who we are
Heartland International Mission has taken a path less traveled in the world of missionary work. We have chosen the relationship path. What does this mean? It means that we do not bring a bus load of our "people" equipped with tools to build buildings or one-time structures and then leave never to return. Please don't misunderstand us. Single visits are helpful and necessary. However, after visiting the country and getting to know the people, we realized the single visit approach was not how we were called to serve. Both of these approaches are needed but as we began to get more involved, we developed a model that allowed us to bring the best of both approaches. In short, our focus is to help teach the communities how to fish rather than to feed them for a day.
We are pleased with the results of this long-term relationship and all of the tangible accomplishments achieved in the last 10 years. Joyfully we can say we can say that we have grown into an extended family, a family by choice, extending the boundaries of our community to include the people of Berlin, El Salvador and the cantons of El Tablon Central and El Tablon Cerna. Over the past ten years we have received more than we have given and have learned far more than we have taught. Above all, hope is the most important gift we bring, and by the grace of God and to our surprise the greatest gift that we receive.
Where do we go from here?
Over the last 10 years we have experienced continuous learning and our relationship has matured through wisdom and grace. While we are walking humbly with our God, we continue to listen to where we are called to help our family in El Salvador. One of the most challenging parts of this mission is to understand that we cannot change everything. So, we decide where we can help and continue to listen along the way. We focus our efforts on health, education, and economic development.
The lack of economic development opportunities is the greatest barrier to self-sustainability. The people living in the cantons are primarily farmers and their skills have been centered around agriculture. The literacy rate in most cantons is low and inhabitants have very little access to skill development outside of agriculture. The available markets are very competitive or there are significant barriers to entry for their hand-made and agricultural products. We realize the need to either improve the yield of agricultural products, diversify the products grown, or simplify and expand the distribution to available markets. At the same time, we recognize the need to provide educational programs that increase the basic skill-level in reading, writing, math, social, general business, and financial management. Without focused efforts and improvements, the people of the canton will not be able to cover the most basic needs for their family.
We understand the scale of this undertaking and our inability to effect change without additional resource. We need partners, proven talent, people willing invest energy and effort, and we need funding to make these dreams a reality.
