Sunday, September 29, 2013

THE CARDBOARD VILLAGE

A cardboard house in the Cardboard Village.
On the west side of Ciudad Acuña in the state of Coahila, Mexico there is a unique neighborhood. Row after row of little cardboard dwellings line dusty unpaved streets. On the street near the corner there's a faucet on a pipe about 2 feet above the ground which is the neighborhood water supply. Children are playing, women are hanging out laundry and chickens scratch around in the bare yards like any other neighborhood. It's called the cardboard village.

A nearby factory discards stacks of flattened cardboard boxes and wooden pallets. The wooden pallets when nailed over a crude framework make ideal walls for a home. And the thick sheets of cardboard make an excellent covering. Recycled corrugated tin pieces make roofs that barely keep out the rain. Many times the dirt floors in these homes show muddy footprints from recent downpours. Some families dig small trenches in the floor for drainage.

Lloyd and I visited this cardboard village to distribute Spanish New Testaments. The people were friendly and hospitable and in one home we were invited inside for a visit. There was a small campfire on the floor in the middle of the room. A tin coffee can full of water sat right on the fire, simmering and ready to make instant coffee.

Little points of daylight could be seen through nail holes in the roof. The wind rustled the dry and brittle cardboard on the outside, gradually loosening little bits that flew away. There had been recent rains that soaked the cardboard, ruining it. Throughout the little village, cardboard would have to be replaced, but there was always a supply at hand.

Sunday morning we attended the little cardboard church where we gave out more Spanish Bibles and also illustrated New Testaments. The service was lively and happy and there was freedom in the worship. Several children recited scripture verses or sang a song. Others popped up quickly to speak their favorite verse from the Bible or give a testimony.

The outward appearance of the little cardboard church seemed to have no effect on the congregation. They were proud and happy to come to church that bright and sunny Sunday morning.

Years later the little church was able to purchase concrete blocks and they actually built over the existing cardboard structure so services wouldn't be interrupted. Little by little they tore away all signs of the cardboard and wooden pallets and now they have a solid and weather proof building where they continue to worship week after week.

The cardboard homes in that neighborhood also saw improvements and now show few traces of their humble beginnings. But a few miles farther from the city there is another new neighborhood of very poor people who are beginning to build yet another cardboard village.


The cardboard church in the Cardboard Village.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

LET YOUR LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!

The little yellow Jeep took us to places in Mexico that needed Spanish Bibles.  Many times there were no roads and the 4 wheel drive was exactly what we needed.

 What kind of vehicle could we get to tow behind our motorhome without using a trailer, and also use for travel into rough areas of Mexico? We needed something sturdy, dependable and simple that would be our only means of transportation. The only vehicle that came to mind was a Jeep.

Our first thought was to find a dark sedate looking vehicle to fit our lifestyle; nothing that would call attention to ourselves. With only a month before the date we set to leave, we began our search of every dealership in our area and some beyond. But the first thing we learned was that used Jeeps were hard to find. At that time Jeeps were not as popular as they are today and also, no one wants to part with these handy little utility vehicles. Several dealers were watching for just the right Jeep for us, but nothing turned up. Finally with just days to spare, a dealer called to say he had a very impressive Jeep that had everything we needed for our project. "You just have to see this Jeep!" he said over the phone. "There's only one thing I need to tell you before you come, the Jeep is yellow!"

No way did we think we wanted a yellow Jeep! We were a retired and quiet couple, not given to flashy vehicles. But since there were no other choices, we drove the 50 miles to see what was quoted to us as a "really great deal." We liked everything about the perky little car and it had low mileage and was very clean. We liked it all except the color. We bought it with the thought of using it one season and then making a change.

Little did we know that color was exactly what we needed. Everywhere we went, people saw us coming and recognized us. The little yellow Jeep was an ice breaker and everyone liked to see it and ride in it. Many times we heard people say, "We saw your yellow Jeep coming way down the road."

Many Spanish Bibles were carried in that little yellow Jeep and many trips were taken into areas where there were no good roads. It served us well, and actually became part of our logo. And now we like to say to those who listen to our many adventures, "If you want to let your little light shine, drive a yellow Jeep!"

"No man when he hath lighted a candle putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11:33

Lloyd used trays that fit on front and back of the Jeep to carry extra cans of gasoline along with Bibles.  Later he used a roof rack so he could carry more.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

HOMBRECITO DE DIOS, LITTLE MAN OF GOD

The first time we met Julio he was opening the door for tips at the OXXO store in Nuevo Progreso.
It was February 11, 2008 and we had a busy day in Nuevo Progreso. It was a hot dry day and there was not a cloud in the sky, but there was a strong southerly wind scattering dust everywhere. It was time for a rest before heading for the international bridge, customs and home.

There is a convenience store on the south end of Nuevo Progreso called OXXO. A very clean and modern store, it also has gasoline pumps and an outlet for buying propane gas. This is a good resting place where we can buy snacks, drinks and sandwiches. On this day a little boy stood waiting at the door ready to open it for us. His quick smile and greeting refreshed us. And then while we sat eating our snack of chips and cokes, he stood outside the window with his face to the glass with that same friendly smile. He couldn't hear us through the thick glass, but when Lloyd motioned for him to join us at the booth for a snack he understood and darted around to the door quickly. "What would you like to eat," we asked. "Helado, (ice cream)" he replied eyes sparkling.

He said his name was Julio and he lived across the road in a small apartment with his mother and brothers. He earned tips to help his family by opening the door to customers even though he was only eight years old. He ate his ice cream and never once did that big grin leave his face. His dark eyes twinkled as if he knew a secret or that he knew exactly who we were. When we left the store he followed us to our Jeep and watched us slowly drive out of the parking lot. We both looked back just in time to hear Julio softly say in English, "God bless you!"

Three years later we paid a visit to our friend Apolinar and his new wife Carla. Carla had three boys, Carlos, Rogelio and Julio! Our little friend from OXXO still had the big happy smile and twinkling eyes; and he remembered us well. During a childrens crusade at the church Julio went forward at the invitation to accept Jesus as his Savior; and we started calling him hombrecito de Dios " little man of God."

Lloyd and I had felt so drawn to little Julio at the OXXO store. Had he known who we were at that time? Was our meeting one of those "meant to be" events? Julio has not attended church in the past and needs a lot of teaching and prayer. Street wise and tough, he is now 14 years old, a turning point in his life. Will Julio really turn out to be our "little man of God?"

Monday, September 9, 2013

DUSTY ROADS AND HIDDEN CHURCHES


Highway through western Mexico frequented by donkeys.
Someone once said that we are always driving down a dusty road looking for a lost church! And that is a good description of what we have done for almost 20 years, distributing Spanish Bibles to churches in Mexico.

There were no lists of churches and no instructions telling us where to look. We would drive for whole days down dusty roads without finding a single church, but there were days when we stumbled on several small churches in heavily populated areas. We roamed back streets and narrow lanes and we climbed steep hills, always on the lookout for small buildings with signs saying something like "Rosa de Saron," Rose of Sharon or "Liro del Valle," Lily of the Valley or "Buen Pastor," Good Shepherd. Sometimes we'd see an emblem of Assembly of God, Church of God, Baptist or Methodist over the door. It didn't matter the denomination! What mattered was that they needed Spanish Bibles! In one place we forded the Rio Grande River in our yellow Jeep. We had heard of a small town on the other side of the river and thought we might find a church there. There was also a tiny church built on the edge of the Matamoros city dump and one on Playa Bagdad (beach) on the Gulf of Mexico. It was fun to give Bibles, Sunday School literature and gospel tracts to these remote churches. The people were always amazed that we found them, and we always emphasized to them that God knew exactly where they were! We have taken over 8,000 Spanish Bibles into Mexico since we started in 1995, and many thousands of tracts and teaching materials. There's no record of how many miles we drove or how many churches we found, but Bibles were left in every state in Mexico and also in Guatamala. It's no longer safe for us to drive down lonely and isolated roads in Mexico with Bibles, but there are still little churches hidden away there that need God's Word. Now we must pray that the seeds that were planted during those years will continue to grow.

In the Big Bend area of Texas we forded the Rio Grande River.  There was no bridge into Mexico, but there was a town on the other side where there was a church.   The water was shallow but swift.  Lloyd had been instructed where to drive so we wouldn't be swept downstream!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

BLANKETS FOR EL JARDIN

Lloyd gets everyone's attention while they wait to receive a blanket or a quilt.
It's difficult to think of cold weather in Mexico. But we have seen times of sleet and freezing rain and raw, bone chilling temperatures. Many times we took our yellow Jeep into colonias with the back filled with blankets and quilts to distribute. The weather can get cold in parts of Mexico and the wind can be very strong. At times like these people suffer, their humble homes have no heat and usually the walls are thin and flimsy.


In the picture, women and children are gathered to receive a blanket. It felt good to know that many families would be warmer that very night.

Lidia, one of our favorite people in Nuevo Progreso, lived in Colonia El Jardin. Her home had no protection from the wind, in fact we could see daylight through the walls. One day we stapled sheets of black plastic around her tiny home, all the while fighting strong, whipping winds.

Lidia had 12 children to take care of and no husband. Life was not easy for her in El Jardin. Today, many years later, most of Lidia's children are grown and have children of their own. And we still enjoy visiting Lidia in El Jardin.



Lidia, in the center wearing the red and white blouse, stands beside her home in Colonia El Jardin.
 "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." Psalm 63:7

Sunday, September 1, 2013

LUPITA AND JOSE

Lupita and Jose receiving much needed medicines delivered by Pastor Gerardo.
Jose and Lupita have many needs. As senior citizens without a regular income, they are challenged to keep their little home in Nuevo Progreso. Both of them need medicines regularly, but many times they do without.


Gerardo and Miriam Estrada have made it their responsibility to visit Jose and Lupita often, praying for them and encouraging them. They read Bible portions together and talk about God. Although Jose and Lupita live too far away from the church to attend regularly, they are never neglected. They are special.

This couple has had their medicines supplied lately through a new project called "Life On The Border." Gerardo and Miriam delivered the much needed supplies to them on one of their regular visits. We are happy to have "Life On The Border" working with us ministering to the people in Nuevo Progreso.

Lupita told Gerardo and Miriam that she had really been praying for God's help because she had no idea how they would be able to buy what they needed. It's exciting to be a part of answered prayer!

"Call on me and I will show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."  Jeremiah 33:3