The Duggars Update: Jill Duggar-Dillard Encourages Prayers and Fasting to End Gang Violence in Central America

Derick and Jill Duggar-Dillard and their son, Israel
Derick and Jill Duggar-Dillard and their son, Israel |

As Jill Duggar-Dillard and husband Derick continue to provide updates of their return to Central America, the Christian couple recently shared that their mission work made them realize how gang violence can be prevented.

The Dillards concluded their last mission trip update by asking their fans to put forward their own specific requests to their prayers. The missionary couple believe that praying can bring on a significant impact on the outcome of elections; as such, they are asking their fans to pray "that God would put authorities in place who would honor the Word of God and His people."

In addition, baby Israel's parents also asked their followers to pray for gang violence to end in Central America. The couple believes that both prayers and fasting are the ideal approach towards solving this issue.

"Many of the men in Central America are in custody for gang involvement, leaving the gangs themselves as the primary influence of many children, especially young boys, who, sadly, tend to follow in their fathers' footsteps," the Dillards wrote. "By God's grace and the prayers and fasting of his people, this deadly cycle can be broken and this land healed."

In a previous post, Jill gave the impression that she believed gang violence may not always bring out negative implications when it comes their evangelical efforts.

According to the 24-year-old reality star, it would be less difficult to convince individuals about the concept of eternal life when they can see the dangerous consequences of the actions of gang members.

"Because of the violence and fear in some areas we were in, people face the frequent reality of eternity and are more open to the gospel because of it," Jill explained.

Meanwhile, the couple also revealed that they had been taking Spanish lessons during their first week in Guatemala. According to the Dillards, they obtained many of their learning resources from a "great, Bible-believing Church"; they also practice what they have learned by heading over to the local market and having conversations with the locals.

According to the official Facebook page of the Duggar Family News: Life Is Not All Pickles And Hairspray, camera crew members from the TLC network were spotted following Jill and Derick as they went on one of their shopping trips. Footage for such trip is expected to be featured in one of the upcoming "Jill & Jessa: Counting On' TV specials.

"Jill & Jessa: Counting On' is set to premiere in December on TLC.