Jiquilisco
The two warriors stood face to face, hands clenched and jaws squared, the desperation evident in their eyes…It is very sad to witness a vicious fight between children and even more sad to find out that they are hitting and yelling over a cheap package of crackers. I have mediated more than one of these desperate clashes in a poor community in Jiquilisco, El Salvador. It broke my heart the first time I was called over to break up one of these battles that had erupted after our literacy evangelism classes. I marched up to the two boys and demanded to know why they were fighting…silence…then several other children began recounting the events while the two warriors, one with tears in his eyes, just stood there hands clenching the plastic wrap mixed with cracker crumbs…the other one was picking crackers up out of the dirt…why? Why are you fighting over these crackers? Everyone received their own package. Another boy calls my name and I look at him as he says something that I can’t hear. He looks around and shifts his weight uneasily but states loudly the second time…”they’re hungry.” It hit me…all my “do gooder”, “feel good faith” was feeling really great about the success of the classes and the compassion of our program in fact we had given a package of crackers to each child that day as an incentive to study.
It hit me these human lives are in survival mode. They need answers of hope and I had better come up with some real
substance. These kids are hungry and that little package of crackers only barely touched their growing needs. I think of Jesus and how he multiplied a few loaves and fishes to feed thousands with leftovers and I am standing there looking at a group of hungry little kids and wondering if any packages of crackers were left over. I know that there are enough crackers in the world to feed the poor but at that moment I would be happy with just one package of crackers in my hand in order to establish peace and goodwill toward man. Another member of the team sees me look over at the van and begins the search, while I share with the boys about the importance of sharing and caring, forgiving and loving. Why should they hate each other over a cheap package of crackers? The reality is that at that moment it isn’t about a cheap package of crackers, those crackers are the relief from a constant and relentless gnawing pain right in the center of their little bodies. Thus far I have cared about these children and even sacrificed to help them but I know that I have not experienced a Jesus type of compassion for the hungry, you know the kind that makes you dig down deep into your faith for the miracle. My quick thinking, action oriented team member walks up with a package of crackers, thank God! A peace treaty is drawn up and the crowd disperses. I am left with a broken heart and many questions about my faith. I am convinced that Faith without works is dead and I am challenged about what kind of faith I possess, is it truly a Christian faith as in a Christ-like faith? Jesus impacted the world and I believe that a united team of Christians can do the same, we just need some compassionate Christ-like faith put into action.
Jiquilisco: Literacy Evangelism Program: We have an overall participation exceeding 100 children. With between 70-80 children attending on Sunday afternoon and 30-40 on Wednesdays.
Our attention was drawn to the children because most of them live in extreme poverty i.e. less than $2 per day household income per anum. We see regular infections especially in the eyes and numerous cuts and injuries left unattended, signs of malnurishment, parasites, and amoebas. The sanitation disposal consists of “outhouses” at the back of each house located on small lots crammed together. Currently the drinking water for this community is not safe. Many of the homes are not connected to electricity. Many of the children do not attend the local school which is some distance from the community.
Our efforts have included basic literacy classes with a backdrop of Christian love and Biblical 
values, health and safety classes, food and clothing distribution, as well as special activities, pinatas, children’s day and Christmas celebrations with gifts. To the present we have distributed used clothing, new flip-flops, soap, water, toothpaste, school supplies, food, meals, snacks, and toys to all of the participating children.
In 2007 we expanded our efforts to include adults. There are many single women as heads of households in this area. Two national women from our team hold regular wednesday afternoon 
Christian support group meetings where people of all faiths are welcome to attend. We adhere to our Christian faith but do not discriminate in the distribution of food and clothing. On Sunday afternoons we hold Christian services for adults. At present we are employing men from the community to assist us in our construction project of the “galera”(a covered open walled building).Our goals for 2008 include the construction of a working bathroom with multiple facilities. Outfitting of a kitchen for a hot meals program. Expansion of our education and feeding program. Investigation into a cooperative farming program for the community as well as other job training programs as well as the possible distribution of medicines, medical care, and eye care. We hope to establish a missions base in a nearby town in order to house our workers and receive missions and medical teams for more practical purposes.
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Land Purchase
We are presently beginning a 2 phase fundraising project for the land that our Central Church is on. We have been offered the curbside land at a discounted price by the christian owner of $60.00 a square “vara” (A “vara” in El Salvador is a measurement of 0.765 meters by which land purchased). In all we need 1,100 square “varas” which will cost $66,000.00 but we are starting the first phase by purchasing half of it for $33,000.00 and after 3 years we plan to purchase the other half at $33,000.00. We are asking you to pray and consider buying a vara or as many as the Lord would lead. All designated giving to this project will be directly deposited in our church’s savings account that is exclusively for the purchase of this land.
