We received the following from our missionaries in El Salvador. Please join us in praying for these so devastated by the recent hurricane and aftermath.
Tuesday, November 10:
Dear Intercessors, Alumni, Supporters, Family and Friends,
After working all day, our King’s Castle Relief Team was able clear the road enough for our vehicles to get to Guadalupe. Moving 9 kilometers of boulders is a tedious job but proved to be a labor of love to reach our people who needed the relief supplies. Pastor Jose Brown was so happy to see the King’s Castle Team arrive in Guadalupe to give his church people much needed food, water, fuel for the generator, candles, flashlights and other items that he needed. Pastor Brown is making plans to reach out to his neighbors with a message of Hope during this overwhelming time.
Canadian Midterm Missionary Joe Newell traveled with his vehicle as far as it would go through the deep holes created by massive amounts of water rushing down the volcanoes. He said he is having a hard time with the fact that he is fine, but the people he saw today are having it so rough. Survivor Guilt is an enemy to all Relief Workers as they see bodies pulled out of the mud and debris. We must face the massive power of Hurricane Ida as it rushed down the San Vicente Volcanoes steep slopes.
Hurricane Ida Death Toll has increased to 160, and they are not sure how many more of the missing people will end up on the confirmed death list as they continue to find dead bodies in the rubble. Since the late bean crop has failed, we are looking for containers of beans and rice to help supplement food for the people most at risk. The children are the most vulnerable victims of Hurricane Ida.
First to Respond Assistance is needed from everyone in order to really make a powerful difference. Right after a Natural Disaster, the best possible gift is money because it can be turned into quick food, shelter, clothing, transportation and so much more.
Miracle Crusades:
Your Prayer Support is working. Today, we held 2 Miracle Crusades, and we saw many powerful miracles in Las Delicias and Apopa. One of the Servant Leaders from the King’s Castle A/G Church visited the home of a teacher who had lost most of her hearing many years ago in her right ear. Her 11 year old son was partially blind in his right eye due to a injury when he was only 4 years old, when his family pet dog scratched his eye, leaving him visually impaired. He wore special glasses so he could see. Sister Sonya went to the door of the lady and told her that if she was sick, she should come to the King’s Castle Miracle Crusades tonight. She came and went home totally healed. When my brother Marc prayed for her boy, he felt faith rise so he called a couple of Last Harvest Master’s Commission Students over to pray for the boy, too, so they could see the miracle firsthand. But the little boy said, “Why call them when I am already healed!” We are seeing many deaf healed, backs straightened, blind eyes healed, and many delivered from Demon Possession. These are exciting days to be a Christian in El Salvador because God is doing so many different things in our midst.
We need your prayers, financial support, food, supplies, clothing and about 12 MAPS Volunteer Teams to come help us with our Relief Efforts over the course of the next 4 - 5 weeks. We need to visit every home in the disaster areas and let them know that Jesus Cares, so they can begin to experience Hope again.
Victory in Christ,
Don and Terri Triplett
E-mail from Kristal Holtzclaw, Missionary Associate working in El Salvador
Don and Terri,
I thought this might be encouraging to ya'll; I thought it was really cool. Throughout the day yesterday as we were trying to get to Guadalupe, I cannot tell you how many times I heard people pass by and say, "King's Castle is here!" "King's Castle is bringing help." As we were driving out, many people on the sides of the road were telling us thanks for coming. It was really neat. We also prayed with Brown and his congregation in Guadalupe and it was really great to be able to help them with physical things but also to join together as the Body of Christ and be able to encourage them in the midst of this tragedy.
Take Care, Kristal
I just thought this e-mail told the story of a how it feels to do relief work during a Crisis. Joe Newell is the Midterm Canadian Missionary:
Guadalupe El Salvador, yesterday.
I traveled to the Guadalupe area with our Team from Kings Castle. The devastation was overwhelming. I was prepared to be exposed to the devastation but not the death toll. Standing there in the lower valley looking down at the village was very difficult. I could see where the river blasted through and took lives, homes, church and anything else in its path. I looked up to the volcano where the peak was in the clouds, and just below that line I could see where the mudslide began and could follow its path to where I stood and then on through the village. I could see hundreds of people below at work, searching for the lost, trying to cut a road through the old river bed, people carrying supplies across the then impassable riverbed by vehicles and helicopters flying over. Someone pointed out that the rescue team had found a body, and they were about to pull the person out of the riverbed. I was in a state of shock; all I could do was close my eyes and pray.
Soon after they opened up the riverbed, our Kings Castle Teams was part of the first group to cross and head up the mountain with supplies. Crossing the river was very difficult. As I crossed the riverbed, I had to climb a 12 foot embankment. As I started up, the front of my truck was damaged by the rocks, and frankly I didn't care. I knew my place was there, and I had to get the supplies up the mountain. It’s so hard to explain or justify. I knew I was going to damage the truck before I started across, but I just knew I had to do it. Last week, I broke open the bottom of the engine by rocks, delivering the Book of Hope, and I was praying this wouldn’t happen again. As we drove up the mountain, I could see more devastation along the way.
8 kilometers up the mountain, we drove and arrived at the last river crossing before the main area we were headed to. This river for me was not passable with my truck; the damage to the riverbed was far worse than the riverbed below. I knew if I tried, not only would I wreck the truck, but would block the badly needed crossing. We had another four wheel drive vehicle with us that is much higher than mine, so we had to do multiple crossing to get everything delivered. We now had completed our task as we delivered all the supplies to our Church and refugee camp they were supporting. Pastor Jose invited us into the Guadalupe Church, and we had the opportunity to pray with him for the Church, Church Family, and the community.
As we traveled back down the mountain road, it was getting dark. Many of the local people cheered us on with appreciation for our help. I felt bad, yet good, or I can’t explain it, seeing the joy on their smiling faces will stay with me for a life time. All I did was help deliver supplies. Their community was so beat up and so many lives lost, yet they were still smiling. I’m still struggling to understand my thoughts. I’m thinking they have just gone through the worst time of their lives, but all is well. After having time to think, my heart is telling me the Lord was speaking to them; He let them know all was well. He was with them all and would be.
It was then dark, and we had to cross the last river; it was scary to say the least. They had been working all day on the crossing, but more water had come down, and it was now a rocking mud bath that was about 80 feet long after the 12 foot drop. As I sat on top of the embankment, I looked on as the much higher Castle truck struggle to get across. I was worried, “How will I get across if he is having this much trouble? How will I make it?” Out of the blue, I found myself at peace and relaxed. I knew I had nothing to worry about. I looked back down and saw a LARGE rock right in the middle of my path and knew this would take out my engine. My window was down, and I could hear all the chatter in Spanish. Everyone wanted to help and give me advice. I couldn’t understand a word. I looked out the window and made eye contact with a man, no words spoken; he just knew what he had to do. With that, he jumped down the embankment and moved this LARGE rock on his own. He looked up at me with a look of approval, and then I took the plunge down the embankment. I had three Kings Castle Warriors with me (youth ages 15 and 16). They were so excited as we flew across the mud field, they cheered, and the further we made it across, I could hear everyone on the banks cheering as well. We made it through with the lowest vehicle there and never hit one rock!
This is the best I can do to explain my day. I’m sorry for all the grammar and spelling mistakes; I just needed to share my story!
We have many needs. If you feel you can help in some way, please let me know. Keeps us in your prayers,
Joe
If you would like to give to this relief effort, you may do so directly:
Click here to make a secure contribution online.
Or contact our office and we will forward the money to the correct account.
Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:00PM