Our Latest Update

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.  

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.

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. 

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. 

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