IN MEMORY OF GABRIELE

In memory of Gabriele.

Beloved wife, mother and faithful member of Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso.

Gabriele loved to go to church.  This happy picture was taken in May 2014 at the church.

Gabriele is pictured with us, her husband and her son and his family.  They are from Rio Bravo.

"Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away.  But a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised."  Proverbs 31:30

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dulce, Judith, Alana, Jael and Francisco send you Christmas greetings!

The children wish you a Merry Christmas!  And they send their thanks to you for all your prayers and your help in their lives.

Between 65 and 70 children gathered with us for a very happy Christmas party on December 20th.  They learned a new song they were not familiar with that they called Night of Peace.  We know it as Silent Night.  They sang it several times, first one side of the church and then the other side as they learned the words.  Pastor Gerardo told the story of the first Christmas, describing the greatest gift of all that was sent from Heaven.  Then when he invited the children to accept this great gift of salvation, about 15 children came forward for prayer.

Several children came forward acknowledging they wanted to accept the greatest gift of all time - Jesus.

After songs and games, steaming hot tamales were served along with flavorful spaghetti with meat sauce.  Big cups of orange fruit drink finished things off before everyone rushed outside to attack the large star shaped piñata that was stuffed with candy.  It didn't take long for the bigger kids to break the piñata and there was a rush to gather up all the candy from the ground.  Not a single piece of candy nor a scrap of paper was left behind as evidence of the traditional event.

Huge kettles of tamales provided plenty for everyone.

The pinata was larger than most of the children!

All the children lined up to receive a treat bag from one of the big bags.  Things were quiet for awhile as each one opened and explored the bags' contents.  Some contained tiny dolls and little girl trinkets and others had matchbox cars or action figures, but they all contained candy.  These treat bags are always a big hit because they hold a lot of little surprises to delight every child.  Thank you for making 100 treat bags possible this year.

This little girl hugged her treat bag while watching the activities.

As the party ended, some of the children volunteered to sing special choruses they had learned in Sunday School.  Francisco and his brother and sisters were not timid at all, but really enjoyed singing behind the microphone.  We were proud of them.

Stuffed animals, matchbox cars, pencils, games and candy.  Each bag was different.

These children bravely sang on the platform accompanied by Pastor Gerardo on the keyboard.

"Our God we thank you for being so near to us!  Everyone celebrates your wonderful deeds."  
Psalm 75:1 CEV

JOSÉ'S ANSWER TO PRAYER

José and his new portable oxygen machine.

José has problems breathing and is in constant need of oxygen.  Until recently he was anchored to his house with a four foot oxygen tank.  The tank which lasted him about one week, had to be taken on a bus to nearby Rio Bravo to be refilled.  But last week José received a big answer to prayer - he was given a portable oxygen machine to replace the enormous tank he'd used for years.  And now he can once again go to church.

Scott and DiAnna brought the answer to Jose's prayer!

Scott and DiAnna, founders of Life on the Border, flew from their home in Minneapolis to bring José this life giving machine.  They also brought José and Lupita their prescription medicines and a blood pressure monitor.  Scott, who is a physician, reviewed José's ex rays and advised him on the best way to treat the problem in his lungs.  He also checked his blood pressure and said it was good.

Jose's old oxygen tank was very heavy.

Doctor Scott checked Jose's blood pressure with their new monitor.

José and Lupita were overcome with emotion when they were presented with so much medical assistance.  Scott and DiAnna received warm hugs and words of gratitude from the happy couple.

Scott went outside and held Jose's ex rays up to the sky so he could properly diagnose his condition.

DiAnna instructed Jose on the use of the oxygen machine while Pastor Gerardo watched.

Many thanks go to everyone who made this gift of oxygen possible.  And special thanks to Doctor Scott and DiAnna who took time from their busy lives to minister to José and Lupita in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.

HILDA

Hilda

Hilda is a new Christian, recently converted during a worship service at José and Lupita's house.  Hilda is a single mother who works extremely hard for her family.  Getting up at 3:00 am, she cooks oatmeal for atole, gorditas, tacos and makes coffee to sell to the many truckers who line up on the road to cross the international bridge into the United States.  At 6:00 am she loads up her 3 wheeled cart and begins traveling back and forth along the long truck route circling the east side of Nuevo Progreso.  Since truckers have such a lengthy wait of many hours to pass through customs, they welcome refreshments at all times during the day, beginning with breakfast.

Recently Hilda received a severe blow to her family when her 23 year old son was kidnapped by the cartel.  Her son disappeared from Nuevo Progreso 26 days ago and there has been no word of where he is or if he is still alive.  Pastor Gerardo and the church immediately began praying for the young man's safe return to his family and Hilda has received tremendous encouragement and hope from her new friends at the church.

We met Hilda one evening at José and Lupita's house and she shared the story of her grief with us.  She pulled her shirt up around her face to hide her tears and distress while all of us gathered around her and prayed again for her son.

Please join us in urgent prayer that the Lord will take her boy by the hand and lead him to a safe and sheltered area and then home to his mother.

"I tell you all of my worries and my troubles, and whenever I feel low, you are there to guide me."  Psalm 142:2&3 CEV

SURPRISE BABY GIRL!

Surprise baby girl!

Surprise, it's a girl!  Apolinar and Carla were told that their baby expected last July would be another boy to join the five boys they already have.  But they received a very welcome surprise when Carla gave birth to a beautiful little girl. They named her Cynthia.

We stopped at Apolinar's house carrying baby clothes, expecting to see another little baby boy, but we were shocked to see that the clothes we'd brought wouldn't be appropriate.  We'd brought little blue outfits with baseballs, cars and trucks and other distinctly male decorations on them.

Apolinar came home for lunch to spend time with Cynthia.

I had sorted out the pink ruffled things and added in the superman outfit and the workman styled undershirts.  They laughed at our confusion but said they'd make good use of the good warm sleepers and other items even if they weren't pink with ruffles.

Cynthia looks serious, but she's a happy well adjusted baby who loves to be held and cuddled by her big brothers.  Carla and Apolinar say they have been blessed by the Lord to have this little girl.

Carla and Baby Cynthia.

Little Cynthia is not accustomed to strangers and only allowed Lloyd to hold her for a few minutes before she decided she didn't like his glasses.  The instant her face began to show distress, Apolinar had her in his arms again trying to reassure her not to be afraid.

Carla's oldest son Carlos is now 19 and working in Mexico City, Rogelio is 18 and working alongside Apolinar in construction, Julio is 14, Esteban is 6 and Javier is 4 years old.  After years of raising boys, Carla is really happy they have this new female addition to the family. We join Apolinar and Carla in giving thanks to the Lord for Cynthia.

NUEVO PROGRESO UPDATE

The international bridge was full of traffic going through customs on our return into the United States.

November 29, 2014 marked our return to Nuevo Progreso for another season of working with our church and Pastor Gerardo and his family.  Unseasonably cold wet weather has provided challenges and many people have colds or the flu.  There is standing flood water in outlying areas from heavy tropical rain in the month of September.  But the church, the body of Christ, continues to grow stronger and continues to impact the city and surrounding area.

Nuevo Progreso has a new Delegado (mayor) who is very sympathetic to evangelistic churches.  The new Delegado met recently with the city's ministerial alliance where he shared his thoughts about his country's problems and how churches play a major part in solutions.  Nineteen pastors including Pastor Gerardo in attendance at that meeting gathered around the new Delegado to pray for him and his co-workers.

In August there was a huge march of evangelical Christians down the main street of Nuevo Progreso. Everyone was dressed in a red shirt and there were many colorful banners and lots of music.  Crowds of people lined the streets showing their approval.  The city has remained relatively peaceful all summer.  The general opinion is that this peaceful atmosphere is because of prayer and unity among believers.

Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam recently attended the Church of God assembly meeting in Monterrey, Mexico.  While there along with many other Church of God leaders, they heard statistics about how evangelical churches are growing rapidly and making a difference in Mexico.  November 28th, Church of God pastors from the state of Tamaulipis met at the church in Nuevo Progreso.  After the meeting, a meal was served by ladies of the church.

On our drive to the church we met our friend Pancho who lives near the church in Colonia Jardin.  He told us that he and Reyna lost another family member to the Rio Grande River.  Their daughter-in-law drowned while crossing the murky brown flooded river three months ago.  Their son Benjamin drowned in June.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam travel to the nearby city of Rio Bravo each Wednesday where they have a church service in the home of Jose Luis, a member of the congregation.  The elderly mother of the family has been ill and since she isn't able to come to church, they take the church to her!  Several neighbors have joined the group and there were recently two who accepted the Lord as Savior.

There are many needs and there are constantly new challenges to the faith. Please pray with us for the city of Nuevo Progreso.

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9&10 NKJV

PRAY FOR VERA CRUZ

The ladies we met at the church in Vera Cruz.

Monte de los Olivos (Mount of Olives) is a small church along the coast in the Mexican state of Vera Cruz.  Even though it's been several years since we visited that church, we again sense the urgent need to pray for Pastor Benito Zamora and his congregation.  Pastor Benny told us that there are many who need healing in their congregation and in that town. He said that the state of Vera Cruz has more cancer victims than any other state in Mexico; and there are many other health problems.

An amazing series of events led us to Monte de los Olivos while we were distributing Spanish Bibles to churches throughout Mexico.  Late one night outside our motel room Lloyd heard music that sounded like praises to the Lord. Since we had been looking for small churches in that area, he was excited about visiting them the next morning. Because the music was so clear, he was sure it would be very near the motel. The next morning we left the motel and searched for blocks but didn't see a church of any kind. Not knowing what else to do and a little disappointed, we kept driving through that side of town until we found a pleasant little church called the Mount of Olives. A woman came walking down the street and we asked her for information. She offered to send for the pastor; and meanwhile she and some others who happened by got the key and opened the church.

Soon the pastor and wife showed up, out of breath with excitement and curiousity. When we told them about the music in the night, they confirmed that they had held a meeting the night before and had been singing together. But our motel was not near enough to have heard the music. Several others joined the group inside the church along with Pastor Benito Zamora and his wife Anita and we had a great time of fellowship and prayer together.

We promised to pray for their church and their needs, and before leaving we encouraged them to keep on singing those worship songs in the night!

Join us in prayer for Monte de los Olivos in Vera Cruz.

"He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."  Psalm 91:15

JOSÉ NEEDS A MIRACLE!

Jose and Lupita last May at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

José needs a miracle!  He needs a new lung!  For several years José has struggled to breathe because of the poor condition of his lungs.  He is on oxygen, but the oxygen tank he uses is an enormous four foot tank that is very heavy and is not portable.  And José loves to go to church!

To refill his large oxygen tank, José must get on a bus with the tank and travel to the nearby city of Rio Bravo.  Needless to say, this is quite a challenge.  José is taking medicine supplied to him faithfully by Life on the Border, the medical branch of our mission project.  But now he is bedfast and struggling for each breath.

José is in a critical condition, but no condition is impossible for the Lord to heal!

Jose receiving medicines for the problem in his lungs.

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

RESCUE SOULS!

A gentleman in Mexico who needed prayer.

"Lord, direct us to the right place at the right time." That's the way we pray before crossing the border into Mexico; and one day we met a man from Guatamala at exactly the right time.

Because of extremely heavy traffic, we drove home by way of a different international border crossing. It was late and both of us were hungry, so Lloyd suggested we stop at the La Fe Cafe in Los Indios. And that's where we met the man from Guatamala.

La Fe was closing for the day and we were the last two people to be served when a man knocked and asked if he could come in. He then asked if anyone knew where he could find a church. There was a look of despair on his face, his shoulders drooped and deep lines were on his forehead. "I need to get right with God," he said emotionally.

Before long we were seated at the table talking with him. He had been to a doctor in Mexico because he felt so bad, but the doctor told him his problem was only depression. His name was Edwin.

Lloyd urged Edwin to repent and commit himself to the Lord right there in the La Fe Cafe. Holding hands and with heads bowed, we prayed with Edwin while he cried and begged the Lord to forgive him. There was a new look on his face after he had confessed his sins and prayed. "Now I know that if I die, I'll go to heaven," he said with relief. "Now I need to begin to work for Him, I can't go back to my old life."

Edwin said that he and his wife had separated and he had become involved in sinful things. Recently he had felt a hunger inside for something more satisfying and he had an urge to attend church. He felt sure that God caused our paths to cross at the La Fe Cafe that day, and that gave him a new assurance that God was in control. Edwin expressed the desire to take God's word with him into Guatamala, so Lloyd gave him some gospel tracts and urged him to begin sharing his experience with others.

Even after all the delays and all the heavy traffic, the Lord led us to Edwin at exactly the right time!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN MEXICO!

Large crowds of children showed up for VBS, Vacation Bible School, each day.

Music, stories, fun and games!  This always attracts the children around the church in Nuevo Progreso and they came daily to Vacation Bible School.  The church was decorated with colorful balloons and artwork that went along with each day's theme.

Pastor Gerardo teaches a group of students a lesson from the Bible.

Every day there was a lesson from the Bible.  There were prizes and games to help them in the learning process.  The word Fe, which is faith in Spanish, is highlighted on the pulpit as the basis of these important lessons.

FAITH!  That was the theme for VBS!

The children acted out stories of faith from the Bible.

Even the smallest children got involved in acting out the stories, such as The Walls of Jericho.  Using his artistic abilities, Pastor Gerardo created many cartoon characters to illustrate the stories.

It's great to see children learning about what a great God we serve!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  
Proverbs 22:6

PRAY FOR THIS MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO!

A small child in Mexico.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS MISSION PROJECT:

Join a mission trip!  Everyone has a skill to offer.  There will be medical and construction projects.  Hep A and Enhanced Drivers License or Passport needed.  Must be 21 or over.

TIME IS LIMITED:  The trip is planned for October 11-18, 2014. $350 deposit due at registration and $350 due October 1st.  Lodging will be in Mission, Texas.  For more information about volunteering or donating to this project, contact LIFE ON THE BORDER, P. O. Box 33, Champlin, MN 55316.  Telephone 612-269-6895.  Or you may contact us for more information through this blog.

Be a part of something bigger than yourself!

PICO DE GALLO SALSA

Pico de gallo salsa.

The tastes, colors and smells of Mexico are blended in a wonderful fresh salsa called pico de gallo or beak of the rooster.  It's also called Mexican Salsa because it's colors are white, red and green, the same colors as the Mexican flag. Whatever it's name or origin, this fresh salsa brings back memories of our times in Mexico.

The correct ingredients make the difference, not the amount of each one.  Chopped red tomatoes are primary along with white chopped onion, preferably sweet Texas onion.  Then the mild jalapeno pepper contributes it's dark green color and spice to the mix.  Fresh green cilantro is a must!  In any quantity, according to your taste.  Cilantro can be found in most grocery stores today and is very inexpensive.  At last in order to make pico de gallo complete add the juice of one lime.  Little key limes have the best taste and smell, and have the most juice.  Key lime juice has a sweet perfume that is so familiar in Mexico.   Don't forget a generous pinch of salt!

Pico de gallo is not only great with tortilla chips as a dip, but it adds a Mexican flair when a generous amount garnishes a hot bowl of chicken soup or a spoonful is tucked inside a taco or burrito.  It's great with everything!  Every time we smell and taste pico de gallo, we once again experience the many happy times we've had in Mexico.

If you need a more exact recipe, here are the basics:

1 tomato chopped
1 sweet onion chopped
½ jalapeno pepper chopped, or more to taste
few springs cilantro chopped
1/8 teaspoon of salt
juice of 1 lime, preferably key lime

Mix and serve chilled.  Pico de gallo is best when served the same day it is made.

Psalm 34:8 "O, taste and see that the Lord is good.  Blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

GERSON

Gerson, son of Levi and grandson of Jacob. His name meant that he was an alien, a stranger in a foreign land. He lived many years ago at the beginning of the history of Israel. His father was a priest, which meant that he followed in his father’s footsteps and would also have been a priest.

Our Gerson had his 17th birthday August 6th. His father is the pastor of the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. And it’s possible that our Gerson will follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pastor.

Gerson has great character and has the markings of a future leader in the church.

Gerson is over six feet tall and is a handsome young man full of talents. Musically inclined like his father, he plays the guitar and the drums during worship services. He has a gift for anything electronic, isn’t afraid to take the computer apart and put it back together again, likes to repair items such as irons, fans and even works on the family vehicle. If something doesn’t work, Gerson can fix it!

Pastor Gerardo has taught Gerson to play guitar with him during services at the church.  As is evident here, Gerson is much taller than his father.


Gerson also enjoys sports and of course basketball is one of his favorite pastimes. He also excels in soccer and baseball.


A very quiet and serious young man, Gerson is loyal to his family and to his church. He has plenty to keep him busy, so he won’t be found getting into trouble or causing any difficulties for his parents. We are very proud of Gerson.

Drums are a great addition to the church and both Gerson and his brother Nahum love to play them.


It is very possible that Gerson will attend seminary and he most likely will become a next generation church leader. Will he be like his namesake from the Bible and be that stranger in a foreign land carrying the gospel?

Lloyd enjoys being measured alongside Gerson.  This picture was taken 3 years ago and now Gerson is at least 3 inches taller.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

NAHUM'S GRADUATION

Nahum in his cap and gown on graduation day.  From left to right are:  Pastor Gerardo Estrada, Gilbert Belmares, Nahum, Norma Belmares and Miriam Estrada.

Nahum recently graduated from school in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. In the fall he will enter the next part of his education which in Mexico is called "prep" or preparatory school. Equivalent to high school in the United States, prep school includes occupational training, computer training and classes readying the students for college.

Nahum is the second son of Gerardo and Miriam Estrada, pastors of the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso. Quiet and mannerly, Nahum has many skills and interests including computer science, plants and animals and music. He can always be seen sitting at the drums when church service begins, while his father plays the keyboard and his brother Gerson plays the guitar. We were privileged to be present when Nahum was baptized in water last May 2014.

It’s too soon to say exactly what Nahum plans to do with his future, but he certainly plans to extend his education into college.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam are very proud of their son Nahum, and so are we. Congratulations Nahum! Well done!

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:1

Nahum's graduating class.  It is quite an accomplishment for a young person in Mexico to continue their education and then to attend college.  Please pray fr this fine group of boys and girls!

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN MEXICO

A group of young people met recently at the church for a Bible study and then a game of soccer.

 Some of the young people from various local churches meet regularly at the church in Nuevo Progreso for activities along with Bible study and prayer. There is a large area where they can play soccer, called football in Mexico. This is their favorite national sport.

Their recent games included some adults who couldn't resist the fun. What better way to spend a Saturday evening! After dark there is usually a large bonfire where individuals are encouraged to share their testimonies between worship songs.

Future activities are being planned by the group, but it's certain that soccer will be their main game. From their earliest years in school, children are encouraged to play this fast and competitive game which means they are usually very skilled. Even first grade children in Mexico can win trophies for scoring the most points in school games.

Boys and girls play together on the field next to the church.

Young people have a great opportunity to not only make new friends, but find future husbands and wives by attending these activities designed especially for them. With a spiritual emphasis at the center of each meeting, these boys and girls will grow in the Lord and become great Christian leaders in the church.

Strenuous games require serious rest times!  This group is working up a big appetite for campfire food!

"For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Miriam took great delight in wearing Lloyd's cowboy hat.

Happy fortieth birthday, Miriam, July 17th! And may God give you many more years to serve Him.

Miriam is Pastor Gerardo’s wife at the church in Nuevo Progreso. Always happy and full of enthusiasm, she shares her faith in God with everyone she meets. Her testimony is a dramatic and powerful one: at four years old she wandered alone into a church near their home in Mexico. She had heard the music and was fascinated by the happy sounds. Since she was left at home alone many times, she returned to the church at the bottom of the hill often and it became a haven for her.

Miriam worked her way through school and then through college, mainly selling baked goods to neighbors, stores and people on the street. She learned to be independent and strong, always serving the Lord. She and Gerardo met at Bible College and July 13 was their wedding anniversary.

The picture was taken at the city wide Mothers’ Day celebration. Miriam took great delight in grabbing Lloyd’s hat and wearing it for a picture. We are proud to be Miriam’s adopted parents and are extremely proud of her.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1



Miriam and Gerardo celebrated with a beautiful birthday cake.  Picture courtesy of DiAnna Olsen.



HANDCRAFTED GIFTS FROM MEXICO

Paper flowers, handmade and decorated with glitter and ribbons.  The flowers are on long, green wrapped stems.

Parting gifts, handmade and from the heart, given to us on our last visit of the season to the church in Nuevo Progreso. They are reminders of very precious times with fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, until we meet again.

On our arrival for church that Sunday evening, we were handed bouquets of sparkling paper flowers, so skillfully made that they looked real. Large tin foil butterflies graced our places later at the dinner table.

Many of the women used their talents and gifts in the kitchen, serving us favorite Mexican dishes and their specialties. The tables were decorated with unusual placemats, also handmade. A lot of artistic talent went into this special event.

A hand painted clay tile is made to hang on the wall.  The wooden plaque has three dimensional flowers made from foil.

Another gift was made from a clay roof tile that had been embossed with the design of a basket of flowers. The jewel like colors on the tile were outstanding. Then we received a wooden plaque upon which a three dimensional flower had been fastened. The petals and leaves of the flower were separate and shellac covered the surface. This project had taken a lot of time.

These gifts had been made with items our friends could find around the house, bits of foil and paper and small pieces of wood. This made them even more special to us.

This handmade picture is skillfully made from foil.  It says in Spanish:  "El pan nuestro de cada dia, dánoslo hoy."  (Give us today our daily bread.)  Matthew 6:11

One of our friends handed us a glossy sign made to hang on the wall. Spanish words graced the sign, along with the symbolic silhouette of praying hands and a loaf of bread. The words were from Matthew 6:11 - "Give us today our daily bread."

Now, when we look at the items we received that night, we really believe there’s nothing more priceless than a gift that is given from the heart.

MIRIAM RESUMES DENTAL TRAINING

Miriam, Pastor Gerardo's wife, received her equipment to work as a dental apprentice in Nuevo Progreso.  Here she is with the dentist who volunteers one day a week at the free clinic.  The big green muppet is used in the public schools to demonstrate proper brushing of teeth.

"Learn a profession! Be able to make your own living!" This was the advice Miriam heard over and over from her mother years ago. So Miriam chose to become a dentist, working her way through many years of schooling by baking and selling fruit filled empanadas and other foods in her home state of Nayarit in Mexico. She completed all but a few months when she put the project on hold to become a wife and mother. But her dream of becoming a dentist was never forgotten. "Some day when our children are grown, I’ll finish my schooling," she said.

Now almost twenty years later, Miriam is working as an apprentice alongside a dentist at the free clinic in Nuevo Progreso. This makes it possible for her to earn the remaining credits toward her dental license while working with the people who come to the clinic for help. She will spend one day a week working alongside a dentist. Also, Miriam was asked to visit the schools periodically with a big fuzzy green muppet with a very large mouth and enormous teeth. Using an oversized toothbrush, Miriam demonstrates proper daily dental care to the children. Judging by the twinkle in her eyes when she said this, Miriam will use this opportunity to find a way to tell the children about Jesus and invite them to Sunday School!

When we asked Miriam why she had chosen dentistry as a profession, she said she loves to talk and she can tell her patients about the Lord and give them her personal testimony while they are in her chair. She always thought she could use dentistry as a way to minister to the people.

It’s amazing to think that the Lord has not forgotten Miriam’s commitment all those years ago to this profession. And against all odds, Miriam’s dream is now coming true!

"O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?" Psalm 89:8

"WE WILL WORSHIP..."

Those in attendance Sunday evening June 22, 2014 at the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso.  DiAnna Olsen  is front row center in the white shirt.

On Sunday evenings in Nuevo Progreso, the church service begins at 7:00 with a passage of scripture, music, worship, testimonies and prayer. A faithful number of people attend regularly, including one family that comes all the way from Rio Bravo. The services are encouraging and uplifting, and always the word of God is preached with authority and power. The presence of the Lord is evident. DiAnna Olsen from Minneapolis, Minnesota was an unexpected but special visitor for the Sunday, June 22nd service.

There are many needs represented in this group, physical, spiritual, financial and emotional. But there are many encouraging testimonies of answered prayer! One man received a call giving him a job on a highway project in Mexico, another received healing. God is faithful to His people!

Please pray for this committed and faithful group of people who gather for worship not only on Sunday but also Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Lord honors faithfulness!

"We will worship and obey only the Lord!" Joshua 24:21

BENJAMIN, DROWNED IN THE RIO GRANDE



Reyna and Pancho last month at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

 Benjamin, the son of our dear friends Reyna and Pancho, was drowned in the Rio Grande River some time during the first week of June. His body was found after being in the river for four days. The river is only 1/2 mile from our church.

The Rio Grande River is very dangerous, swift and deep and full of weeds and branches that trap and hold even the best of swimmers. Many lives are lost in the Rio Grande each year.

Reyna and Pancho live near our church in Nuevo Progreso. They have had 13 children and each is very special to them. The heartbreaking loss of Benjamin will be felt by the family for a long time; only God’s love and grace will help them through this sad event. Please pray with us for Reyna and Pancho.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3

WE WILL CELEBRATE!

Pastor Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam along with Gerson, Dana, Esly and Nahum.

We are back in Illinois for a short time to rest and regroup before returning to our mission in Mexico. After living on the Mexican border for seven months, it wasn’t easy to leave all our friends and the church in Nuevo Progreso even for a short time. The work continues to do very well. There are many new projects being planned and some that have just begun.

Pastor Gerardo Ramon Estrada Carrizales and his wife Miriam are both talented and resourceful people. They are living examples of what it means to be Christians; and they’ve been faithful and committed to the vision God gave us many years ago. Our dream is not only to have a strong full gospel church in Nuevo Progreso, but a ministry outreach center where a family’s many needs can be met.

Now along with regular food distribution from the church, there are gifts of clothes and shoes and other household items that families need. The people have been given access to a free medical clinic in Nuevo Progreso that includes dental care and eye examinations. And Pastor Gerardo has been placed in charge of recruiting workers for a community garden project started by Gayle Ayres who is from Belleville, Illinois. In this large garden the people can literally reap what they sow! They will have access to their share of fresh produce if they give of their time to plant and tend the garden.

We will be in close contact with the church and this blog will continue to report the news and events taking place there. Members of the congregation will be featured from time to time along with reports of answered prayers. It has taken many years, a lot of work and patience, many prayers and the donations of caring people to bring this dream to reality. And Lloyd and I look forward to returning to Nuevo Progreso and Bethesda Church of God in November.

"We cried on the way to plant our seeds, but we will celebrate and shout as we bring in the crops." Psalm 126:6 CEV

SUNDAY SCHOOL!

Three little girls sing the latest song they learned from Miriam in Sunday School.

There’s a growing number of children at the church in Nuevo Progreso. They are there not only for Sunday School, but for evening services as well. Miriam takes great pleasure in teaching the children stories from the Bible, giving them illustrations to help them remember. During a recent Sunday evening service three little girls joined Miriam on the platform to sing a song they had learned that morning. The song was a happy song full of actions and motions.

These two boys walk to Sunday School each week on their own.

Some of the children walk to the church on their own because they enjoy taking part in the activities. And they take home the pictures they’ve drawn and the scriptures they’ve learned and repeat them to their families.

A child is holding up his drawing of an angel speaking to a man.  He heard the story in Sunday School.

Recently so many children have shown up at night for church that Miriam has started a class just for them during the pastor’s sermon. Sometimes they hear a story and sometimes they watch a Bible video either in the parsonage or in a secluded corner of the auditorium.

This is a class of small children singing before the congregation. 

There’s an excitement and a lot of interest about God among these children. And their presence adds a lot of new life to the church.

"Tell every nation on earth, The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things!"

Esly is holding up her Sunday School paper.  She wrote her memory verse that says:  "But I and my house will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15.  At the bottom Esly drew each member of her family.