It’s in a fenced community—they also can hire security for free days to make sure you are safe.
Safety in Santa Ana, El Salvador What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
There are gangs in the surrounding areas, but we never felt unsafe. The church stays locked at all times. Public transportation is only acceptable when host travels with you or someone else from the church. We were only allowed to walk as a team to the local store down the street.
Close to prevalent gang area. Church is locked at all times while you are staying there. Host travels with you wherever you go and knows the community very well. Be cautious on public transportation and in markets. We felt very safe
Ministry Summary
Rating (1-4): NEEDS A RATING
Wide variety of ministry: evangelism, feeding the homeless, speaking at churches, giving testimonies, and ministering in prisons.
Ministry Summary in Santa Ana, El Salvador Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
Three! We were the first team to serve in Santa Ana while the kids were out of school. Pastor Melvin is very involved in the schools and has many different sports ministries. However, because school was out our days were a little slower. For us, ministry looked like a lot of dancing, singing, preaching, sharing testimonies, VBS, hosting events for the kids at the church, creating and handing out 3,000 packets for the local community, and teaching English. Melvin loves new ministry ideas. If you have them, give them. 🙂
Definitely a 4! Provided a variety of ministry opportunities. Host was very flexible. Flexibility required of team too. Ministries ranged from English/sports classes, to preaching/sharing testimonies in church services, dance team for worship, and a visit to the hospital. If you discuss a desire for ministry they will go out of their way to find an opportunity to do it!
Lodging
Alberto’s house and a house down the street, in a gated neighborhood.
Lodging in Santa Ana, El Salvador Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We stayed at the church. We had a room of bunk beds, a bathroom (toilet and shower included), and full access to the kitchen (refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster). Dina (Pastor’s wife), cooked meals for us three times a day. SO GOOD! Also, she did our laundry for the duration of our time here. Can I get an amen? 🙂
We stayed at the church. The church is less than 5 minutes from the Pastor’s house and they were at the church from sun up to sun down. We had a room of comfortable bunk beds, with a bathroom (toilet and shower included). The Pastor’s wife willingly did laundry once a week- but keep to what absolutely needs to be washed.
Food / Meals
Provided for you, except for travel days and free days.
The food is good.
Food / Meals in Santa Ana, El Salvador What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
Oh man!!! Meals were amazing! Enjoy it! Enough said!
Dina is amazing! She is the Pastor’s wife and she prepared and cooked every single meal for us. Don’t put limits on what to try. We tried every kind of fruit imaginable here. Portions were plenty and they care about our health. They are very safe with food and like to know what we did and didn’t like. They enjoyed learning a simple recipe that we brought from the states. They also enjoyed us cooking for them for family dinner one night.
Transportation
Provided for you.
Either in a van or truck.
Transportation in Santa Ana, El Salvador What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
Melvin arranged transportation the entire month. We were not allowed to take public transportation by ourselves. However, we never felt like we couldn’t go somewhere. Melvin is very good about taking you wherever you would like to go and if he is unable to, he will find a way to make it happen.
They picked us up in their van from the airport. We traveled from San Salvador to Santa Ana via the van. Everywhere we went, Melvin or Dina drove us in the van. We used public transportation for one adventure day to visit the Volcano and when the van broke down. Public transportation is very cheap. We walked to ministry to the school every morning.
Medical
Medical in Santa Ana, El Salvador Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
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Communication
Communication in Santa Ana, El Salvador Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
We didn’t have wifi at the church. However, Melvin took us to Starbucks almost everyday.
Melvin helped us with SIM cards. He provided internet at the church for the last 2 weeks of the month. Otherwise, he takes frequent trips to Starbucks and there is great internet service there. Just remember to buy a coffee before asking for the wifi password
Financial
Financial in Santa Ana, El Salvador Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
ATMs are all around metro center. The mall across from Starbucks has several ATMs inside and outside.
Translators
Translators in Santa Ana, El Salvador List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Pastor Melvin speaks very good English. His daughter, Katherine, translated for us during ministry. He provided a member of the church to translate messages during church services for us
Off Days / Fun Activities
Basketball court down the street
Beach and waterfalls less than an hour away
Pool in backyard
Mall and movie theatre down the street
Off Days / Fun Activities in Santa Ana, El Salvador What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
Santa Ana Volcano (full day, 4-5 hour hike; bring lunch for the top) Santa Ana Lake (restaurant at lake where you can jump in the water, ride jet skis and eat food)
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Santa Ana, El Salvador Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Santa Ana, El Salvador Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?