AR%20San%20Martin%202012%20web

San Martín RegionANNUAL REPORT 2011

equipping churches to transform communities

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PARTNER CHURCH PROFILES

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

CHURCH PARTNER PROFILES El Buen Samaritano, Las Delicias

El Buen Samaritano Church is a semi-urban congregation of 100 members. In 1994 its pastor, Miguel Durán, and his congregation became the �rst to partner with ENLACE, establishing a friend-ship that has spanned almost two decades. As pioneers, Pastor Miguel and his church led the way in serving their community with countless projects, and they have been invaluable to helping ENLACE become the organization it is today.

For over 30 years, Pastor Miguel dreamed of having clean water in the region of Las Delicias. In 2004 the church, with the help of ENLACE and the local government, undertook a water project that would provide three communities, 10,000 people, with clean water. Although still underway, Project Milagro (The Miracle

Project), is becoming a reality. Pastor Miguel is a well-respected leader and serves as both president of the water board overseeing Project Milagro and is a member of the ENLACE Pastoral Steering Committee.

The goals for 2012 are to continue to strengthen the church's leadership through training and to facilitate health, infrastructure and economic projects.

San Martín is located just east of El Salvador's capital, San Salvador, and is comprised of six communities divided into 37 hamlets with approximately 72,758 inhabitants. San Martín has a health clinic, public schools, private schools, and sanitation facilities. However, 88 percent have no access to clean water.

ENLACE has been working in the region for over 12 years with Pastor Miguel Durán and the El Buen Samaritano Church. The region now includes four churches with more than ten churches on a waiting list. Last year the churches implemented 3 projects that impacted the lives of close to 10,000 people directly. This year, they hope to implement ten projects that will impact the lives of more than 13,000 people directly. Due to the region’s rapid growth ENLACE will hire a new church coach to train emerging partners.

Existing US PartnerNew US PartnerNo US Partner

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Palabra de Poder, Anemona

Principe de Paz, Santa María

Principe de Paz Church is a semi-urban congregation of 60 mem-bers. In 2007 its pastor, Santiago Alfaro, heard about ENLACE through conversations with Pastor Miguel Durán who encouraged him to reach out and serve the community.

Pastor Santiago and the church embraced the training they received from ENLACE and began to reach out and serve those in need. Despite the fact that Pastor Santiago was a well-respected leader, rallying the support of the community, however, was an arduous process. It took over four years to organize committees and develop a relationship with the local mayor's o�ce. The church leaders persevered, however, and by coming alongside their community, they completed a road project that bene�ted over 600 people. Pastor Santiago now serves as a member of ENLACE's Pastoral Steering Committee.

The goals for 2012 are to continue to strengthen the church’s leadership through ongoing coaching and training and to facilitate the development of projects such as road repairs and home gardens.

Led by Pastor Marta Vaquerano (the �rst female pastor with whom ENLACE has had the privilege to work), the Palabra de Poder Church is a dynamic congregation of 100 members committed to transform-ing its community. In 2010 Pastor Marta prayed for clarity about how to better meet the needs of her community of Anemona, a shanty town compressed between the Pan-American Highway and old railroad tracks. In what she describes as an answer to prayer, she learned about ENLACE through Pastor Miguel Durán.

A devastating monsoon in November of 2009 left the community extremely damaged and vulnerable. In response, the community and church worked together to meet basic needs and later to provide access to water and electricity. In the short time the church has been working with ENLACE it has taken the lead on many projects such as home gardens and road repairs. Through these endeavors, the congregation has made new friendships and built alliances with other organizations such as the local mayor's o�ce.

The goals for 2012 are to continue to strengthen the church’s leadership through ongoing coaching and training and to facilitate the development of projects such as road repairs, home gardens, and tilapia ponds.

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Pan de Vida, Panchimalco

El Buen Pastor, Istahua

El Buen Pastor Church is a congregation of 100 members. In 2010 its pastor, Salvador Andrade, attended a seminar hosted by Pastor Miguel Durán for churches in the San Martín area. Upon listening to how a church e�ectively serves its community, Pastor Salvador approached ENLACE about becoming a partner.

This church hungers to learn and is deeply committed to its community. ENLACE's coaching has helped focus the church's vision and has better equipped them to reach out to their neighbors. The church and Ministry of Health have collaborated on projects such as reducing mosquito infestation, clean-up campaigns and home gardens. Through their outreach, the church has begun to create strong relationships with community members and other organizations.

The goals for 2012 are to continue to strengthen the church’s leadership through ongoing coaching and training and to facilitate health, infrastructure and economic development projects.

Pan de Vida Church is a hard-working and joyful congregation of 150 members. In 2008 the pastor at the time, Erick Rodriguez, contacted ENLACE because he wanted his congregation to become better equipped to serve their community. In 2010, Carlos Cruz became the new pastor and remains strongly committed to the same vision.

Although the church is located in Panchimalco proper, for two years they focused their attention on a forgotten community called Amatitán just two miles away. They implemented projects that provided electricity to 500 people, repaired roads, and built latrines. In October 2011, the church organized relief e�orts in response to a devastating tropical storm for a community in Panchimalco called Fatima. They will continue to collaborate with organizations such as the local mayor's o�ce and Ministry of Health to serve the residents of Fatima. It has been amazing to see this church taking advantage of every opportunity to share Christ’s love in the projects they undertake.

The goals for 2012 are to continue to strengthen the church’s leadership through ongoing coaching and training and to facilitate health, infrastructure and economic development projects.

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equipping churches to transform communitiesCHURCH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAM

In 2011 ENLACE trained and equipped over 67 church leaders on a monthly basis in �ve churches in San Martín and San Salvador

CHURCHES: CURRENT AND PROJECTED

PROJECTS ACTUAL COMMENT2011 2012 GOAL

Identify new partner churches

Train and coach committed partner churches

GOAL

4 1 3The number of interested churches continues to grow, and will identify at least three new interested churches in 2012.

We plan to work with 4 committed churches by the end of 2012.

8 5 4

Accompany LIDER churches

We plan to work with our first LIDER church by the end of 2012. 0 0 1

The theme of last year’s Annual Pastors’ Retreat was “Renewing Our Communities” and the retreat provided these pastors, who work tirelessly throughout the year, a chance to be rejuvenated. Pastors took the time to better understand God’s vision for their communities, to form friendships with other churches, and to recommit, with renewed strength of vision, to transforming their communities through serving their neighbors. Pastor Santiago shared his experience working on the 24th Street Road Project. "People are not afraid anymore to come to church or to work with us. I know they now see the church as a good project leader and that makes me really happy!"

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PROJECT REPORTS 2011

Pan de Vida Church provided food, clothing and beds, bene�tting approximately 110 people, as part of the immediate response during the storms in October 2011.

In Las Delicias on average residents pay 30% of their income to buy dirty water from water trucks during the six-month dry season. However, great strides are being made to bring clean water to the nearly 10,000 residents in the area.

Approximately 600 people bene�ted from the 24th Street road project in Santa María increasing home values, safety and quality of life.

Road Repair (El Cincho)

Project Milagro: Stage 5

Latrines (Las Animas)

PROJECT GOAL ACTUAL COMMENTS

PendingFunding

Pending Funding

PendingFunding

Road Repair (24th Street Corner) 834 feet of road repair.

El Buen Samaritano Church, Las Delicias

Construction of main line and distribution system to bring water to the community of El Rosario.

Construction of 30 latrines and training on maintenance bene�ting 180 people.

164 feet of road repair.

Principe de Paz Church, Santa María

Retaining Wall Construction

Road Repair

Construction of retaining wall and reinforced masonry.

880 feet of road repair.

30 Latrines

Complete

Complete

Complete

Complete

PendingFunding

PendingFunding

Completed

Begin Stage 5

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PROJECT GOAL BUDGET COMMENTS

El Buen Samaritano, Las Delicias PROJECT GOAL ACTUAL COMMENTS

Palabra de Poder Church, Anemona

Road Repair

Home Gardens

Road Repair

Home Gardens

657 feet of road repair and construction of curbs and drainage system.

Provided technical assistance to start 20 gardens bene�ting 120 people.

850 feet of road repair and construction of curbs and drainage system.

Provided technical assistance to start 20 gardens bene�ting 120 people.

El Buen Pastor Church, Istahua

“Despite their financial limitations, they are already so motivated and unified that they have raised funds to buy some investments and distribute them among everyone in order to have more success. They are thankful for the support that ENLACE is giving.”

Alejandro Perez, ENLACE Agronomist

Complete PendingFunding

20 Gardens

20 Gardens

20Gardens

PendingFunding

Complete PendingFunding

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IDENTIFIED PROJECTS FOR 2012 IDENTIFIED PROJECTS FOR 2012

Water Project: Stage 5 Complete Stage 5, constructing 2 main lines to bring water to El Rosario and Las Delicias.

Complete $ 450,000


Latrines (Las Animas)

Road Repair Complete

30 Latrines $ 7,500

TBD

Road Repair (24th Street Corner)

Complete $ 19,630

Home Gardens

Risk Mitigation

20 Gardens

Complete

$ 6,400

$ 16,816

Tilapia Cultivation

Road Repair

Home Gardens 20 Gardens

Road Repair

$ 6,50020 Participants

Complete

Build 20 ponds and provide training bene�ting at least 100 people.

Complete TBD 2,382 feet of road repair bene�t-ing 2,000 people.

Provide technical assistance to at least 20 farmers for the develop-ment of home gardens bene�ting 105 people.

$ 6,400

Principe de Paz Church, Santa Maria

El Buen Samaritano, Las Delicias

Palabra de Poder Church, Anemona

El Buen Pastor Church, Istahua

Built 30 pit latrines, provide preventive health education and train community members on proper maintenance.

164 feet of road repair bene�ting 300 people.

Complete 879 feet of road repair bene�ting 600 people.

Construction of retaining wall (29 x 11 feet) and reinforced masonry bene�ting 300 people.

Provide technical assistance and agricultural inputs to start 20 home gardens bene�ting 101 people.

656 feet of road repair bene�ting 300 people.

TBD

Home Gardens 30 Gardens $ 8,900 Provided techical assistance to at least 30 farmers for the develop-ment of home gardens bene�ting 140 people.

Growing Hope

Growing Hope

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IDENTIFIED PROJECTS FOR 2012

MOMEMTUM STORIES

Anemona is a shanty town located just outside the capital of San Salvador in the municipality of San Martin. Its residents, who have migrated there over the last 25 years (originally due to the civil war in the 1980s and now due to the search for jobs in the capital), are extremely poor and experience gang violence on a daily basis. The makeshift-turned-permanent dwellings (often made of tin, plastic and cardboard) are crammed between the Pan-American Highway and old railroad tracks. Never-theless, a local church and its pastor, Marta Vaquerano, are growing hope in a community more familiar with desperation than tomatoes.

Marlene Beniez, a 33-year-old single mother, and her three children survive by earning money through informal clothing sales. Being a home garden participant gives her a great opportunity to cultivate her own vegetables and increase her income.

El Buen Samaritano, Las Delicias

20 Latrines $ 7,000


Road Repair Complete Repair and pave 663 feet of road bene�ting 420 people.

Build 20 pit latrines, provide preventive health education and train community members on proper maintenance bene�ting 100 people.

TBD

Houses 25 Homes $ 172,598 Construction of 25 block homes.

Latrines

Pan de Vida Church, Panchimalco

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GOAL BUDGET COMMENTSA Miracle on 24th Street: Paving the Way to Trust and Transformation

“Construction work in Santa María has been a growth opportunity for the church, for ENLACE, and for the community leaders, re�ecting a dynamic, unifying process.”Gerson Ramírez, Church Coach

For more than ten years, the Santa María neighborhood located in the region of San Martín lamented the terrible condition of its main street. During the rainy season, torrents of water endangered lives of both young children and older residents. Additionally, the lack of proper drainage created standing water that resulted in mosquito infestation and putrid odors. Even so, years passed and the road continued to deteriorate. Solving the problem seemed too expensive and di�cult for a poor community like Santa María.

In 2010, however, Principe de Paz church members decided to take a leap of faith and change their community. After receiving training and coaching from ENLACE, the church led an e�ort that leveraged the participation of community residents, the support of the mayor’s o�ce and two international mission teams.

By the end of the �rst stage, the church had overseen the construc-tion of 500 meters of storm gutters. The process, however, according to Pastor Santiago, wasn’t always easy. “I remember the day that we had our �rst meeting with community representatives, and I told them that it was necessary to work together...to construct the road...We had problems [and] got discouraged. Some wanted to quit during the �rst stage. I told them, 'I won’t quit the project...(but) I can’t do this alone. If you work along with me, we can do great things. ‘“

In the second stage, the road was completed with gravel and paving. The church hosted students from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa and members of New Life Church in Exeter (both in California). These mission teams gave Pastor Santiago and his leaders more than just greatly needed materials and labor; it empowered them and gave them more con�dence that led to closer relationships with their neighbors.

According to Pastor Santiago, “...this project represents a great triumph...[the church] now [has] become closer to the people in the community. And people are not shy anymore to come to church...I like how they now see us.”

MOMEMTUM STORIES

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Church Coach Profile: Gerson Ramírez

“It is as if the kingdom of heaven has come to earth. This is what God has called the church to do: to transform and serve their community “

ENLACE Church Coach Coordinator and Church Coach in San Martin and San Salvador Region

Gerson Ramírez's primary goal, as ENLACE's Church Coach Coordinator, is to achieve sustain-ability through service and empowerment. Only 24 years old, Gerson is a newlywed and one of the youngest members of the ENLACE team. His tenacity and joyful willingness to serve give Gerson a presence and maturity far beyond his years. Four years ago Gerson began to pray for a vocation where he could serve impoverished people in a sustainable way. He later heard about an opportunity to work as a church coach at ENLACE. He knew, however, that he did not have adequate time while �nishing his theology degree. He told his father, Pastor Isidro Ramirez, about the position. His dad took the job and serves as a church coach in the growing Abelines, San Miguel and San José El Naranjo regions. When the opportunity to apply for the position returned, Gerson didn't hesitate. His father’s experience impacted him greatly, and he realized that ENLACE’s vision and mission were a perfect �t for what he felt called to as a minister. In March 2009, Gerson became part of the ENLACE sta�.

In December 2010, he obtained his theology degree with a concentration in missions, and he is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Finance. After working at ENLACE for two years he says, “It is so meaningful for me to see people from the local church looking to serve their neighbors with humble and pure hearts.” Gerson believes that when a church chooses to serve its neighbors it also a�ects how the community views the church.

People who know Gerson describe him as a joyful and passionate young man who serves with everything in him. Alfredo Vargas, Director of Operations for ENLACE says, "Despite his young age, he is a talented servant-leader with a heart for the poor." Gerson recognizes that being a servant-leader requires determination. He says that as Christians we "must take advantage of any opportunity for service that comes our way. Service and empowerment are the only ways to bring transformation and sustainability.”

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PARTNER CHURCH PROFILES

Johny Alfaro was 26 years old when he left El Salvador to respond to God’s call to serve in Mosquitia, one of the most remote areas of Honduras and known as the Central American Amazon. Johny learned the customs of the people there, their language, and their way of life. In a region in�uenced by witchcraft and su�ering a high rate of alcoholism, Johny worked to show his neighbors a di�erent path, a path that led to God's unconditional love and care. Johny considers this missions experience as an invaluable tool in carrying out his present role as Church Coach with ENLACE.

“My experience as a missionary is similar to my job with ENLACE in that we are working by being present in poor communities, to get involved...with them and to empathize with their lives. Our job is not only to go and share a lesson, but to relate with people and listen to their needs. This is also something that a missionary does. I believe that this is mission work done locally without leaving borders.”

Johny’s profound sensibility for the needs of others was born from his own need for God. During his adolescence, outside in�uences led him to become involved in drugs and alcohol. However, recog-nizing God’s mercy in his life has helped him to discover his true purpose. In addition his missionary work in Honduras, he has also worked with youth-oriented ministries.

Johny returned to El Salvador in February 2011 after eight years in Mosquitia. He returned with his wife, Azucena, whom he married in Honduras, and their young daughter. Willing to continue prepar-ing himself to serve more e�ectively, he is currently in the process of �nishing his degree in theology that was put on hold when he left for Honduras. Upon returning, he also applied to the work as a Church Coach with ENLACE.

Church Coach Profile: Johny Alfaro

“My experience as a missionary is similar to my job with ENLACE in that we are working by being present in poor communities, to get involved...with them and to empathize with their lives. Our job is not only to go and share a lesson, but to relate with people and listen to their needs. This is also something that a missionary does. I believe that this is mission work done locally with-out leaving borders.“

ENLACE Church Coach in San Martin y San Salvador


5405 Alton Parkway Suite 5A Number 458

Irvine, CA 92604

Tel. [email protected]

www.enlaceonline.org

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