July 2022

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 it 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.