Monday, June 23, 2014

"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

Friday, June 13, 2014

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

Thursday, June 5, 2014

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