On October 21, members of the Reparto Apopa Church of the Nazarene on the Central District of El Salvador visited the oncology unit of the National Children’s Hospital with the purpose of bringing joy and hope through different activities and sharing the message of Jesus.
The whole congregation participated by preparing care packages containing soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, socks, wet wipes and other gifts that people wanted to send. In addition, donations helped purchase Bibles which were delivered to each child.
The children of the church were also involved in creating cards with drawings and Bible verses to encourage hospitalized children and their parents.
The team (Pastor David Vásquez, and Sunday School and Discipleship Teachers (SDMI), Yanira de Melara, Heydi de Centeno, Odily Díaz, and Sara and Gabriel Ceron) played games, shared cake and soda and walked throughout the hospital to pray with each child. In all, 24 children and their parents heard the Good News of Jesus.
“It was nice to see how the parents smiled during the games; there were also two boys who were having a difficult time, and when we arrived, they did not want to participate. As time went by, they started laughing and then asked to play with us. The moms were so happy, rejoicing that the mood of Ishmael and Mariana had changed.” — Heydi de Centeno
“Nohemí’s mother was so tired; she had not slept for hours and when I came to play and talk with Nohemí, her mother fell asleep in the chair next to the bed. I stayed for a long time with her and then we finally prayed together. I presented the Bible and the gifts. Nohemí was so happy; it was such a good day to play!” — Gabriel Ceron.
“The most shocking experience was meeting a 1-year-old baby, newly diagnosed with cancer; his parents were attentive to the message of the Word and eager for spiritual comfort.” — Sara Diaz de Cerón
Source: Sara Díaz de Cerón
