El Salvador: Miracles in the Mountains

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A classic hymn declares, “How wonderful, how marvelous is my Savior’s love for me.” The poorest of the poor in the remote mountain villages of El Salvador are able to sing this testimony with confidence and personal experience. They sing of their lives being literally saved – saved from the ravages of disease, saved from hopeless poverty, and saved for eternity by salvation in Christ.

When World Challenge entered this region’s villages for the first time last year, we encountered a broken, needy people. The majority of the population faced hunger and sickness. They had endured massive flooding and even a major earthquake. With no churches in the area, they had no knowledge of Jesus and little hope for their plight.

World Challenge was able to step in with help, offering hope through the Gospel of Christ and bringing aid in the form of food, clean water, health practices and training. Today we joyfully report the following advances:

• Until recently, more than 100 children died at birth each year. Last year that figure was reduced to 4.

• Only 1 percent of the village populations had clean water, leading to sickness and in some cases death. Now 79 percent of the people have direct access to clean water.

• Over 50 people in the village of Abelines have come to Christ.

In an area where there was no church presence, there are now nine churches reaching out to the people with Christ’s love.

Some of the churches have seen between 75 and 133 percent growth as new believers are added to their number.

Of course, there is much more happening in this region that statistics can’t describe. Jesus is transforming lives, families, churches and even entire communities. People are telling of how Jesus has brought hope, life and salvation to their families. Pastors who were discouraged and ready to give up have been infused with new faith. Now they are powerfully proclaiming and spreading the gospel.

An example of the homes being built for 500 of the poorest families.

Faith is at an all-time high. Local pastors have asked us to join them in a vision to build homes for 500 of the poorest families presently living in squalor. They also have requested from us food supplies for over 5,000 hungry people. Meanwhile, they are helping a malnourished population to build successful small farms. A joint effort between World Challenge and these pastors would mean the possibility of bringing clean water to 40,000 more people.

I am continually amazed at the great things God can do. In such a short time, so many lives have been touched in an place that had lost all hope. Isaiah 58 tells us that when we pour ourselves out for the hungry, hurting and oppressed, God causes us to be a well-watered garden that never lacks. Thank you for making these miracles a reality for the mountain people of this God-beloved nation.

With you in Christ,
Gary Wilkerson