The large "M18" painted on the wall outside the community lets everyone know which gang has control. But it matters little to church planter Anda which gang controls the territory—she has the certainty that God sent her to Bado Marin, El Salvador to preach the Word of God.
"At first the pastor of the church was worried when I told him I was going there because there is not much in this area and it is not easy to make a life," Anda says. "But I know the same God who allowed me to work in other places preaching His Word is the same one who will go with me."
That is the mindset that has allowed Anda to keep preaching the Word of God through studies she holds in her house. She learned in the Multiplication Network Ministries church planter training that she had to get to know the community so she visited the people in their homes. Anda confesses it was not easy because it took a lot of time for the people to come and accept the gospel.
To keep from becoming discouraged, Anda shares that prayer was an important factor in her work. "There were entire days where I would pray for the people of this community and ask God that they would turn their hearts to Him," she says.
Her prayers were answered and the Word began to produce fruit. God's grace was shown through 16-year-old Flora (pictured left) as she gave her life to Him.
"Before knowing God, I felt an emptiness I tried to fill but couldn't. But when Anda began to come here and teach us about God, I felt something was changing," Flora shares. "Now I feel a happiness I cannot explain. I talk to my friends about God and also to my dad who is not yet a Christian."
Flora also says that for her to walk in this new life was not easy. In some ways she felt persecuted or judged for choosing a different path. But she says with a smile, "I believe God is the only one who can save. I can't give up and I need to keep going."
Anda is discipling Flora along with others in the young church. It is a joy for her to see Flora grow in the ways of God. Anda is sitting between Flora and another church member in the top picture.