About La Palma, El Salvador

La Palma is a town/county in the northern part of the Chalatenango Province of El Salvador.  It is located on a major north-south highway which connects Honduras and El Salvador.  That highway is well built and is smoother than Interstate 44 is in Lawrence county.  This highway is heavily traveled by large trucks, buses, autos, and some ox carts and horses. 

Nearly 30,000 people live in La Palma, most of them in poverty.  The area is mountainous and much of it is wooded and inaccessible.  There are numerous small villages scattered throughout the area.  The elevation is about 4000 feet above sea level.  The people come from a variety of backgrounds.  Many are from Honduras and Guatemala, only a few miles away.  There is little agriculture or industry.  There are a lot of entrepreneurs, and many small businesses such as stores and restaurants are operated from homes.  Street markets are very common and often block the sidewalks.  The area is known for it’s many craftsmen, and there are literally thousands of hand-made items available for sale in booths throughout the area.  Souvenirs are a big part of the economy and many are shipped to our country.

Many children do not get to go to school beyond the age of 12 because they cannot afford it.  They simply enter the work force.  Some begin a begging career as early as 5 years old.  Health care itself is free although mostly not available because there are not enough doctors.  Medicines to go along with the health care are not free and are very expensive.  Few of the people get any medical treatment or medicines.  Although food is available, their diets are not compete and malnutrition is a widespread problem.  Parasites are quite common.  Dental care as we know it is almost non-existent.

The people there are very friendly and generous.  They are loving and kind.  They will give what little they have to help others and to be gracious.  They love us.  They hug and kiss us and do their best to communicate with us.  They eagerly listen to the gospel preached. They sing praise and worship songs loudly and with enthusiasm, and often we can recognize the song and sing with them—though in English.  They travel long distances by bus to worship, or they walk.

In 2003 it was found that there were no churches of Christ in the northwestern part of El Salvador, and the   Monett elders decided to try to plant one in La Palma.  With the assistance of the churches in Cassville, Aurora, and Monett, a building has been leased and two preachers are working there full-time.  From the first meeting in June of 2004 to September 2006 the congregation has grown to over 40 in attendance. It includes some Christians who previously had no church to attend and some who are interested.  It includes several children.  We can grow a generation of people who know about the Church of Christ where it was unknown before.

Please note that planting a church in La Palma does not end the work in El Salvador.  San Ignacio, nearly as large as La Palma,  also needs a church  and we hope to plant one there in the next year.  Dozens of smaller villages nearby need to have an opportunity to know about the love of God and the church of Christ.  We will face difficulty changing the hearts of the older people, but we can greatly influence the children and allow the next generation to have the opportunity that we have— to be Christians only.  We can affect them by showing that we love them and care for them.  By doing so, we also open their hearts to the message we bring them.

Jose and Jesus have a vision which includes helping children stay in school rather than drop out because of lack of money.   The vision led Donnie Ellis to begin a sponsorship program which has nearly 50 children now being cared for.  The vision includes other churches in nearby villages.  It includes orphanages to care for the street kids.  It includes the continual growth of the church of Christ in the region,  It includes the execution of the great commission.  We can help.  We can teach.  We can support the spread of the gospel. 

If we don’t do it, who will?

Let's Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!