BEAUTY FOR ASHES....



Isaiah 61:1-3

 His life wasted, his family gone, now homeless and blind, Jerry (name changed for his protection) told us he had no reason to live. But his life has recently been dramatically changed and now he realizes he is alive for a reason, he has purpose.

Jerry, a member of a drug cartel, was shot in the head and lost his eyesight in an altercation with the law. After 32 days in a coma when he had many dreams and visions of heaven, he was sent to prison in Texas and was sentenced to death by lethal injection. His sentence was later changed to three years, after which he was deported to Mexico where he currently lives with his uncle. We met Jerry at a Sunday evening service at the church in Nuevo Progreso; and one day we shared some very serious words with him.

Jerry is still a young handsome man, quiet and serious but friendly. He wears dark glasses to hide his blind eyes. He told us how he had been drawn to the recent evangelistic campaign held by the church. He had heard the music and heard the people worshiping and he asked his uncle if he would take him to the meeting. He had been feeling a tremendous heaviness and depression and was looking for something meaningful. Enjoying the service very much, he and his uncle continued attending regular services at the church.

Jerry's uncle is a Christian but Jerry had never been interested in the things of God. But this week when Lloyd asked Jerry if he would like to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior he said, "Yes, what do I need to do? I really want to change." Lloyd prayed with Jerry and after that, Pastor Gerardo opened up the scriptures and spent some time with him explaining further the plan of salvation.

Jerry escaped death when he was shot, and he escaped death again when his sentence was changed from death to only three years behind bars. No doubt his blindness made a difference in his sentence being changed. It is obvious that he has been given a new chance and that God has been merciful to him. We encouraged him to use this miraculous opportunity to tell others what God has done for him.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3

"AND THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK"



Sunday evening church service in Nuevo Progreso.

The weather has improved, many of the trees are tinged with pale green and the evenings are warm. Spring is evident in Nuevo Progreso. There are other signs of renewed life and activity, the church has received a lot of donated materials, people are volunteering and everyone in the congregation is excited to be working on their own church. There's a fresh vision and renewed enthusiasm in the air, especially when the church is full and it's evident we're going to need more chairs!

We're praying for the many needs represented in this congregation, both spiritual and physical.

"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." Nehemiah 4:6

ANOTHER TOUCH FROM GOD!

Apolinar and Romano are cutting up during a rest time while working at the church.

Apolinar has recently received another touch from God! After his near fatal accident in 2012, Apolinar was in a coma for three weeks and then began his slow but amazing recovery from severe burns. While in the coma, he says angels took him on trips to see many things including his family, us in our Jeep and our church in Nuevo Progreso. Not yet a committed Christian, Apolinar was overwhelmed with what he was shown throughout the city. He still talks constantly about the wonders, the good and the bad scenes and the choice he was given as to whether or not he would return to his life on earth. And he has been coming to Sunday evening church services with us this winter.

Apolinar rode his bicycle to attend one night of the recent evangelistic campaign given by the church. When the request was given for people to come forward for special prayer, he stood among the others waiting his turn. And when Pastor/Evangelist Mario Belmares touched his head with prayer, Apolinar once again received a divine touch from God and he suddenly crumpled to the floor.

This week Apolinar has been at the church almost constantly working among new friends and old ones, all the while laughing and having a good time. He seems to be bubbling over talking about his "Daddy God," and his "Pappa in Heaven," and what he has experienced. Since he had never even seen or heard of such personal experiences with God, he can't understand what all has happened. But he is convinced that there has been divine intervention in his life. He is still with us for a special reason.

Several men with heavy machinery were working on a large area of ground in front of the church. They are starting to form a park and playground for the entire area to enjoy. When Apolinar saw this work, he said: "This is what I saw in my vision!"

This picture was taken in November 2012.  Apolinar was still in severe pain from his accident in July.

CRISTO TE INVITA, CHRIST INVITES YOU

"Bethesda Tabernacle invites you!  Three nights of power and divine healing!  Everything is possible if you can believe!"  That's what the flyers and advertisements said that were posted all over Nuevo Progreso in February.


The meetings were held in a large, well lit room.  The sides were partially open to the air and when temperatures dropped suddenly and a north wind slammed the city, many people scrambled for coats and jackets.

 February 10, 11 and 12 a well advertised evangelistic campaign was scheduled at a former beer warehouse in Nuevo Progreso.  The purpose of the campaign was not only to minister to those in need, but to promote Bethesda Tabernacle Church of God.  Cold wet weather caused the cancelling of Tuesday night's meeting, but the other two nights were well attended and a great success.

At the end of the service the sick were called forward for special prayer.

Several people attending testified that they felt God's touch and they were very encouraged.  One woman with severe kidney discomfort went home pain free.  Another woman saw a very bright shining light around her and she collapsed to the floor.  Then while worshiping in the Spirit, she heard words of encouragement from the Lord.

We had several warm blankets we'd brought with us in the Jeep.  Sara, having worn only a skirt and long sleeved blouse, gladly accepted a fluffy red blanket and sat through the rest of the meeting huddled against the back wall out of the wind.  And knowing the night would be a cold and uncomfortable one, we send the rest of the blankets home with some of the families.

Our friend Sara sat huddled in a warm blanket after the cold blast from the north hit the meeting place.

Not even bad weather could dampen the enthusiasm and power of worship in the services.  People were reluctant to leave but finally they slowly drifted away to their cars and to their homes knowing they had met the Lord.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."  Mark 16:17-18

WHAT WILL THEIR FUTURE BE?

Javier, Julio and Esteban

 These three children are exceptional. They are bright and active, loving and respectful. What will their future be in their country of Mexico?

Julio, the oldest at 14, quit school because he didn't have decent shoes and because the family couldn't afford his school uniform. Esteban, now 5, is in kindergarten and is an outstanding soccer player. He won the first place trophy last fall for his school. Javier who is only 3, wants very much to go wherever his brothers go.

What do little boys do when they quit school? They roam the streets looking for the occasional task that will pay them a little money to help out at home. They hang out with other idle youth. And they are vulnerable targets for dishonorable groups.

We visit this family regularly and are praying for their future. Rather than going into a life of crime, we want to see them become good husbands, fathers and workers. We want them to accept Jesus into their hearts and live for Him.

Please join us in prayer for these three little boys and all the other boys and girls in Mexico, specifically that they can stay in school and that they will follow the Lord and His ways.

FRIJ0LITOS DE DIOS, LITTLE BEANS FROM GOD

These children followed us to the Jeep for blankets and beans.

It's difficult for many people to understand how important beans are as a basic food in many countries including Mexico.  So having heard another report of bad weather on the way, we took blankets and bags of beans to Nuevo Progreso.  We left them in the Jeep and threaded our way through the crowded vendors lining the sidewalk.  Almost immediately we met some people selling things among the many tourists.  One family member was selling bags of nopales, edible chopped cactus leaves; and the other was selling chewing gum.  Their children followed along laughing and talking and playing.

Rather than purchase their wares, we offered them food and blankets if they would follow us back to the Jeep.  Instantly they were our new best friends!  The little girl held tightly to my hand and talked rapidly in Spanish.  The little boy repeated her words while he tried to make his way through the people.  The two mothers who turned out to be cousins, told us their names and where they live.  We walked hand in hand the long block back to the Jeep, greatly enjoying each other's company.

After giving them several blankets and the bags of food, one of the women suddenly exclaimed that she recognized the Jeep and knew us.  Her mother Nacia who passed away last May, was one of our friends.  With tears in her eyes, Juanita thanked us for the many times we gave Nacia a ride when we saw her walking the long road home.  For several moments we shared our memories of Nacia on the busy street corner.  And we made new friends who will watch and wait for us in Nuevo Progreso.

Later we met another old friend whose name is Abram.  An elderly gentleman, Abram helps tourists find parking places along the street.  When we handed him a bag of beans he said happily, "Ah, frijolitos!"  (Little beans!)  "Yes," we replied.  "Frijolitos de Dios!"  (Little beans from God!)

Nacia, who passed away one year ago, loved to ride in our Jeep.

Loaded down with warm blankets and bags of beans, these children became our new best friends!