How One Prayer and One Violin Melted Every heart
“Daddy, could you please buy me a real violin?” eleven-year-old Janeth asked.
Nicolas sighed. As assistant pastor of the Great Commission Baptist Church, the weight on his shoulders had been immense. After their entire community of believers was expelled from their indigenous village, they spent seven months living in a gymnasium before relocating to a cattle farm—starting from scratch to build homes for 46 families. Now, over 170 people were looking to Pastor Rogelio and Nicolas for guidance, provision, and hope.
Though God was faithfully providing through His people, the challenges were relentless—and Nicolas didn’t have a peso to spare.
Still, he had watched his daughter endure the trauma of displacement with quiet courage. Music, especially the violin—even borrowed or broken ones—had brought a sparkle back to her eyes.
So, he took a deep breath. “Honey, you know I don’t have any money. But let’s ask God to provide.” Together, they prayed.
A few weeks later, Janeth and her family visited Kikomar to rest for a few days.
While they were there, a staff member named Diana asked Janeth what she enjoyed doing most.
“Play the violin!” she replied immediately, her face lighting up.
Diana suddenly remembered a violin that had been donated just days earlier and was sitting quietly in the storeroom. In that moment, she knew it wasn’t just a donation—it was a gift from heaven meant for this beautiful girl.
When Diana brought it out, Janeth’s eyes sparkled. It was even her favorite color. After tuning it, she played “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
That day, everyone present witnessed a simple prayer exquisitely answered—a powerful reminder that we are fully seen by our Heavenly Father. Before we even speak, He knows the deepest longings of our hearts.
I want to share some important—and very personal—news with you. After 25 years serving as President of Christ For the City International, I will be retiring from my leadership role on June 30.
And all Jim could feel was hate.
Fifty years of bitterness, grief, and unprocessed trauma—gone in a moment.
“The students were surprised when we saw some of the same individuals at different missions,” Dawn reflected. “They were challenged to think beyond what they saw and consider what life might really be like for these families. Watching them jump in, serve, and interact with both the workers and those in need was a joy.”
For Trudie, 16, the experience was a powerful reminder of the joy in serving Jesus.
Jonathan, the Omaha Urban Plunge facilitator, saw a shift happen. “By the end of the trip, they truly became the hands and feet of Jesus—not just to the people they served in Omaha, but to each other,” he said. “I believe they will carry that attitude back to their school and community in Iowa.”
Adrian saw the power of prayer in a whole new way, understanding that hurt is real, but so is hope—and we’re meant to be part of that hope.
Now is your chance to experience the life-changing work of Christ For the City International in person! From June 26-30, we invite you to join us in El Salvador to witness firsthand the incredible transformation happening through our ministries. But hurry—
This is more than just a trip. It’s an invitation to see the vision and join the mission. Whether you go, give, or pray, there is a place for you in the story God is writing in El Salvador—and we’d love for you to be part of it.
“To hear an inmate sentenced for murder confess that he is forgiven in Christ—this has been one of the most powerful moments I have witnessed,” shares Mubaiwa Mangwende, CFCI Zimbabwe’s base director.
These marked Bibles are now being used in rural and urban communities—and even reaching Kenya and Zambia. With plans to impact over 4,000 inmates, the ministry needs continued prayer and support, especially for transportation to reach more prisons and remote villages.
After we prayed, he told me he finally felt happy and relieved, like he could wake up in peace instead of sadness,” Riley said. “It gave me so much joy knowing the Lord worked through me to comfort him.
“The work being done here is not only helpful but life-changing,” Riley said. “Many people have so little, but what we provide gives them a way out of physical and spiritual poverty. The joy on their faces makes every bit of effort worth it.”
“These women are fighting to rise above vulnerability and become independent,” said Amos, the CFCI Mali Director. “Seeing them work with joy and efficiency, knowing they are building a better future, is truly inspiring. We pray that this support continues so even more women in Mali can find hope and dignity through this program.”
For Eleanore Hyvonen, missions never was just a calling—it’s a way of life. From a young age, she knew she was meant to serve the Lord, not just in words, but through action. That passion became a reality when she first connected with Christ For the City International through an internship at Wheaton College.
But missions isn’t just about the places we go—they’re about the people we meet, the lives we impact, and the hope we share. Through Global Teams, Eleanore has seen the power of faith in action, the beauty of communities coming together, and the undeniable truth that when Christ is at the center, lives are changed forever.