As a participant in both previous trips to El Salvador and the Virtual mission trips (Nexus) over the last few years I could not help but compare them and felt that Nexus was lacking. I guess I felt that the ability to make a personal connection with the family was somehow limited because I could not be present and I could not feel the the same emotions I get being present. I had even questioned the value of Nexus. Our first day here God showed me those feelings were wrong and that indeed Nexus was fulfilling God purpose the same as the Immerse personal visits.
Sunday we had the opportunity to visit two of the families that we received homes from our 2020 Nexus mission and Julia has already blogged about one of these homes and the personal connection for her. The other family was a mother of three girls. One of the first questions someone asked was if she recognized any of us from the Nexus chats and she quickly identified several of us. I realized that to her she was going to remember the faces of people God had sent with this great blessing. She went on to describe how meaningful the house has been to her family as she now has to leave her daughters alone every week while she goes into the city to work as a maid at one of the hotels. Her girls can be left alone and be safe because of the house they received.
While visiting El Salvador personally is different and may bless the families, the workers, and ourselves in different ways I can witness that God is using both of these methods to bless his people and bring hope to these communities.
Pat
Thanks for sharing Pat. Some wise person told me we can never full understand the impression our connection may have on others, for us seeming small, for them very large and live changing. Praying God has left lots of encouraging impressions that will carry on in the community and draw them to a deeper relationship with the Lord. Very humbling to hear your work may be the answer to many years of prayers. God bless.
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