Ann and Robert Horton are the epitome of selfless service and leaving somewhere better than when they found it. The couple visited El Salvador in 2004 to look at a property for an orphanage and fell in love with the place. Ann and Robert returned to Bryan College Station, raised money to purchase the property, and started an organization called SHIP International.
SHIP International services an area of El Salvador known for its poverty and gang activity. Through several mission trips each year, SHIP International has created a community safe space for children, women, and families.
The goal of SHIP International is to help people improve their lives through education and teaching them about Jesus Christ.
“We work with families and children. We have actually started a school and a work center for women,” says Ann. “Also, we are a faith-based organization and we believe the foundation for life is knowing Jesus and letting him lead your life.”
SHIP International takes about seven mission trips to El Salvador each year; one in January before school starts, one over spring break, four during the summer, and one in the fall. The focus of each mission trip depends on what the needs of the community are. This summer, SHIP International added plumbing and shelving and assembled beds in their young women’s home, reorganized El Salvador’s SHIP Shop — a place where people can go for clothing, household needs, etc. — started a sewing ministry to help women provide for their families, and built a new playground in the area with the help of Grace Bible Church in College Station.
“We have been really blessed. We have some of the most amazing volunteers. This summer, we have been working on duplexes being built for people to live in. We also worked on our transition home for women, called Esther House,” says Ann. “People are needing a safe place to be and we are that place. Our place is a safe place. It is a community center where people can come and hang out and be protected.”
SHIP International isn’t just in El Salvador; the organization seeks to serve the Bryan College Station community as well.
“We have a SHIP Shop located on Cavitt in Bryan in order to help a lot of people locally,” says Ann. “People can come for clothing, household goods, and anything else they may need.” The SHIP Shop also donated to people who cannot afford items and have been sent by local organizations SHIP partners with.
The progress and transformation of the community in El Salvador has been a success due to the diligent fundraising efforts of the organization. SHIP International is hosting their annual luncheon on Oct. 29 from 12 to 1pm at the Hilton College Station & Conference Center. The luncheon is an opportunity for the community to learn about the organization and what they hope to accomplish in the coming years and serves as the organization’s main fundraiser. Two young women from El Salvador, Marlene and Betsy, will speak at the luncheon. There is no cost to attend the event, but donations are accepted.
“[SHIP International] has grown so much and has changed so much,” says Ann. “God just opened these big doors to us and said, ‘Look what’s out there.’ The community has become our passion and our focus and our mission. I love it.”
For more information about SHIP International and how you can volunteer, visit www.shipinternational.org.
According to the SHIP International brochure, in 15 years of work in El Salvador, SHIP has:
- Started a school, Escuela Luz de Jesus, serving K-4 and K-5 students with plans to add a grade each year.
- Provided scholarship opportunities for older children and young adults.
- Offered a safe place for a community to gather.
- Hosted community outreaches, Vacation Bible School, and men’s and women’s ministries.
- Created Esther House which provides safe dwelling for high school and college-aged women.
- Established a women’s work center.
- Built and repaired more homes than they can count.
