Refuge | El Salvador

In April 2009, we held our first concert featuring two worship bands from Princeton Alliance Church. There were 300 people in attendance, and together we raised $16,000 to build an orphanage in El Salvador.

Tia Ana was forced to live on the streets since childhood and lived a life dictated by a social standard that told her she was unlovable. After an encounter with God, she dedicated her life to serving children who currently share a similar type of childhood. Although her economic situation has not improved, when we met Tia Ana she was providing food, shelter, clothing, education, and love to about 20 children ranging from 6 months old to 18 years old. She was living day by day through the support of friends and family within the local and global church.

God put Tia Ana in our lives about a year before the concert.  We met her through mutual contacts on a trip to San Salvador, El Salvador and our hearts were indeed broken.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance started a project, building a refuge for Tia Ana and the children. Tia Ana had to move on numerous occasions due to economic issues. It was our goal as Refuge to raise $15,000 — enough to complete the construction of a permanent home for Tia Ana and the children in San Salvador were they would be able to develop, grow, and experience Christ-like love through Tia Ana and other partners.

The night of our first concert, we witnessed 300 adults and teens gather together to worship Jesus. We sang to our Savior together, and then listened to the needs of a woman who wanted to live out her calling to help the homeless orphans in her city in El Salvador.

Then we responded. Through that gathering, we raised nearly $16,000 which built her an orphanage so she could continue caring for the least of those in her city.