Fotos!

Me, Hilary, and Laura (the three gringos), at a beach resort called Atami

A bunch of the YPO (Young Presidents' Organization) families ready to kick off the first ever Orphan Helpers Olympic Games at CIPI (a protection center for girls)

A team of girls at CIPI training for the games.

After the opening activities, all the girls were served a catered lunch.

At noon, we left CIPI and headed over to the CISNA orphanage to kick off the Olympic Games there.

That caricature on the bottom right is of Orphan Helpers founder Greg Garrett. That is one accurate caricature.

All the CISNA children singing the national anthem during the opening events.

This marching band was completely made up of orphans from CISNA. They were great!

You can't have Olympics without some foot-races.

Can you find the differences between these two photos?

Some praise and worship with the girls in the Ilobasco Detention Center. Man, God is doing some amazing stuff there.

Me and the provisional girls (those who have not yet been given a ruling by the judge) in the center. A couple of new girls came after this picture was taken. There are now nine Christian girls among the provisionals.

An English class I helped teach at CISNA. The real teacher is on my left.

Well, that's about all I have time to upload today. I have about 400 more pictures, but they'll just have to wait for when I get back. Thank you all so much for your prayers and emails - I can't tell you how encouraging it all was, and how much God really moved here. See you all very soon,

Scott

The Last Week

This whole last week has been really amazing. By the grace of God, I was able to return to the Ilobasco Detention Center on Tuesday to work some more with the girls there. The love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit is seriously moving in that place. When David (OH coordinator in Ilobasco) and I first went in there a couple weeks ago, we met only 2 Christian girls out of the 30 that were there. After 3 weeks and much prayer, we now have at least 15 Christ-followers among the girls in that center. A few of them accepted Christ in their hearts while we were with them. Others gave their lives to Him on their own, and later confessed to the group their decision. No matter how it happened, we give thanks and glory to the only One to whom it is due: our great and awesome God in heaven.

Today is my last day in the CISNA orphanage. I was very sad leaving the girls in Ilobasco, and I know it will be difficult to leave my little amigos in CISNA, as well as the amazing Orphan Helpers staff there. Thank you so much for all your prayers. I'm sorry I didn't update this blog more often, but I look forward to seeing all of you and sharing face-to-face the amazing things God has been doing in El Salvador.

God bless,
Scott

PS More pictures to come before I leave Monday!

Great God, great work, great fun

I know this entry is long overdue. There is a lot to mention here so grab a cup o' joe (like the one I have in hand right now… mmmm), kick back and read about the great things God is doing in El Salvador.

Where to begin? Someone once said to start at the very beginning, because it's a very good place to start. With that in mind, and with that song now stuck in my head, I'll start with Sunday, the day after my last entry.

I went to my first church service here since last July, with Manuel (the OH country coordinator), Hilary (the other American interning here right now), and Manuel's daughter. It's a large church and the worship is a lot of fun. After the service ended, I was blessed to meet up with a couple of friends that I met last year at that same church. We made plans and all went out to dinner that night. It was a great time!

Monday we waited a long time in the morning for news from the Ilobasco detention center. That is, we were waiting to know whether or not we could enter the center, as it had been previously in a “state of emergency”. The news came, and we were not allowed to enter that day. So, I went to CISNA (orphanage) and spent the day with the kids and staff there.

One thing that I’ve realized about the orphanage is the lack of discipline. I know this is a natural problem in any orphanage, and I do admit that it’s amazing how much Orphan Helpers is doing with the kids there, but the discipline is really lacking. I’m starting to realize that what these kids need is NOT free hand-outs, like little candies and toys, but free love, offered by spending time with them, listening to them, playing with them, loving on them. And as we all know, disciplining our children best reveals our love for them, just as God disciplines his children because of His great love for us (if you don’t believe me, read Hebrews 12). Now, disciplining orphans a great and difficult task. Most of them have not known discipline, as they have not had loving parents, or parents at all. And I think that’s why so many Americans and Salvadorians alike shy away from it. We would rather show up, give them a couple of suckers and some yo-yos to make them momentarily happy, and then leave, head back to our comfort zone. These kids are beautiful children, each of which God watches after intimately and deeply. They deserve to be disciplined just as we have the privelege and joy of being disciplined.

With William, a great man after God’s heart, as the Orphan Helpers coordinator of the orphanage, I think things will start to change. The kids now have a fatherly figure to look up to and view as role model. I talked a lot with William this past week, and found out just how big his heart is for these children. He humbly confided in me about the hours and hours he pours into the orphanage, coming in on Saturdays and Sundays to be with the kids. Staying extra late some days to finish important jobs and to make sure the children have everything they need. I pray that the rest of the OH staff at CISNA, including myself, could have that kind of love for these orphaned and abandoned children. And please pray for the staff at OH, that they would not fall subject to the lies of the enemy that tell them that their work at CISNA is just a job, when in reality it is a ministry of, by, and through the Living God.

Here’s a few pictures of from CISNA:

Tuesday, we were finally allowed to enter the detention center in Ilobasco. Upon arriving, we met up with the OH staff there and director of the center to talk a bit. We (Hilary and I) then entered the girls’ side of the center, and met all of the girls with which we would be working. There are about 28 girls in the center, separated into two casas. One house is for provisionals, that is, those who have not yet received their prison sentence if they are to receive one at all; the other is for those who are serving their sentence. I only recognized about 4 girls from the previous year.
Later that day, in the afternoon, David (the OH coordinator for this detention center) and I spent about an hour with the provisional girls getting to know them and reading through a gospel tract together. There were only two girls that were already Christians of the 10 or 11 with whom we were working. By the end of the hour, two girls decided, with tears of brokenness, to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior! Woo!! Thank you Jesus!
I slept that night at David’s house, though “slept” is not exactly the word I would use. Some rooster outside was cock-a-doodling (or whatever you call it) ALL night, and David’s baby was cried intermittently throughout the night. Nonetheless, the next morning the Lord gave me the strength and energy to do his work. I spent the morning with the provisional girls again. We went through more of the gospel tract, studied some verses, and then they all drew pictures of the verses that stood out the most to them. They then presented their drawings to everyone and explained what they drew and why they picked that verse. Some pictures…

Later that afternoon, I got to spend a lot of time with the guys in the detention center. I didn’t get to play basketball with them (but that will happen!), but I did get to attend a discipleship service that David taught. About 30 guys attended, and some of them didn’t have chairs, so they stood listening the whole time. These guys are each of them an example of the amazing power of God. Talk about complete transformation. These guys go from a life of gangs and crime to freely choosing to attend a worship and discipleship service everyday. And it shows. Leaders are arising among the guys there. Real discipleship is happening. It’s so awesome to see and be a part of.

I came back to San Salvador that night, and went to bed at about 8:30, I was so tired. The next day, the big news came. I had been hearing bits and pieces about some Olympics thing from various Orphan Helpers staff, but didn’t know what they were talking about, until that morning. Manuel informed me about how Orphan Helpers is planning a week-long Olympic Games event for the kids in CISNA and in CIPI (a girls orphanage). These Olympic Games are also a sort of fundraising effort too, as Greg Garret (head honcho and founder of Orphan Helpers) is bringing with him several rich YPO (Young Presidents Organization) families. This is all happening in the next 8 days. So please be in prayer for all the preparations, the event, the kids, the hearts of the Americans who are coming, the YPOers, and those coordinating the event. Pray that it would be a success as God would define successful.
Yesterday was nuts. Lots of running around with Laura (Program Development Manager for OH in VA; she flew out here Thursday night) and Hilary and Manuel to buy things and make preparations at the two centers and at the Hilton (where all the rich execs are staying).

While I believe this next week is really going to be amazing, not to mention a ton of fun, it means I can’t go to Ilobasco until my last week here. And I really want to be spending time with the girls in the detention center, continuing God’s work there. But it must wait, and so I ask all of you to please pray fervently for God to continue moving in the hearts of each girl in the Ilobasco detention center. Pray for the Christians there, the new ones especially, that God would, by his ultimate providence, figure out a way to disciple them and train them in holiness and love everyday. Pray that they would learn to lean on each other for support and encouragement.

Last night was a fun end to a busy day. Laura, Hilary, and I went out with our Salvadorian friends from church to go cosmic bowling. By God’s grace and power, I bowled a 95, which included a combined total of TWO, count them, TWO strikes.

Thank you all so much for your diligent praying. Please keep it up, as it is the power of God working here in response to your prayers that makes the impossible possible.

And now… some more pictures!

A typical dinner in the Faith House.

And yes, I do eat it! All of it!

Programs

Amigos y Familia,

Things have been changing a bit here, and I finally have my programs figured out. Firstly, I will be working with the other intern, Hilary, in the Ilobasco Detention Center on Mondays, spending time with the girls there, sharing the Gospel with them and building relationships. As my schedule shows below, I'll stay through Wednesday in Ilobasco, working with the girls in the morning, and the guys in the afternoon. Please be praying for the effectiveness of the Celebrate Recovery materials in the detention center.

Thursday and Friday I'm in the orphanage helping a Salvadorian lawyer named Morris teach English in the mornings. We then eat lunch, and afterward spend lots of time playing with the kids and taking pictures. At about 3pm I teach a discipleship class to the Orphan Helpers staff there for a half-hour, and then an English class to the same group for about an hour. I usually leave by 430 or 5. Please be in prayer for those classes. I really want it all in God's hands. He is the one who does it all, the Teacher, the Pastor. I just show up.

Well, thanks again taking time to read about what God's doing here in El Salvador. I'll try an update at least twice a week. God bless!

God is Great

Friends,

Things are going great in El Salvador. I arrived in San Salvador, the capitol, on Monday, and have been staying at the Faith House every night so far. Initially, I had a difficult time here because we didn't have a set schedule/program for me. But God's grace has really shone through the darkness of fear and doubt, and now not only do I have a solid schedule, but also some great programs to work. So, here is the schedule I will be following for the remainder of the trip...

Sunday - Church, other activities, sleep at Faith House
Monday - Leave early in the am for Ilobasco (a rural community) to work in the detention center - spend AM with girls, afternoon with guys, sleep in one of the Orphan Helpers' houses in Ilobasco
Tuesday - Work in Ilobasco, same as Monday
Wednesday - Same as Tuesday, but leave in the afternoon for San Salvador (back to the Faith House)
Thursday - Work in CISNA (the orphanage) and come back to Faith House afterward
Friday - Same as Thursday
Saturday - Day of rest!

Of course, on these kind of trips, I've learned that flexibility is key.

One quick story before I head out...
Usually, Orphan Helpers' In-Country Coordinator/Director does a devotional with the 8 guys that live in the Faith House. Unfortunately, he couldn't be there last night, so he asked me to make a devotional for that night. So, almost immediately I remembered the community-building notes I had taken from the book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (is that how you spell it?). Originally, I took those notes and studied related scripture in order to prepare for work with the Christian girls in the detention center. Well, about the same time I found out I needed to make a devo for the Faith House guys, I also found out that there were only TWO of the same girls still in the detention center that I worked with last year - and that most of the girls in the center are new, and therefore many are not Christians. So, it seems that God was preparing to bring that message of Christian community to the guys here in the Faith House. And when I gave the devotional last night, it was truly amazing. The Lord was working in everyone's hearts, and speaking to each of us. After I finished, Julio (leader of the Faith House) talked more about community here, and some of the very things he said were words that God had put on my heart, but I just hadn't had enough time to translate them into Spanish to share that night. All the boys agreed last night that God had spoken to them. And you can already see the change. Praise the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers, they are being answered daily.

Love in Christ,
Scott

Soon

Wow, the summer is already almost half over, and I will be leaving for San Salvador a week from today. Time flies when the Lord is our shepherd.

I've jotted down the following four principle goals/purposes of the trip:

1) Unity for Christian girls in Ilobasco detention center

2) Discipleship with guys in detention center (Celebrate Recovery curriculum)

3) Tutoring my brothers in the Faith House

4) Worship and teaching with the orphans in CISNA orphanage

But as David said, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (Psalm 16:9)

I need to be clear about #1. When I went last summer, there were about 20 or 30+ girls in the detention center (to my knowledge). Many of them have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, however they continue to maintain grudges that began with the gangs they belonged to before entering the center. They currently have NO spiritual leadership/guidance outside of periodic pastoral visits. Whereas, on the guys' side of the detention center, there are Orphan Helpers staff members preaching, discipling, and loving on the 120+ detained young men. So, to be more specific, please pray for the following:
1a) That God would open up plenty of opportunity to work with the girls in the detention center
1b) That God would bring UNITY to the girls that already have a relationship with God (that He would break off old grudges and that rumors would cease)

At this point, the only thing I would ask that you pray for me is protection against the enemy's schemes. I am tempted and pressed to spiritual limits on a daily basis. But the Lord is my shield. Pray that in the face of temptation I would always remember that.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. God bless.

God's Blessing

Man, tonight was amazing. I went to a local non-denominational Spanish church called Iglesia la Roca. After the message, during worship, one of the ushers asked me for my name and where I was from, and then proceeded to go up and tell the pastor. He then called me out in front of everyone to welcome me and asked me something like why I had come. I told everyone from my seat about my trip to El Salvador. He (the pastor) then asked me to come to the front of the room, and he anointed my forehead with oil and prayed over me with the whole church. After he finished, I was going to head back to my seat, but a woman had come up to give me a prophetic word about the missions trip. It was long, and amazing. Another woman came up after she was done to give MORE words from God about the trip. I was blown away by how God's Spirit was working in that place. It was awesome to say the least.

I've had a lot of peace recently about the trip. I've been trying to come up with more ideas and ways to reach the kids I'll be working with. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers!

In His Holy and Blessed Name,
Scott

Some Sad News

I received an email tonight from an Orphan Helpers employee, Josh, who is currently in El Salvador staying in the Faith House (which is where I stayed last time and where I'll be staying this time).

"I plead for your prayers tonight. One of the boys, Luis Carlos Barientos, who lives in the Faith House where I am staying in El Salvador was found murdered today in his hometown Atiquazaya. He was 18 and following God´s calling on His life in ministry. We shared dinner Saturday night and went to CIPI, a protective center for girls who´´ve been abused together. God´s presence in Him was powerful, and I believe even more so now.

We are going to his funeral tomorrow. Please pray for his family, all the guys at the Faith House, and the entire Orphan Helpers family - for God to be our peace. Thank you all for joining us in crying out to God, as we ask for strength to trust Him in pain, and for Him to glorify Himself somehow in this. We pray for mercy on his murderer and for lost souls to know God through this.

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief, you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you, you are the helper of the fatherless. Psalm 10:14

In His Hands,

Josh"

Please lift up these prayer requests and pray for continued protection for the rest of the boys in the Faith House. Thanks and God bless.

In Need of Prayer

Friends and family -

Thank you so much for your support thus far. I need to ask for your continued prayers at this time, as I've recently been struggling with doubt and fear about my trip next month. Specifically, I just have not been sure if going to El Salvador is really what God wants me to do. I've been fervently asking God for answers as of late, and have actually received a couple of great confirmations that God's will is that I go.

Confirmation 1: Saturday, I started praying fervently for a clear answer as to whether or not I should be going to El Salvador. Sunday rolls around, and quite a few people just randomly bring up my trip in conversation. It was encouraging to talk about it with my brothers and sisters at FCCT.

Confirmation 2: I spoke with an Orphan Helpers staff member named Josh for the first time. His ideas and passion for his own trip to Central America this summer stirred up my spirit. One of the things he and Richard (Exec. VP of Orphan Helpers) have been working on is a new program for the discipleship of the many new Christians in the Ilobasco detention center in El Salvador. This conversation with Josh of course came right as I've been praying for a clear answer from God.

Warning 1: Last night, I had a really intense dream that I was on a plane to El Salvador, and I was EXTREMELY fearful, feeling completely unprepared. I hadn't packed anything for the trip.

I think what God is telling me is that if I'm going to do this, that as of now I am not sufficiently prepared. What kind of preparation is this? Discipleship experience, practicing my Spanish, committing myself to daily prayer, Word study and journaling, and consecrating myself completely to the Lord.
I believe God is warning me not to go on this trip unless I am willing to prepare myself properly. Looking back on the past school year (Aug. 06 - May 07), I realize that I had many great opportunities to commit to discipling some awesome individuals that God put in my life. Unfortunately, I think I pretty much blew those opportunities. I think those opportunities could have been preparation for what God had in mind for my El Salvador trip - that is, discipleship (as shown in my conversation with Josh). So now I have a decision to make. I've got one month to prepare for a trip that I should have been preparing for since I returned from the last one. And God has still left some doors open for discipleship. I will pursue those open doors and see what happens.

In summation, please pray for the following:
-That I would be diligent in preparing in each department
-That God would grant me some opportunities to disciple in June
-That God would continue to give me clear direction about the trip

Thanks again for all your support. I will be sending out a letter via snail mail soon.

"Not my will, or my plans, or the way that I want;
I'm so tired of my hands in the way.
So reveal to these eyes the true heart of my Father, today"
-Jason Upton, Teach Me How to Pray

Spanish Church

I'm currently looking for a good local (Tempe area) Spanish church to attend this summer before leaving for El Salvador. If anyone knows of any, let me know! Afternoon Sunday services or any other time of the week would be great, but I still plan to serve at my current church Sunday mornings. Thanks!

Matthew 7:11

I bought my plane tickets today. I have to admit, I've been feeling quite apprehensive about returning to El Salvador in July, and I have been praying about it a lot. I haven't really felt like I've gotten a clear answer from the Lord until today...

Yesterday, I was looking pretty hard for plane tickets that would not put me on an overnight flight, and that would allow me to only have to change planes once. On top of this, I was having difficulty even finding tickets for the exact dates that I set up with Orphan Helpers. So, this morning, as I walked to work, I asked God to confirm his will for me to return to El Salvador by allowing me a morning flight and a decent layover. Just 15-20 minutes ago I started looking again for tickets on Continental's website, and found EXACTLY what I had prayed for for the EXACT days I needed them. Praise the Lord!! How clear of an answer is that? I'm feeling so much more confident now about the trip, because my confidence is fully established in the Lord. He has heard me and answered me. That actually reminds me of an awesome song:
"Though I'm poor and needy,
the Lord thinks upon me;
though his name is holy,
I'm always on his mind." - Misty Edwards, Always on His Mind

So, I am officially headed to El Salvador now. I will leave the morning of July 2, and return the evening of July 30. I will be posting more specific details for the trip as we get them figured out - e.g. programs, schedule, etc. - throughout the rest of this month and June.

The Lord is SO good!