Agua Para La Paz

My experience working in the jails throughout El Salvador has truly been heart opening/ warming. I worked and continue to work alongside true warriors of change, with the same passion bringing HOPE to those in need.  When I first walked into the prisons of El Salvador, I knew I was entering a new world which I had never been exposed to. I entered into their home, and what I noticed right away was, they were just like me, sinners that needed HOPE. I was once hopeless and could have easily ended up like my brothers and sisters throughout the system. I knew I was not there to judge but to love everyone as CHRIST loves me, unconditionally. When I see anyone without HOPE, it is an opportunity to speak to them through the action of LOVE. I heard it many times over and over why are you going to work in the prisons in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. All I can say is if you know my GOD, you would understand my reasoning. If you don’t, you might think I have some sort of death wish.

Our project is named “Agua Para La Paz” and it focuses on bringing clean drinking water into every prison/ rehabilitation center throughout El Salvador as well as communities with a standing truce.  This project was created to help solidify the truce between the gangs in El Salvador, Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18.  The truce was implemented to cut down the rate of murders per day, among other issues. The murder rate dropped from 15 to 5 daily, so we wanted to reward them as this was a big step forward in the peace process.  We work alongside the gangs and general population throughout prisons as they help out with plumbing, demonstrations, setting up events and pretty much in every way possible. They are extremely grateful and respectful and a pleasure to work with day in and day out.

There’s a verse in the Bible that states in Matthew25:35, for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’