As most know, I was born and raised in El Salvador. Gratefully for those 17 years I never went hungry or had to worry about finding a place to sleep. On the other hand, I am sad because this blinded me to the poverty and brokenness the majority of people in El Salvador experience. In many ways, growing up in an upper-middle class home completely disconnected me from the pain and suffering my country underwent. It was not until a few years after I moved to the US that I became aware of the civil wars and severe poverty El Salvador endured and that continues.
Our family left El Salvador seeking better opportunities, education and a higher quality of life. It was never in my plans or heart to return to El Salvador, as I thought I could accomplish so much more living here. However, God had other plans for me. In my visit to El Salvador two December's ago, my eyes were opened to the brokenness and the desperate needs of my people. I could no longer live life the same way because my heart now cared deeply for my native country.
With this new love and care for mi gente, God also brought Christ for the City International (CFCI) to my attention. CFCI is a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping people transform cities by transforming lives. CFCI has different local bases all over Latin America, Canada, Spain, Mali, Haiti and the U.S. The organization currently has over 250 missionaries working all over these countries. I will be working with this organization full-time for about 2 years in El Salvador. With a team of about 10 others of the CFCI-El Salvador base we will help in several impoverished communities within the capital area. My vision is that families become communities of healing, restoration, love and compassion where children are safe, loved, accepted and valuable.
My heart’s desire is to serve people in compassion and love so they can experience transformation, restoration, freedom, healing, love and joy, just as I have. I may serve with several ministries of CFCI-El Salvador, such as a health clinic and a soccer school program, and give bilingual support to their office, to the people in the communities I will be working with and also to the short-term teams and missionaries from the U.S.
You will play a vital role in every step of this opportunity! I thank God for each of you and the numerous ways you have shown support, encouragement, and care for me. Thank you, thank you! I am so thankful to have you in my life and to be able to share my life with you.
Needless to say, I need you! Therefore, I would like to invite you and ask you to consider partnering with me in this new opportunity. I am presently in need of both people that can cover me and the organization in prayer and also for people that can support me financially.
My greatest financial need is for monthly support. I need $2,500 pledged in monthly support to cover my living expenses in El Salvador and make required US payments to insurance, federal taxes & social security. I have already met my goal of $4,000 towards travel, equipment and set-up expenses. PRAISE GOD!
If you are led to support me financially please go to www.cfci.org. Be sure to write "Elsa in El Salvador" under the CFCI ministry box. You can also sign up for automatic credit card or payroll deductions. If you prefer sending a check, please make check payable to Christ for the City International and mail it to P.O. Box 390395, Omaha, NE 68139. Sending your support now assures there will be funds available when I start my missionary service in April. My expenses for travel and other needs for leaving will begin next month. These donations are tax-exempt.
For more information about what I will do in El Salvador or CFCI, please contact me. I would love to hear from you and also be able to share more about this exciting adventure.
May the Lord Bless you and your loved ones! May He fill you with His love, joy and freedom!
In His Hands and Love :)
Elsita
“No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.” – William Borden
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