The team: 

• Mike & Cristy Hillerman (Highlands) 

• Chip & Cindy Johnson (Highlands)

• Wesley Rule (Highlands)

• Nate Collins (Highlands Associate)

• Rob & Nancy Pierce (Covenant Pres, Ruston, LA)

The team visited several intermediate-to-advanced English language classes at two universities, providing students the opportunity to practice their English skills with native speakers. These classes were held at the Central American University (one of the top private universities in Central America) and Technological University of El Salvador (24,000+ students). 

At the end of each class, these students are given the opportunity to join a WhatsApp group organized by the MTW team that hosts monthly gatherings of various sorts. Prior to our  team visit the WhatsApp group had about 270 people on it. After our visit it had grown to over 330 people. The trip to the technological university was a first-time visit, and afterward, the administration and staff were so encouraged by the student engagement and participation that they’ve been invited back! That's a praise. 

In addition to the classroom interactions, we ate lunch at the school cafeteria at the University of Central America with the sole purpose of providing additional speaking opportunities for students. We were able to have some good conversations and tell people about the MTW group. 

On Thursday evening, we prepared and distributed 200 meals to the homeless in central San Salvador with Mission to El Salvador, a local Mercy Ministry. The eight of us arrived at MTES at 7pm to assemble the meal bags and load the pickup truck with the meals. Then we all sat in the back of the Ford F-250 as the driver travelled to some of the poorest parts of the city. We stopped numerous times and handed out meals to homeless men, women, and children. We finished the drive at the national square where we ran out of food and had to leave some people without dinner. 

Much of the week was oriented toward preparing for a large event on Friday evening. This event had been publicized on the WhatsApp group previously, and the maximum-allowed number of 40 people signed up to attend. Cindy Johnson and Jana Davila cooked all day Thursday in preparation for the Friday evening event,  "A Taste of the South". Much of Friday was spent in preparation for this event as well as some focused prayer time for the city and people of San Salvador.

Friday evening was a big success with over 30 people in attendance, including college  students and young professionals. The event was held on the roof of a nine-story apartment building overlooking the lights of the city. It was spectacular! The attendees enjoyed the Southern dishes we prepared, including pulled pork sandwiches, grits, and more. Nancy Pierce led several line dances such as the “electric slide” and the attendees had a great time. Rodney and Jana Davila then gave a 20-minute devotional on Luke 5:12-16 and we finished the evening getting to know our table groups. Each of our team members interacted with a table of students and young professionals.

Throughout the week, Rob Pierce, a videographer and photographer, videoed and took photos to be used by the MTW team for promotion of local events and fundraising. He spent time interviewing the MTW team and working on video clips to be used as needed as they grow and build their ministry.

In addition to the work-portions of the trip we also ate at several Salvadorian restaurants, and did some site seeing at the historic Sushitoto town and the Boquerón Volcano on the  edge of San Salvador. Overall, it was a powerful experience for all of us as we had to rely more on the Lord, and less on our own strength. 

Prayer Needs:

• That the team’s first Bible study held last Sunday would steadily increase in number.

• That the Lord would raise up local leaders for this emerging church.

• For the health, protection, and peace of the families of the long-term missionaries, and for the various difficulties that each of the missionaries face.

• For the restoration of health for the short-term team. We had a bout of illness right at the end of the trip that continues to linger.

• For the Lord’s guidance as the Highlands team reflects on the trip and considers how it should impact our personal ministries at home.