Greetings from El Salvador! I'm thrilled to be back where I once ministered for nearly two years among the MS-13 and Calle 18 gangs. So much has improved since I was last here 17 months ago. There's a new thriving spirit among the people. Most exciting is the renewed zeal among Christians to venture into new areas to share the gospel. They used to be hesitant to leave their neighborhoods due to fear, but now they're stepping out courageously, eager to spread the gospel in areas they wouldn't have dared to go before. This transformation is a big part of why I've returned—to help a pastoral friend plant a second church in a town two hours away. We've been making regular trips to lay the groundwork, and I'm grateful that two friends from the U.S. have come to lend their support. A dedicated group of young people from his local church are also deeply involved. Please keep this mission in your daily prayers—the Chalatenango region needs a local church to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
I share this story as a testament to God's work through your faithful prayers and support. This was possible because of your partnership in this ministry. Thank you for lifting up the ministry so that many folks like Daisy can come into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
These past several months have been a rich season of teaching and preaching. In Mexico, I taught on essential themes, including "Why God Gives Us Suffering" and a challenging message regarding "Eight Truths Many Christians Do Not Believe." Then, on October 31st in El Salvador, several churches gathered to hear my teaching on why Christians SHOULD NOT celebrate Halloween. For anyone interested, I wrote three articles on this topic throughout October, which you can read at MissionFrontier.info/blog. Please visit the site and subscribe to weekly blogs, where I share practical thoughts on topics we all think about. The responses I receive are incredibly uplifting, and some emails even inspire me to write new blogs.
Now, I've saved the best for last. On October 8th, I celebrated my 11th anniversary in mission work, and looking back, I'm in awe of how God has privileged me to minister through these years. From gang-ridden streets in Latin America to brothels across many countries, I've been blessed to shine the light of Jesus Christ in some of the darkest places. I've had the honor of advocating for abused children on four continents, meeting with national leaders to promote youth welfare, and even teaching on television in India that the UNKNOWN GOD is none other than the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I've preached in Hindu and Buddhist temples, declaring that Jesus is Lord above all gods, shared my life story in schools worldwide, and made my home in three different nations. None of this would be possible without God's grace. Through Christ's strength, I stand here, eternally grateful and amazed by His calling. To Christ alone be the glory, honor, and praise!
Lawrence Bowman