Crammed with Heaven: Violence ends in El Salvador — Can it happen in SA?

A monthly column in which Jenni Pretorius Hill shares stories of hope which bring Heaven’s perspective to Earth

As encouraging as our election result was, South Africa is not out of the woods. I can’t surmise who will feature on our political landscape this time next week, considering the antics, accusations, and bloody-mindedness of politicians. I waver between hope and discouragement, depending on whose perspective I’m entertaining. As frightening as it feels, when your only option is God, it’s not a bad thing. I think we’re at that place; we need a miracle to shift the stalemates and to settle the nation to accept whatever the outcome of our coalition dilemma, but it’s going to take a sustained move of God to rebuild and restore the devastation in the various sectors of our society. If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect, the story of El Salvador may offer you encouragement. 

El Salvador is a small, but densely populated country in Central America. For two decades it was embroiled in civil war and only in the 1990s did it shrug off the repression of military leadership to embrace democratisation. A country not flourishing in natural resources, its modest economic growth has not been sufficient to improve the standard of living for the average Salvadoran; some stats reveal that half the population live in poverty, creating a climate for crime, and gang-related violence. By 2019 large swathes of territory had been unofficially claimed by two rival gangs; 80% of small businesses were extorted for protection money, and El Salvador was listed as one of five countries with the highest murder rate in the world. 

But something has happened in El Salvador. The murder rate has plummeted; the streets are safe to walk in and nationals who had fled to the United States are returning home in numbers. 70 000 criminals are incarcerated, and the heads of state in Central America are calling for their countries to emulate the actions of El Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele. When asked in an interview how he managed to stabilise the country and eradicate gang violence, his response is, “I can tell you the official formula, and the real formula.” 

‘So, we prayed’

The official formula involved controversial military and political strategies like equipping the army to fight crime, and declaring a state of emergency, but the real formula he says, was prayer. “It was an impossible task … the gangs wanted to create terror …they were killing randomly. So, we prayed.”

“You prayed in the meeting?” The interviewer sounds astonished.

“We prayed for wisdom and for no civilian casualties. We are a secular government, but all my security cabinet are believers.”

Bukele goes on to speak of the satanic influence behind much of the gang violence. One captured gang member had admitted freely to countless murders but had refused to participate in the sacrifice of a baby at the demand of “the beast”.

“If you win the spiritual war” the president says, “it will reflect in the physical. We won the spiritual war.” 

His next task is to action the three-point plan to heal the economy. The interviewer asks him what’s the first step. 

‘Seek God’s wisdom’

“Seek God’s wisdom.” He says it like it’s a no-brainer. “It’s the commonest thing to seek God’s wisdom. Why would you not?”

Indeed. Why would we not?

I think the story is extraordinary. Central America is awash with crime syndicates, drug cartels and human traffickers, and governments appear totally inept to deal with them. El Salvador is the exception, but instead of cheering for the peace that has returned to the streets, and the end of the mafia-like extortion and terror, foreign journalists and activists seem to have prioritised the rights of gang members, who kill indiscriminately and show little remorse for their actions, over the lives of ordinary Salvadorans. While I would not want to advocate for a disregard for the life of the most wicked of men, I think we may have swung to an extreme in calling what is good, evil and what is evil, good.

Bukele is a controversial figure, but his interviews are refreshing and honest. He’s not towing a line of political correctness, and he appears sincerely invested in the lives of the people he serves. While some of his tactics may be questionable, I suspect that his faith in God is what drives the animosity revealed in western media. At his inauguration in 2019, Argentinian pastor Dante Gebel boldly declared: “For a long time in Latin America, we have neglected the word of God, and today we remember His words: if my people will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven and heal their land.”

Trusting God for SA’s healing

I believe God is healing El Salvador. He has a history of using imperfect people to bring about His Kingdom purposes. In South Africa’s case, I trust His order will be established through the imperfections and unusual alignments of a government of national unity. Thank God for His unrivalled and perfect wisdom available to us. Thank God for unlikely champions who humble themselves to pursue His counsel. Thank God for His unfailing mercy and compassion towards us! .

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