We took our first trip of the season across the Mexican border in 100 degree weather. We travel the 8 miles to visit Nuevo Progreso, Mexico numerous times a week while here in Texas. Yes, the military presence was at the entrance to Nuevo Progreso, but there were thousands of American tourists walking down the main street enjoying themselves. Nuevo Progreso has no major city nearby and is not attractive to drug gangs. Our challenge will be to drive deeper into Mexico with Bibles. We’ll need a heavy covering of prayer. At the international bridge we heard the squawking of parrots and the calls of exotic birds. We were surprised to learn that the sounds are recordings being used to discourage the roosting of flocks of longtail grackles at the bridge.
As usual the street was lined with parked cars, the sidewalks jammed with people until many were forced to walk in the street alongside traffic. Food carts take up space in the street, and people purchasing food were standing dangerously in the lanes. It was like navigating a noisy obstacle course.
Our plan was to meet the new pastor of our church in Nuevo Progreso, Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam. Pastor Gerardo is 41 years old and Miriam is 34. They have 4 children, Gerson who is 11, Nahum 10, Dana 8 and Esly 4. The two older boys were playing with tiny green geckos, letting them sit on their shoulders, climb on their faces and sit on their heads. Gerardo and Miriam live in a 2 room apartment near the center of town. They don’t have a car yet and walk everywhere. They were both happy to see us and wanted to hear our vision for the work in Nuevo Progreso. Our first meeting with the new pastor was very encouraging.
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