The team reports as follows: When we got there we saw that the layout was dirt roads at the foot of the mountain, open sewers everywhere, music blaring, children playing in garbage strewn streets, and barking dogs in almost every home. Many of the homes were haphazardly put together with sheets of galvanized tin and other materials scavenged from the scrap heap. There was no doubt as to the desperate poverty of this community, and in some homes, as many as fourteen people of three generations lived in a one bedroom flat. Every home was barricaded with iron bars on the doors and windows, and heavy duty locks on the doors.
Even though the area has a reputation of crime and drugs, nevertheless, the people greeted us with smiles, they were very cordial and no one refused a tract. They were very appreciative of us visiting them and freely offering them the tracts, and Bibles which the majority of them could not afford to purchase. Some of them expressed their thankfulness with tears of joy, praising God for providing such a precious gift to them. May it be that many of them will be heirs to the riches of the Kingdom of Christ, as the Lord allows.
By God's grace, we were also able to share some tracts and a few Bibles in a police precinct and barracks, located at the entrance of this terribly run down community, where the people possessed little or nothing of this world's material goods.
The reception of the DGLY tracts remains at its 95% level with only positive feedback from the recipients. We thank the Lord for undergirding us with strength and for fueling our desire to spread the words of eternal life, so that repentance unto Salvation and reconciliation could be realized by many, in accordance with God's will. And we are also appreciative of the many prayers of support from Family Radio's listening audience. To God be the glory.
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalms 119:89)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in San Salvador