Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

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

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

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."