Mike McClenahan

I took my seat next to mother Griselda and her two year-three month daughter Natali in the sanctuary of the 10,000 member Elim Church in Santa Ana, El Salvador. Together with our pastor group and dozens of women and their children we sang worship songs, then listened to the story of a former gang woman. Eighteen months ago she came to Christ because her son was in the Compassion child survival program for infants and preschoolers. At first she couldn't participate in church because of her gang commitment, but through her son's involvement she learned to love him and grew spiritually. She urged the women it's never too late to seek the Lord. Elim partners with Compassion to care for 1000 mothers and babies in 21 projects across El Salvador. The women learn crafts, hairstyling, and other skills as well as caring for their children. The women are given prenatal care and the children are monitored from birth to five years old in physical, spiritual, intellectual, and social...

Today we visited a child development center supported by Compassion. Each project is a church because everything supports the ministry of a local church. I was greeted by Karla with a sign with my name. She's 13 and has been sponsored for 8 years. Her friend Merlin and she danced with the group during the opening program. The worship band was student led and sang in Spanish and English ("how great is our God"); there was a drama from 2 Samuel about Mephibosheth welcomed to the kings table and a reflection on the passage by a student. We toured the different workshops which equip children with skills: computer, sewing backpacks which are sold to the other centers, mixing liquid soap, music, and English class where we played twister in English with the kids. Lots of time to visit with the children and hear the story of Nelson, a gang member who eventually came to Christ because his daughter was being cared for by the church. I sat with him and two current gang me...

Yesterday 7 pastors and three Compassion International staff flew from Hawaii, Southern California and Colorado Springs to Houston and then on to San Salvador for a church leaders trip to discover how Compassion addresses children in poverty. We had a great day visiting a project/church site with 213 children that was started 1 year 3 months ago. We were the first visitors to the site and we were all impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the pastor and staff. The children greeted us with "Da me la mano" and a young girl escorted me into the assembly room and sat with me. The whole program was led by children leading other children and guest in singing. Hugs are big. Few recieve affirmation or touch from parents. homes are mostly single moms. i met a mom who was so appreciative of the project where children get training in computer, basic subjects, and each has a file with their progress physically, emotionally/socially, intellectually and spiritually.  We visi...

Sometimes in census records Ale is listed as Eli, or Ali. Where does the name Ale come from? The name "Ale" is an old Swedish name from comes from Swedish mythology.  It celebrates an early King Ale of Sweden (actually now part of Norway) whose exploits on the battlefield were legendary (very similar to England's King Arthur or Beowulf). Also, Ale’s father Joseph’s first wife Rachel Smith was Swedish, and her oldest brother was Ale Smith, who served as an Indian spy during the Revolution alongside Joseph Hatfield. (from http://www.ghat.com/supj-h01.htm )  Ale was born October 29 1778 to Joseph and Elizabeth Vance in Russell County, Virginia and died November 11, 1841 in Greene County, Indiana at 63. Ale married Milly Gibson and had five children (Andrew, Sarah, James, Ale Jr, and Nancy). In 1810 Milly and Ale were estranged and their divorce is recorded in Greene Co., Indiana April 4, 1836. ( http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=lesliesc...

Are we related to the Hatfield's and the McCoy's? Since the series is on the History Channel I thought I'd do a little research.   Kevin Coster plays Willliam Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield. Wikipedia says he is a descendant of Ephraim Hatfield born in 1765 in Washington County, VA. So here it goes: William is one of 11 children. He was born in 1839 to Ephraim "Big Eaf" (b. 1812 Sprigg, Mingo Co., West Virginia and d. 1881 Newtown, Fayette Co., WV) and Nancy Vance (b. about 1813). Ephraim's parents were Valentine (born in Russell County, VA in 1789) and Martha (born in Washington Co., VA in 1789). Valentine's parents were Ephraim Hatfield (b. in 1765 in Washington County, Virginia, died on 13 Oct 1847 in Blackberry Creek, Pikeville, Kentucky at age 82, and was buried in Hatfield Memorial Cemetery, Pike County, Kentucky) and Mary Smith (b. 1754 in Wilmington, New Castle Co., Delaware). Ephraim is the brother of Ale Hatfield, father of Mordeca Al...

(written while he was still living) Ale Hatfield b. Oct 29, 1778 in Russell County, VA, d. Nov 11, 1841 and buried in the Armstead Hatfield Cemetery, Owensburg, Greene County, Indiana Daniel B. Hatfield , grocer, was born in Jackson Township, Greene County, Ind, May 1, 1838. His father, Mordica Hatfield, was a native of Campbell County Tenn., born November 17, 1818, and was descended from Irish ancestors. [ This is partially true. Ale's maternal grandparents were born in Tyrone Co, Ireland, but his paternal ancestors are from England and Holland. ] Ale Hatfield, father of Mordica, together with his family, removed to Indiana in 1831, and was induced to locate in Greene County by reason of fine water facilities and an abundance of wild game. They settled in Jackson Township and occupied their time largely in hunting, becoming justly celebrated as hunters. In about 1844, Ale Hatfield died. Mordica married Millie Richardson when seventeen years old, and fourteen childre...