Hello Family and Friends,
What have been up to these last couple months? We have been very
busy…. Our last update must have been in June, but I will try to summarize all
the things that have happened in the last few months. A quick update - July,
as some of you know, is a very busy time in our lives because this is the
birthday month for Selah and Shiloh. The girls
have been blessed to have gained many friends here in El Salvador in
the last 16 months. They had the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays at
school with their classmates again, and we also used this time to minister to
the children with the help of some students from the King’s Castle program. We
did some dances, games, and at the end gave a small lesson about receiving
Jesus in their hearts. We wanted to show the girls that they can be
missionaries wherever they go, and that we can use every opportunity, such as a
birthday party, to share the love of God with the people around us.
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| Celebrating the girls' birthdays in school last July |
In the beginning of August, I began teaching our third semester of English while Phil has continued to give French classes to some
students who have an interest in going into countries that will be speaking in
French. What a privilege this has been for us to be able to help the
students expand their knowledge, and learn more about different cultures. Our
experience in language school in Costa Rica has played a huge part
in providing education to the students. Teaching English and French to someone
is one thing; however, being able to relate to their learning abilities and
showing them ways of how to make these lessons applicable and meaningful to
their ministry is a different story. God does not waste any time in our lives.
Every stage and process in our journey has been used perfectly to equip us for
a time as this. Teaching has been such a scary and uncomfortable place for me,
but God has confirmed several times to me during my time here in El Salvador
that this is what He has called me to do, and that we must learn to serve God
faithfully in the things that He has placed us in, because through this, He can
see our hearts and that we are willing to serve Him no matter how little or big
the task is given to us.
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Teaching at Lago Coatapeque to the
Bible School Students of Castillo del Rey |
Our entire family also continues to serve in the children’s
nursery every other Sunday. This has been such a blessing to
show love to the children, and to show them that we are serving together as a
missionary family. We learned through a teaching seminar that children
even inside the mother’s womb have a deep connection with the Holy Spirit.
After birth, we as parents/teachers/caregivers have a responsibility to
continue to keep this connection strong with the young children. I
personally have seen how early stimulation in the brain has helped advance our
girls in their learning abilities. Selah is an awesome example of how a
child can learn a new language rapidly. I have no doubt that kids under the age
of 3 have great capabilities to understand who our Heavenly Father is, and how
to have a personal relationship with Him.
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| Working at the Sala Cuna |
The most important thing we would like to share with you is the
impact and changes of lives of the people that we are ministering to here in El Salvador.
Our motto “Give Smiles, Change Lives” is definitely living up to its name… With
the help of Dr Mark Faulkner and Martin Holman, Phil has had the ability to
place partial dentures/flippers to those who have been missing teeth for
several years. We wanted to share a few testimonies of some of the patients
that have been able to receive these free treatments through your generous
giving. Dental care is the last priority for these people who walk through our
clinics. They work hard each day just so they can bring food to the table for
their kids. Having the opportunity to serve them has been a great honor. Allow us to share a few examples:
Meet Jennifer, a 21 year old single mother of 2 children.
Since she was a child, she had been praying to go see a dentist, but
could not go due her financial and family situation. After receiving her
denture, she does not feel ashamed to talk, laugh, and smile.
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| Before and After |
Here is another 20 year old single mother. She has visited the
clinic several times, but after Phil placed her new teeth, she finally was able
to smile.
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| Before and After |
Another story is about a patient named Victor. Victor has also
been missing all his upper front teeth for several years. After receiving
treatment, Victor’s face lit up because now he is able to smile without feeling
ashamed.
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| Before and After |
Some of our incredible missionaries, like Josue Membreño, has
been missing one of his front teeth. He is raising money to be able to work in
a different country to help children who are needing to know Jesus. He is very
kind, and has a big heart for others. He had been praying for a new tooth, and
when he received his treatment, he was very happy.
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| Before and After |
There are so many more stories of these people who come to the
clinic weekly. They not only get free medical and dental service, but they also
experience the love of Jesus through our team, and as a result, their lives are
completely transformed. It is a privilege to see all these lives changed, and
we want to thank each and every one of you who are partnering with us to make all
this happen. You are changing lives each day through your obedience and
generous giving to our ministry. If you are currently not a partner, and would
like to know how to become a part of this ministry, please send a message to
Phil directly, philmgendreau@gmail.com
We love and miss you all very much!
Blessings,
The Gendreaus
Phil, Mia, Selah, and Shiloh
