Serving and Seeing God Move in El Salvador

My name is Hadley, and I recently had the privilege of going on a mission trip to El Salvador with global(x). This trip was one of the most powerful experiences of my life and I’m so grateful to be able to share a little of it with you.

For eight days, I served at La Casa de Mi Padre, which means “My Fathers House.” It’s a Christian home for children who have been removed from their families due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. But despite the heartbreak behind their stories, this place is filled with so much love, healing, and the presence of God. From the moment we arrived at the farm, I could feel the presence of the Lord. There was this overwhelming sense of peace and purpose like God was already at work, and we were just stepping into what He was already doing.

During our time there, I got to do a little bit of everything. One day we visited a nearby village where the families live in deep poverty and most without electricity, running water, or even solid shelter. We brought food to them and prayed over them, and that time was one of the most powerful parts of the trip. These people had almost nothing, yet they welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to pray over their families.

A lot of the people we visited were very sick and separated from most of their family. Before we went and visited the village, we learned that while they may be impoverished in societal terms, they are rich in love and faith. While visiting these homes it reminded me that joy and hope aren’t based on what you have, they come from who you know. And these people knew Jesus.

We also spent a few days building a road, doing things like digging ditches and pouring concrete under the hot sun. And while that may sound like simple construction work, it was actually part of something much bigger. That road will lead to a new office that will be used to launch a foster care system, which will help reach more kids in need across El Salvador. The work we were doing with our hands is going to help more kids to help get placed in loving Christian homes where they can be cared for and raised with hope. Every shovel of dirt, every wheelbarrow of concrete, it was a small part of a much bigger picture that God is painting in that country.

Of course, one of my favorite parts of the week was spending time with the kids at La Casa. They were full of joy, laughter, and energy and even after a long day of work, just being around them lifted my spirit. We played games, sang songs, danced, told stories, and just shared time together. Even with a language barrier, God’s love was the common language. These kids have gone through so much, and yet they still smile with their whole hearts. That taught me so much about resilience, about joy, and about trusting God in every season.

And, finally, I have to mention the people I went on this trip with. When we started, we were just a group of students and leaders. But, by the end of the trip, we were a family. I came home with 13 new friends who have become a real support system in my life. We prayed together, served together, struggled together, and celebrated together. And that kind of community is something I’ll carry with me forever.

God moved in ways I never expected on this trip. He answered prayers I didn’t even know I had. He showed me that mission work isn’t just about what you do, it’s about being present, being willing, and letting Him use you right where you are. If you’ve ever felt a tug on your heart to go on a trip like this, I just want to encourage you to say yes. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. God can use you just as you are. I almost let fear and doubt hold me back but I’m so glad I didn’t, because this trip changed me. It grew my faith, opened my eyes, and reminded me of the power of God’s love.

So, thank you to everyone who prayed for us, supported us, and made this trip possible. Thank you to global(x) for giving me the opportunity. And thank you, Jesus, for writing this chapter in my story. I can’t wait to see how God continues to move in my life and at La Casa de Mi Padre.