EXCITING NEWS

Hello brothers and sisters,

This week I would like to share with you some great news. God is working in our ministry in big ways and is letting us know that we are to continue to endure in the battle that comes with doing his work in our different programs/ministries.

Claudia and Diego

First off, I want to let you know that my son, Diego (almost 17 days old now) is growing and very healthy.  I’m so happy that God has shown us His love in such a way to Claudia and I, through sending this amazing and beautiful baby into our lives.

Now, I have some ministry updates:

1.  La Fuente is growing.  We have the vision of expanding this program in a way that will eventually support kids that have no chance to go to a private high school after they leave this public school (which only teaches up to 9th grade). The great thing about this is that we potentially have the chance to partner with a Christian private school that is nearby the public school where La Fuente is.  This will help the student(s) who benefits by this new project, as they will not have to incur lots of transportation costs to go back and forth for studies. The majority of these students don't have the means to pay for private tuition, which means they have to go to public high schools.  This is where there is the highest level of gang influence when it comes to schools in El Salvador

How is that going to work?

Part of the new program that La Fuente is bringing to the students is a class on how to make jewelry. Once the kids learn how to make it, they will start to make jewelry sets that we will sell in order to raise funds for a scholarship program.  At the end of the year the student with the best grade average will be the one receiving the scholarship. We hope to raise enough funds this year for us to be able to send the first kid to high school next year.

The benefits of this program not only offer an opportunity to learn a skill that can be used for their future, the student(s) that receives the scholarship will receive a higher level of education and will continue to have instruction in the ways of God as we partner with a Christian school.

2. Diaspora did its first test run at the airport last Tuesday. It went really well.  Butch, Barb and Ness along with other volunteers from Hungry Church were able to meet some of the returning folks and even talk to some of the authorities to explain the purpose of this program we want to implement. The official they spoke with said that programs like this are needed.  We also started to talk with different entities that would allow us access into the place where these folks are received when they get off the plane.  This would give us the opportunity to minister to them in a more efficient way.

Talking with security

Butch, Ness, G, Vladimir
and JC posing with
a public relations official

Sharing with a
returned brother

3.  On other not so exciting news: We have had 4 groups cancel their trips this year.  We are facing the worst year in the history of Envision El Salvador in terms of registration.  This is not good for the site in many ways.

Things to pray for:

• That God will guide Claudia and I (Tony) in raising Diego to the best of our abilities and in His ways.
• For Diaspora. I believe that we are receiving confirmation from God on starting this ministry. Pray that God will provide the start up funds needed. Soon we will be meeting to create an annual budget, pray that God will give us wisdom to budget for the things that are vital for this to happen.
• For this future project of scholarships through La Fuente to come true, we are excited to make this a reality.



Sarah Hemler, Intern


• We are glad to have a new intern, Sara Hemler; she is working at La Fuente teaching music to the kids and also sharing devos with them. Sarah is also participating int the football outreach by playing girls flag football. Pray that she’ll adapt smoothly to her role and will establish a very good connection with the students and her football teammates quickly.

Thanks for taking the time to read this update and for your support in prayer and other means.