New Beginnings Community Church

We arrived in El Salvador safe and sound! Excited to serve alongside the Mennonite church in Metapán with Pastor Samuel.

After lunch, we went shopping for groceries that we're delivering this week in Metapán through the local church.

We're ready to start ministry and get to know these people's stories and pray for them.

Pastora Sonia taught some of us how to make pupusas, a Salvadorian staple. You all have no idea how delicious they are. 

We got to join Iglesia Menonita Central for church this morning, and our team participated in the service as well. Jose & Cindy shared their testimonies, Liam played music, and Pastor Charlie preached about the peace of Jesus in the storm. We could feel the Holy Spirit in this place!! 

Half our group was able to go to a school for special education this morning to hang out with the students. We had fun crafts, a piñata and lots of smiles!!

This was the first time the local church has been able to visit the school, but it won't be the last! We are glad to be able to help establish these connections for ministry.

The other half of the group spent a very enjoyable morning with the nursing home residents. We had a piñata, crafts, and lots of fun.

It was very pleasant to be able to share with them, get to know them and listen to their stories.

Our first day with the children was filled with games, crafts, songs, and lots of fun. We learned about Joseph and what his brothers did to him.

For now, we'll leave him in jail, and tomorrow we'll find out what else is happening in his life.

It was also our first day of construction work at the church. We painted and cleaned the window frames and fences, did some gardening, and had lots of fun while doing it.

We ended the night sharing a bit of our cultures. We tried traditional Salvadorian candies and learned new games. We danced, played, laughed, and had a lot of fun learning about each other's cultures.

This morning, we divided into three groups for food distribution. Each group was able to visit some families in Metapán to deliver groceries and spend time together, but most importantly, to pray over their needs. 

We prayed and anointed Maria's home as she is trusting God for her husband to believe and come to church. 

We walk through the community visiting families, getting to know them, blessing them, and spending time with them. It's wonderful to be blessed while blessing others.

Today we were both encouraged and challenged during our bilingual worship service. It was a beautiful and meaningful experience to see people from different cultures and languages come together to worship the same God. The songs, prayers, and testimonies shared in both English and Spanish reminded us that the Kingdom of God transcends borders and languages.

We were encouraged by the warmth of the community and the tangible presence of the Spirit. We were also challenged to live out our faith more deeply and to value unity in the midst of diversity. This service was a living example of how the body of Christ can powerfully reflect His love when we come together with one purpose.

We leave with full hearts and a renewed sense of commitment.

Tonight was a truly unforgettable moment—Riley’s baptism under the evening sky. Surrounded by our team and local community, we witnessed a powerful step of faith as Riley publicly declared their commitment to follow Jesus. The calm of the night, the soft light, and the quiet reverence of the moment made it even more special.

There was something deeply moving about seeing new life symbolized in the water, under the stars. We sang, we prayed, and we celebrated together, reminded once again of God’s transforming grace.

Today we continued our work with gardening and cleaning around the church. It was a day filled with teamwork, laughter, and purpose.

Even in the heat and hard work, we felt joy knowing we were serving the church community in a tangible way. Every small task felt meaningful—an offering of love and care for the space where so many gather to worship.

This morning we went up to Cañas Dulces, about 40 minutes out of Metapán, to visit families in the more rural areas. This is the community where Pastor grew up and has a coffee farm, so he knows the neighbors and their needs. It was a fun adventure and cool experience!

Today marked our last day of food distribution, and it was both joyful and bittersweet. We’ve had the privilege of meeting so many families throughout the week—listening to their stories, sharing smiles, and offering something as simple yet meaningful as a bag of food.

As we handed out the final packages, we felt a deep sense of gratitude—for the opportunity to serve, for the connections made, and for the reminder that small acts of love can make a real difference.

Even though this part of the trip is ending, the impact continues—both in the community and in our own hearts.