Vamos a la Noche Juvenil (Let’s Go to Youth Night)

Jacob Olivera (left in red) among a youth gathering in El Salvador.

Creating Space for Youth in El Salvador
By Jacob Olivera | Immersion II – GOD Summer Internship

“[The kingdom of God] is like a grain of mustard seed... when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants... so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” – Mark 4:30–32

Over the years, I’ve helped facilitate youth gatherings in many places—Nashville, Morristown, Uganda, the Philippines, and now most recently, El Salvador, through the GOD Summer Internship. I never exactly chose to work with youth—it’s something God placed in front of me in high school and never let me walk away from. And for that, I’m grateful.

One thing I’ve learned across cultures is that youth carry real burdens. In the U.S., legislation around immigration has left many fearing for their families. In Uganda, job insecurity has pushed many toward informal labor. In the Philippines, heavy family pressure falls on young people to succeed early. Here in El Salvador, students deal with unstable education reforms, long school days, and limited support. It’s easy to overlook youth because of their age—but their struggles are real, and often systemic.

That’s what made last Saturday so special. For one evening—at our noche juvenil (youth night)—those burdens lifted. Through the work of Global Outreach Developments International, we were able to create a space where these young people could just be who God made them to be.

The night started lightheartedly. We played games like spoons, a quirky Tetris-style game, and “Reach 100,” a dice game. These helped break the ice, especially for the students who arrived shy or unsure. By the end, everyone was laughing, relaxed, and connected.

Dinner followed—hamburgers and agua frescos (yes, frescos, not frescas like in Mexico). But the highlight wasn’t the food. It was the conversation. I met a student named Joel, and as we talked, I got to hear about his life, his work, and his experience with school. His openness stood out—and would continue to throughout the night.

After dinner, we entered into a time of worship and Bible study, led by Orlando, a local leader connected to Community Church for GOD (C4GOD) here in El Salvador. Worship started slow, as it often does, but by the final song the students were engaged. Orlando taught about wisdom and the lasting impact of our choices. His phrase, “Lo que decides hoy, lo vives mañana” (“What you choose today, you live tomorrow”), really landed with the group.

We then had a thoughtful discussion about an episode of The Chosen, particularly focusing on Simon’s struggle with faith. The youth shared insights about choosing God in the midst of personal and social difficulty. It was clear that their faith is real and growing, even under pressure.

Spaghetti and marshmallow tower build game with youth in El Salvador.

We ended the night with two team-building games—an egg-drop challenge and a spaghetti-and-marshmallow tower build. Joel shined. His mix of charisma and natural engineering instincts helped his team win both rounds. I later learned from Gabby Barrera that Joel had been unfairly labeled a troublemaker in school because of his brother’s reputation. He never finished. Yet here, Joel was leading with strength, focus, and grace. He used the gifts God gave him in a setting where he was safe to thrive.

That’s what this trip is about. Through GOD International and The Institute’s unique focus on spiritual formation and occupational training, we’re not just bringing programs—we’re building people.

That night, we got to be the mustard plant in Jesus’ parable—a place of refuge and growth. For a few hours, these youth were free. Free to play. Free to worship. Free to be seen as children of God.