alyssa_sooy

December 2025

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:49:48 GMT

Hello Family!

I pray that you have had a beautiful month reflecting on this year and all God's faithfulness throughout it. Ending this year and looking forward to 2026 I want to remember God's goodness. We're ending the year surrounded by our family and loved ones, he's given us a place tol temporarily call home, he's provided Ado with a stable job (and a raise!) and most importantly I've witnessed so many people come to know Jesus and deepen their relationship with him.

Support Update

I will be in Ohio for the month of January to support raise! We are praying to raise $1000 in monthly support as well at $12,000 in one-time gifts to cover expenses that have come out of the fund I'm responsible for over the last 2 years and to prepare for the years to come. If you'd like to contribute towards our ministry for this upcoming year, or give an end-of-year gift, there is still time to give! You can give online here .

I will be visiting the following churches on the dates listed,

I would love to see you there and plan a time get together personally!

Jan 4th - Ethos Church

Jan 11- Freedom Bible Church
Jan 18- Gathering Community Church
Jan 25- Providence Church

CDI

We ended the school year with a wonderful Christmas party. The church members provided gifts for each and every child, and they were so excited. We also graduated 5 students from the CDI!

We are still unsure about Esther and Melani's replacements at the CDI, please continue to pray that God will provide the right person or people for the job!

Build Update

We continue to wait and pray as we are in the observation stage in the permit process. We have had more setbacks than we can say, but we are trusting that God's timing is above ours. On a good note, we were able to get a local City Hall permit to start building the retention walls for the back of the property! It's been so encouraging to see progress. Our builder has told us that it's not just the institution responsible for the permits, but also the administration of our development that's been giving us problems and has been difficult to work with. Please pray with us that all building restrictions and obstacles will be removed and that he would connect us with the right people to get our house started!

Church update

We have been raising money as a church to build on our property, however the permits are also going to take longer than expected. Pastor Ivo talked to the owner of the building and she has agreed to let us lease the building for six more months while we get the build underway. Praise God! Please keep this in your prayers as we take this next step forward as a church.

Pray with Me

Pray for our church- that the Lord would bless this transition of our church
Pray for house permits and building, and for our emotional and spiritual health during this time of waiting.
For support raising- that God will provide the necessary funds for me to continue in full-time ministry here

October 2025

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:51:20 GMT

Buenas tardes friends!

I'm so thankful for your prayers and partnership which allow Ado and I to continue in ministry here.

I spent the majority of the month of July in San Miguel assisting with two mission groups and the first week of August is a week of vacation here in El Salvador. Consequently it felt like the whole month was 3 weeks long.

At the end of 2024 the owner of the building our church rents told us that she would be ending our lease, wanting to sell the building. Pastor Ivo negotiated with her so that we could stay on a 6-month-basis until she found a buyer. The building is pretty old and is constantly presenting problems, some of which we've had to fix and others she has sent workers to patch up. This past month she has been painting the whole building, confirming what we've now known for a long time; our time here is coming to a close.

As a church we are raising money to put towards whatever comes next, whether it's purchasing a property or building a small outdoor pavilion area that can be used for the CDI and Sunday gatherings. Either way, there is still so much up in the air and we are praying for a miracle. Please be praying for this effort on behalf of our church, specifically that the Lord would provide the funds needed and also the building permits.

Build Update

Praise God we are *finally* done with the blueprint revisions and have now turned all the information in to the institution responsible for giving us the permit we need to begin building. We are praying that the Lord gives us peace in the waiting, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. We've received the observations and corrections, which are minimal, and are in the process of finishing the process. We're trying not to raise our expectations, as everything has taken way longer than we had expected, but are still hopeful to begin construction before the end of the year.

This whole process has been extremely stretching, and each day is full of contradicting emotions. Please keep this in your prayers.. it's so easy to get discouraged. We are constantly reminding each other of God's faithfulness.. how important it is to our faith to recall all that God has done in our lives up to now!

CDI

CDI continues to run smoothly as we now turn towards finishing up the school year. My classes and I have started reading the story of David after finishing up the story of Moses and the Exodus. Reading through the different Bible stories has always been my favorite part of giving class at the CDI.

Next year is going to look very different as our two cooks, Melany and Esther, won't be returning. They've been with the CDI for a very long time and it's going to be so sad to see them leave, for us as much as for the kids. Please help us pray for their replacements!

Missions 2025

As I said, for two weeks in July I was in San Miguel with Ethos church serving the community. It's always one of my favorite times of year! We returned to a local school where the team made a new basketball court over the course of the two weeks, and we spent time with the kids in their classes. They painted and restored desks and chairs in another school, as well as threw a party at a local orphanage. One of the greatest joys is being able to serve alongside friends who come back every year!

Conexión

Our youth group has continued to grow with new faces joining us recently! We have been selling snacks after church to raise money for our end-of-year excursion to "The Mountain Spirit," a beautiful mountain lookout camp spot known for its incredible sunrises over the Fonseca Gulf.

As the young adults leader, Ado has been frustrated lately as our young members don't seem to want to make the "commitment leap." Last week his uncle Giovanni shared an important reminder with him.. it's not up to us to change hearts. We share what God is teaching us and He is the one who changes hearts and minds so that all the glory goes to Him. With that in mind, the following meeting we had only 5 people show up.. but it included deep conversation that maybe wouldn't have happened had we had the usually 15 people. We don't know who God has chosen as the next youth leader, church leader, worship leader. But we continue to equip as we've been called to do, knowing that when the time is right He will raise up the next generation. Perspective is so important, and recently we've been reminded that our mindset on this earth needs to be a heavenly one. Eyes on the Kingdom, for this is not our home.

My parents came to visit at the beginning of August, and we got to spend the week hanging out and relaxing together!

In September we tried again for a tourist visa for Ado, for which he was denied. This is more frustrating than we can express.. but we know that God is sovereign and it's not his will for us that we travel to the US right now. We honestly are not going to try again, as we were told that being married basically makes it impossible for him to get a tourist visa (backwards, right??) Essentially they say that every person soliciting a visa is seen as a potential immigrant, and it's each person's job to convince the consul that they're not at risk for overstaying the visa. The fact that we are married means that my family is now Ado's family, and immediate family in the states = higher risk of overstaying his visa. His job doesn't pay high enough for it to be perceived as a reason to pull him back to El Salvador, even though he explained that I live here as a permanent resident and it's not our desire to move back to the States. We think a lot of it has to do with the mood that the interviewer is in that day (laughable, but true). Either way, it's an expensive process and he's been turned down three times. We've been told that now that we've been married for 2 years, he could easily been given an immigrant visa, however that would imply a more long-term stay in the States which we also don't feel lines up with our ministry goals.

At the same time that this was happening, Ado was offered a promotion at a new location of the bank that is being built near our soon-to-be residence. Between the prolonged building permit process, the denied visa, AND the job promotion, we are at a loss as to how to plan for the future. It's been a humbling few months, learning how to depend on the Lord daily, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. But we DO know that God remains faithful and still believe full-heartedly that this is where our ministry lies.

Support Update

Over the last year we've been raising support to reach our goal, and we are still in need of about $500 monthly. In order to raise this support, both the one-time and monthly amount we are short, I will be making a trip back to the States to meet up with you and share ministry updates! It will most likely be during January-Feb for 3 weeks to 1 month. There are two specific ways that you can support me during this time:
1. Would you please pray about making a one-time or monthly contribution?
and
2. Consider helping me share about our ministry:

Who do you know that would be interested in hearing about our ministry in El Salvador?

Pray with Me

Pray for our church- that the Lord would lead us to a property, building, or confirm plans to build a temporary structure, and that our church members would remain faithful and strong through the transition
For Pastor Ivo- Ivo has chronic health problems that he deals with on a daily basis, many of which have flared up recently. Please also keep him and his health in your prayers!
PRAISE! Ado's promotion at the bank- he will be in a new position when they open a new location nearby, which allows him to continue growing in his career and will be new challenge for him. He's very excited! He will probably started training in November to be ready by December when the new location is set to open.
The Lingo Academy- now that were 3 months from the end of the year, I'm going to start reaching our and searching for volunteers for the English Academy we hope to put here. Please be praying that the Lord lead me to the right people and that he raise up volunteers to be part of this project with me.
Pray for house permits and building, and for our emotional and spiritual health during this time of waiting.

I'm continually grateful for your prayers and financial support which allows us to continue ministry here in La Libertad. 5 incredible years next month! None of this would have been possible without you.. THANK YOU, for your faith and generosity.

In Christ,
Alyssa

So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1: 7b

July 2025

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:28:08 GMT

Hi amigos!

These past few months Ado and I have been struggling to understand and trust God's timing. We are still living at my in-law's house, still waiting on the building permits to begin construction on our house. Frustrating. However, last week we felt the Lord prompting us to shift our attitudes towards our situation. Comfort, as much as we enjoy it, can also be our enemy. We've realized that in these past six months we've really gotten comfortable. In our routines, in our home, in our faith, in the church. Does that ever happen to you? One of the mission group leaders asked me last week, "Why do you think the church hasn't grown in the last few years?" Ufff, that's a hard one to hear, but at the same time it's not hard to answer. As a church we've gotten comfortable too. We're not sharing the Gospel, not inviting people to church. God knew we needed a prompt to change our attitudes and shift our perspective, and that's what he did for us!

CDI

The CDI has been buzzing with the energy of new little ones! We recently brought in 11 new faces between the ages of 4-6, sometimes it seems more like a kindergarten than an after-school program �� It's been sweet getting to know them. About a month ago Marielos (the CDI director) and I went to a local kindergarten to talk to moms about the CDI. We've since had a boom in interest for the CDI! We constantly have moms come in and ask about how their kids can be part of the program. Praise God!

A huge praise is that Esther is back at the CDI! She is taking it slow, as she still experiences headaches but we are so happy to have her back with us!

Missions 2025

This past week we hosted a group of 11 from Rock City, and what an incredible week it was! The Lord used each member of the group in an incredible way, not only to be a blessing to the church and the community but also to renew our passion for the work God is doing and to encourage us in ways that only God knew we needed. We started out the week building beds for 8 new CDI kids which they delivered throughout the week. Monday and Tuesday where we did a medical brigade in the community center. One member of the group was a neurologist, who had previously spent 2 weeks in Honduras, and the week before the group came in San Salvador and Soyapango seeing patients. People were lining up to see her, especially since her speciality is migraines and headaches, (I would say every 1 in 3 people suffer from those here). Our local clinic doctor also invited a co-worker of his to participate, so we were fortunate to have the two of them as well as a nurse from the mission group. The clinic continued throughout the week, two days in the community and the rest of the week in the clinic at the church. The doctors saw over 200 patients throughout the week! The greatest part of the clinic was that every single patient heard the Good News of Christ. Members of the group sat down with everyone who came through the clinic and took some time to sit and talk with them. There were 20 known salvations throughout the week!

One particularly impactful experience was when one of the girls, Crystal, in the group came to ask me if the neurologist could talk to a couple about their baby daughter. The little baby looked to have down syndrome, and after talking to her parents we found out that they had gotten the genetic testing done, however none of the doctors would take the time to sit and talk to them about what the diagnosis would mean. Crystal asked me to talk to them, as she had just finished her bachelors degree in molecular biology, with the goal of obtaining a masters degree in Genetic Counseling! We sat down with the couple and she was able to explain what it was that their daughter most likely had, and what they meant for her and her family. She patiently answered questions for them, something that none of their doctors had done for them. I saw firsthand how God used her to give peace to a family that had been struggling for a long time to find answers for their daughter, and it was beautiful to see how the Holy Spirit led Crystal to have that conversation with them. That definitely wasn't a coincidence!

One reason that I love mission weeks so much is because it helps me see La Libertad with new eyes. Getting to experience the CDI and the community through people who have never been here renews my passion and reminds me of the need there is for Christ is the community. In the day-to-day here it's easy to go about my day and routine without getting out of my shell. This week reminded me that there are over 15 new kids in the CDI, which means 15 families who maybe don't know Christ! Going to a few of their houses and talking to the families, hearing about how 5 and 6 year olds go home after the CDI and tell their illiterate parents the Bible stories, moved my heart and served as an personal reminder of the difference our Bible lessons make in the lives of not only the kids, but their families and communities as well.

One of the beds the team made and delivered was to Matías, a little boy in the CDI. Matías broke his arm when he fell about a month ago, but his family didn't have the means to take him to get x-rayed right away, resulting in the cast being put over the unset broken bone. The doctors told his parents that there was a chance that as he grew the bone would restore itself. Please pray that Matías' arm would fully be healed correctly!

This house visit was really special because the whole family accepted Jesus!

Check out the video of the week here ⬆️⬆️⬆️

The Lingo Project

Two of the missionaries who were here run an English academy in Columbus for immigrants called The Lingo Project. About a month ago one of them called me and asked if we would be interested in adopting their model and starting a Lingo Project English academy here. I was a bit hesitant at first, not wanting to take on more than I could handle, but seeing the need and what an incredible outreach opportunity it would be, the Lord changed my heart. There are still lots of details to work out and volunteers to recruit, but I think God will do incredible things through an English academy at the church. The idea is to offer English at a more affordable rate than what's available here in La Libertad, and use the classes as a way to share the Gospel. With the increase in tourism here, there has also been an increase in interest to learn English. Please keep this project in your prayers as we figure out details, and that the Lord would provide the volunteers needed to get it up and running!

Pray with Me

Pray for our church, that each member would feel the urgency to share the gospel in their day-to-day and that we will see the fruits of discipleship
UPCOMING- Next week and the last week of July I will be in San Miguel assisting the GCLA church with two mission groups. Please pray for safety and health for these groups, and that many may come to know Jesus through their work
For the house-building and permit process- that we would trust in God's timing and make the most of our time at my in-laws' house.

I hope you were encouraged as much by reading this update as I was writing it. Praise God that He doesn't give up on us! There is still work to be done, and if God gives us breath each day then He has already equipped us to do it. I am continually grateful that you're on this mission with us.

In Christ,
Alyssa

1 John 2:2
He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins - and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

April 2025

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:48:37 GMT

Hola friends,

Is it just me, or is 2025 going waaaaaay faster than any year before? I can't believe it's April already!

We've got lots of big updates, so grab a cup of coffee and get cozy!

Ado and I have dubbed this year a "year of transition." We're learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and I'm remembering a lot of what the Lord taught me during my season of waiting while support raising.

The 3-year-long saga of house-hunting has finally reached its finale... As I wrote at the end of last year my land lord raised our rent again and wanted us to start paying maintenance fees for the neighborhood. We started looking for a place to live and let him know that we would be moving out. We found a piece of property within a neighborhood that we are planning to build on, however we still needed a place to stay in the meantime. Thankfully, my in-laws opened their doors to us and offered for us to stay with Ado's family while our house is being built because after months of searching we came up empty. We spent the first few weeks of March moving out of our home and built a storage shed on the front porch of their house to hold our things in the meantime. More than anything, the heat has been hard to adjust to, but we've been enjoying the extra time with his family. We know that this is a temporary situation and are confident that the Lord has led us to stay here for the next few months.

Upon turning over the keys to the house, the owner informed us that he would not be returning our deposit, and on top of that was charging us for maintenance that he had done on the house last October. We've contested his claims, however he insists that we pay him the extra money and we have no desire to enter into a legal battle with him. We decided not to fight him on the deposit, but if he pursues further action for the remaining money we'll have no choice but to go to mediation with him. Please be praying that this situation gets resolved quickly and smoothly.

As far as the house goes, we've seem to had every setback under the sun and are still waiting to start building. This is very frustrating, as we had planned on having at least the retention wall and foundation built by the time we moved in with Ado's parents. We're hoping that we can start moving our things over as soon as we get a roof on the first floor. This process has really been stretching me, as it seems completely backwards as to how we go about building a house in the States. I've found so much comfort in remembering what the Lord taught me during the time I was support raising and anxious to get to El Salvador: His timing is completely perfect and is working for our good. He has been so good to provide everything that we have needed so far and I know He will continue to do so.

Here is a 3D rendering of what the front of our house will look like, along with a picture of the septic tank being built.

CDI

I honestly can't believe this is my 4th year at the CDI already! I continue to give classes to the 'big kids' although we might switch that up in the upcoming month. I enjoy having the same students, as it allows me to know them better. Last year we spent the year in Genesis so we decided to continue the Old Testament story in Exodus, learning about Moses. This past week the kids made "comic books" to tell the story of Moses' birth in Egypt...

Please Pray!

This year we have the same team as last, 4 staff members (Me, Melany, Esther, Marielos), and 3 volunteers that help us out 4 days a week. It's a stretch with the 72 kids we have but we make it work. However, about a month ago Esther was at home walking up her front steps and a driver lost control of their car, went up on the steps, and hit her. She has severe bruises all over her body but the most concerning is that she has 3 blood spots on her brain, signaling internal bleeding. She was taken to the public health clinic nearby, then transported to a hospital in San Salvador where she stayed in the ICU for 4 days and then under observation another 2. We recognize that it is a miracle that she is alive. She was brought home at the end of the week and her family says that she seems to be doing much better, although she still recovering. Please pray for Esther and her recovery, that there would be no lasting effects of the accident on her body or brain, and also for her family as they cope with the situation and help Esther heal.

Conexión

At the end of the year we had our annual Christmas dinner with the young adult group. This year's theme was "wasn't it here?" (it was a video trend on Tik Tok ��) Basically we had to dress up as anything we wanted to and we made a video walking in the door like "Wait, wasn't it here the_____ " (insert what you dressed up for, like a PJ party, the bank, construction job, etc). We always have a blast with the young adult group.

We took at a trip to the center of San Salvador to see the Christmas lights and the national library, which has 8 floors and is actually the only library in El Salvador! I hadn't seen it yet so I really enjoyed finally getting to visit.

Infinito

Each year the youth groups from the San Salvador, La Libertad, and Soyapango churches get together for an end-of-year retreat, which we call Infinito (Infinite). This year the theme was único Dios (One and only God) and we learned about the different unique aspects of our God. We also took an afternoon to go to a local park and share the gospel, as we've done in the past. My group and I had a really great discussion with some siblings who were reading in the park, and we invited them to the local San Salvador church. I really enjoy this part and also love seeing the younger members of our youth group share their faith boldly! We are planning to do this at the local Sunset Park in La Libertad as well at the end of this month.

"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word."

Acts 4:29

Pray with Me

PRAISE! for continued financial support growth and prayer for provision- that the Lord will provide the remaining $391 monthly that we need to continue serving full-time in La Libertad
For Conexión youth group to continue growing in their relationships with Jesus and to continue growing as a group, and for our upcoming outing to share the gospel.
For this season of transition and patience as we move forward with building our home.
For health- this past month has been full of Chicken Pox and severe colds
PRAISE! Ado was given a promotion at work to be a customer service agent at the bank, we are so thankful that the position is available to him right here in La Libertad.

Thank you for your constant prayers and continual support. We are honored to be in ministry with you!

In Christ,
Alyssa

Psalms 25:4-5
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.

October 2024

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:23:05 GMT

Hola familia,

Life seems to be full of so much change lately. The downtown area of La Libertad is an absolute mess, as they've torn up the streets to put in underground wiring and made the traffic a lot worse. Both roads in and out of La Libertad are also under construction, as they're expanding the highways to 4 lanes. In what seems like a very short period of time the port of La Libertad looks so different than when I first saw it.

I'll share more about this later, but Ado and I will also be moving out of the house we've been renting. I lived here for 2 years before we got married, and we've been here together for almost a year now. It's a relief to be moving, but also a little bittersweet to be leaving our first home together.

We cling to the God who does not change while so much around us does. He is faithful forever and ever!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

CDI

Although is seems crazy, the end of the year is approaching fast! The school year will end here in mid-November and we will stay in session at the CDI til mid-December. This time of year is fun (and more challenging) as the kids come with *all* their energy ��. I'll start working on a song with the little kids to perform for their mothers at the end-of-year celebration.

I was reflecting with Marielos (the director of the CDI) the other day about how important it is to have one teacher consistently with a set group of students in order to be able to see their progress. This in and of itself is a privilege, considering that most of our teachers are volunteers and come in once a week. It made me grateful for how the Lord placed me in the CDI in a way that allows me to know my kids well and be a consistent person in their lives. And I am grateful for you, because it's your partnership that allows me to be in El Salvador. Thank you!

Learning to grow...

One of our partners, Convoy of Hope, gave a demonstration to the older kids and parent of the CDI on how to set up plant boxes and plant seeds as part of their initiative to help families become self-sustaining. The kids and their moms had a blast! COH will host several more workshops before setting each family up with the tools and resources to grow their own gardens at home.

Independence Month

September is a very special month for El Salvador; a month in which we celebrate El Salvador's independence. On September 15th, big cities and small towns alike put on parades and civil acts, showcasing typical suits and dances. Many of our students participate in the festivities, rehearsing since early August and starting the civil acts at the beginning of September. In school, they learn about the national bird (Torogoz), and tree (Maquilisuat), in addition to many cultural traditions. The photos below are of several kids from the CDI participating in the parade.

Special Guest Visit

A few weeks ago my parents came to stay with us and we loved every minute of it! My mom came with me to the CDI a few days and taught my kids about different body parts in English, finishing up with "head, shoulder, knees, and toes." I'm 100% positive they liked her more than they like me ��.

Conexión

Our youth group continues to grow and we are overjoyed at the fellowship and connection that is being fostered. We are consistently seeing 14-18 people come and participate! Praise God!

Last Sunday Ado and I had everyone over to our house and we ate together and went down to the community pool in our neighborhood and spent the afternoon together hanging out and playing games.

The night this picture was taken, the youth group was invited over to Pastor Ivo's house to celebrate his birthday. Our friend Lenin (sitting in the center of the picture at the little table with Ado and I), accepted Christ with Ado in the car just minutes before. Praise God! Please keep in in your prayers as he continues to grow in faith.

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10

Looking forward

Baptism event on Nov 3rd- we believe that baptism is the first step of obedience after trusting in Jesus and are encouraging the new believers in our congregation to take this step of faith! Please pray for the Holy Spirit to prompt each person.
Holiday season- we have lots of church events, Christmas dinners, etc, planned in the upcoming months. As you know, Christmas is a time when many people are more sensitive to church and more likely to accept an invitation. Please pray for many invitations to be made and accepted!
Ado's graduation!!!-Nov 14

Financial Support Update

We are only $285/mo away from being 100% funded! We need 2 more people willing to join at $100/mo and two more at $50... and you can help us find them! You are a key part of this ministry and many of you have been with me since day one. Please share my story and think of friends or family that might be interested in supporting our ministry!

Prayer Request

A year after I came to El Salvador I moved down to La Libertad from another nearby city. We found one available house in one of the few neighborhoods with security, and that's where I've lived for almost 3 years. Each year the landlord has raised the rent and this year was no different. However, the amount he's asking us to raise is much higher. We know that the house is not in a good state of repair and he has now also told us that we can't have large groups of people over (we like to have the youth group over to our house regularly) due to the delicate state of the house. Considering all this, we know it's time to move on. I asked the owner to give us 3 months to find another place and turn over the house. Please pray that the Lord show us clearly the place he has prepared for us here, and that the transition would be smooth! Our desire is to build a place of our own, as houses are rarely sold here. However, we would still need a temporary house while we build. Through all of this the Lord has reminded me over and over that he is in control and is faithful. We have peace knowing that if the Lord is leading us on, he has already prepared a place for us.

Pray with Me

PRAISE! for continued financial support growth and prayer for provision- that the Lord will provide the remaining $285 monthly that we need to continue serving full-time in La Libertad
For Conexión youth group to continue growing in their relationships with Jesus and to continue growing as a group, and also for end of year activities
For daily strength for Ado as he balances a full- time job with ministry
For end of year activities in the CDI
That Ado and I would have peace in the search for our new home

Seeing the names of each person who has joined this mission with us through prayer and financial support brought me and overwhelming sense of gratitud. YOU make it possible for us to serve the kids in the CDI, the youth group, and the church in La Libertad. You make it possible for us to fill a big need the church has and proclaim His name here... we could not do it without you.

In Christ,
Alyssa

Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

August 2024

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:53:45 GMT

Hola familia,

I'm excited to catch you up on everything that's been going on here over the last few months!

CDI

These last 2 months have been full of fun, sweet moments with the kids. We finished the book of Genesis! The story of Joseph is such an incredible reminder of the sovereignty of God and how he is working even in the midst of our trials when we can't see the big picture. This was a powerful topic to talk about with my class, since so many of them have experienced the unimaginable. We talked about how Joseph must have felt being sold into slavery, wrongfully accused, forgotten and despised and then seeing how the Lord brought him out of that situation for the good and future of his people. His response to his brothers when he reunites with them is an example of how surrendering to the Lord and letting the Holy Spirit work in our hearts can change our perspective on everything in our lives.

Next up is studying the life of Jesus with my kids. In addition to the devotional aspect of the reading, we are using the 4 Gospels to talk about perspective and how each story is written by a different person with complementing details on the account of his life. We spend 20-30 minutes each day reading from the Bible as a class. This not only is great for learning the stories in the Bible, but also is a vital part of practicing reading for the kids. A lot of my students tell me that in school all they do is copy lessons from the board, with very little reading practice. Most of my kids don't have books at home that they can practice reading with and the majority also don't have parents at home with them that are able to invest time in their learning. The academic, emotional and spiritual support they receive at the CDI is so important to their formation!

Mission Teams

This year I had the privilege of being a part of two different mission teams. Each was a unique experience, and an incredible reminder of God's faithfulness. Mission teams are a vital part of our church, giving us an opportunity to connect and serve the community in a unique way.

ETHOS

The first mission group this year was from Ethos Church in Columbus, OH to the GCLA church in San Miguel (2019 Church plant by Giovanni Bonilla and his family). I was able to join their trip to help out as a translator along with my sister-in-law Gaby, and a few other friends from La Libertad. They arrived in La Libertad on a Saturday and stayed for Church on Sunday, where one of the women from the group joined the worship team on stage to sing a bilingual version of Holy Forever by Chris Thomlin! It was such a cool experience.

The week was filled with school visits at two different schools, bed building and painting, concrete making, and bed deliveries. We were so thankful that although it was hot, it wasn't the typical "San Miguel" hot (it's typically between 95-100 degrees in SM). In the classrooms we talked to the kids about the gospel, played games, and taught them some fun chants from Ohio (O-H!).

It's really cool to see the impact and connections that Giovanni and his family have made in San Miguel over the last 5 years. Their house church is growing each year, and they are searching for a building to start meeting on Sunday mornings as well as a place to start up a future CDI. Please pray for Giovanni and his family as they continue to share the gospel and grow the church in San Miguel, and for their search for a meeting place! You can check out the video summary of the week here .

ROCK CITY

A few days after Ethos left we welcomed a group from Rock City Church in Columbus, OH to La Libertad! This group was unique because it was the first time that Rock City did a split trip, spending part of the trip in La Libertad and the other part in San Miguel. They had a focus on medical missions, hosting a clinic in a nearby community all day Saturday as well as 2 days in San Miguel at 2 different schools. The medical team was made up of one nurse practitioner and a pharmacist, and in the 3 days of clinic the NP saw over 150 patients!

In addition to the clinic the team also made and delivered 10 beds in the two cities (including one they carried straight up part of a mountain ��. They spent a few days with the kids at the CDI and threw an awesome party for them as well! Although part of the team fell sick a few days into the trip, they were a tough group and continued serving the community the whole week.

On their last night in La Libertad we threw a Luau party with lots of leis and coconuts, complete with an award ceremony that the team had put together!

Check out the video summary of the week here !

Conexión

We are slowly seeing our youth group grow, with an average of 15 people coming consistently! This is a an answer to prayer for us, as we started out the year with an average of 8 people. In addition to this, we are seeing many new faces come to visit. Our prayer and desire for the members is that in them a desire would awake to seek the Lord and know his Word personally. After over a year of inviting him to join, Ado's boss even accepted his invitation to come! (He's near our age and they've known each other for years). He has been coming to church and youth group for over a month now. Praise God for the work he is doing in Conexión! Please join us in praying for the youth members.

This past Sunday we went bowling as a group and it was a blast! It's been years since I've gone bowling (and it showed in my score��). Among the 14 people who went, only I and one other person had previously been bowling before, since there's only one bowling alley in all of El Salvador and it has a reputation for being expensive. The best part of the entire day was seeing the pure joy on everyones faces as they threw their first bowling balls, hovering as close to the lanes as they could. Not a person was found sitting down the entire hour, and everyone shouted for joy and cheered each other on after every turn. For something so common to me growing up, this was such a beautiful and unique experience! Afterwords we went to a city park nearby to walk around and spend the afternoon together. Definitely a day I will never forget!

PRAY WITH ME

Financial support provision - that the Lord will provide the $464 monthly that we need to continue serving full time in La Libertad
Health - sickness continues to plague our community- many kids are out with colds, covid and Dengue is still an imminent risk.
For Conexión youth group to continue growing in their relationships with Jesus and to continue growing as a group
For wisdom and patience as Ado and I pray about next steps in our ministry

Going on 4 years here in El Salvador, I don't take for granted the incredible support team that the Lord has provided for me. Your prayers are what sustain and propel my ministry and I am so grateful for you!

Love,
Alyssa

Proverbs 9:10
Fear of the Lord is the founda tion of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.

June 2024

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 17:47:42 GMT

Hola Familia,

I pray that you are doing well! I had the opportunity to connect with a few of you this past month, and to say the least it was rejuvenating. In May we celebrated an anniversary, birthdays, mother's day, and finishing school. I feel like every time I reflect on the last few months while writing these updates, it seems like life has somehow gotten even busier. But in the midst of the busyness, I see 100 new ways that God is merciful and loving towards his children.

Our hottest months have finally passed and we are now in rainy season. It's always such a relief when the rain comes as it cools the temperature, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Right now we are preparing for an intense hurricane season, which brings lots of flooding along with it and poses a threat to many CDI families who live alongside the rivers.

CDI

The other day as I was receiving the kids and taking attendance, a mom stopped to talk to me. Her child is new to the CDI, but is adapting well and quickly making friends. She starting telling me about how her son had been hospitalized the week prior for breathing treatments; He suffers from asthma and a few other health problems. She told me about how the stress of their living situation was affecting both the boy's health as well as her own, and how in order for there to be improvement she'd have to make drastic changes in her life. She wasn't sure if she was ready for that, but seeing how it affected her son it made her consider it more seriously. With tears in her eyes she told me about how her son used to have an imaginary friend and many times while at home would talk to him about how he didn't like to be there, and how they should leave for a while and come back when things were different.

Suddenly this mom's toned changed. She said, "My son's been different since he started coming to the CDI. He's made friends, he has a place to play and let off steam. He comes home and tells me, 'I like going to the CDI because there's love there, there's no love at school. But I feel loved at the CDI.'" With all the problems they faced in their life, it brought her peace knowing that her son was in a place where he was safe and loved.

Many times it's frustrating, as working with people (especially kids ��) can be. In reality we're with the kids at the CDI for a relatively short amount of time, but the Lord used this conversation to remind me that His love has a profound and resounding impact. Small acts of love and the way we reflect God's light in the world makes a difference in the lives of those around us, even when we don't realize it. Thank you for your partnership and prayers, which allows me to be part of this ministry!

Prayers for Health

Lately we've been getting hit with a lot of sickness. Ado was out for a week with the flu (which is very uncommon here), and the doctor said that COVID was also going around again. In addition to that, the intense rains we've been experiencing have brought a TON of mosquitos, and the mosquitos bring many different illnesses. Over 20 kids have been missing classes in the past 3 weeks due to the flu, Dengue (mosquito-transmitted disease), colds, and bacteria-related illnesses. Please keep our health in your prayers, only God can heal!

Church Events

Vertical

March 27-29 we went to GCLA's annual spring conference, "Vertical," in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 8 of us from the church went and we had a great time learning about Daniel. The theme this year was 10x, and each speaker shared about a different aspect about the disciplines and habits that made Daniel, Hannah, Mishael, and Azariah stand out 10x more in their faith.

One thing that really jumped out at me was a graph that one speaker drew. He added a long straight line parallel to the x-axis, which represented "Christians in the system". He said most Christians live a long, steady life not veering off of the normal. Then, he drew an upward curved line and explained how that represented "Consistency, perseverance through time", and at the top of the y-axis were the words "Disciples with an eternal perspective." In order to move from being a "Christian in the system" to a "disciple with an eternal perspective," there are two important convictions we need to have,
1. Don't bow down, and
2. Don't corrupt yourself.
In order to carry out these convictions we need to: know our identity, have standards, practice our convictions, and strive for holiness.

May 25 and 26 we had a special visit from the founders of GCLA, Nelson and Lucy Guerra. On Saturday we had men's and women's conferences with the churches of San Salvador, La Libertad, Soyapango and San Miguel. Lucy shared with the women what it looks like to live with "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14)(1. women from 4 churches). Then on Sunday we had a special time of Worship with a combined band from 3 churches, and Pastor Nelson shared. (Below: 2. band rehearsal, 3. combined band from 3 churches).

Afterwords the La Libertad church went to a park and shared a time of fellowship with Bible trivia, it was a lot of fun! (4 & 5).

Celebrations!

In May Ado successfully defended his final project for college and is now just waiting his graduation! The ceremony will be in November. We are so thankful for God's provision for his classes and relieved that he's done.

The first week of June we also had the immense blessing of taking vacation time with my parents. This was the first time in years that Ado has gotten quality time with them and the rest was much needed after a non-stop month.

Pray with Me

Financial support provision- that the Lord will provide the $600 monthly that we need
For health in the La Libertad community
Praise for a safe trip and great conference!
Upcoming mission groups (July 6-13 San Miguel, July 18-28 La Libertad)
Protection during this hurricane season

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Cor. 13:14)

Love,
Alyssa

John 13:35
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

March 2024

Fri, 24 May 2024 15:27:16 GMT

Hi Friends!

Sorry it's been a minute since I've touched base! January went *flying* by, and then before I knew it we were in March already?? Anyway, they always said that's what happens as you get older.

Adonay and I took a few days in January to go on a short honeymoon. We did a roadtrip, going from a few days at the beach, up to Chalatenango (the highest region of the country), and then over to San Miguel for a few days to spend time with his uncle, Giovanni, and his family. Times like those when we're able to slow down and reset are so necessary!

CDI

We began the new school year the 3rd week of January, jumping back into classes with 20 new faces. Classes have been much fuller this year, as we're averaging 35 kids each day. This week were introducing 5 new kids as well, hoping to reach our goal of 80 kids in total! (we are still hosting the kids in 2 groups). Our desire is to start hosting all 80 kids every day either next month or the month after, yet our biggest challenge is staff. In order to physically fit the kids in the space we have we'll need to divide them up into 4 classrooms, and at the moment with have 3 teachers. I know that in His timing the Lord will provide the volunteer we need in order to start hosting all the kids.

I've been changing up which group I give class to, but the majority of the time I'm with the oldest group. One thing that we've been doing that I really enjoy is reading the Bible starting at the beginning. Instead of using kids bibles as I have in the past, we've been reading the normal Bible together and then talking about it as a class. This week we are reading about Abram and God's promise to him.

The last few years one of our partner churches, Rock City Church, has come on mission teams the month of March during which they give a new pair or shoes to each child in the CDI. This year they were unable to make it, yet in an incredible act of generosity they made a donation in order to each child their new shoes! We love seeing the joy on their faces as they get a new pair of kicks to show off.

Conexión Youth Group

Christmas Outreach Dinner

Our outreach dinner with the youth group was a blast, and everyone knocked their costumes out of the park! Last year we started a tradition of choosing a theme and dressing up for the dinner, and the theme for our dinner this time was the world of Shrek. Ado went as Merlin the wizard and I went as the wolf (our costumes were thrifted and weren't winning any prizes, but hey, it was fun ��). We were joined by several guests and even some youth group members whom we hadn't seen in a while. It was a wonderful time of fellowship!

Infinito

The past few years our youth group has been going to San Salvador on a youth retreat, combining with the San Salvador and Soyapango churches. Each year families from the San Salvador church host us in their homes and we spend the days together learning from the Word and worshipping. This year our theme was sharing the Gospel. As a Great Commission church, our mission and vision is to share the Gospel, and we realized that there are many young members of our church who had done that before. We took time to talk about how to break the ice and easy steps to remember in order to share the Gospel understandably and memorably. We made little bags of cookies and candies to hand out, then went to the historic center of San Salvador to share! We split up into groups to talk to people and I went with 3 nervous young newcomers. I started out our group sharing the gospel with a few different people, and we had the incredible blessing of leading 4 people to Christ! Afterwords they took the reins and worked as a team to break the ice and share the incredible news of God's love. Altogether it was an incredible experience and a powerful reminder of the importance not only to understand God's love and pursue him personally, but also to know how to explain his Gift to us so that many may know and be saved.

March 27-29 we will be going to GCLA's annual spring conference in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This year only a few people from our church will be going, including us. We'll be staying with a local family from the church in San Pedro Sula and enjoying a time of fellowship, learning and worship with all GCLA churches across North and Central America.

Praise for a "new" car!

The last 6-8 months were wrought with car problems that didn't seem to have an end. The AC seemed to work for about 3 months and then would go out again. Every time we went into get it checked out they would tell us the same thing, that we needed a new compressor. Right around the time when we truly didn't know how to proceed the Lord provided a contact for a mechanic nearby who specializes in car AC systems. We went to get it checked out and were able to get it fixed up enough to sell. After a few more long months of getting no offers to buy the car we lowered the price and we're able to sell it.

The next stage was equally as difficult. Finding a used car in El Salvador is tricky because the majority of used cars are salvaged, imported and fixed up to sell. This means they usually bring a host of problems with them. There are places to find used "agency" cars (cars that have never been totaled), but they're usually $5-7k more expensive than the value of a salvaged car. So we began our search and found several that we were interested in, but one after another all failed the mechanic's revision. After 3 failed revisions we were pretty discouraged and decided to take one last car in before opting for plan B (which would have been going to the customs and buying a salvaged car to fix up ourselves). Praise God the last car came back with only minor fixes and maintenance needed. From selling the car to buying the "new" one, the process took about 3 weeks, and we are so thankful to my in-laws for lending us their car in the meantime!

Our hope and prayer for this car is that it will serve us well for at least 5 years. We plan to have it until we're in need of a bigger car, in which case we would love to be able to purchase an "agency" SUV.

Financial Support

Raising support is definitely a long process, especially when you add ministry on top of it! I am still about $575 from my financial support goal. Thank you much to those who have joined my team and for those who continue to pray!
Who do you know that would be interested in hearing about the ministry here in La Libertad?

Pray with Me

Financial support provision
Spring conference in Honduras and safe travel during the trip (its about 12-14 hours by car).
Praise for God's provision of a car!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. May the Lord fill your hearts with his joy and peace this Easter as we celebrate the greatest gift we could ever receive... eternity with Him!

Love,
Alyssa

Psalm 119:89-90
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

December 2023

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:17:28 GMT

Hola familia!

November was an incredibly busy, incredibly special month because.... I GOT MARRIED! On November 11th Adonay and I said "I do," (well, it was more like "sí, acepto" ��) in front of our dear friends from here in El Salvador, my family and a few close friends from home. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the Lord blessed us with an incredible peace and a spectacular sunset while we said our vows to one another. We feel a profound joy for this new step in our lives and cannot wait to celebrate with you back in the states one day. Thank you to everyone who reached out with messages of well-wishes, prayers, and congratulations! Please pray for us in this new chapter as we settle into our new routine and start building our lives together, that Christ would be the cornerstone of our marriage.

P.S.- just in case you're wondering, my new name is Alyssa Sooy Bonilla, and my email will change to alyssa.bonilla@reliant.org but I can still be reached at alyssa.sooy@reliant.org ��

CDI

The year is quickly winding down at the CDI as we prepare for our last week of classes this week! Monday, December 11th will be our last day with the kids as we do a small closing ceremony in which the kids will perform a little song and dance for their parents that I've been working on with them.

On November 23rd we had a small Christmas party which was donated to us by a friend of the San Salvador CDI, so we celebrated the end of the year a bit early. When the clown got sick the morning of, we made the best of it and still had a blast. Each kid got to take home a small toy and a bag of piñata candy.

We will return to classes at the beginning of the next school year in February.

Conexión Youth Group

Although the CDI is almost out for the year, youth events are just getting started! December is a special time of year and we love to take advantage of the openness that people have towards God and the church by doing lots of outreach and youth events. On December 16th we will host our annual Youth Christmas Dinner, which we're doing with a fun "Shrek" theme. Last year we started a tradition of dressing up according to a specific theme and not only was it a blast, but a great hook for inviting new people. We're also looking forward to the annual Conectados retreat, which will be December 28-30th. Since Ado won't be able to go for the whole time due to his job, I'll be going as a co-leader and staying in San Salvador with the youth group.

Please be praying for these events, that our youth members would invite friends and that they would come to know Jesus!

A special prayer request..

For several months now I've been trying to sell my car after continuous problems, but without success. Just this week the air compressor broke again (3rd one this year). It's exhausting and frustrating to say the least and we're unsure how to proceed, not wanting to replace the compressor again yet also not sure how likely it is we'll be able to sell the car without functioning AC. Please pray with me that the Lord would guide us in how to proceed, and provide the right buyer and that his peace would cover the whole process.

Financial Support Update

I took a short pause in support raising this past month to focus on the wedding, but even so the Lord continues to be incredibly faithful! We now are only $600 in monthly support away from our support goal. I am so grateful for your prayers and support which allows us to serve the community here in La Libertad. Please continue to pray for this process and connect me with any friends, coworkers, or family that you know who might be interested in hearing about how the Lord is moving in La Libertad!New Paragraph

Pray with Me

CDI- for the kids and their families during break, that they would be safe and make wise decisions
The upcoming youth events and Christmas services
For Ado and I as we adjust to married life
That he would provide the remaining $600 in monthly funding

Grace and peace to you and your family this holiday season!

Love,
Alyssa

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship.

September 2023

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:42:30 GMT

Hola familia!

Happy September! I bring to you a longer update (but will lots of news!).

Below you'll find:

CDI News
Mission group updates
What's new in the youth group
some personal news
AND
an important support update

CDI

We started out this month celebrating El Salvador's independence month!

Classes continue to go well at the CDI! Lately we've had low attendance due to sicknesses going around, which unfortunately struck almost all the teachers at the CDI, and Adonay and I as well. We are starting to make preparations in our space to start receiving all 85 kids every day of the week, which looks like cleaning up the outside area that we have and fixing up some dividers that we can use to make a make-shift classroom in the recreation area. It will be chaotic but I'm excited to finally get back to full-capacity and I know the kids are too. Please pray that the Lord will provide extra staff/volunteers needed to be full time with the kids!

As I wrote about in my update a few months ago, the child protection agency has been making their rounds to see what unsupervised children are out selling or by themselves. This past week we've started seeing them around La Libertad more often and we've been hearing lots of rumors from the kids and their families about kids getting taken, not only by them but kidnappers as well. Tensions have been high these past few weeks and I believe this is another reason for which our attendance has been low recently. The majority of our kids in attendance have parents who work during the day and therefore a lot of kids come and go on their own before and after the CDI. A few weeks ago we had a parents meeting to talk about the importance of dropping off and picking their children up from our program, because as much as a risk as it is for the families this can also be a risk for our program if the police see young kids leaving the CDI alone. Please pray for the safety and protection of these kids!

Recently at church we've been taking time to hear some powerful testimonies from different families of the way that God has been working in their lives. Hearing the different scriptures that helped them through dark times led me to talk to my classes about the importance of memorizing scripture, and how the Lord can use that to console us in times of trouble. We're now working on memorizing Psalm 23!

Missions

In July I had the opportunity to start collaborating as mission coordinator for a mission group here in La Libertad, as well as travel to San Miguel to serve as a translator for another group! Serving as mission coordinator for our church is a new duty that will fully start for me this upcoming mission season, for which I'm very excited! Among other activities the team made and delivered 10 beds, shared bible stories in the CDI classes, threw a party for the kids, and delivered food to different communities. This trip was special for me as well because Gaby, my future sister-in-law came to try out translating for the first time! It was so cool to see her connect with the girls on the trip and see the next generation starting serving their church.

In San Miguel I was able to accompany the team as they delivered beds, hosted a party at a local orphanage, cooked meals for over 100 people in a local community, and visited a few local schools.

Conexión Youth Group

Conectados (Connected- the combined youth event) was a great event, which we really enjoyed! We had 16 members of our youth group go and our worship band from La Libertad was asked to play a set for the time of worship. We'll be doing something similar at our next Connectados event on September 30, except that our local worship band will be playing the main set!

Another event we have started planning for and looking forward to is the Conectados Retreat at the end of the year. We started planning for it early in the year knowing that it was going to involve a higher cost, which for our youth group in La Libertad is a little more out-of-reach. This year the retreat will be the 28th-30th of December, and will involve our youth staying at the houses of hosts from the San Salvador church, similar to what we did last year. It worked out great, so this year we have extended it by one day. The cost of the retreat however is much higher ($40/pp) and knowing this we've starting fundraising with the youth group by selling chocolates and assorted candy as well as raffling off a smart watch and headphones. Our hope for that the retreat is that anybody in the youth group that wants to go is able to, regardless of the cost.

On a personal note...

At the beginning of August I had the opportunity to take a brief trip to Ohio where my sweet friends threw me an incredible bridal shower. I felt so loved and it was an amazing moment of reflection for me, seeing friends of all ages from so many different places come together to help me celebrate my upcoming marriage.

Ado has started working as a bank teller at a nearby bank, which has had its ups and downs. We are so grateful for this opportunity that the Lord has given him to work, and we've seen how the Lord will not put to shame those who are unashamed of him! Employment here looks quite different, and the job and stress are taking their toll. He works from 7:30am-6:30 or 7pm most days as well as finishing up his final year of college and serving as youth and worship leader. The youth group and worship band are his true passions and doesn't want to give them up, no matter how tired.

The next few months are full of band rehearsals and church events, as we prepare for a combined anniversary service that our church will participate in along with the churches in Soyopango, San Salvador, and San Miguel, as well as the Conectados events in September and December. Please pray for us (especially Ado) these coming months, that he would find moments of rest to recharge and be able to serve well.

Housing

These last few months we've been praying that the Lord would provide another house for us, since my contract will be up in October and we wanted to be closer to the city center once we're married. After months of praying and searching, we've landed back at square one. As I've alluded to in many updates, La Libertad has been undergoing rapid development and many changes, and as a result tourism in the area has increased exponentially. This, and the fact that La Libertad is safer than it ever has been before, means that any available apartments and houses previously for rent are now being rented out as Airbnb's (it's not just in the states that it's happening!). This has lead to a frustrating and fruitless search for somewhere closer and a little bit less expensive. After lots of prayer and continually giving up control to the Lord, we are at peace with the decision to stay in the house I'm in now, (God willing the owner wants to keep renting it��).

Ado's Visa Update

I know that you have been faithfully praying with me and asking the Lord to grant Ado a tourist visa. He went for an interview at the beginning of August, but unfortunately he was not granted one this time. Although we are saddened at the thought that we'll be unable to go back to the states soon, we have peace in Christ and know that He is in control. In God's timing we'll have the opportunity to travel together! We will apply again and I will keep you updated when his next appointment will be scheduled. It will probably be in the springtime, seeing that tourist visa interviews schedule 6-7 months out.

Financial Support Update

Words can't express the gratitude I have in my heart towards the Lord and for you for the consistent financial support and prayers that you've given me these past 3 years on the field. I've overwhelmed by the Lord's faithfulness and goodness and am convinced that I'm right where the Lord wants me in the season.

After much prayer and discussion with Reliant and trusted friends, I've come to the conclusion that in order to continue serving here in La Libertad in my full capacity I will need to increase my support goal . I've made this decision based on a few different factors:

My upcoming marriage means that our living expenses will increase. Unfortunately, because of the economic climate in El Salvador, Ado's salary is not enough to compensate for this change.
As it has all over the world, the cost of living has dramatically increased here from what it was just 3 years ago. Particularly in El Salvador, I've seen this change come as a result not only from the world market, but from the drastically improved safety and growth that El Salvador has experienced this last year. Due to the growth, La Libertad is experiencing a large increase in rent, but this location is very necessary as this is where my ministry is based.

After taking these factors into consideration as well as looking at how being married will change our finances, I'm praying that the Lord will provide an additional $1,300 in monthly support . This will help us close the gap in living expenses, allow us to save towards future home assignments (aka furlough), and compensate for a rise in cost of living. Another factor I'm taking into consideration is the considerable time that Ado invests in the church and ministry as well. I've been so blessed that Ado is passionate about serving in the church and furthering God's kingdom here in La Libertad as well, and this increase in support is necessary to allow us to continue to serve at total capacity.

1. What family and friends do you have with whom you can connect me? I am praying that the Lord provides us with 13 people who could support us at $100/month. The Lord continues to change hearts and do miracles here in La Libertad, and you can help us share their testimonies!

2. THANK YOU for being my prayer warriors all these years, I ask that you please don't stop! Lift this new support goal up to Jesus on my behalf and ask him to intervene for us so that we can continue to serve him here in La Libertad.

Pray with Me

For the CDI as we plan for the future- that the Lord would provide all necessary funding and personnel to continue with the work
For safety and protection of each child in the CDI
Upcoming church event (Sept 17th-anniversary service) and Conectados (Sept 30th) that the Lord would be preparing the hearts of those who will be in attendance
That God would grow the seeds that are being planted in our youth group members
For health in the midst of lots of sickness
For Ado and I as we prepare for our upcoming wedding, and that we would find rest in the midst of busyness.
That the Lord would give Ado favor in this new job
For this new season of support raising

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus." (1 Cor. 16:23-24)

With love,
Alyssa

Psalms 130:3-4
"Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could every survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

June 2023

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:55:25 GMT

Hola familia,

I pray you are doing well! Here's a snapshot of everything that's been going on here in La Libertad.

CDI

CDI classes continue to grow and change weekly. Although we haven't been joined by any new faces we are preparing to again. The past few months have brought new challenges, like a water leak found right outside the CDI that made our water bill soar to over $500, which meant we had to get creative with cooking and brushing teeth while we figured out the source.

My brother gifted me with a Bananagrams game for Christmas and I've found that the kids love it! It's a fun alternative to practice spelling and letter identification so we've been playing with it a lot. We're working hard to make sure all the kids know their alphabet thoroughly and improve their reading skills.

Please continue to pray for discernment and wisdom for me and the staff in our daily encounters with the children. This past month has seemed to bring a lot of injuries (lots of over-excited kids around a piñata spilling candy led to a kid getting a good-size bash on his forehead) and some straight-up weird experiences, like some 6-year-olds practicing witchcraft during class (Yes, you read that right.) It reminds me that we don't know everything the kids are exposed to in their lives and how incredibly important is the ministry of the CDI as an outreach to the community.

Thank you for your continued prayer for our staff! Esther's surgery has been postponed indefinitely while she finishes up different exams that need to be done beforehand so she will continue full time at the CDI until further notice. Her daughter Lea had her baby! We praise God for a complication-free delivery and a healthy baby boy.

Missions

In May we welcomed a mission group from Florida. They were a group of 6 and we packed the week with lots of CDI time, a party, beds, time with life groups, and cooking for the community. I have loved spending lots of time with mission groups in the CDI classes, what a great change of pace it is for the kids! They threw a party for the CDI that involved a piñata (that turned out to be a little too exciting ��), a dance party, games and pizza. We spent time walking through a local community handing out food and inviting the locals to join us at church. To top the week off they made and delivered 5 beds to new CDI kids.

This next week we will be welcoming a group from Rock City in Ohio. Please pray for the team and for the church staff!

Conexión Youth Group

We've seen our youth group growing quite a bit, with lots of new faces! With the restructuring of life groups, Ado is now in charge of the youth group. We have lots more young members, the majority being between 15-22. I had the opportunity to share one week based on a bible study of Hebrews that I've been doing and I really enjoyed it. It's a challenge to get teenagers to open up but I know that being in youth ministry is definitely a long-haul game. God is faithful and each week we meet with the youth is a seed planted or watered. The Lord will reap the harvest in His timing.

We have an upcoming combined youth night with San Salvador's youth group called Connectados (Connected) on July 15. Our La Libertad band will also be playing a set with their band! Our pray for this event is that the Lord would touch the hearts of kids who used to come to youth group and have stopped, that they would feel the desire to return. Please join me in prayer for this event!

Family time!

My parents came to visit at the end of May, and we had a blast! Unfortunately for them, La Libertad experienced some of the hottest weather we've had since I've lived here, and even locals who've grown up here were describing the heat as oppressive ��. So we stayed at home quite a bit and made trips up to San Salvador whenever we could, which made a huge difference (San Salvador sits up in the mountains so it's much cooler). In spite of the heat we had a great time! I got to show them my wedding venue and we did a tasting, we went to a local botanical garden and got to relax and talk.

Pray with Me

PRAISE for a complication-free birth for Lea!
For the CDI as we plan for the future- that the Lord would provide all necessary funding and personnel to continue with the work
PRAISE! Ado got a job!! God provided him a bank teller job that is less than a minute walking distance from his house. Please pray that God would open doors for him to share the gospel with his co-workers.
For our youth group and the Conectados event we have on July 15
Please continuing praying for Ado's visa interview is on August 8th at 9am
Upcoming mission team this next week- please pray that the Lord would soften the hearts of the community and that we would take advantage of every opportunity he puts in front of us to share his Word.
Living situation- please join me in prayer asking the Lord to guide Ado and I to where we will be living next. The house I am currently in has been fine for these few years but it's not a feasible option for this next season of life. We are in the process of contacting different people and looking for different options but unfortunately in the area we want to live the options are slim. Ado and I trust that the Lord will provide just the right place for us, please pray that we would be patient and trust in his timing.

I thank God for you and your partnership each day. I pray that He bless you abundantly as we persevere in the work He has called us to. The Lord's peace be with you!

With love,
Alyssa

Hebrews 10:23-24
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds..."

April 2023

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:30:39 GMT

Hola familia!

What a busy and full few months it's been! In full disclosure I sat down to write this at the end of March and the days got away from me. But here we are! I want to share a snapshot of everything that's been going on here in La Libertad. I feel like I haven't stopped moving in about a month, but it has been incredibly sweet to see how the Lord has been moving here and to be reminded of His faithful love and provision.

It's a long update, but full of so many testimonies of how God is moving here!The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

2023 CDI

Our CDI continues to grow, and it seems like each week we have at least one new face. We are currently still figuring out a solution to our space problem, because in order to host all 85 kids in the CDI every day we need to either expand our classroom space or divide up the kids, which is the current arrangement. Some days seem to blend together, but the Lord always provides moments of joy and laughter to remind me to always respond in love.

In our CDI we have 4 full-time staff members and many volunteers. Each one is invaluable to the work that we do each day. Looking ahead we are facing quite a bit of uncertainty in the CDI and I'd like to ask for your prayers. One of our staff members, Esther, has been battling many different health problems in the last few years and she is scheduled to have a hysterectomy either in late April or early May. On top of that her daughter is going to give birth in the next few days! She is unsure whether or not she'll be able to continue in her role full-time in the near future. Please pray for the staff, the program and Esther and her family for wisdom and guidance as we navigate this change and as she decides what will be best for her and her family.

Missions

March was a special month because we also hosted a mission team! For me it was extra special because it was very kid-focused. I loved that they participated and even directed my CDI classes a couple days, they gave out shoes to 85 children, and they threw a big party at the end of the week! I had a blast seeing the joy on the kids faces. We topped off the week by delivering 6 beds to new members of the CDI and I got to visit a few of the children's homes as well.

Mission team weeks are long and hard but the Lord uses them to renew my joy for the mission here. It’s an opportunity for me to sit with many families in the CDI and hear their stories and see how the Lord is at work with fresh eyes.

Our next mission group will be coming May 23rd- please be praying in advance that the Lord will be moving and preparing hearts!

Conexión Youth Group

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:19

In March we had a night of baptisms in which 6 young members of our youth group made the decision to get baptized!! Gaby, whom I've been discipling was one of them which made the experience even more special for me. A huge praise and answer to prayer is that I've seen a new thirst in this new young generation. Although still quiet in youth group you can tell they're hungry to participate and know more.

I also have some exciting news to share... I got engaged!

Meet my fiancé, Adonay! Adonay (Ado) and I met at the church where he is active as a youth leader and in the worship team. He's studying accounting which he will finish, God willing, at the end of this year. We've been dating since the beginning of 2022 after getting to know each other as friends. Adonay's passionate about studying and learning the Word, reaching the youth, and music. He's also an entrepreneur at heart! Our desire is to continue serving the Lord together here in El Salvador through our local church and I feel so incredibly grateful to have found my ministry partner for life. We will be getting married this upcoming November here in El Salvador and in the future we hope to host a celebration in Ohio as well, pending approval of his tourist visa.

I want to thank all of you who have expressed your love for us and ask you to please continue to pray for for wisdom for us as we transition into this new season of life!

Pray with Me

For Esther and her upcoming surgeries and her daughter, Lea, as she prepares to welcome her son into the word
For the CDI as we plan for the future- that the Lord would provide all necessary funding and personnel to continue with the work
Praise- my toe is healing well, thank you for your prayers!
Praise God for the youth group members who were baptized- please keep them in your prayers as the grow and mature in their faith. Their names are Juan, Gaby, William, Edwin, Marvin and Joel.
For Ado and I as we plan our wedding and that the Lord would always remain the center of our plans
For the upcoming mission team in May
For me as a teacher in the CDI- that the Lord would fill me with his grace each and every day and that every child would feel safe and loved
Ado's visa interview is on August 8th at 9am. Please be praying for favor during this process- It's in the Lord's hands! I want so much for us to be able to travel back to the states together to celebrate with you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, encouragement, and words of wisdom you've extended to me. Each day is full of new mercies and opportunities to share Jesus' sacrifice and extend his love to everyone we meet. The Lord's peace be with you!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

Romans 8:37
"No, in all these things [persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword] we are more than conquerers through him who loved us."

January 2023

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:51:27 GMT

Hello Amigos!

Happy 2023! I hope you had a relaxing and full holiday season with your loved ones. I pray that you enter this year rejuvenated and focused on the One who gave us the opportunity to continue sharing his love daily. Here is the current news about the CDI and the Youth Group!

2022 End of year CDI Christmas Party

The Christmas party was a great way to end the year. We had everything from a clown, games, prizes, and the Lord provided Christmas presents for every child! To top it off we graduated 5 students from our CDI program (one not pictured), 3 of whom have been in the program for 9 years! Although I've been part of their lives a much shorter time, it's been an honor to see them learn and grow.

2023 CDI

We continue to bring in new kids, and with the students who have left and graduated we now have 85 kids enrolled in our program. Our current arrangement to work within the space we have is the younger kids come Mo/We/Fri and our older kids Tue/Thur. With 56 kids in the Mo/We/Fri group it certainly feels like a little break with my older kids with only 28 of them! I do have to say that I am loving this arrangement, because our little ones are split up into 3 groups based on their reading/writing ability and the older kids are split into 2 groups. I'm with the highest level of both groups, meaning that kids in my class are able to read and write decently so we're able to focus more specifically on other skills. It's been wonderful to have fewer older kids in each class, because it allows me to have more personal conversations with them as well and interact more thoroughly with our daily devotionals.

Our current goal is that starting in March we will have 100 kids enrolled and they will all come every day! Please pray to guidance and wisdom as we continue to enroll children and seek to expand this program.

Conexión Youth Group

Connected- GCLA Youth Retreat

On December 9 & 10 our youth group joined the youth groups from San Salvador, Soyapango, and San Miguel for a combined youth retreat. We enjoyed a time of worship, fellowship, learning and a service project in the CDI Volcano. The San Salvador Church hosted our group and I had a great time getting to know the other youth members!

Christmas Outreach Dinner

If there's one thing our youth group loves its having fun and being goofy together! We celebrated Christmas with a themed outreach dinner- everyone had to dress up as their favorite cartoon character! I had fun dressing up as Wanda from Fairly Odd Parents, although it wasn't so fun two days later when the pink wouldn't come out of my hair��. Praise God one of our guests accepted Christ!

To be honest this year has felt like a struggle to get our youth consistently involved in the group and open up. Praise God, we've started seeing a lot of answered prayers in this area with more people opening up during youth group and getting involved with the church band and tech team! This upcoming year is going to bring a lot of changes church-wide, as we're praying about breaking up our youth group into smaller groups, following a life group model. I'm honestly really excited about this change and I'm praying it encourages the youth to open up more and take next steps in their faith.

2023 Youth Retreat- "Green Connection"

January 13-14 we had our annual local youth retreat. We rented a big house where we had an incredible time of connection, service and worship together. Our time started off at the church for a service project where we cleaned up the parking lot, wedding the garden beds and planted new trees and bushes. After that we went back to the house where Pastor Ivo shared about Daniel and what it looks like to have conviction in our faith. After worship we had fun playing games together. The following day we continued talking about our theme of conviction and I got to know a few youth members who are newer. It was a great way to kick of the new year!

Pray with Me

Praise for new children in the CDI and prayers that they may come to know Jesus as their Savior.
A few weeks ago I had an unfortunate accident while playing volleyball and fractured my toe- please pray that it continues to heal quickly without any complications
Praise God for great quality time in the youth group and prayers for the new developing structure of life groups as it unfolds in the next few months.

Thank you for your consistent prayers and words of encouragement and for partnering with me through another year of ministry! May the peace of Christ be in your hearts as your endeavor to live your lives according to his will.

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

November 2022

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:54:28 GMT

Hello Amigos!

Happy November! This month has been characterized by a sinus infection that just won't quit, new forging friendships and an ever-faithful God. Here are a few highlights from the past month.

CDI

We've welcome a lot of new kids in the CDI and have had a few more changes as we near the end of the year. My coworker Sigourney had her baby (yay!) which means I am the primary teacher in the CDI right now. With the mix of kids from 8-16 years old we've been focusing mostly on reading and handwriting! We will be ending the year at the CDI on the 15th of December with a Christmas party for the kids and then we will return on January 23rd after the holidays.

Meet Ruben and Miguel

My parents came for a short visit this month and even surprised me a day early! It was such a fun and sweet time together ��

Support Update

Over these past two years, you have been my partner in prayer and financial support, and for that I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for saying “yes” to God’s touch on your heart to give towards this ministry and making these past two years possible. This past year we welcomed 85 kids back to the CDI after 2 years of suspended classes due to the pandemic, and over the past 2 years I've had the privilege of serving 6 mission groups. Each week, your generous giving allows me to minister to over 80 children, and this month 15 children heard the gospel for what may have been the first time in their lives!

These past two years I have not mentioned much about the state of my financial support, because you have been generous and faithful in your giving! My monthly support is strong, but I do rely on one-time gifts for unexpected expenses and ministry resources as the needs arise. Would you pray and consider giving a one-time gift?

May the Lord bless you deeply and richly for every way that you have blessed me!

Pray with Me

Praise for new children in the CDI and prayers that they may come to know Jesus as their Savior.
For Miguel and Ruben Trejo in the process of their grief and as they get settled into a new permanent home.
Health- Whether it's COVID, the flu or just the classic cold it seems like there's always something to go around.
For end-of-year craziness as we finish out the year here at the CDI and for God's protection over the kids on their vacation.
Retreat- Our youth group has a combined retreat with the other GCLA youth groups in San Salvador December 9-10

It seems crazy how much the Lord did this year and how fast it went! Through starting back full time at the CDI, hosting more mission groups and my first home assignment you have been a faithful and constant partner and I am so incredibly grateful for you. I hope that this upcoming holiday season is restful and full of peace!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

2 Thessalonians 3: 16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

October 2022

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 18:11:03 GMT

Saludos amigos!

Big update coming your way! These past fews months have flown by and have brought lots of changes. I spent the month of August in Ohio for my home assignment and came back to a very different CDI! I'm so excited to share about both with you.

Home Assignment

This time in Ohio was much needed and extremely refreshing. I was blessed to share ministry updates at Freedom Bible Church and Gathering Community Ch urch in my hometown and spent time in sweet fellowship with friends, family, and supporters. I spent a weekend in Nashville with my brother and sister-in-law, visited my old bible study group, saw many new friends and old in Columbus, took a girls weekend trip with my oldest friends, led worship with my dad at church, and shared many meals and drank a lot of coffee with you all! Since it was a short trip I wasn't able to see everyone I would have liked, and I'm hopeful that soon I'll be back to see each and every one of you. I'm eternally grateful for the way the Lord continues to use you both in words and deeds. Your prayers and words of encouragement have been vital to me this past year; thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in this way!

CDI

The last two months have brought big changes to the CDI! I've been working with Marielos, the director, on bringing in up to 15-20 new kids over the course of a few months. We recently brought in 7 new kids to the program and this next month with will be bringing in 5-10 more. A big part of my job is organizing and tracking the information of each child in the CDI and managing the sponsorships. Over the past year this has looked like sitting down with each child and getting to know them, filing each of their birth certificates and making sure every child is matched with a sponsor. Thanks to your faithful partnership in support of my ministry role we are able to take this next step in increasing the number of kids in the CDI!

Another big change we've seen is the addition of a third classroom. We used to teach in two classrooms, which we split up between "big" kids (kids who can read and write), and the "little" kids (kids who can't). While this worked fine for a while, we found it very challenging with our younger kids because of the broad age range, between 4-11 years old. Some kids could read and write decently but maybe weren't at the maturity level where we could pass them over to the "big" kids room, and some of the littlest ones were barely learning their alphabet. In light of this, and with the blessing of a third classroom, we are now able to separate our youngest kids (usually between 4-9 yrs) and have them go to the third classroom where they work with a volunteer on learning the basics of reading.

The age and ability ranges in the different classrooms are a bit startling to be honest- I have a 9 year old who is still learning her alphabet and a couple 13-year-olds who are learning how to read, and on the other end I have a 7 year old who reads fluently and writes in cursive. Like most of the world, during the pandemic the educational system here took a big hit when everything went virtual. The kids in our CDI are coming off of essentially two years old no schooling. With this in mind we are focusing this year on making sure the kids learn how to read well.

Take a tour of the updated CDI space!

Pray with Me

Praise for a fruitful and safe home assignment!
CDI- that the process of bringing new kids into the CDI would go smoothly and that the kids would feel at home and loved

I am so grateful for each and every one of you and your generous dedication which allows me to continue serving here in La Libertad. I hope you are as encouraged as I am hearing all the the Lord is doing here! For the Word of God never returns void (Is 55:11). May the Lord bless you richly!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

1 Kings 8:58
May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep

the commands, decrees, and laws he gave our ancestors.

July 2022

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 19:59:58 GMT

Hi Friends!

I always doubted it when people told me that the older you get, the faster time flies. Turns out, it is most definitely true! I feel like just yesterday i t was March, and now it's July already. I've gotten into a pretty solid rhythm here which has been nice, and only interrupted by a recent bought of sickness (I'm on the mend!). Monday-Thursday I'm at the CDI teaching classes and Tuesdays I have discipleship afterwords, Fridays I use to get errands and chores done, Saturdays are youth group and Sundays we have band rehearsal, church, and then time to hang out with friends and relax. Rainy season has come and most days and nights are cloudy and gray, bringing much-needed relief from the heat (funny-coming from Ohio I never thought I would relish the gray days, yet here I am). The last few months have been emotionally tough and the Lord has shown me that my sustenance comes from my daily time spent with him. We have seasons of highs and seasons of growth and He is our constant through it all.

CDI

Mid-May we celebrated Mother's Day in the CDI with a big celebration! Pastor Ivo shared the gospel, our little kids prepared a song, and the older kids prepared a fun little skit. We had a full house!

We've been having an average of 30 kids come each day to the CDI and I have recently started switching weekly from teaching the older kids to teaching the younger kids. It's been a refreshing change that's allowed me to get to know each and every kid in the CDI. It's so encouraging to see some of the younger kids who always volunteer to pray and love shouting out how the bible stories end. Sometimes it seems tedious working on reading and writing, but talking to the kids and seeing them light up when they get to the Center makes it worth it. I love seeing how the Lord is moving in the life of each child!

In the past 3 weeks we've had 5 new kids join us at the CDI and we are preparing to bring in 15 more! Please pray for these new children, that they would feel safe and loved in the CDI and for them to come to know Jesus as their Savior. Between the staff and the kids we have been battling a LOT of sickness. Please pray for healing and good health!

A few months ago the president of El Salvador passed a law called Regimen of Exception, and it basically states that any man, woman or child above the age of 12 that has anything to do with any kind of gang activity can be arrested without question and held for 15 days before being tried, although very few people have been released after 15 days. If charges are found the minimum sentence is 20-30 years. This has made an incredible difference in the safety of the country and there is a noticeable change in the local neighborhoods. In just 3 months we've seen the police arrest over 40,000 gang-members, including some high-ranking members located in the states.

While I can't deny the benefit that this has brought to the safety of the country overall, I've seen how it has affected many families over the past few months, especially in the CDI. The families in the CDI are some of the poorest in the city and there have been many cousins, fathers, brothers, and friends of children in the CDI that have been arrested. Whether this absence benefits the child I can't say, I don't know each and every case but I do know that children don't often comprehend situations like this and we see how it affects them emotionally when they are with us at the CDI. Please pray for these children and their families- for the Lord to restore their brokenness with the only Love that has the power to completely heal.

August in America!

I'm excited to say that I'll be in Ohio from July 29-September 10! The purpose of this trip will be to reconnect with my family and supporters, raise $2,500 in support for my next home assignment (2025/2026), and take time for emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. I'll be in the North Ridgeville/Elyria, Ohio area for the majority of the time with a trip to Columbus as well. Please reach out if you'd like to get together and we can set up a time! Here is a tentative schedule of my time and the churches I'll be visiting (subject to change).

July 29 Arrive in Cleveland
July 29 -August 10 North Ridgeville, OH

July 31 - Freedom Bible Church
August 7 -Gathering Community Church

August 11-15 Nashville, TN to visit my brother and sister-in-law
August 16-26 North Ridgeville, OH
August 20-25 Columbus, OH

August 21 - Ethos Church

September 3-9 North Ridgeville, OH
Sept 10 - Fly back to San Salvador

I am looking for a car that I could borrow or rent for the whole or part of the time I'm in Ohio. The exact dates are July 30-Sept 9. If you or someone you know has a car available please let me know!

Pray with Me

Health- Another wave of COVID is going around here as well as the cold and many people have gotten sick, including me. Please pray for health and recovery for those who are sick and protection for those who are well.
CDI- please continue to pray for classes, kids and staff in the CDI
Regimen of Exception- please pray for the children in the CDI and their families as well as innocent people who have been arrested.
Safety for my upcoming trip

Thank you so much for the encouraging notes, emails, and texts that you've sent my way. Many days one little text or note has made all the difference, and I am reminded of the love and prayers that cover me every day thanks to you. Your generosity allows me to continue to serve the children in the CDI and the families in La Libertad and your prayers are what sustain this mission. For whatever we ask for according to His will, he hears us, and it will be given to is. Thank you for intervening for me and this mission time and time again and helping me to continue serving.

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

1 John 5: 14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us- whatever we ask-

we know that we have what we asked of him.

May 2022

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 19:39:16 GMT

Hola Familia!

The past few months have been busy, busy, busy! Between hosting mission groups, GCLA's spring break conference in Honduras and being back at work in the CDI, it's been a whirlwind. Here are the highlights!

CDI

Mid-March we returned to in-person classes at the CDI! The kids are divided into two groups-each child comes 2 days/week. I teach kids ages 10-17- two days/week I dedicate to English and the other two we work on reading/writing. Most importantly we start each class with a devotional with the goal that each child leaves my classroom knowing how much they are loved by their heavenly Father. My heart feels so full to finally be in the CDI and get to know all the kids (learning 85 names and faces takes a while).

This upcoming month will bring even more changes at the CDI in that once or twice each week we will have parents of each child come so that we can sit down and talk them, we want to get to know the current state of their household and more importantly create the opportunity to share the gospel. Please be praying for these meetings and for many families to come to salvation!

If you have any favorite classroom activities or games- I'd love to hear them!!

Mission Team

In March our church hosted a mission team from Rock City Church. They built and delivered 10 beds, evangelized and passed out food in a local community, handed out shoes to each child in the CDI, and mixed concrete to build a sidewalk around the new clinic. We finished off the week with a trip to the San Salvador Volcano and the local artisan market.

GCLA Vertical 2022

Each year during Easter week GCLA (Great Commission Latin America) hosts their annual conference in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This was the first time they hosted in in-person since 2020 and my first time attending. It did not disappoint! A group of 14 of the youth from my church decided to rent a small bus and go for the in-person experience and I absolutely loved it. The theme was A New Chapter- we talked about discipleship, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and challenges facing the youth today among other topics.

Clinic Inauguration

For many years now our church has had the vision of opening a clinic that could be used to serve the community and as a tool for outreach. The Lord in his faithfulness and timing gave us the very thing that we have been praying for for so long. In partnership with Total Health, this clinic will be open 2 days a week and will offer free medical consultations to the community with a focus on preventative health measures. The doctors from the Volcano and Soyopango clinics have generously offered to come to La Libertad one day a week each in order to help us get up and running as soon as possible. This clinic will be an incredible blessing to all of La Libertad and to all the kids in the CDI as it's an opportunity to show the community that apart from their physical needs they have a great spiritual need. Please pray for this clinic- that every person who comes will not only have their physical needs met but accept the One who can meet their spiritual needs.

Pray with Me

Youth Ministry- pray that the Lord would use me and the leaders in the youth group and that He would put it on the hearts of each member of the group each week to come.
Pray for a revival of discipleship in our church- for intentionality and commitment in discipling the next generation.
That the clinic would be a space for many people to come to know our Lord and Savior!
For the CDI- that above all things, every child would leave each day knowing our Heavenly Father a little bit better.

Thank you for your continued partnership and prayers. I thank God for you continually, and I pray that he bless you abundantly!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,

because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

March 2022

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 19:22:40 GMT

Hola amigos!

And... we're back!

After 2 years of waiting and praying, the plan is in motion to return in-person to the Children's Development Center! Due to the pandemic we have not been able to meet daily with the kids and therefore we have been putting together and handing out monthly food packets to help the kid's families.

Our current plan is to return the second week of March. For now there is a LOT of prep to do! Before the pandemic we had a partnership with a local kindergarten where we had a second CDI (CDI is the Spanish acronym for Children's Development Center). We will no longer be utilizing the kindergarten space, instead we will be moving all kids to the church location and dividing them into groups. We will host the older kids 2 days per week and the younger kids 2 days. I will be partnered with a local volunteer as we give classes. I'm still not sure what the classes will look like- we have a lot to catch up on with the kids and the schooling they've missed these 2 years! But what is certain is that we'll always start with a Bible lesson and making sure the kids know how loved they are by their heavenly Father.

This week we'll be meeting with the CDI staff and volunteers to move things from the old kindergarten location to the church and to plan logistics of what the time and lessons will be.

Needless to say I am overjoyed to know that we are going back!!

Youth Ministry

In January we had our youth retreat! We went to a local park and did lots of games and team building with scattered reflection times in between, then went to the house we rented and spent time in devotionals, listening to a few people share, eating and playing games.

I was privileged to be one of the leaders asked to share during the retreat. I shared on the topic “Identity in Christ” and talked through Romans 8:14-16, and 2 Corinthians 5:17, and then talked about what we should do with our new freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:13-14). God was at work in the hearts at the retreat in incredible ways.. I heard people share who have never spoken in youth group before and several people spoke about struggles close to their hearts. During worship I heard the voices singing so strongly that we almost couldn’t hear the guitar! Praise the Lord!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for this retreat. Since then I've been noticing more guests come to regular group on Saturdays and different people sharing. Please pray now that the Lord would continue working in their hearts and that He would give wisdom to the leaders to know how to continue encouraging this same kind of participation and passion!

This week I'm starting my 1-1 discipleship meetings with 2 girls F and G. Please pray that the Lord would work in their hearts and spark a fire in them for Him!

Pray with Me

Youth Ministry- please pray that the Lord would light a fire in the hearts of the youth here and would continue bringing new guests to the group
Health- Please continue to pray for the health and safety of the CDI staff as we prepare to meet in-person once again!
CDI- wisdom for planning, a smooth re-opening, and grace as we figure out the new normal
Discipleship- please pray as F, G, and I as we begin our discipleship book that the Lord would soften our hearts and give us wisdom.

May we never forget that everything we are and everything we have is from the Lord. I pray that He abundantly blesses you for your prayers and generosity towards me!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

January 2022

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 19:11:41 GMT

Hola amigos!

CDI Christmas

At the beginning of December we had the opportunity to throw a Christmas party for the kids in the CDI! The kids played lots of games and had the opportunity to win prizes, decorated ornaments to take home, and got lots of pizza and snacks. It was a joyful and refreshing way to end the year. I always adore seeing the kids!

Youth Ministry

Our youth group outreach event for December was our big Christmas dinner! We had over 40 attendees including 15 new people. We shared a time of games, worship and reflection which was the perfect was to end the year together.

Up next January 10-11 is our Youth Retreat! Our theme this year is Identity. We'll be exploring our identity in Christ and what it means to live as He lived. I'm excited to be one of the people sharing at the retreat!

My goal for this year is starting 1-1 discipleship with one or two girls in the youth group. Please pray for this retreat especially as I'll have the opportunity to get to know many of the young women on a deeper level!

Women's Fellowship

A group of women from my church had the privilege of attending a women's conference in San Salvador called "Rise up and Shine!" with Pastor Ivo's niece Evelin Garcia, who authored the book "Mama Used to Say." We talked about what true forgiveness looks like and the freedom it gives us to move forward. The following Saturday Evelin came to our women's Christmas dinner and expanded on the same subject. It was a wonderful time shared with the women!

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I got the best Christmas present this year, holidays with my parents! We spent time with friends, sightseeing, and relaxing at the lake nearby. My favorite part was that because of some unforeseen circumstances some of our worship band couldn't make it to the New Year's Eve service- so my dad filled in! I played piano as a little girl and just started playing in the worship band here in the last few months, so this was the first time my dad and I got to play together.

Pray with Me

Youth retreat- please pray that the Lord would light a fire in the hearts of the youth here.
Health- there's a cold going around that no one really knows if its a new strain of COVID or just a cold- please pray for health and healing.
CDI- wisdom for planning the reopening in this upcoming year.
Women's discipleship and ministry- Please pray that the Lord would guide us and that we would continue to gather and grow together!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued love and support! I'm so excited to see what the new year brings in this ministry, and I'm eternally grateful that you are partnering with me in it. May the Lord bless you this upcoming year abundantly!
Abrazos!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come;

The old has gone, the new is here!"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:54:27 GMT

A very Merry Christmas and a

Blessed New Year!

Thank you for your support this year and your continuous prayers! May the Lord bless you greatly this Christmas and in the upcoming year. I pray that you always remember the great gift our Lord gave us by sending His son to earth.

Much love,
Alyssa

Luke 2:10-11

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:49:10 GMT

Hola Amigos!

One year ago I got on a plane and moved to El Salvador!! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. A year full of laughter, tears, frustrations, and growth yet more than anything else the Grace and Truth and Love of the Father. To be honest this year was nothing like what I expected... having moved amidst the pandemic the plans I originally had drastically changed as I had to adapt to a new culture while social distancing and maintaining a mask (Let me just say, masks are NOT helpful for language learners��. Goodbye lip reading��.) I had planned on coming to spend my days in the CDI teaching children, and after one year here I've seen those kids maybe a handful of times because of COVID. God willing we will be back in person full-swing in January with the start of the school year!!

While it was frustrating not being able to see this kids that I so longed to see, I have come to see that God's plans and His purpose is far greater than my own. This past year I've had the opportunity to share the gospel and witness people receive eternal life in heaven and serve with mission teams who came to serve the community here. He's shown me the spiritual value in spending time growing in my faith, encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ to get to know Jesus, and cultivating a sense of community among the young adults. He's pushed me to be vulnerable so that others will feel safe being vulnerable with me, and by doing so allow them to begin the process of healing from the past. He's humbled me, reminding me that everything I am, everything I can do, and everything I have is a gift from Him, and therefore should be used to glorify Him. And most of all I've learned (and am learning) what it means to truly and sacrificially love others as He loves me.

I've moved!

I'm all moved in to my new house! It has been such a huge blessing to now be closer to friends and "family" as well as the church in La Libertad. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers as I looked for a new place. The Lord provided a house one week before I had to be out of the other one, and with the help of friends here I was able to move everything without a hitch. Praise the Lord! Please pray for this new home- that I would be a refuge for brothers and sisters in Christ, that many people would come to know Jesus here, and above all that everyone who enters will feel loved��.

Women's Fellowship

For a while now the young women from the youth group have been meeting in my house, and we've started a Bible study of 5 basic principles of the Christian life. Last week we talked about worship, and how we are called to live our lives as living sacrifices as a way of worshipping God. Recently several of the girls have gotten jobs and have had a change in their schedules, and with this is mind we'll have to look at changing the day of our gathering. Please pray that the Lord will guide us and we plan this change so that we can continue to gather and grow together!

THANK YOU!

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for f aithfully walking through this year with me. For your constant prayers and giving and for helping me to say YES to what the Lord has planned for me. I am eternally grateful to have you partnering with me in this ministry!

Pray with Me

CDI- wisdom for planning the reopening in this upcoming year.
Women's discipleship and ministry- Please pray that the Lord would guide us and that we would continue to gather and grow together!
Praise for finding a new house!!

New Paragraph

October 2021

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:02:28 GMT

¡Hola Familia!

I pray that these last few months have been fruitful and restful for you! I am so thankful for your continued support and prayers. I think of you often!

These past few months have been very busy, and the Lord has graciously been showing me the ways that He is using me. I'm excited to update you on ministry, CDI advancements, missions trips we had this summer, and finally housing and residency!

Ministry

In the past few months we hosted 2 mission teams, and I had the privilege of watching God move in great ways through each one. They built 9 beds for children in the church as well as members of the community, made and distributed over 200 meals for a community, hosted parties for the CDI kids, and gave the CDI a fresh coat of paint!

In addition to hosting groups here in La Libertad, I also had the opportunity to go with one of them to our sister church in San Miguel for their first mission group! There we had the opportunity to help the new church build relationships, paint part of a school, hand out meals, host a children's party in a nearby community as well as host a party in an orphanage!

CDI

We continue to wait and pray for the Lord's timing in re-opening the CDI. Due to a rise in COVID cases, we decided to wait and see what the effects in the school system would be. Now that the government has opened up vaccinations for everyone over the age of 6 years old, we are hoping that for the new school year in January we will be ready to start back in-person at the CDI with full attendance. In the meantime, we are distributing food packages to all CDI families monthly and preparing to return.

Women's Fellowship

Recently the women in the church had the privilege on going on an overnight retreat! It was an incredible, refreshing time of fellowship. Our theme was "D.A.S" (Dios, Amor, Servicio, or God, Love, Service). We talked about the transformation and renewing of our minds, and how God can do big things through us even in the seemingly small moments. It was an amazing time that I used to get to know the women in the church better, and rest in the Holy Spirit. My favorite part was that two women decided to get baptized!! Praise the Lord!! I was honored not only witness the baptism of my good friend, F, but also to take part in it as well. Please pray for F as she continues to grow and mature in her faith!

Young Adults Group

This past month we had our young adults group outing! We went to an outlook over San Salvador's volcanic crater and then went to a park and spent the afternoon together building community.

Residency

I am SO excited to finally say that I am officially and legally a resident of El Salvador after almost a year! Thank you SO much for your continual prayers throughout this process. Officially having residence means that I was also able to open a bank account at a local bank here, which is a huge blessings. I've had to get pretty creative to pay my bills over the past year and this will make it possible for me to pay directly.

Living Situation

A while ago I was given notice that I have to be out of my house by Mid-Oct and we have been looking for a new house/apt for a few months now. My options in La Libertad are severely limited because I need to be in a residence with private security, of which there are two. So far we haven't been able to find anything within my price range, so we continue to search. Please be praying for this process, I know that the Lord will provide the right place for me in His timing!

Pray with Me

CDI- wisdom for reopening, safety for all our staff, volunteers, and kids.
Women's discipleship and ministry- Please pray for F, and X, who were baptized at the women's retreat! Pray that the Lord would guide them and grow their faith daily.
Praise for residency!
Housing-that the Lord would provide a place for me in His perfect timing!

It's crazy to think that I've been here almost a year already. The Lord has been constantly growing and teaching me to depend on Him for everything. It has been an incredible blessing to get involved and be focused on discipleship and relationship-building during this time. God is constantly faithful and abundantly rich in mercy and grace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued prayers, words of encouragment and financial support.

Abrazos!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

Hebrews 3:13-14
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end."

June 2021

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:07:45 GMT

Hi Friends!

Hope you are doing well! It's been a packed last few months, God is up to exciting things here in La Libertad! I'll brief you on the CDI (Children's Development Center), women's ministry, upcoming mission trips, a quick trip back to Ohio I took last month, where I'm at in my residency process, and finally my living situation.

Ministry

After over a year of waiting, we are starting to prepare to meet in person with the kids at the CDI again!! Ivo and Marielos (the pastor and his wife, the director of the CDI) have been in contact with the health dept. asking that the volunteers at the CDI be eligible to get vaccinated (currently only people 40+ are eligible). With that being said, we are currently in the process for reopening, but when exactly is still indefinite. We are having weekly meetings to pray for the CDI, for our staff and volunteers, and for our kids. Each week we share 3 things with the staff: what we've been studying in our private devotional time, our discipleship plan, and if we've had any evangelism experiences that week.

Discipleship

For a while now, the Lord has put the young women in the church on my heart. I've noticed a lack of fellowship and discipleship among them and have been praying and asking the Lord what He would have me do in respect to that. I decided to start inviting the girls to my house once a week to offer a space of fellowship and friendship so that we can start building trust and getting to know one another. For this first month, we are just hanging out and our next step will be to start studying the Bible together. This time together has been so refreshing for me and I think for the girls as well. Please be praying that the Lord would soften the hearts of the girls, that our time together would be fruitful, and that Sigourney (the other missionary here in La Libertad) and I would be discerning and open to the Lord's guidance for this group.

Mission Team Season

Between July and August we are looking forward to welcoming 3 different mission teams in La Libertad! Because of the pandemic mission team weeks look a little different than they used to due to safety guidelines. Nevertheless, we are so excited and are praying expectantly that the Lord will do BIG things through the groups that come. Please pray for the health and safety of all team members, as well as the church and staff.

Team 1: July 5-6
Team 2: July 10-18
Team 3: July 31- Aug 8

Family Time

This past month I had the opportunity to travel back to Ohio for a dear friend's wedding. With everything going on, I decided to extend my trip so that I could get fully vaccinated as well. It was such a refreshing time spent with family and close friends and I feel renewed and ready to jump right back into ministry here!

Residency

Due to a few hiccups in the residency process with my documents, I will have to start over from scratch basically. With a lot of changes in leadership in the church, I will have to wait til mid-July to resubmit my documents. Please continue to pray for ease and favor during this process!

Living Situation

Since arriving, I have been living in a little town called Zaragoza, which is about 15 minutes away from La Libertad. Recently the owner of the house I'm renting told me that they are planning on returning to the house when my contract is up. In the upcoming weeks the pastor will be helping me look for a new place to live and I am asking the Lord to show me if He would like me to stay in the area I'm at, or move down to La Libertad. Residencial neighborhoods with security aren't as common in La Libertad, which is why I'm also looking where I currently live. Please pray that the Lord would guide my steps in this process and make it clear where He wants me to move.

Pray with Me

CDI- wisdom for reopening, safety for all our staff, volunteers, and kids.
Women's discipleship and ministry- that the Lord would direct our steps and open the hearts of the girls
Residency

This month in my devotions I've been focused on the book of James and wisdom. He tells us that all we need to do is simply ask for wisdom and He will give it to us- wisdom that is "pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." I am praying this for you! I am so grateful for your continued support and prayers.

Abrazos!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

April 2021

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 16:10:16 GMT

¡Hola!

This month was both relaxing and stressful, but I've seen the Lord's hand in each and every circumstance. I've been here for about 5 months now, and to be honest this month has been hard. I've been missing friends and family in the States a lot more, but that has encouraged me to seek comfort in my heavenly Father and lean into the relationships that I've built here.

Ministry

We’re slowly prepping to go back to the CDI in person (hopefully in June)! I am SO excited. We have been waiting and watching how the slow openings go with the public schools here as well as the vaccine roll-out. Slowly but surely we are making our way back to all in-person gatherings. Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we seek to return back to in-person gatherings! Earlier this month we had a new-parents meeting for the kids that are new to the CDI and we had the opportunity to share the gospel. 4 women accepted Christ, praise the Lord!!

Until we can meet back in person, we're continuing to hand out food packets to each family in the CDI.

Vertical 2021- Boldness

Every year GCLA hosts their Easter conference in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Obviously this year that wasn't an option because of the pandemic, so they decided to hold a virtual conference! We heard from the pastors of GCLA churches all over Latin America. The theme was "Boldness." Although we couldn't go and camp out with all the different churches, we decided to make a good time of it with dinner and fellowship!

Pray with Me

Residency- I had a few hiccups with my documents at the Foreign affairs office, so I'm having to fix those and return with the correct documents. Please continue to pray that this process with go smoothly and quickly!
Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we seek to return to in-person at the CDI as soon as possible.
Pray for fruitful relationships as I continue to get to know the people in the church and young adults groups!

Thank you for continually lifting me up to the Father and for your support in every way! "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."(Eph. 1:2)

Abrazos!

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

Ephesians 2:19
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

March 2021

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:39:22 GMT

Hey family!

This month has been packed with big things! I've seen the Lord working in so many different ways here in La Libertad and I'm excited to share a few of them with you.

Thank you for your prayers for Miguelito- I'm so happy to say he is doing much better! He is still on the mend but has made significant improvement. Praise God!

I had the opportunity to go visit him and his family to take some medicine and food. We got to sit down and share the gospel with his mom and she accepted Christ right there! What an amazing moment to take part in.

Last week we were blessed to receive a mission team from Rock City church in Ohio! This was a big deal because they were the first team to do a trip with GCLA since the pandemic hit last year. Praise God He kept everyone safe and healthy and there were no complications from COVID!

While here the team constructed a concrete patio in the front of the church to give the congregation an extra meeting place, cooked meals for over 200 people in 2 different communities, helped a church member build a bedroom, built and painted 12 beds, handed out shoes and food packets to our CDI kids, and shared the gospel. 2 people from the group got baptized and over 10 people in La Libertad accepted Christ!!

That week was invigorating for me for so many reasons. Getting to meet so many people with a passion for serving the Lord and who share my love for the people in La Libertad, seeing the Lord move in BIG ways, and getting to see all the CDI kids. I was able to have both joyous and heartbreaking conversations with kids in our community as I got to know them and their stories. Seeing them reignited my passion to serve them and made me even more anxious to get back to seeing them in person at the CDI.

Genesis Abiga il is one the kids in our CDI whom we got to visit this past week. Marielos (the director of the CDI) and I sat down to talk with her as she's been undergoing a lot of changes in the past few months. You see, 4 months ago she went to live with her sister after a lifetime of not having a stable home. Although this was a good change and her sister and brother-in-law care for her well, she told me she misses her mom a great deal. My heart ached for her and she as I listened to the pain she'd been enduring, yet she continued to smile and laugh as though her life was only full of joy.

Since not being in the CDI, Genesis hasn't been able to practice her reading a writing. She hasn't been attending school since the pandemic hit because of the lack of internet access in her community as well as her unstable home life. Please continue to pray for all our kids in the CDI like Genesis! This pandemic has impacted their lives and their futures.

Pray with Me

Praises!!
I found a car!! The Lord lined everything up for this car and it has already been a huge blessing. Thank you for your prayers!
My visa extension was granted!
No one from our community or the mission team has gotten sick from COVID or anything else- WOOHOO!!
Please pray for the residency process to go smoothly and for all my documents to be accepted
For the CDI kids and the community as we continue to look for ways to serve them

Seeing the Lo rd work in such big ways this past month has left me in awe of Him. I am so full of gratitude that He chose me to come here to serve Him and that He chose you to be a part of it! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and continued financial support. I wouldn't be here without you and there are no words for the joy and gratitude that fill my heart when I think of you all.

Abrazos! (Hugs!)

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

John 10:10b
"... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Jan-Feb 2021

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 19:35:05 GMT

Hello and Happy New Year familia!

I can't believe it's been two months already!

The month of December flew by as I got adjusted to life. Settling into a new normal during a pandemic has been interesting, but I'm grateful for the extra time I have had at home to get adjusted to Spanish as well as caught up on online work for the church. This has been a great time to get to know my neighbors!

Here's a summary of what my first 2.5 months in El Salvador have looked like!

Right before Christmas we handed out the food baskets for the CDI families. In total we gave out 85 Christmas baskets full of food and household items to support the children's families through the holidays. This was one of my favorite days because I got to see the CDI kids for the first time since arriving! We will be handing out bags of food similar to this monthly until we can once again return to the CDI in person.

In-Person Church

Christmas eve service as our first in-person church service, and BOY was it so good to see everyone! We set up an outdoor screen in the parking lot so we could worship together safe and socially distanced. Since then we've continued on to be in-person for Sunday services as well as young adult group on Saturdays. This time has been such a refreshing time of fellowship with new friends and old.

Pray with Me

Health and Safety from COVID-Please pray that there would be no Covid cases at our church, so that we may continue to come together and worship!
For Miguelito- 5 yr-old Miguelito is one of our students at the CDI and last week he suffered severe burns from boiling water on both his legs. We are still waiting on results from his surgery. Please be praying that he recovers fully!
Political Elections- I hopped right from one county's campaign season to another- El Salvador will be holding elections at the end of this month, and as you can imagine the political climate is charged here. Please be praying to peaceful elections as well as safety from COVID throughout the campaigns.
Wisdom for future church decisions- as much as we'd all like for this pandemic to dissapear over night, that is not going to happen. Please be praying for wisdom and the Lord's guidance as our church makes decisions that impact the congregation, CDI families, and mission groups in these upcoming months.
Finding a car- I'm still searching for a car, and hopeful that I can find one in the next few weeks! Please pray that the Lord will provide the right vehicle at the right time.
Visa transition- I'm coming up on my 3-month mark here in El Salvador, which means I'll need to renew my visa. I'm filing to an extension to avoid having to leave the country. Please pray that the extension will be granted and the process will go smoothly.

Thank you for your continue prayers and support. I am so grateful for all your prayers and words of encouragement through these first few months!

Abrazos! (Hugs!)

Bendiciones,
Alyssa

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

December 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:53:23 GMT

¡Hola familia!

There is so much to praise God for!! Part of me feels like this is a dream, that I'm finally here! And the other part.. well, it feels like I never left! It was definitely an interesting time to move, during a pandemic and right before two of our major holidays, but the Lord is faithful and I have been adjusting well. Gracias a dios (Thanks to God) I had the smoothest travel day I think I've EVER had, with not a single hiccup. I came home to a beautifully decorated and clean house, and immediately started the great shopping expedition. Coming with little meant having to purchase quite a bit for my house. Thanks to your generosity I was able to purchase a stove, fridge, microwave, kitchen cabinets, couch, dresser, and so much more. So THANK YOU!! My heart is so full of gratitude for you and the generosity and faith in God that you've demonstrated.

My first week has been spent adjusting, setting up my house, meeting the neighbors, and getting familiarized with the behind-the-scenes functions of the CDI (Children's Development Center). I will be taking over the sponsorship portion of the CDI, which means I got to connect with different people that work for GCLA headquarters to help me get situated and get a feel for what the job will entail. After such a weird year we've had quite a few children leave the center, but gracias a dios we've had almost twice that amount start coming! I'm sad that I won't get to meet them until probably February (hopefully) but I'm thankful for this next month that I can use to get situated.

There's been ups and downs this week, as to be expected, and I'm sure there's plenty more to come. A few "yuck" moments, like figuring out that calling my bank to figure out a problem with only 5 hours of sleep will result in frustrated tears, got me down. But the "yay" moments, like when the little neighbor girls came sprinting out of their houses to say hola to me because they'd been anticipating my arrival, reminded me that the joy of little moments far outweighs even drawn-out frustrations.

A solid chunk of my time the first week was spent learning the ins and outs of the CDI (Children's Development Center) and what my role in it will be. Because of the pandemic we were unable to get kid's Christmas letters mailed to their sponsors on time, so I scanned them all and will send them out in the coming weeks so that their sponsors will have them in time for Christmas.

COVID-19 in El Salvador

Cases have been slowly going down here and we rarely go out, except when necessary. At the beginning of the week El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, announced that El Salvador would be one of 10 developing countries to receive 2.5 million doses of the new vaccine. They will be distributed starting in January and we're very hopeful that this will help get the ball rolling of life getting back to normal! As always, anything can happen. But as always, God is in control. Hopefully we'll be back to see the beautiful smiling faces of the CDI kids ASAP!

Pray with Me

For the health and safety of those in La Libertad and
for continued healing for Marielos Claros.
For a smooth transition into my new responsibilities
and that the Lord would work through me
For wisdom, health, and protection in the holiday season
as many people will want to get together.

As the end of the year approaches, I'm so excited to start thinking about what God has in store for 2021. Whether good or bad, He is faithful and everything that happens I can choose to use to draw closer to Jesus.

I am profoundly grateful for your steadfast support this year. 2020 was not easy by any means, but no matter what trials you faced I hope you have seen the pure Goodness and Faithfulness of our Father. As the year draws to a close, I am $300 short of my month goal. Would you prayerfully consider increasing your monthly gift by $10, $25, or $50?

May you spread the light and love of Jesus this December!

In Christ,
Alyssa

James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

November 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 18:02:01 GMT

Hello Dear Friends!

For the last 30 days I've been packing, saying my goodbyes, and preparing my heart for my next step... moving! Thank you so much for all of you who came to say goodbye to me and have sent me encouraging words and prayers.

As many of you know, I was supposed to be on a plane to El Salvador yesterday. But as it turns out, I'm sitting at a friend's house in Ohio writing you this update.

So here's what's going on...

A few weeks ago Pastor Ivo, his wife Marielos, and their two kids Josué and Keyla contracted COVID-19 and since then have had several complications during the recovery process. Although they are on the mend now, they are still navigating the secondary effects from being sick.

In light of this, Reliant, Ivo, and I have decided to postpone my flight. Their family has and will play an intricate role in helping me get established in El Salvador including setting up my house, taking me to buy furnishings, looking for a car, etc. As eager as I am to go, with all the unknowns this year has brought I know it is wise to wait and make sure everyone has a clean bill of health. I was able to easily reschedule my flight for November 17th (huge praise for that!).

The sudden change of plans came as a bit of a shock. Yet I have seen God's hand on every detail leading up to this and know that He is still in control. November 17th is still just 3 short weeks away and I know it will come quickly! Even with that in mind, I'm asking the Lord to help me hold this date in open hands as it could change again just as quickly. I'll keep you updated!

Please be praying for Ivo, Marielos, Keyla, and Josué as they continue to recover!

English Conversation Club ��

I'm continuing to meet with the English Conversation Club every Tuesday evening! Once I arrive in El Salvador I'm hoping to take a trip to San Miguel in order to meet everyone in person. Please continue to pray for our time together!

P ray with Me

For the Claros family as they recuperate from COVID
For the health and safety of those in La Libertad
For me to lay my plans and desires at God's feet with a joyful and willing heart
For wisdom in my next steps

I'm am so gra teful for the family of prayer warriors God has given me in you. Thank you for your prayers and continual encouragement through all the ups and downs. I am so thankful to be partners in ministry with you!

In Christ,
Alyssa

Colossians 1: 28-29

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Hallelujah Update!

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:40:09 GMT

Hallelujah, praise Jesus with me! I've reached 100% of my recurring support!!!

This is possible through YOUR faithful contributions, so...

THANK YOU!!!

I am so overwhelmed with gratitude and joyful awe for our Father who is faithful, loving, and perfect.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Bendiciones,

Alyssa

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

September 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 19:21:26 GMT

Saludos, amigos ! Big updates coming your way!

Looking Ahead ��

Just in the past few weeks, the Lord has started making a way for me to make plans to move!! El Salvador's airport is set to open September 19, and with that in mind I am working with Ivo (my supervising pastor in La Libertad) and Reliant towards buying a ticket.

After speaking with Ivo, we've decided that the best departure goal is the end of October. This gives Ivo time to look for housing for me and gives me time to finish support raising and to say my goodbyes. Although businesses and commerce in El Salvador started opening August 23rd, Ivo said the La Libertad church will start congregating in person again in mid-October to be on the safe side. School is not in-person there, and since the Development Center follows the schools, it will be until at least January when they are in person again. Going in October will allow me time to get adjusted and for us to discuss responsibilities before things are "back to normal."

This past year has been a long one for a lot of us, and I want to say a profound thank you for so faithfully giving to and praying over this ministry. It's sometimes hard to give in faith of what will come especially during challenging times in life, but that's exactly what we are called to do and it is what you have been doing. Giving towards God's work, whether in your life or someone else's, stores up treasure in heaven. That is a much sweeter reward than any we will know here on this earth. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting God use you!

English Conversation Club ��

This month I began English Conversation Club with GCLA San Miguel! We meet once a week for each group, and each day we talk about a specific topic guided by an article or a video that we look at ahead of time. We've had pretty consistent attendance and it makes me excited to be able to meet everyone in person soon!

If you have any good articles or videos you think would make for good conversation please feel free to forward them to me! ��

➡️ So What's Left?? ⬅️

God has so faithfully answered our prayers to move my support raising forward, and I am now at 85%!! I am only lacking $416 in recurring support. My fundraising goal is Sept 15. Small or big, every gift counts!!

We are SO close to reaching that 100% mark!! Who do you know that would be interested in what God is doing in La Libertad??

I am going to start posting more on facebook and Instagram in hopes of getting the word out and getting that last $416. Will you help me by praying and sharing my posts?

Pray with Me

That the Lord will continuing to open doors for me to get to El Salvador!
For the last $416 in support by Sept 15
For the health and safety of El Salvador as they begin to reopen

I 'm so thankful to be in ministry with you, my prayer warriors and partners. May you live this month reveling in the grace and beauty of Jesus Christ!

In Christ,
Alyssa

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke up on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

August 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 21:09:05 GMT

One Year

Hola amigos!

I can't believe it's August already!! This month marks my one year anniversary of support raising. Although this past year hasn't been anything like I had imagined, the Lord has grown me and taught me so much. I'm so thankful for the friendship that He's cultivated between us and for the way you have so eagerly joined this ministry through your prayers and monthly gifts. I am deeply grateful for your commitment to sending me, even through all the uncertainty these past months have brought.

COVID-19 & Travel Plans

Unfortunately, the increase in Coronavirus cases in El Salvador has changed the reopening dates. They continue to be in Phase 1 of a 5-phase plan. International travel (phase 4) has been pushed back to September 19. If you're curious about their plan or would like to keep up with it, you can do that here (with a little bit of translating).

Support Raising

I'm at 75.5% in current monthly giving and 79% in pledges. I need to be at 100% in current giving in order to go.

Pray with Me

Please pray that I would be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit's leading in regards to ministry opportunities here at home
Safety and reopening in El Salvador- please pray that the Lord would give me peace about His timing.
Support raising
Perseverance and contentedness in the waiting

Let me know if you'd like to catch up and chat over Zoom and coffee ��

A lthough I'm constrained by physical borders, God is not. He's still actively working in the hearts of people all over the world and He continues to prepare my heart to join the work He's doing in La Libertad in His perfect timing. Thank you for your support!

In Christ,
Alyssa

John 4: 34-35

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don't you have a saying, "'It's still four months until the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

July 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 19:51:20 GMT

Queridos amigos (dear friends),

Another month has passed of waiting, watching, and praying. I'm so grateful for each and everyone one of you and your commitment to this ministry in prayer and finances!

This past month, God has impressed upon me the importance of remembering . Many of the people I talked to this month expressed feelings of frustration at the thought of continuing quarantine and the uncertainty of a "new normal." I'm right there with you. When I brought these feelings before Jesus, he asked me, "Aren't I enough for you? Your calling is not to El Salvador, it's to be my disciple wherever you are." I'm prone to getting discouraged when my support fluctuates or I can't tell what my next step is. Throughout the Bible, God tells us to remember His faithfulness towards His people. Let us remember what He's done in our lives, be encouraged, and praise Him for it!

Storm Recovery

Thank you for your prayers and donations towards relief efforts in La Libertad!! Your generosity made it possible to send $850 to the church to aid in purchasing supplies for building beds, cooking meals, and distributing clothing and furniture to those whose homes were ravaged by the storm.

To those of you who are new to my updates, you can read about Tropical Storm Amanda and the effects on La Libertad in my last update .

Good News!

El Salvador's government has released their phased plan to reopen. It incorporates 5 phases, beginning in the middle of June and lasting until the beginning of September. After that, hopefully things will be "back to normal" (the new normal, at least). This plan may still be uncertain because of storm recovery and spikes in Covid, but if things go according to the plan, they will reopen the borders to international travelers on August 18 ! This means that as soon as I reach full support I will be set to go ��.

With that said, my goal is to be fully funded by August 1! I still have about 24% of my goal to raise. Please pray with me that God would provide people to share my ministry vision with!

In order to make this happen, there's a few ways that I'd like to ask you to participate :

Would you bring this before the Lord and ask Him if He's leading you to participate in this ministry financially?
If you're already a part of my team, would you prayerfully consider increasing your monthly gift?
If you gave a special gift, would you prayerfully consider making it a recurring gift?

The last 24% of my monthly goal is equal to about $1000. That could look like this:

$100/mo: ��

$50/mo: ��

Are you one of these people?

Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration and ongoing generosity! Because of your generosity I have 76% of my support and with your help in accordance with God's will, I'll be on my way to El Salvador soon.

Pray with Me

Storm Recovery and health- Members of the La Libertad church are hard at work building beds, distributing food and clothing and caring for the physical needs of the community in the wake of the storm. Please continue to pray for their health and safety.
Safety and reopening in El Salvador- please pray that the Lord would give me peace about His timing.
Support raising
Perseverance and contentedness in the waiting

Let me know how I can be praying for you!

Brothers and sisters, I am deeply grateful for how you uplift and encourage me daily. Through your prayers and financial support for this ministry, you are storing up treasure in heaven!! How amazing is that?? What an incredible God we serve.

With you in Christ,

Alyssa

Philippians 4:17-20

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and every. Amen.

June 2020

alyssa.sooy@gmail.com (Alyssa Sooy) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 15:16:26 GMT

Hola amigos,

I want to start out by extending my heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to all of you who have been supporting me financially and prayerfully. I am eternally grateful for your trust in the Lord, your sacrificial generosity and your encouraging words. You truly have shown me a beautiful picture of the church and community of believers through your encouragement. No matter where we are in the world, we are one body.

Quarantine in El Salvador

Ali Cruz, a missionary at the San Salvador GCLA church and Development Center wrote this in her June update in regards to the state of the COVID lockdown, of which they're in week 11. I thought she gave a succinct update, so I wanted to share:

"At this point, the president stated he had a plan to begin re-opening the Salvadoran economy on June 6th. The first step of this plan is a "true quarantine" which implies even stricter measures being put in place for 15 days, although no one has stated what that entails. It also hasn't been made public what the stages of re-opening would look like. As congress has not approved his plan, he says the re-opening date will be pushed back the longer the plan goes without approval. So, we will likely not be seeing any sort of let-up of the lockdown until mid-June.

As you can imagine, this has all caused a lot of confusion, frustration and fear in El Salvador. Please pray for this country and for its people. They are facing a scary reality whether that stems from fear of getting sick, of going hungry or losing employment."

Tropical Storm Amanda

Over the weekend Tropical Storm Amanda went through El Salvador, killing 20 people and leaving thousands of families without food and shelter. 6 people are still missing. Five families from the Development Center lost their homes, as well as one from the church that we know of. All along the coast and throughout the city of La Libertad people have lost food, houses, and businesses. I've been in contact with friends in the church and I am so relieved knowing the Lord has protected their lives, but my heart is so heavy for those who have lost everything. Friends, I implore you to lay our friends in El Salvador at the Father's feet. We know that our God is alive and active and is with El Salvador. Ask him to bring peace in the chaos, ask him to work through his people to provide for those in need, and ask him to protect the health of those who are now exposed and vulnerable to the Coronavirus.

Honestly I feel a little helpless. It hurts to know that so much pain is happening in La Libertad and I can't be there to help, but I've been reminding myself that no matter where I am the best thing I can do for someone else is pray for them. God continues to be in control and He loves his children more than we can fathom. So I pray, I wait, and I trust.

As soon as the weather permits those that are able are going to be delivering food, clothing, and furniture to those that need it most.

While there is much fear and worry surrounding all the events that are going on, not only in El Salvador but in the U.S. as well, I urge you to remember Who is in control. I remain firm in the belief that our God is loving, faithful, all powerful and active in our world. Just the last few weeks have presented us with even more clear opportunities to be his hands and feet and be a light to the world.

You read at the top about the state of El Salvador before the storm. Now, with all the devastation, there's no telling what will happen next. El Salvador is facing an uncertain future that includes storm devastation, an increase in COVID-19 cases, job loss, and hunger.

Pray with Me

Specific prayer requests I have gotten from the church in La Libertad:
For the Salvadorans that are in temporary housing- many are in schools and churches, which will make the already rampant COVID-19 go from bad to worse.
For the families and kids in the Development Center and church affected by the hurricane. Pray boldly that He would provide food, shelter, clothing, and whatever physical needs the people have in miraculous ways.
For relief efforts- for first responders who are cleaning up wreckage, for the landslides that have happened and for those that are sure to come.
Protection over church members who are going to pass out clothes and food- for their health and physical safety amidst debris.
For safety- storms and rainfall is expected to continue throughout the week in El Salvador.

Pray for their hearts and minds, that through this disaster many would come to know our loving Father.

Continued prayers for support raising- I am at 75%

Let me know how I can be praying for you!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: His plan is perfect, His ways are higher than our own, and right now I'm clinging to the fact that He is good and He is faithful .

With you in Christ,

Alyssa

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for every and ever! Amen.

May 2020

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:20:13 GMT

What a month it has been, although it flew by compared to the year that March was! April was a lot of change... and a lot of the same (still living in paradox ��) It reminded me how incredibly grateful I am to serve a God who doesn't change. No matter what I'm feeling or what situation I find myself in, God remains faithful.

If you ask me how this past month was for me, I'd probably tell you that it depends on which week you're asking me about. There were a lot of times where I got really close to dipping into discouragement and had to dig into God's word and remind myself of His promises. Thankfully, He hears our cries and rescued me real quick. He reminded me that His timing is perfect and His ways are higher than my own.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

The Great Commission Church in La Libertad has been hard at work this month serving the community through the distribution of food and masks! As the quarantine continues they're hosting virtual services and bible studies. Not being able to meet for in-person services has mobilized churches all over the world to be creative in how we share the love of Christ. I LOVE getting to see snapshots of how my Salvadoran church family shows Christ's love to the community. It renews the longing in my heart to be there serving alongside them.

Just a quick update if you saw the El Salvador COVID-19 update that I shared on Facebook- the strict lockdown in the city of La Libertad has been lifted, although the country of El Salvador is still under a shelter-in-place order.

If you're not part of the Facebook group already, join us here !

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Thanks to your generosity, I am at 80% of my monthly goal! I have set a goal to be at 90% of my monthly support goal by May 12. Will you join me in prayer that the Lord would provide this?

Thank you for trusting the Lord with your finances and continuing to partner with me in ministry! This ministry is not possible without your partnership and I am SO grateful for each and every one of you!! If you find yourself in a pinch and cannot continue your giving, please let me know so we can put that on pause until you are able to start it up again.

Pray with Me

For 90% of monthly support by May 12!

For the Great Commission church and the kids in the Development
Center- for peace, comfort, and heavenly provision in a time of unrelenting stress and uncertainty.

For the La Libertad community- pray that the Lord would put one of the virtual services being streamed in the timeline of every person in the city. Pray that lives would be touched, and curiosity and longing for Jesus would be stirred during this time!

Let me know how I can be praying for you!

April 2020

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:12:33 GMT

Lord I don't understand, but I trust you.

Queridos amigos (Dear friends),

The state of the world and our country is changing almost day-by-day, and much like you, I am waiting to see what will come next. Many of you have reached out and asked what the implications of COVID-19 are for this ministry and my departure date. Here is what I know, what I'm still waiting to find out, and what I'm doing during this time:

El Salvador has now documented 30 cases of Covid-19 as of March 29. Their president has taken a cautious stance, shutting down travel even before a case was found, and beginning construction on what will be the biggest hospital in Latin America (!) in preparation for the cases that are sure to come. As of now, they have a shelter-in-place, only allowing one family member at a time to leave the house to get food. School was canceled for 21 days (as of March 12) and the borders were closed to all travelers except residents returning home, with a 30-day quarantine in place.
For those of you all that are outside of Ohio (where I'm currently residing), the governor of Ohio has put in place some of the most aggressive precautions against Coronavirus in the States. We have been asked to stay at home, and all non-essential businesses are closed. Because of this, I have switched from face-to-face meetings to virtual ones for support raising.
I am at 77% of my monthly support goal (Praise God for His provision and faithfulness!!) and continuing to raise support during this time. Things are uncertain to say the least, but our God remains faithful and trustworthy. My hope and prayer is to be finished support-raising and be ready to go to El Salvador when the borders re-open and it is safe.

I am thankful to be at home, safe and healthy, with my family while things are so rapidly changing. It's been so encouraging to me to see how the body of Christ has mobilized to meet the needs of communities and come together (figuratively of course ��) to encourage one another. The same God who was with us on the mountaintop is with us in the valley.

Pray with Me

That the Lord would lead me to the people who will join our team and provide the final 23% of my monthly support!
For the families and kids in El Salvador- many kids don't have the blessing of a safe and stable home to be in during this quarantine and many families aren't able to go to work because of the quarantine.
Pray for His Kingdom and our family of believers worldwide - This pandemic looks different in every place. Pray that God would be glorified greatly in the way that the church responds and that many would come to know Him through this.

Always, but especially now, I'm so grateful to be in this ministry with you all. Thank you for your support! These are "unprecedented times," so no one knows what to expect in the coming months. But have faith, friends! Our God has not changed. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow He remains faithful. "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Cor 13:11).

Bendiciones ,

Alyssa

Psalm 77: 11-14 ( GOD'S WORD translation)

I will remember the deeds of the Lord. I will remember your ancient miracles. I will reflect on all your actions and think about what you have done. O God, your ways are holy! What God is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles. You have made your strength known among the nations.

Standstill

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 18:44:22 GMT

Moving forward in a world that's standing still

Lord, I don't understand. But I trust you.

This prayer has been running through my head constantly in the past few weeks. March started out with an impromptu trip to Nashville to help my brother and sister-in-law pick up the pieces (literally and figuratively) of their home in the wake of the tornado that tore through North Nashville and destroyed their house. I am so grateful that the Lord kept them safe! They're getting back on their feet, taking it one day at a time. Thank you to all who have been praying, donating, and reaching out to check up on them!

On the heels of returning from Nashville and trying to get back into a routine while getting over a cold, reports started coming in about the fast-spreading Coronavirus. Soon after came the news of the resulting lifestyle restrictions. I know I'm not the only one who immediately thought about all the plans I had made that may not come to fruition. Cancelled trips, reunions, church groups and services...

It seems crazy and almost impossible that the entire planet could shut down, yet here we are. Struggling to help carry the burdens of friends and family, separated from loved ones, some suddenly taking on new roles of teacher and caretaker, all while trying to feel purposeful and stay sane. Not to mention the worry and anxiety that comes from the unknown. But take heart, friends! This isn't the first pandemic or natural disaster that He has seen, and it won't be last. He was there before and He will be there next time. Planting seeds of faith, healing wounds, and redeeming lives. So let's keep our eyes on Him (not the waves and the craziness around us) and be His hands and feet for the lost and for the body of Christ!

● ● ● ●

Here's a few things that have been comforting to me in the midst of all the uncertainty:

1. Grounding myself in Who God is and His promises to us : We know these things to be true, God is Faithful, God is Good, and God is God .

God is Faithful : In His words and actions, our God proves Himself faithful time and time again to those who seek Him. When times are uncertain and we don't know what lies ahead, we can look back on His faithfulness.

Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:

the years when the Most High stretched out

his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds." (9-12)

Remind yourself of the ways you've seen God's faithfulness in your life and the lives of those around you.

God is Good :
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." Psalm 86: 5

“After the September 11 attacks on America, and then again after the US started bombing Kabul, I had to regroup. I asked myself, ‘What if I die?’ God brought to mind something I heard said at a conference shortly before I returned to Kabul in March. At the conference, someone asked Jackie Pullinger, who lived for decades with the poor in Hong Kong: ‘How did you really make it serving the poor for so many years? What is the secret of sticking it out for the long haul?’ She answered something like this: ‘ You have to resolve in your heart that God is good. No matter what happens, you must know in your heart that he is good .’

I determined that I would believe in God’s goodness . In prison I said, ‘Okay, Lord. I believe you are good. I trust that if I die right now in this situation, then it must be the best thing…’”

-From Prisoners of Hope by Dana Curry P. 130-131

Have you resolved in your heart that God is Good?
God is God:
"If He is God, He is worthy of my worship and my service. I will find rest nowhere but in His will, and that is infinitely, immeasurably, unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to... I believe with all my heart that God’s Story has a happy ending… But not yet, not necessarily yet. It takes faith to hold onto that in the face of the great burden of the experience which seems to prove otherwise. What God means by happiness and goodness is a far higher thing than we can conceive.”

-From Through the Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot

Our God, who cannot lie, has told us Who He is. Do you believe Him?

2. Asking God to give me a spirit of contentment and joy : I'm learning that the times when I don't feel grateful or joyful are the times when it's most important to praise Him anyway. We are all grieving something that we've either had to give up, or will have to give up. Graduation, vacation, sports, jobs, seeing friends and loved ones... the list goes on. The temptation to throw a pity party and complain is strong, so when you feel resentment creeping in, stop and ask the Lord to replace it with contentment in Him.

3. Taking this time to be still: Setting aside time to spend in the Word and talk to God is vital to both of the actions above. The more time I spend with Him, the easier it is to trust Him and be joyful in the midst of uncertainty.

● ● ● ●

These are "unprecedented times," so no one knows what to expect in the coming months. But have faith, friends! Our God has not changed. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow He remains faithful.

In Christ ,

Alyssa

Psalm 77: 11-14 ( GOD'S WORD Translation)

February 2020

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 17:12:41 GMT

Living In Paradox

This update marks the end of my training with Mission Training International where I've spent the last 4 weeks. It's been such a huge blessing to spend so much time with 30 like-minded people who are going through the same mental, spiritual and physical preparation that I am.

We spent the first half of training focusing on phonetics and language learning. This opened my eyes and ears to ideas and sounds in other languages and helped me start to think through the best methods of language learning for my future students. I even got to learn a little bit of Mandarin to practice language learning activities! In the third week, we began focusing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact of being a long-term missionary. Among many others, we explored themes of conflict, transition, stress, sabbath, grief, and good goodbyes.

The whole month was a beautiful living picture of the body of Christ and what true community was meant to be. We got to explore what it looks like to love and serve one another well in all stages of life, both here as well as on the field. The very first week we were invited to "speak in paradox" with one another, which is where my heading "Living In Paradox" comes from. I felt the freedom to say things like, "I'm sad to be leaving my people, but I'm confident and excited for where God has called me to be," and feel fully seen and understood in that. What a beautiful gift!

Overall, I feel refreshed after this month. The Lord renewed my hunger for His word and my longing to be more like Jesus. He freed me from past hurts and is teaching me how to surrender control to him. I'm learning that although I have a lot of changing descriptors and characteristics, my identity is a deeply loved child of God.

Support Raising

Although it wasn't my original intention, I ended up pressing pause on support raising this past month in order to fully focus on what the Lord was teaching me at MTI. In doing so, I was able to be refreshed and delight in the Lord and what He has called me to do. Even so, the Lord has provided me with 67% of my monthly support goal, which is a beautiful reminder that HE is the one who provides!

Prayer Requests

My heart and mind as I continue to process through the things the Lord has been teaching me, and how to be disciplined in applying them to my daily life.
That the Lord would continue to bring people on our team and provide the final 33% of my monthly support!
Preparation for moving, whether that be doctor appointments, sorting through possessions, spending quality time with friends and family, or good goodbyes.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, grace, truth, and love! I feel a renewed excitement to be in this ministry with you and honored to be sent by you. "Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God's grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 6: 23-24)

Bendiciones,

Alyssa

Psalm 139: 1-6

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.

You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too great for me to understand!

January 2020

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:47:43 GMT

Looking back on 2019

God's Word and His promises came ALIVE in my life in 2019. If you've talked to me at all recently, or even read my other blog posts, you probably have a good idea of what's been going on. However I haven't talked as much about what was going on in my head and put words to what I felt like the Lord was teaching me during this time. So here's my attempt to put words to my feelings, which has always been a messy process for me. These are a few verses that the Holy Spirit led me to at some point this year, and what the Lord taught me through them.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and

not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and

pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me

with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a pretty well-known verse that's taken out of context a lot. I'd heard this verse my entire life, and it's a verse that people like to cling to during those times where everything seems to be falling apart and nothing makes sense. This year, however, the lesson was in verses 12-13. Early this year the Lord closed the door on a dream I'd had for 5 or so years, and I felt lost. Yet in that the Lord showed me the beauty in giving up control and trusting in His plan, which was HARD. I think in all the busyness in our lives we forget that His purpose, plan, and hope for us are eternal. I certainly did. I needed to be reminded that i t's not about me , it's about Him . The more we practice verses 12 and 13, the more He reveals to us His plans to give us hope and a future. Because His purpose for our lives is to be living testimonies to who HE is and what He did for us. The more we pray and seek Him, the deeper in love we fall with Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Earlier this year I struggled a lot with feeling unqualified, especially after I understood that the Lord was calling me to be a teacher in El Salvador. I didn't think I was good enough, smart enough, ______ enough (fill in the blank, I felt it). It's like I was asking, "are you sure, God?" Am I the best person for this job? I didn't feel like I'd ever be ready or good enough to do what I'm being called to do it, but He showed me that that's the point . He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Because His glory shines brightest in my weakness.

Isaiah 55: 6, 8-9

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near... 8 "For my thoughts are not

your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than

the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts..."

We serve a God who doesn't fit inside our logic. When I start thinking about the ways in which I've seen Him work and the evidence of His movement, I get overwhelmed. And what I can see doesn't even scratch the surface of how He's moving! Seeing Him answer decade-long prayers and reveal Himself in such big ways this year has encouraged me to see Him even more in the small things. He's brought me this far, and I know He'll see His work in me through to the end.

● ● ● ●

He knitted me so purposefully in my mother's womb to be exactly who I am. My story is my story because He created me to think the way I do, react the way I do, and have the passions that I do, which led me to do the things I did.

A lot of people struggle with figuring out who they are. They say your 20's are for figuring that out! So my prayer for your 2020's is that beyond finding out who you are, you realize whose you are. And by encountering your Creator, you encounter who He made you to be.

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Alyssa

December 2019

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:58:25 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey there!

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday! I was blessed to spend it with family and good friends. I'm more thankful than ever for all the ways that the Lord has blessed me, including having you as part of this ministry! The Lord continues to blow me away with His faithfulness and provision, and it reminds me that this is His ministry and He is in control ��.

What's New?

I'm excited to say I'm now at 55.7% of my monthly support goal!! Since I hit that halfway mark, I'll be headed to Colorado for the month of January to attend a cultural training with Mission Training International. This training covers an array of subjects like language acquisition, practical issues in cross-cultural settings, and building healthy relationships both cross-culturally and with other missionaries. I've heard great things about this training and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me there!

' Tis the Season !

✨��✨��✨�� Shop and Support ✨��✨��✨��

The Lord has been using His people to show me kindness and fund His ministry. Here's one way that a friend has so generously offered to use her talents to help:

My friend Sandy is making and selling these cute messy bun hats and cozy infinity scarves, and will donate half of the proceeds towards helping me reach my support goal! Each hat/scarf is $15 and can be made in the color of your choice.

�� Tree Skirt Raffle! ��

Sandy has also made this beautiful tree skirt that we are raffling off! Tickets are $2.00/ea or 6/$10 . Winner will be drawn on December 14 , 2019. (Tree skirts also available for purchase. $40, half of proceeds will be donated).

Just shoot me an email with your order!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Prayer Requests

• Continued boldness and perseverance for support-raising

• Travel safety, especially from winter storms

Let me know how I can be praying for you this month!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • •

Thank you for your prayers, encouraging words and dedication to this ministry! I have loved seeing how the Lord is moving in your hearts to participate in and advance His Kingdom through this ministry.

Saludos,

Alyssa Sooy

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

November 2019

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 16:28:46 GMT

�� October in a nutshell ��

This past month had me all over the place! From Elyria to Chicago to Columbus, I was traveling quite a bit to meet with people and share about what the Lord is doing in La Libertad. Thanks to your generosity and constant prayers, I've reached 49% of my support goal! �� When I reach 50%, my next step will be to sign up for a cultural training in Colorado which takes place during the month of January.

This month was hard in a lot of ways. Navigating living and working at home when I've been gone for almost 5 years is both a blessing and a challenge. The "honeymoon stage" of support raising has worn off as I'm settling into the new job and routine. But in His typical fashion, whenever I seem to be discouraged God does something or uses one of you to tell me exactly what I needed to hear. Seeing Him show up in the most unexpected ways, like a stranger coming up to me in Panera Bread and praying over me, leave me in awe of our Creator and reminds me that He is why we're here. With eyes fixed on Jesus we do the work that He's called us to do.

Meanwhile in El Salvador...

Just this past week, the Bonilla family from my church in La Libertad packed up their home of 22 years and made the move to San Miguel, about 3 hours away from La Libertad to plant a church! Please keep them in your prayers as they start the ministry in San Miguel.

Prayer Requests

��This month, I ask that you pray Paul's prayer for the Colossians over me and over the Great

Commission Church in La Libertad (Colossians 1:9-12).

��That the Lord would continue to bless this ministry and direct my next steps

��That the Lord would continue to guide the Bonilla family's steps as they follow His calling for

them to San Miguel

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity!

In His name,

Alyssa Sooy

Colossians 1: 9-12

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all the power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you, to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

October 2019

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 18:21:51 GMT

A New Normal

Hola friends !

For the past 5 or so years of my life the month of September has always been a month of adjustment for me. Whether it looked like getting back into the swing of things at college or moving to a new city, it's the month that seems to be full of firsts. This year is no different, as I've been getting adjusted back to life in Elyria and full-time support-raising.

The Lord has blessed me abundantly in so many ways during this "first" of support-raising. I am OVERJOYED to say that I'm 25% fundraised! I've met with so many people who have responded to my story with open arms and encouraging words, made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and learned so much about the grace and faithfulness of our sweet Heavenly Father. Each time I share my story and how God's called me to this ministry, He reminds me of the passion I have for the community in La Libertad and how faithful He's been to me.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

To those of you who are already partnering with me financially,
and many more who are lifting me up in prayer, THANK YOU .
Your willingness to send me is so humbling and encouraging,
and I'm am so grateful for your support!!

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Over the next several months I'll continue to meet with people, share my story, and seek partnership for this ministry. I'm still hoping and praying to be back in El Salvador sometime early next year, but it will depend on which cultural training I can attend (It's a required training in Colorado, and I'm hoping to attend the one in January 2020). The Lord's been teaching me to rest in His presence here and trust that His timeline is perfect. I'm eager to get back to La Libertad, but I realize that He's given me the gift of time with my family and close friends in Ohio, and I want to treasure this time for as long as He wants me here. With that being said, I'm going to keep working with the plan to go in January knowing that if it's His will, He'll open the door.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Prayer Requests

・Continued prayers for support-raising

・For boldness as I continue to reach out and share my story

・For my church family in El Salvador- a young member of the church (16 years old) passed away suddenly last week. Though his loss is felt deeply in the community, we are comforted knowing he is out of pain and with the Lord. Please pray for the Lord's Peace to surround and comfort the church in La Libertad.

Bendiciones ,

Alyssa

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

September 2019

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 21:16:07 GMT

What's Next?

The day before I left La Libertad, two little neighbor girls came to the house and wanted to visit with me. We'd been out all day, and I was a little stressed about getting everything ready, so I chatted with them a while and then excused myself to go upstairs and finish packing. 5 minutes later, I hear a quiet tapping on my door and two little girls giggling on the other side. So I opened the door and invited them in to sit with me and talk while I packed. It was such a sweet thing that they wanted to hang out with me, and I just kept thinking, "This just feels so normal, why do I have to go back tomorrow?"

After a month and a half of sweet moments with friends and life-giving community building, I left La Libertad with a heavy heart yet at peace knowing that I was coming back for a season of growth and preparation. I flew to Orlando, Florida for a week-long training on support-raising with Reliant, where I met missionaries preparing to go all over the world. Now I'm back in Elyria, Ohio and kicking off a season of full-time support-raising. Looking back on the past couple months, I am so grateful for the time the Lord gave me in El Salvador to get to know the community and to give me a vision for what He wants me to do there. Now I'm excited to bring that vision back with me and share it with everyone who will listen!

I've come to see this season of support-raising as a blessing (a scary one) and I'm excited to find out who our ministry partners are, knowing God has already chosen them. I am praying boldly that I can raise my full support and be back in El Salvador by December/January. I'm trusting the Lord to provide, and praying that He make His timeline clear for me. As anxious as I am to get back, I know that the Lord has me here for a reason and I feel blessed to be back reconnecting with old friends and spending precious time with family.

If you'd like to hear more about my time in El Salvador, what I'll be doing there, and ways you can be apart of the ministry, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Prayer Requests:

Support-raising and timeline
Travel Safety

In Christ,

Alyssa

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Full Circle

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:48:38 GMT

Behind every No is an even bigger Yes

The first time I ever left the U.S. was on a mission trip to El Salvador at age 16 (pictured above). I fell head over heels in love with the people and culture, and I knew that La Libertad would always hold a special place in my heart. Their heart for serving the community and sharing the gospel ignited a passion in me that I carried with me into college and prompted me to study Spanish, so that I could one day go back and really get to know the people who'd had such a profound impact on me.

Early in my college career I started thinking about the Peace Corps, which seemed like it would be the perfect combination of my passions for people, service, and Spanish. I spent the next few years working at making myself the perfect applicant; tutoring, going on medical brigades, being a PC Campus Ambassador, even moving to Columbus to do an AmeriCorps program. Finally, a few months into post-grad life, I decided I was ready to apply to the Peace Corps. So I applied, interviewed, and two weeks later I got the email with the job offer, pending medical clearance.

But God had a bigger plan for my life.

Denied the medical clearance necessary to continue with the path of the Peace Corps, I prayed fervently that God would clearly show me His plan for my future. Through conversations with trusted friends and family, the Holy Spirit guided me towards involvement with international missions once more. This is when I found out that my church in Columbus was a partner church to the Iglesia Grán Comisión (Great Commission Church) in La Libertad, El Salvador, the very same one I had visited 8 years prior that had captured my heart. I joined a missions team to La Libertad for a week of serving, and after praying and talking with the pastor and friends in the church, felt that God was affirming His call for me to be in La Libertad, El Salvador for full-time missions work.

Every little decision, every big chapter, and every closed door, He was leading back to where He first ignited my passion to see His kingdom grow. In July 2019, I returned to La Libertad to spend 6 weeks experiencing life and serving alongside the Iglesia Grán Comisión in the Children’s Development Center, followed by a week-long training with Reliant in Orlando, FL in August. I am now back in Ohio support raising to do full-time ministry work in El Salvador!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every person that has poured their prayers, wisdom, and love into me as God was revealing this path to me over the last few months. I’m so grateful for the incredible community He’s given me both in the U.S. and in El Salvador.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

July 2019

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:47:17 GMT

What I’ve been up to..

These first few weeks have honestly been a whirlwind! My days have been full of cooking in the kitchen at the CDC (Children’s Development Center), sitting in on classes, getting to know the area, and building relationships with the people and kids. Every day has brought something different, but God’s presence has been a constant in every aspect of life. This community has been SO welcoming and an incredible example of Jesus' love, and I can’t help but feel at home here.

I’m staying with Ivo and Marielos, the pastor of the church here in La Libertad. After almost 2 weeks of adjusting, I’m finally getting the hang of the Spanish here and adjusting to the climate. My favorite part of the days has been spending time at the CDC. Learning about the kids and their stories makes me reflect on all the blessings I have in my life, and all the more eager to come and begin working with them full-time.

Pictured above are some of the girls in the Kindergarten CDC. We learned about the story of Joshua and the battle in Joshua 10, when God sent hail down and held the sun still. They loved illustrating it and were amazed at God’s power. What a joy it was to share God’s love with them!

What’s coming up..

This week I started classes with two girls before the kids arrive at the CDC. I forgot how much I love teaching English and being able to share that passion with kids who are eager to learn! Spending time here, getting to know everyone, and thinking and planning through what we’d like to see done here at this church makes me realize that God has big plans for this church here, and I’m so grateful that through His mercy and grace He's brought me back. His timing really is perfect! In addition to this, I’m looking forward to getting involved in the church’s youth group and continuing building relationships with the community here in La Libertad.

Here’s a few things you can pray for!

-H ealth as my body is adjusting to a new diet and climate

- Relationships- Prayers for the kids here in the CDC as I'm getting to know them and building trust. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead my conversations and interactions with them as we continue to get to know each other

-Classes! This week I started English classes with a few students. As we continue to progress, pray that the Holy Spirit will give me insight and wisdom to understand the needs of my students and how I can best serve them

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! I'm so excited to see what else God has in store for me here and how he continues to work in the lives of the kids in the Development Center.

Blessings,

Alyssa

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

How am I serving in La Libertad?

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:42:45 GMT

Serving God and loving the people of La Libertad- Here's glimpse into what that looks like for me

Academic Support and Discipleship

In 2009 the Great Commission Church La Libertad founded a Children's Development Center, which is an afterschool program for local children. The Children's Development Center is a practical way to meet the communities needs, serving the children of the La Libertad with Bible lessons, hot meals, and classes in a Godly, loving environment.

My main focus with the 30 kids I have in class is teaching them about how we are saved by grace through faith, and not by our works (Ephesians 2: 6-8). El Salvador is a historically Catholic country and although many families don't attend church regularly, the idea that they have to earn their way into heaven is passed down generation to generation. I have the privilege of guiding young teen girls through difficult years, encouraging them to make God-honoring decisions and live in a counter-cultural, biblical way.

Much of my time is spent teaching English and providing academic support for kids 10-15 years old. Since the public school is only in session a half-day, the kids receive only half the amount of instruction time that the private schools deliver. With so little time in school, very little is concentrated on English even though it's an invaluable tool, and after COVID many of the kids fell behind grade-level. Serving the kids through English instruction is a blessing that will equip them for their futures, helping them to break the cycle of poverty in their community.

Partner Communication

Along with the Children's Development Center, GCLA also runs a Social Projects program in which we make and deliver beds for kids, deliver food, and assist in small construction projects for needy families. All of this is made possible by the generosity of mission-minded individuals and churches in the United States. I maintain communication with child sponsors, partner churches, and individuals to keep them up to date on how their generosity is making a difference.

Mission Coordinator

In 2023 I took on the role of Mission Coordinator for our church in La Libertad. I help US church partners schedule, plan and execute mission trips and serve as a translator for the members of the group.

alyssa_sooy

December 2025

Hello Family!

October 2025

Buenas tardes friends!

July 2025

Hi amigos!

April 2025

Hola friends, Is it just me, or is 2025 going waaaaaay faster than any year before? I can't believe it's April already! We've got lots of big updates, so grab a cup of coffee and get cozy!

October 2024

Hola familia,

August 2024

Hola familia,

I'm excited to catch you up on everything that's been going on here over the last few months!

June 2024

Hola Familia,

March 2024

December 2023

Hola familia!

September 2023

June 2023

Hola familia, I pray you are doing well! Here's a snapshot of everything that's been going on here in La Libertad.

April 2023

Hola familia!

January 2023

November 2022

Hello Amigos!

October 2022

Saludos amigos!

﻿

July 2022

Hi Friends!

May 2022

Hola Familia!

March 2022

Hola amigos!

January 2022

Hola amigos!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hola Amigos!

October 2021

June 2021

Hi Friends!

April 2021

¡Hola!

March 2021

Hey family! This month has been packed with big things! I've seen the Lord working in so many different ways here in La Libertad and I'm excited to share a few of them with you.

Jan-Feb 2021

Hello and Happy New Year familia!

December 2020

¡Hola familia!

November 2020

Hello Dear Friends!

Hallelujah Update!

Hallelujah, praise Jesus with me! I've reached 100% of my recurring support!!!

September 2020

Saludos, amigos ! Big updates coming your way!

August 2020

One Year

July 2020

Queridos amigos (dear friends),

June 2020

Hola amigos,

May 2020

April 2020

Lord I don't understand, but I trust you.

Standstill

Moving forward in a world that's standing still

February 2020

Living In Paradox

January 2020

Looking back on 2019

December 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 2019

���� October in a nutshell ����

October 2019

A New Normal

September 2019

What's Next?

Hola friends,

Is it just me, or is 2025 going waaaaaay faster than any year before? I can't believe it's April already!

We've got lots of big updates, so grab a cup of coffee and get cozy!

Hola familia,

I pray you are doing well! Here's a snapshot of everything that's been going on here in La Libertad.

Hey family!

This month has been packed with big things! I've seen the Lord working in so many different ways here in La Libertad and I'm excited to share a few of them with you.

�� October in a nutshell ��