Mission Mexico

PUPPY COMES TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!

2012-01-19T18:24:00.004-06:00

The doors are always open in Mexico! And that means cats and dogs stroll right in and join us in whatever we're doing. No one seems to mind, the dogs are smart enough to stay out of sight under a table or in a corner as long as possible. The scruffy little dog in this picture was discovered by a cute little girl and he became her Sunday School buddy.

The animals in Mexico are sad since they aren't treated as well as our pets in the United States. They run loose to forage for their food, which means little animal control. They aren't treated for fleas because it's too expensive.

It's hard for us to watch the animals suffer, so there are times when we take a bag of dog food with us to share with our animal friends. The Lord loves all creatures and the Bible says He knows when even a tiny sparrow falls to the earth. So it doesn't bother us a bit to share a little space in Sunday School with one of His little ones!

WATER BAPTISM

2012-01-19T18:10:00.002-06:00

This is a woman who recently accepted Christ as Savior at the church in Nuevo Progreso. Now she wants to be baptized in water.

Our next project will be constructing a water baptismal tank inside the church sanctuary. Lately several other people have accepted Christ but they have to wait until summer to be water baptized in the nearby city of Reynosa. We can hardly wait to see this priority project finished! It has taken a long time for us to see results, but knowing people are getting saved and want to be baptized means the work is bearing fruit.

This year we are praying for specific things the church needs and some things have been received as quickly as we wrote them down before anyone knew about them. No one but the Lord! Several other things such as children's tables and chairs are practically on their way. Please continue to pray with us for the water baptismal tank and other necessities.

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:2

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN...

2012-01-18T09:34:00.003-06:00

The picture is old, many years have passed since we last saw Esteban, Nohemi, Junior and Mario. But they remain very special to us and we love them and think about them often.

About fifteen years ago we were distributing Spanish Bibles in Ciudad Acuna when we saw a young couple walking along a dusty road with two baby boys in their arms. We offered them a ride across town. Our Spanish was limited so we couldn't communicate with them much at that time. The next day we saw the same couple and again stopped to pick them up. After several times of crossing their paths, we all thought it was not coincidence and that we were meant to get to know each other. After that we spent a lot of time in their home and with their extended family. Their family became ours.

Many years later we went back to Ciudad Acuna when Junior was sixteen years old. They had moved and the boys had grown into handsome young men. It was fun to spend time with them and get caught up on everything. But that was four years ago.

There are other families throughout Mexico that we love and miss very much. The current conditions discourage us from extensive travel in Mexico, separating us from many people that we love. We continue to remember Esteban, Nohemi, Junior and Mario and we pray for the Lord to keep His hand of protection on them. One day we'll visit them again in Ciudad Acuna.

"The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another." Genesis 31:49

A GLIMPSE OF HIS WONDER

2011-12-30T09:45:00.004-06:00

God is never on the surface very long. His face cannot be seen, but let's be thankful for those precious fleeting glimpses of His wonder! We had a glimpse of that wonder on Christmas Eve when over 150 showed up at our fiesta at the church in Nuevo Progreso. It was a well organized party with music, games, candy, a traditional pinata and tamales. It was cold and windy with a mist that threatened to dampen the fun. People were huddled under layers of sweaters and shawls and some gathered around a small bonfire to keep warm.

As each child went through the line to receive a gift, his name card was punched insuring that no one was left out. Sunday School volunteers served food and bags of candy while Miriam gave out shoe box gifts.

The pinata as beaten by the youngest children and then the oldest to the sounds of chants and songs. This old Christmas tradition is at the heart of every fiesta and makes it complete. Miriam read words from the Bible about the true meaning of Christmas and many of the children came forward and repeated a prayer with Pastor Gerardo.

The even was a token of the future and the events that will take place at the church in Nuevo Progreso. And it was our glimpse of God!

"FEED MY LAMBS!"

2011-12-30T09:39:00.004-06:00

The church is becoming known as a church for the children and what could be better! At every event it's the children who respond and come running to hear the gospel. Christmas Eve over one hundred children listened to Pastor Gerardo's story of the birth of Jesus, and many of them went forward to accept Him as Savior. In John 21:15 Jesus passionately told Peter to "feed my lambs!" and it is a command that continues today.

TAMALES, TABLES AND CHAIRS

2011-12-30T09:33:00.002-06:00

The children had their hands full and there was no place to go but on the floor against the wall. Pastor Gerardo and Miriam have been making tables for Sunday School by using sheets of plywood over old metal bed frames. Children's tables and chairs are high on our list of things needed at the church right away; and we believe the Lord will bring them in.

SHOE BOX GIFTS

2011-12-30T09:27:00.002-06:00

The boys and girls were speechless when they were each handed a box stuffed with little gifts and treats. They carefully opened the boxes and pulled out small toys, party favors, games, candy and other things. Mothers were happy when their children's boxes were plastic because they can be reused.

The shoe box gift project took time and the help of many who sent their boxes to us, and it began early last year. If you would like to send a shoe box gift for next Christmas, it's not too early to begin planning.

CHAMPURRADO

2011-12-30T09:22:00.002-06:00

Another little girl is happy with her shoe box gift.

Christmas day was a time to share traditional Mexican treats. Apolinar and Carla offered us a dish called menudo, a stew made with bits of pork stomach and hominy. They also served cups of champurrado, a hot chocolate drink thickened with finely ground corn. These dishes warmed and strengthened us, and we were honored to share in their holiday traditions.

"HAPPINESS OF THE FLOOD"

2011-12-30T09:12:00.002-06:00

A country was experiencing the worst floods in years where villages were washed away and half the crops were ruined. One government worker said, "Let me tell you the happiness of the flood. Each flood replenishes the soil by the silt it leaves. Without the floods our farmland would be worn out in a generation."

"Happiness of the flood" recognizes that difficult times are necessary to survival and thriving. Floods come every year in some countries and the people receive them prepared for hardship and with thanksgiving for future crops. We've faced flooding and other difficulties while planting the church in Nuevo Progreso. But even with an unfinished building the work is still growing and thriving. Could we see in these events the "happiness of the flood?"

Job 2:10 (NLT) Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?

We photographed two happy little girls who live near the church in Nuevo Progreso.

YOLANDA

2011-12-17T17:30:00.002-06:00

Yolanda and her husband Pancho are some of the first people we met in Nuevo Progreso about fifteen years ago. Many times we used their yard to show the Jesus Film and for neighborhood meetings. Through these people we met many others who are special to us. Yolanda now works in a beauty shop.

MEET OUR FRIENDS

2011-12-17T17:22:00.004-06:00

We'd like to introduce you to some of our long time friends in Nuevo Progreso. The picture is of Paola and me in her family's jewelry store. Poli and Roberta purchase jewelry in southern Mexico to sell in Nuevo Progreso. They and other members of their extended family have booths on the street or in malls. Their money is invested in inventory, and they are hurting because of diminished tourism. Paola is the youngest of their children. When she could barely talk, he loved to visit with "Hermano (Brother) Lloyd."

NANCY

2011-12-17T17:09:00.005-06:00

Nancy is an old friend of ours in Nuevo Progreso, shown here in her school uniform. She was only four years old when we met her and she's now fourteen. We've watched so many kids grow up and be productive; they are evidence of seeds we have planted.

PASTOR'S KIDS

2011-12-17T17:00:00.002-06:00

From left to right are Gerson, Nahum, Esly and Dana. They are Pastor Gerardo and Miriam's kids. They always seem happy and willing to work as a team in Sunday School and childrens ministries at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

JAVIER AND ELIZABETH

2011-12-17T16:47:00.002-06:00

Francisco Javier Perez Jimenez worked with us in Nuevo Progreso for two years and then accepted a position in the Church of God Bible college in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He furthered his studies and now teaches Greek and Hebrew there to students of the Bible. Twenty seven years old and not married, Javier has always said he was waiting for the right girl. He has finally met that girl, he and Elizabeth plan to be married in Acapulco next July!

Javier is like family and we stay in touch. He was excited to tell us his good news and invite us to the wedding. Since Javier has given his life to serving the Lord through teaching and pastoring, Elizabeth will face many challenges and will need our prayers. This is another opportunity to invest in the lives of young people of Mexico, Javier and Elizabeth represent the next generation of church leaders. Join us in prayer for their future.

LORD, ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS

2011-11-23T10:13:00.003-06:00

Faith is needed when the outcome is in doubt, when the odds are long or when our chances of failure make us nervous. But it is in weakness, uncertainty and insecurity that God shows His true colors. It doesn't take faith to accomplish a sure thing!

For many years we've prayed, "Lord, establish the work of our hands.." Psalm 90:17. Dozens of disappointments and setbacks have made us wonder about our project in Nuevo Progreso. But all the good news we got on our first trip across the border this season made it all worthwhile.

We've always believed that Sunday School is the backbone of any church. Pastor Gerardo reports that every week between forty and fifty children now gather at our Church of God building for Sunday School. They are fed breakfast (shown in the picture), then they have a muppet show and sometimes a clown shows up to tell Bible stories. Parents are beginning to come to see what their kids are enjoying.

Twelve children have accepted Jesus as their Savior since September!

ACTIVITIES AT THE CHURCH

2011-11-23T10:02:00.002-06:00

The picture shows a Sunday School class at the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso. Pastor Gerardo and Miriam always have lots of childrens activities planned, especially for the holidays. This year we will work together on a big Christmas fiesta which will take place the morning of Christmas Eve.

APOLINAR & CARLA'S NEW BABY

2011-11-23T09:49:00.003-06:00

Apolinar and Carla call their beautiful new baby Javier. They put him in a sling made of strong mesh material that was hanging by a cord from the rafters. With another attached cord they swung the sling back and forth. This is the Mexican equivalent of a rocking chair!

Apolinar had his first day of work in over six months. He said the trucks started coming back to Nuevo Progreso that day and he again has customers to buy the lunches he and Carla sell. It was immediately on our arrival last season that he began their little business selling tacos and gorditos.

GOOD NEWS AND PEACE IN NUEVO PROGRESO

2011-11-23T09:30:00.004-06:00

Marcelino is no longer the gaunt thin man who always looked so frail. When we said he looked good, he said he owes it all to his new lifestyle of living for the Lord.

We distributed bags of potatoes, cans of stewed tomatoes and some other groceries, but our little friend Esteban got his own jar of his favorite, peanut butter!

The new blackwater pumping station is nearing completion in Nuevo Progreso and there are pumps in place that will take future flood waters the short distance to the Rio Grande River. The Lord is taking care of our biggest problem and living conditions in Nuevo Progreso will be greatly improved.

There were no Mexican soldiers at the international bridge nor anywhere else that we could see. Crowds of tourists swarmed in the stores and the atmosphere was like a fiesta. There is at this moment peace in Nuevo Progreso.

MEETING OF PASTORS

2011-05-03T18:37:00.003-05:00

April 30 twelve pastors across several denominations met in a donated meeting room in the Las Flores Hotel in Nuevo Progreso. They met to pray together and discuss future opportunities especially among the youth. Pastor Gerardo was asked to be the speaker at this meeting.

Besides being excited about pastors uniting together to work for the Lord, we saw this as another opportunity to distribute Spanish Bibles. Since we didn't attend the meeting, we supplied Pastor Gerardo with some cases of Bibles and New Testaments along with salvation tracts he shared with attendees at the meeting. Lloyd is shown here transferring cases of Bibles to Pastor Gerardo.

LUNCHES ON WHEELS

2011-05-03T18:10:00.002-05:00

For months Apolinar has supported his family by selling lunches and cold drinks to truckers waiting in line to enter the United States. But now the current produce season has ended and there are only a few trucks in line instead of hundreds. This family will have to find another way to make a living for awhile, the steady stream of traffic past their house has disappeared. We promised Apolinar and Carla we'd be praying that the Lord will continue to meet their needs. There will be another time when crops are ready for transport, but it may be months.

As you can see from the picture, Apolinar used his bicycle equipped with small coolers to carry homemade lunches and drinks for sale.

CARLA

2011-05-03T10:53:00.004-05:00

Carla is a tiny little woman barely five feet tall and seven months pregnant with her fifth child. She is from central Mexico where she still has family. Carla has a distinctly Indian appearance with her thick straight black hair and brown skin. She's quiet, soft spoken and serious and she's also a very good cook!

When we said goodbye to Carla and Apolinar until next November, they both said, "Mi casa es su casa!" My house is your house.

UNITED FOR PEACE IN MEXICO

2011-05-03T10:41:00.003-05:00

This sign was painted on the side of a building in Nuevo Progreso. It says fifty thousand youth united for peace will meet May 1st in Mexico City. This meeting is sponsored by the Catholic church. People from every denomination are gathering to pray that the killing will stop and peace will return.

Let's join our prayers with churches throughout Mexico that the Spirit of the Lord will sweep over the people and their evil ways will be changed. "And their eyes were opened and they knew Him." Luke 24:31

We have learned that the Church is not a building, it's a body of believers serving Christ and then reaching out to others who need to be saved. The Church is in the "highways and byways."

CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH VIOLENCE IN MEXICO

2011-05-02T20:13:00.004-05:00

Our friend from McAllen Church of God supports a children’s home in San Fernando, making frequent trips to the home with food and clothing. Those trips ended because of news that 150 bodies were found buried nearby.

Yesterday she received a phone call from the ones who operate the home. They own a ranch three miles outside of San Fernando, but because they were afraid to travel they hadn’t been to the ranch in months. They decided to check things out and they forced themselves to make the trip.

Before they got to their property, they smelled something overwhelming. They discovered wide open pits where evidently bodies had been removed. Their ranch had been used to bury many of the bodies recently found. At last count over 150 bodies were taken from there and returned to the morgue in Matamoros. Many were passengers killed when cross country buses were hijacked.

In another report, our friends John & Dorothy have a house in Ciudad Victoria, where they have lived for many years. Because of troubles there, they decided to return to Texas. Friends now live as caretakers in their house.

John & Dorothy got a phone call from them last week saying there was a gun battle in the house next door. They were awakened in the night by heavy gunfire, shouts and sounds of explosions near their bedroom window. They slipped out of bed and crawled on hands and knees across the floor and into the other part of the house where they hid all night on the floor.

A six year old child was caught in the crossfire and killed. John & Dorothy’s house is near the police station. San Fernando and Ciudad Victoria were places we went through often when we took Bibles into Mexico. And in San Fernando we spent the night in a motel on two occasions.

On the other hand, revival meetings started in a large church in Ciudad Victoria. Over forty people were saved on the first night!

Deuteronomy 20:3 & 4

"Let not your hearts faint, fear not and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them. For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies to save you."

SUPERNATURAL PROTECTION

2011-04-27T20:27:00.008-05:00

Pastor Gerardo broke down on the highway in Mexico Easter weekend. He waited a long time on that dangerous highway and finally a Green Angel showed up. Green Angels are people who patrol major highways in Mexico looking to help people whose vehicles have broken down. They're called Green Angels because their repair trucks are green.

The Green Angel drove past Gerardo and then turned and came back. The first thing he said was, "Where are all those young men who were with you? Where’d they go so quickly?" Gerardo said, "I'm here by myself, there's no one with me." The Green Angel said, "But there was! There was a large group of young men standing all around you when I drove by!" When Gerardo finally convinced the repairman there had been no one with him, he actually saw goosebumps on the man's arms.

The problem with the car turned out to be one small bolt that had come loose causing the power steering belt to come off. It was fixed quickly; and Gerardo and Miriam are still praising the Lord for His supernatural protection in a dangerous situation.

In the photo above Pastor Gerardo is shown with his wife Miriam and their 4 children, Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly.

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS

2011-04-18T12:35:00.003-05:00

Esteban, Apolinar and Carla sit outside in the shade by their home on the south side of Nuevo Progreso. Esteban is sitting on their ice chest which now has a padlock on it. Their only means of keeping food cold, it has milk, eggs and a little fruit in it; and they have to replace the ice daily. Apolinar sells food and drinks to truckers and this large cooler will also hold many cans of Coke and Pepsi, their favorites.

A large blanket hangs in the trees over their laundry area for extra shade in the afternoon. Carla washes their clothes under the trees and hangs them on lines across the yard.

Theirs is a simple life, filled with hardships and challenges.

"In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

CARLA'S STOVE

2011-04-18T12:24:00.002-05:00

The ingenious fireplace shown above was built especially for Carla and it's perfect for her since she's small. The enclosure underneath usually holds cut firewood. on this fireplace Carla cooks everything for her husband and family. With such limited tools she does an excellent job and is a good cook. The fireplace is inside a lean-to structure covered with corrugated tin. There is a chimney to carry smoke away, but many times the wind blows it back into the house. The floor of this lean-to is packed earth.

The family has no indoor plumbing and only an outside faucet in their backyard. Doors and windows are propped open in hot weather and they have no screens. We supplied some long sheer curtains for their doors that will allow cool air in but keep insects out. With the barest necessities, this family lives from day to day with no guarantees for their future.

As soon as we arrive at Carla's house she immediately starts to prepare a meal for us on this fireplace. Within a short time we are served hot plates of very good food. We wonder what she could do with more modern equipment.

NOE'S NATURAL FENCE

2011-04-18T12:15:00.003-05:00

Noe's garden fence is very effective and it's natural. The fence is all cactus that he has planted and cultivated to keep out chickens and animals. Noe's corn crop has grown tall and is lush and green since he waters it often. He has used this uneven shaped area between his house and the road to good advantage. It would take a brave animal to get into Noe's garden through his natural fence!

COLONIA SAN ANTONIO

2011-04-18T12:05:00.003-05:00

This is Colonia San Antonio which is on the southern edge of Nuevo Progreso. Our friend Nachita lives in one of these little homes.

Colonia San Antonio is a small group of homes at the edge of town. It's a long way from the tourist area, but many who live in San Antonio walk that distance very day in order to sell trinkets or beg for food. Many who live here used to live by the truck road at the north end of town, but the city cleared that area of residents and helped the people set up these homes. We often visited people who lived by the truck road and we remember thick white dust from heavy traffic blowing into their windows and doors. Many times it was difficult to tell what color their skin and hair was because of so much powder settling on them. But these were people who had no alternative, they lived wherever they could find a spot to build a shelter. Colonia San Antonio is now a quiet haven for those people. The air is clear and even though the roads aren't paved, dust no longer plagues them. Usually there are lots of children playing outside in the common area. The road to Colonia San Antonio is a dead-end street, so they no longer have to worry about traffic.

We are acquainted with many people who live in Colonia San Antonio.

GOOD WAY TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS

2011-04-04T09:46:00.007-05:00

A good way to make a new friend is to stop and admire his nice garden. We pulled over last week to look closer at a wedge shaped area with neat well cultivated rows of corn, green beans, squash, melons and other vegetables. There aren't many gardens like this in Nuevo Progreso because the soil is poor heavy clay, so we were really impressed.

On our next trip to Nuevo Progreso Lloyd stopped and visited Noe (Noah) the owner of this garden, who was more than happy to show us around. Lloyd gave him a new garden sprinkler to help in his work. Noe was happy to get the sprinker, but was even happier to have his garden admired. Noe's mother Ninfa pointed out her favorite plants in the garden. We could tell she is very proud of her son's work.

On another visit we left them several more packets of garden seeds including okra and radishes. During our conversations with them we learned that Ninfa attends church in Nuevo Progreso, but Noe does not go to church. We're hoping that we can develop our new friendship with this family and continue to direct them toward the Lord.

MORE GARDEN SEEDS

2011-04-04T08:28:00.002-05:00

Four more families received packets of garden seeds on our last trip to Nuevo Progreso. This is a great way to help those who are willing to work hard for fresh food. We believe the Lord will bless these gifts of friendship; and our friends will learn to put their trust in Him.

Lloyd enjoyed showing ten year old Julio some seedlings that were ready to plant in their tiny garden.

REYNA AND PANCHO

2011-04-03T20:46:00.002-05:00

Pancho greeted us with a big smile as usual. He has a job helping park cars in the crowded market area of Nuevo Progreso, but since tourism has diminished, his income is much less. And now his wife Reyna needs to see a doctor as she is having stomach problems.

We've known Pancho and Reyna for many years and have always liked them a lot. They have thirteen children, so life has been a challenge for them but they are always cheerful and they have a positive attitude. They have a reputation for taking good care of their children, several of whom are now grown with children of their own.

The next time we go to Nuevo Progreso we plan to take extra food for Pancho and Reyna and their family. We ask for your prayers for this couple, for Reyna's complete healing so she can continue to be a great mother and leader in her colonia.

The picture of Reyna was taken last year after the birth of their latest grandbaby.

GOOD REPORT FROM THE CHURCH

2011-04-03T20:39:00.002-05:00

Gerardo, pastor of the Church of God we established in Nuevo Progreso, continues to have good reports. April 16 three local pastors will join him in a service in our building. The main purpose of the meeting will be to have everyone come together for worship and prayer for the church property and for the water drainage and pumping system now being constructed. According to a report from the Sub Delegado (Assistant Mayor) of Nuevo Progreso, the project will continue to move forward swiftly because it is top priority. It will be operational soon! This drainage system will improve the lives of many families that surround our church. The Sub Delegado is a Christian and a friend of the church. We plan to meet with him soon to discuss and pray about events in Nuevo Progreso.

FIFTEEN SALVATIONS!

2011-03-22T11:27:00.003-05:00

Pastor Gerardo, shown with Joyce in the picture above, joined with some other pastors in Nuevo Progreso to conduct three nights of revival meetings. As a result, he reports that fifteen people were saved! He also told us that people are beginning to stop in his office to talk to him about the Lord. Because of current world events, many people are beginning to realize that Jesus is coming soon!

BEANS, RICE AND OTHER GIFTS

2011-03-22T11:15:00.004-05:00

We distributed beans and rice to families in colonia San Antonio at the south end of Nuevo Progreso. Men, women and children gathered around our Jeep while we tried to make sure no one was left out. There were a few sick people, so we gave out some Tylenol and cold medicines.

We had a large supply of flip-flops and sandals sent from friends in Illinois. It was fun to be able to give everyone a pair of colorful flip-flops, and we still have enough to take to other colonias. Our thanks go to friends back home in Illinois for supplying us with so many pairs of new and almost new flip-flops.

The picture shows some of the women and children who received flip-flops in Nuevo Progreso.

APOLINAR'S FAMILY

2011-03-22T11:01:00.003-05:00

Julio, on the left, and Esteban are two of Apolinar and Carla's boys. We sat on a little wooden bench inside their lean-to watching Carla cook on her open fireplace. Smoke burned our eyes as the violent wind blew through the cracks around us, but it was worth the suffering because something good was being cooked.

Apolinar is selling hot meals to truckers who are waiting in long lines to cross the border into the United States. Also, a few people have started arriving at their house to purchase meals. A cafe business is beginning little by little in their home.

After awhile they served us plates of fajitas, refried beans and corn tortillas with icy cold Coca Cola. Everything was very good. When we were just about finished, four men walked into the yard and ordered plates of food. It's really exciting that business is coming to them. Apolinar was in the kitchen helping Carla get plates ready to serve. He gave us a sign when we were leaving that he is thanking God.

There are things we can help them with, but they need to see that starting a business is their own project. This is something they can do with hard work and creativity. Their boys can step in and do their part to make it work.

Since they don't have a refrigerator, we took them a cooler they can fill with ice and keep drinks cool. They are selling many soft drinks every day to truckers.

This is an investment because it will provide an income for them in the future. The Lord is blessing them and we're proud to be part of it.

Their oldest son Carlos needs new eyeglasses, having long since outgrown his old pair. He's having difficulty reading in school. We'll take him to a doctor and check on getting his eyeglasses replaced.

FLIP-FLOPS AND SANDALS

2011-03-22T10:55:00.002-05:00

It doesn't take much to attract a crowd when we have things to give away. It's obvious the one woman is happy to get a new pair of sandals. In Mexico flip-flops and sandals make the very best footwear.

When people gather together for these distributions, it makes it easy for us to pray for those who are sick and those with special needs. We've made many friends in these colonias through the years.

VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-02-21T09:36:00.003-06:00

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than to lend a hand to a family with needs. The bitter cold weather made it miserable for the people in Nuevo Progreso. For warmth most of them burned dead tree limbs which they chopped up with machetes, a slow and difficult task. Lloyd took his small electric chain saw to one house where he helped cut the long branches into usable lengths of wood.

After I took this picture of Lloyd, Rogerio one of the boys in the family, brought over some concrete blocks they could prop the limbs on to make the job easier on their backs. Before long they had a nice stack of wood ready for cooking fires or for campfires to keep them warm.

There are many different ways to help people and most ways just require willingness to get involved. It is easier to talk to people about the Lord after standing in their shoes for awhile.

SCHOOL SHOES

2011-02-21T09:22:00.005-06:00

Carlos, Rogerio and Julio need to stay in school, but it isn't easy when they don't have proper shoes and clothes. In Mexico children have to wear uniforms and black dress shoes. Each school has a different color and these boys have almost outgrown their maroon pants and white shirts. We don't know how long they haven't had shoes, but when we learned the need we promised to take them and let them pick out what they wanted.

Since their Mom and Dad were in a project and couldn't leave the house, the boys got in the Jeep with us. Three year old Esteban cried and screamed to go with us, so his brothers put him in the back seat between them. They knew exactly which store had the right shoes, one very near their home. Within minutes all three had tried on and chosen black slipper style shoes with square toes. It was clear they had walked by that store and admired those shoes before.

Carlos, Rogerio and Julio were so happy when they held their new school shoes; and it felt good for us to invest in their future. The shoes averaged $25 a pair, a small amount considering how important those shoes were to those three boys.

I took a picture of 15 year old Carlos trying on his shoes, with Julio and little Esteban watching.

JOSE LUIS FIGERO

2011-02-21T09:02:00.003-06:00

Jose Luis sells elote, corn on the cob, in Nuevo Progreso. One day we drove past his stand and stopped to talk with him and he invited us to come for a visit next time we came to town. He insisted until we agreed to be at his house Wednesday at 10:00 am. He gave us his address since we'd never been there before.

Wednesday at 10:00 am we drove up and down the streets looking for Jose Luis. The street signs were either rusted beyond reading or non existent, so this wasn't easy. Lloyd and I wondered what we would talk about since we barely knew Jose Luis, was this going to be a waste of time? We asked the Lord to show us some purpose for the meeting.

Pastor Gerardo passed by and saw us and asked where we were going. He got excited about our visit to Jose Luis since he is one of his recent converts. He visits him once a week to read the Bible with him and his daughters. "Follow me to his house," he said.

When we arrived Jose Luis was on the phone and we learned that his parents who live in Tampico are both gravely ill. The phone call was more bad news and we could tell he was suffering from grief. He has no way to be with them and can't help them. Maybe this wasn't a good day for a visit with Jose Luis.

But then it occurred to us that the Lord had brought us all together for a reason that morning, we were there at that exact moment to pray and encourage Jose Luis. We could not have planned the meeting so well; and that gave us confidence that God was in control. Later we stood holding hands praying for the healing of his parents and for peace and tranquility in his heart. The stress and pain left his face and he began to relax and put his faith in God's promises.

Mission work means many things, but it is mainly getting involved in the lives of the people. One day it may be helping cut firewood, one day providing school shoes and one day praying for the sick. Some things may not seem important at the moment, but it's all about making disciples and teaching about Jesus one person at a time.

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

The picture shows Jose Luis Figero and his youngest daughter Ashley at their house.

NACHITA

2011-02-07T17:39:00.003-06:00

Our friend Nachita took off her sandal to show us her blistered foot. She was sitting on the sidewalk up against a building clutching her belongings. Every day this elderly woman walks a long way from her home at the south edge of town to the market where she sells nopales, chopped up cactus. As usual, she held out her arms and chattered away about how glad she was to see us and how little she had sold that day. We were prepared to see her, having brought ointment for her feet and aspirins for the pain she suffers.

Nachita's distinct Indian features and her black and grey braided hair give her a very interesting appearance. Her skin is weathered and lined and she has a permanent frown on her face put there by all the hardships she endures. Nachita proudly says she has Jesus in her heart and I love it when she calls me her little sister.

DISTRIBUTING SPANISH BIBLES

2011-02-07T17:26:00.002-06:00

Carmelo and Gloria have a business in Nuevo Progreso but they planted a church in Matamoros and for many years they have traveled back and forth to pastor the church. They admitted it's very dangerous for them to drive the 30 miles to Matamoros these days, but they have no plans to abandon the work. We supplied a few Spanish Bibles for their church.

Carlos sells jewelry in the market and is also attending college every day in Rio Bravo. He has friends who have expressed the desire to have a Bible. Since the violence has made it difficult for us to go deeper into Mexico to distribute Bibles, we are glad for these opportunities to get God's word into the hands of the people.

At the international bridge we again endured X-ray scanning of our vehicle. We were ordered to line up our cars one behind the other, get out and stand behind the guard rail while the big truck drove slowly by. The entire operation took only minutes, but it's interesting that so much care is given to inspecting vehicles entering the United States when the main problem seems to be guns being taken into Mexico.

On our way through customs we saw a uniformed officer standing guard facing Mexico, and he was holding a weapon like an AK-47. It's amazing how good it feels to drive away from there knowing we are free and safe.

"With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow." Proverbs 3:5 & 6 (Contemporary English).

Here's a street scene of Nuevo Progreso. It looks strange to see empty parking places these days.

EXTREMELY COLD WINTER WEATHER

2011-02-07T17:12:00.003-06:00

Cold weather in Mexico made the trip to Nuevo Progreso very important and we were taking warm sweat shirts to friends. The warm and sunny day made it hard to believe the bad forecast, but we'd already had freezing temperatures and a layer of ice that had closed highways and bridges. Already this winter has been reported as the worst in over 50 years in northern Mexico and there have been many weather related deaths.

Apolinar lives on the outskirts of Nuevo Progreso in a little house built by missionaries. They have no indoor plumbing and no way to heat their house other than gathering wood and building fires.

This is a spcial family needing a helping hand. They work hard making and selling gorditos to truck drivers. The gorditos are fried corn cakes filled with refried beans, potatoes and scrambled eggs. As usual we were offered samples of the hot gorditos along with cold drinks. They sell all the food they can prepare and it's not surprising because they are really good.

Their little boy Esteban stands in front of their house on the outskirts of Nuevo Progreso.

BLANKETS AND A MISSION

2011-01-18T10:16:00.002-06:00

Because of the extremely cold bad weather, we took blankets to Nuevo Progreso. The red light flashed at the Mexican checkpoint and the alarm sounded as a young man approached us and asked to examine the contents of our Jeep. He opened every door, poked around and finally gave us permission to proceed.

There are old ladies begging on the sidewalks among the tourists and Lloyd wanted to take blankets specifically for them. It wasn't long before we had given out the blankets.

Here's a picture of me with one little lady whose name is Manuelita. She was happy to get an extra blanket to wrap up in.

TOURISM IN NUEVO PROGRESO

2011-01-18T10:01:00.003-06:00

Tourism is picking up in Nuevo Progreso. Yesterday the sun was shining and it was 85 degrees, making it perfect for shopping. Store awnings and shades made from canvas created a dark tunnel effect on the sidewalk, blocking the sun and making it cooler. Vendors had stands of wares near the curb leaving a narrow pathway through which we walked; and even this pathway was crowded with people trying to sell things. Accordion music and the smell of food being grilled was overwhelming.

Mexican soldiers armed with weapons threaded their way through this crowded shopping area. It was a reminder that just below the surface danger remains in Nuevo Progreso. They strolled single file between the stands and stores. Their presence didn't seem unusual or out of place, but comforting and reassuring. They were patrolling the area, making sure nothing malicious threatened the shoppers.

When driving back across the international bridge into Texas, we were directed to enter a narrow roped off area with five other vehicles. The officials instructed us to get out of our cars and stand behind the guard rail near the office. A large truck equipped with ex ray vision drove slowly past our vehicles, scanning to see if there were any weapons hidden inside. It took just minutes for our vehicles to be scanned, but only random vehicles were examined while others were directed to pass through another lane.

These events were very dramatic and serious. It's not every day that we rub shoulders with armed military guards while strolling through shopping areas. And even though we appreciate the added precautions taken at the bridge, it felt strange to be checked over with such extreme criminal based technology. Meanwhile there have been no further incidents to disrupt the peace in Nuevo Progreso.

The picture shows our friend Poly who has a jewelry stand on the west side of Avenue Benito Juarez.

TRADITIONS IN MEXICO

2010-12-28T13:54:00.003-06:00

Christmas traditions in Mexico are unusual and interesting. We experienced one annual Christmas Eve tradition at Apolinar's house, the butchering of a pig. Thankfully we got there when most of the work was done and the fresh meat was hanging from tree limbs in their back yard. Since they have no refrigerator or freezer, they had to salt the meat and hang it up to dry.

It was a big occasion and several friends gathered around to help and share the meat. We were invited to join them. Marcelino brought a large shallow pan with attached feet that fit over a fire built on the ground. In this heavy pan they rendered the fat from cut up pieces of skin, ears, etc. This created chicharrones that in the United States we call cracklings, crisp bacon flavored bites. And the fat will cool and harden later creating lard. When the pieces of skin browned and shrank and floated, someone took a board and lifted them a few at a time out of the hot fat and into a large pan. The men around the fire were taking samples from the pan when they were cool enough to handle. Lloyd and I were encouraged to try the hot chicharrones and we had to eat them the Mexican way, sprinkled with fresh lime juice. In their lean-to kitchen Carla stirred the contents of a large full pot. This pot contained a stew from other usually discarded parts of a pig. The activities were all surrounded with a feeling of celebration, for a little while there would be plenty to eat.

The picture shows one of the men stirring chicharrones in Marcelino's specially made pan with legs.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

2010-12-28T07:33:00.002-06:00

Feliz Navidad and other holiday songs were playing on the radio when we visited Marcelino on Christmas day. The sun was shining but there was a chill in the strong northerly wind rattling windows and doors. We had gifts for each of them, including a large pring leather Bible for Marcelino. He told us it was difficult for him to read the small print in his Bible. That was when we decided it would be the perfect Christmas gift for him.

Marcelino and Griselda have four children and one granddaughter. He told us proudly that all of them now attend church together as a family. The kids sat around the kitchen table happily checking out their gifts while Griselda served us traditional holiday tamales and hot coffee. The red salsa she offered us was very spicy, but Marcelino laughingly recommended the green salsa which he said was much hotter!

Lloyd and I stopped at Cristela's house next where we were served her specialty, cups of hot fruit punch. The rich dark sweet drink contained chunks of fruit that tasted like peaches. Every year Cristela prepares a huge kettle of her Christmas punch to share with anyone stopping for a visit.

PRESENTS FOR THE PASTOR'S FAMILY

2010-12-28T07:27:00.002-06:00

Pastor Gerardo and his family received their presents from THE POWER COMPANY on Christmas day. The Power Company, the children who attend Bethalto Illinois Church of God, purchased, wrapped and shipped presents for everyone in the family. We also had bagged gifts that had been donated for the children by the Mutza family and the Haas family from Bethalto Church of God. There were several other children present and no one was left out when gifts were distributed.

HAPPY CHILDREN

2010-12-28T07:21:00.002-06:00

A happy little group of children gathered on the porch to play with the toys and games in their gift bags. Life is difficult in Mexico and the economy is very bad. Most families have few if any presents for their children at Christmas, mainly they emphasize family and their traditional foods. We are especially grateful for friends who generously show their love for Mexican children by purchasing, packing and sending these much appreciated gifts. Many times we heard "Gracias! Thank you!" And we responded by saying, "Gracias a Dios! Thanks to God!"

SOY LIBRE! I'M FREE!

2010-12-09T17:01:00.003-06:00

"Soy libre, I'm free!" Marcelino kept shouting to us when we stopped at his house. "I no longer want to smoke or drink or go back to my old life. I'm free and I'm so happy!"

Marcelino accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior over a year ago and had changed a lot, but 2 months ago he had an even more drastic and life changing experience. He had an encounter with Jesus, received the Holy Spirit and made a complete commitment to Him. Now he can't stop talking about his "big father" in heaven. He tells his neighbors about his experience, he and his wife pray for people, together they lay hands on the sick and they are healed and now he wants to find more people who need to know what God can do in their lives. Marcelino is a miracle!

A slightly built but tough little man, Marcelino lives next to our church in Nuevo Progreso. For years he has watched over the project, saying that he always waits for us there. Many times he slept on the roof of the building so he could keep watch over materials delivered to the site. But when Lloyd would talk to him about Christ, he would always say he would serve Him some day.

Now Marcelino is so happy that he can barely stand still. "I waited for you so I could tell you what has happened to me," he said. "I feel so much power and boldness to tell people and I'm so happy! It's in my heart! Everyone needs to know about it!" He said he remembered us telling him so many times that nothing is impossible with God.

When I took this picture of Marcelino before we left, he was saying over and over, "Dios es grande! Con Dios si se puede!" God is big, with God we can do it!

THE MEXICAN MILITARY

2010-12-09T16:43:00.003-06:00

Soldiers with weapons stand guard at the entrance to Nuevo Progreso. Some are behind sandbagged enclosures, some stand watch on the balconies of nearby establishments and others stand near lanes of traffic keeping their eyes alert for problems. The Mexican Army is currently represented at the international bridge and the Mexican Marines have set up their headquarters in the police station they recently seized.

Lloyd wanted to ask permission to give them all New Testaments, but we didn't know who was in charge. Two soldiers walking down a side street appeared to be off duty, so we tried to follow but soon lost site of them. We walked around the block and found ourselves once again in front of the customs office. Without much hesitation, Lloyd took several Spanish booklets, walked out into the middle of the street and approached two armed and uniformed men. He explained what he wanted to do and asked if it would be okay. One of them said Lloyd could give them the books and they would see that they were distributed to the others. Lloyd then left several dozen booklets with the soldier in the bunker on the side of the busy street. Lloyd is pictured leaving booklets with a soldier.

Our next destination was the police station where we found a military truck blocking the road. Lloyd pulled the Jeep over to the side of the road and we walked to a small group of Marines standing in the shade of a tree. Friendly and courteous, they said good afternoon and waited for us to tell them what we wanted. The first young man we spoke to called an older man over and we repeated our question, "Would it be all right if we bring New Testaments to the men?"

When the man in charge saw the books of John and Romans we held out to him, he accepted them eagerly and thanked us. He said there are about 50 Marines now in Nuevo Progreso and they would be glad to receive New Testaments from us. Lloyd and I thanked him for being in Nuevo Progreso and for the work they're doing. He responded by saying, "Dios lo bendiga," God bless you.

Before leaving, I asked him his name. "Lazarus," he said. "The man Jesus raised from the dead."

BROKEN ROADS

2010-12-09T16:22:00.002-06:00

Flooding from hurricanes last summer caused great damage to roads around Nuevo Progreso. The road we traveled many times to Rio Bravo no longer exists. Instead huge sections of pavement were gouged out with great force, leaving deep ditches about every 20 feet. The broken road stretches about 1/2 mile through fields that once contained corn and other crops. The forceful river of water transformed the area and left behind a huge lake that was full of large fish from the Rio Grande River.

Apolinar went with us to view the damage. He said he and many other people from town caught tilapia, carp and catfish for their families from the flooded fields. It's difficult to see from this picture how much damage was done to the road.

The government is now working on the truck road we often use that circumvents the city of Nuevo Progreso. The road has been widened and they have smoothed out the deep ruts and potholes. The best news is that a water pumping station is being built alongside the truck road. Standing flood water that's always a problem on the east side of the city will in the future be channeled along the road and south toward Rio Bravo. This is a great improvement and will be a blessing to many families and to our church.

CHURCHES UNDER THREATS

2010-12-01T19:43:00.003-06:00

One by one churches in Nuevo Progreso are closing or are being abandoned by their pastors. Even though the Mexican military has the city in their control, church leaders are still being pressured for money by the mafia and they're leaving in fear. Gerardo, the pastor we've established in Nuevo Progreso, said he has not been threatened in any way, but he knows of at least four pastors who have left. Many churches have been joining together in homes to pray for God's protection on their congregations. The persecution by the mafia has brought about new unity among believers. As in any other time of testing, only the strongest and most courageous pastors will want to continue ministering in Nuevo Progreso.

Gerardo reported hearing two separate spurts of gunfire Tuesday, but no one seems to know or will say what happened. When we were there the next day, everything seemed eerily quiet like the calm before a storm. Many of the largest restaurants, bars and stores were closed and shuttered. This is like watching an exciting boom town die a slow and painful death.

While we watched, five or six large military trucks loaded with armed Marines drove out of town. Evidently there had been a change of guard. Some of the young men on the trucks smiled at us and waved; and one held up two fingers in the sign of victory.

This is a unique time and opportunity for evangelism because of the fear and economic troubles families are experiencing. Are we here for such a time as this? If so, we're under God's protection and He will guide and direct us.

The photo is of Lloyd and two children from Nuevo Progreso.

HURRICANES AND DRUG WARS

2010-11-26T14:44:00.002-06:00

Hurricanes, drug wars and political upheaval. Mexico has been battered lately, but miraculously Nuevo Progreso remains a haven of peace. Sitting directly on the US/Mexican border only five miles from where we live, the tourist town would be a natural place for drug gangs. Instead, Mexican Marines stand guard at the entrances of the city as they have for the past couple of years. And the city is now completely under their protection instead of the local police. It seems like God's hand has been on Nuevo Progreso.

Disastrous flooding from hurricanes last summer closed down all highways surrounding Nuevo Progreso, cutting the town off from the rest of Mexico. Supplies could only be brought in from the United States across the international border. We learned that heavy machinery was brought in south of the city to dig canals that diverted water down river toward Matamoros. Although the flooding was severe, without the canals the water would have destroyed Nuevo Progreso. One more way that the city experienced protection.

But instead of the usual heavy tourist crowd, Nuevo Progreso's main street was almost deserted. Vendors lacked customers for their wares and stores were almost empty. This hurts the economy of this tourist based town. We walked past store after store that was closed. And the extreme heat and gusty winds made conditions even more uncomfortable. Will tourists regain their confidence and return to Nuevo Progreso? The livelihood of many families depends on their business

We made some initial plans with Pastor Gerardo for some new projects, praying together for guidance in this new atmosphere of change. One priority Lloyd suggested is to find ways to minister to the Mexican Marines who are stationed in Nuevo Progreso. These young men are Mexico's best and they are probably homesick and lonely. What a great opportunity we have to win them to the Lord.

So we ask you to continue praying with us for the people of Nuevo Progreso. Even though we hated to hear about the bad storms and all the trouble while we were gone, it seems like a battle has been won and now there is peace. And the door remains open wide for us to minister in this bright and interesting little town south of the border.

A FAMILY EVENT AT THE CHURCH

2010-04-15T21:47:00.004-05:00

Bellem is raising her hands and worshiping the Lord. It's automatic for her even if she is only two years old. Celino who is a member of her family, watches her proudly.

Many people participated in a family event which included a wiener roast at the church in Nuevo Progreso on Saturday. After a time of praise and worship, specific prayer requests were taken and everyone committed to pray for each other. There are many needs among families in Nuevo Progreso because so many are without jobs.

We all need to be as trusting as Bellem when we bring our needs to the Lord.

"HE'S MY PRODIGAL BROTHER!"

2010-04-15T21:26:00.003-05:00

"He's my prodigal brother," Marcelino said about his friend Apolinar. "He went away for a long time, but now he's here working with me. He was lost and now he is found!"

Apolinar was glad he could work on the church building again and Marcelino was saying how close they had become and how well they worked together.

Marcelino has changed dramatically since his conversion last fall. He talks about the Lord and about the church a lot while working and he keeps the radio on a Spanish Christian station. Apolinar admits he is interested in Marcelino's experience and because he has so many problems to face in his life, he is leaning more and more toward God. Marcelino is sensitive and caring. Just a word of encouragement here and there, understanding that Apolinar needs to come to a decision on his own. What he needs most right now is a friend.

Apolinar went away from his family and was in the United States for four years. He has never seen anything wrong with drinking and partying; and on his return to Mexico he left his wife and family and took another woman. So Marcelino's words had double meaning. Apolinar really has been the prodigal brother.

We're sure that with continued prayer and Marcelino's good influence, Apolinar in time will completely surrender to the Lord and be saved. Marcelino's words held so much feeling when he said, "He's no longer lost, my prodigal brother has been found."

How many people do we know that are lost and without God? One day we'll rejoice and say that our prodigal brother has been found!

The photo shows Marcelino on the left and Apolinar on the right with Lloyd between them.

SOLEDAD

2010-04-15T21:18:00.002-05:00

Soledad was walking along the dusty gravel road outside Nuevo Progreso on a very hot day. She looked old and tired and she carried a small heavy bag in each hand. Lloyd suggested we stop and offer her a ride to wherever she was going. She was headed out of town and had to be going quite a long distance on foot.

The friendly little woman gratefully accepted our offer and with a little help climbed into the back seat of our Jeep. "Where are you going?" we asked. "To Rio Rico," she answered in Spanish as she proceeded to tell us that Rio Rico was a little settlement to the east of Nuevo Progreso.

Soledad told us that she started out early that morning and walked all the way to town to buy medicine for her son who is crippled. She thought it took two hours to walk the great distance from Rio Rico to Nuevo Progreso. Soledad is seventy-nine years old!

In Rio Rico we met Soledad's husband and her son who is about forty years old and cannot speak or walk. Then she was proud to tell us that there are three churches in the tiny village and two of them are near her house. She took time to show us around her yard which was bare dry ground with many pots of plants and flowers. She told us they had lived on that place for thirty-four years. We wondered how many times during those years Soledad had to walk the four miles one way to Nuevo Progreso.

LORD, PLEASE OPEN HIS EAR!

2010-03-22T21:06:00.002-05:00

Carlos Guerrera is fifteen years old and he attends school in Nuevo Progreso. He is friendly and likable, but a little shy. He is Carla's son and the stepson of our friend Apolinar.

When we ate lunch with Carla and her four boys, we learned about the special need that Carlos has. His right ear which is usually well covered by his thick hair, is deformed. Not only that, but he cannot hear out of that ear. His mother told us that he has difficulty in school because he can't hear everything the teacher says. Carla said she has tried for a long time to get help for Carlos, either an operation or for a hearing aid. But no one has offered help.

Carlos said that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and he gave us permission to take his picture and tell everyone about the need for his ear to be healed. Before leaving the family, we anointed Carlos with oil and asked the Lord to open his ear.

THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE

2010-03-22T20:53:00.002-05:00

It's amazing how involved we are in families in Nuevo Progreso. Wednesday we went from one family to another, visiting, catching up on the family news, eating a meal together and taking pictures. We felt so at home and so included in everything, just like we were family. What a blessing it is to feel that we belong with these families. These are our people.

First we stopped to talk with Christela where we heard good news and not so good news. The bad news is that Christela twisted her ankle this week and can barely walk. Since she walks back and forth to her job on the other side of town, she is missing work. And when she doesn't work, she isn't paid. We know Christela enough to know she'll be limping back to work soon.

The good news is that Nayeli whom we've known since she was ten, is going to have a baby. She and Mario are very happy and this will be Christela's first grandchild.

Next we stopped for a visit with Marcelino and Apolinar who are doing some work on the interior walls of the church. They were having their lunch break and some of their kids were eating with them. Apolinar said Carla was preparing a meal for us in their house and it would be ready by the time we got there.

At one time Apolinar and Christela lived together next to the church with their daughters Nayeli and Nancy. About four years ago Apolinar left Christela for another woman who already had three boys. This situation was very difficult for us because we loved them all very much and we knew the heartache Christela endured when Apolinar left. It forced her to have to take a job and raise Nayeli and Nancy alone; It was difficult for us to forgive Apolinar. With God's help we focused our prayers on his salvation.

The photo shows Apolinar who is always happiest when he is working. But jobs are hard to find in Nuevo Progreso.

CARLA AND HER BOYS

2010-03-22T20:33:00.003-05:00

That day was the first time we'd visited with Carla other than stopping to talk to Apolinar. Her three boys, Carlos 15, Rogerio 12 and Julio 9 are friendly likable kids and now there is a fourth boy, Esteban. Carla shyly invited us in and served us steaming bowls of chicken soup and tortillas with chopped serrano peppers and onions. By this time we were hungry and the soup was good.

Apolinar, Carla and the boys live in a one room house about 12' x 14' that was built for them by missionaries. Everything was clean and tidy. There was a double bed on one side, a small sofa and one chair. A small narrow table with a little bench was against one wall. A tiny chihuahua puppy shivered and shook but stayed near Lloyd's feet while we ate. Probably because Lloyd kept giving him little bites of chicken. Already we're beginning to feel that we're part of this family.

Our next stop was to purchase some sand and gravel to be delivered to the church. Carmen, who works at the store was glad to see us. She wants to learn English but can't take off work to attend our classes. So she uses every opportunity to glean a few English words from us. We began giving her lesson pages and now she won't let us leave the store until we go over more English together. Sometimes customers have to wait because she gets so involved. That day she told us she is gaining a lot from our visits and lessons with her. She's beginning to feel like family.

The day wasn't complete until we visited Bardomiendo and his son Ruben who sell jewelry among the tourists near the international bridge. There were a lot of people on the streets but they weren't buying, just looking. Bardomiendo wouldn't let us leave until we promised to come to their house for a meal some time soon.

During the day it became apparent how much we know about these people, the "ins and outs" of their lives, their problems and their concerns. I watched as Carla's boys looked up to Lloyd with respect and little Esteban kept going to him for attention. I listened as later Bardomiendo told Lloyd how pleased he is to know him and how glad that we take the time to stay in touch with them. And I heard him say that Lloyd's name is very good in Nuevo Progreso.

It's a mystery how we came to be such a part of these families, but we know one thing for sure. These are our people.

IN MEMORY OF VICTORIA HERNANDEZ ZARATE, December 1950-February 2010

2010-03-02T15:41:00.004-06:00

Victoria Hernandez Zarate was known to everyone as Gloria. She and Sergio had been married thirty two years. They had no children. Gloria was from San Luis Potosi, but lived many years in Nuevo Progreso.

Gloria reminded us of the disciple named Tabitha or Dorcas in Acts 9:36, a woman who was full of good works and love for God. Gloria had been ill for a year and had been hospitalized three times. During her first stay in the hospital she talked to everyone about accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and ten people became Christians! During her second stay five more people were saved including her doctor.

Gloria helped raise three of Sergio's nine brothers and was like a second mother to them. They talked about what a good cook she was, how much she loved all kinds of flowers and how she always talked to them about God. When women in the neighborhood had problems, they came to Gloria for counsel and for prayer. And she was a worker and encourager in the church.

Gloria was laid out in their home in a pink and white casket surrounded by many large sprays of flowers. Relatives and friends kept vigil with Sergio until Monday afternoon when they all formed a procession and carried her casket to the cemetery where she was interred.

"ARISE AND GO TOWARD THE SOUTH..."

2010-03-02T15:27:00.003-06:00

It was time for another trip into Mexico with Bibles and this time we decided to search for churches along the gulf coast south of the Texas border. Before leaving Monday morning February 22nd, we happened to read the scripture in Acts about the angel of the Lord telling Phillip to "Arise and go toward the south..." Acts 8:26. The story goes on to say that the angel told Phillip that he would meet a man there. We don't like to say that God speaks directly to us, but the words from the book of Acts really gripped us and held our interest. Was God confirming that we were to go directly south? Would there be someone there waiting for us? It was exciting to think that something significant might happen, so we wrote the scripture down and decided to wait and see.

FISHING VILLAGES AND ALBINO BOYS

2010-03-02T15:03:00.006-06:00

Eighty five miles into Mexico the map shows fishing villages that can be reached by venturing off the highway onto rough old roads. On the first road we found a church in a village called Francisco Madero. A member lived next door and he was excited to unlock the church and invite us in. Two other members came in, a woman named Irma and a man who was partially blind. The church is currently without a pastor. We prayed for the man's eyes and the spirit of the Lord was very real. Irma told us that she and her husband Gustav have been conducting services until they get a pastor. She was very concerned for the church. As we drove away, we wondered if one of them could have been the person we were to meet.

In another town called "The Fifth of May," there was another church. The pastor of "Templo Jerusalem" was a woman with two albino sons. When we asked one of them what he wanted to do with his life, he said he wanted to preach the word! We prayed that the Lord would give him a great anointing to preach and then we snapped a picture so we could remember to pray for him. Could this boy have been the one?

The next day we drove slowly and painfully down another road toward a town called Carbonera. There were many small churches there. Again, everyone was friendly. People waved to us as we passed, including men dressed in rain gear who worked with fishing nets. Small boats lined the beach. One young man directed us to a church and then invited us into his store for lunch. As we ate, he told us about his life in the fishing village. He and his family sell groceries and bread that they bake in their home. He is very enthusiastic about being a Christian. Was he the one?

A strong cold wind began to blow and suddenly we were pelted with rain. People ran one way and another, but the rain didn't stop the men working near the water. Temperatures continued to drop and the next day there were reports of snow flurries. But there was one last bumpy road for us to explore.

EL BARRANCON

2010-03-02T14:34:00.004-06:00

One more bend in the road and we saw houses and signs of life. There was a town of about 1500 people on the coastline and five evangelical churches in the desolate area! The name of the town was El Barrancon Campo Pesquero or the Ravine, a fishing camp.

Only one of those churches had a pastor who lived at the church. Pastor Francisco (Frank) and Lupita Coazozon greeted us and invited us into their home. Frank is from Tabasco and Lupita is from Oaxaca. Frank was not a Christian when he was a soldier in the Mexican army and he was in a severe accident. For two years he was in the hospital with many broken bones and they thought he would never walk again. He had an experience with the Lord and he was told he would be healed but he must dedicate the rest of his life to serving Him. That was nine years ago and Frank is still pastoring and preaching in their church and on the streets. He and his wife travel to Vera Cruz and to Oaxaca once a year where they take the gospel.

The couple told us about having a strange experience a year ago when they were planning one of their missionary trips. An elderly couple they didn't know came to their door and greeted them with embraces. The man had white hair and a white beard. The first thing he said was, "Don't worry! Jesus loves you." They brought a box of food into the house and they all sat down to eat. Then the man picked up a musical instrument and played and sang about the love of Jesus. Before leaving, the man placed money in their hands that would pay their way to Oaxaca. No one in town saw them after that. Frank and Lupita are convinced they were visited by angels!

Frank and Lupita are missionaries, excited to go deeper into Mexico with the word. This is an opportunity for us to share in their efforts by providing many gospel tracts to spread among the churches in southern Mexico. They live only 4 hours away, so we will return to El Barrancon before their departure.

Frank and Lupita are convinced that the Lord sent us. Our visit was a great encouragement and confirmation to them. Before leaving, we prayed together for their ministry. And Frank prayed that angels would be with us and bring us back again.

In a short time we found several churches and gave out our supply of Bibles. We were in the right place at the right time and did encounter the person we were destined to meet. And it could be that we met more than one important person on this trip!

The picture shows Lloyd with Frank and Lupita with their three children and a neighbor.

"AQUI LOS ESPERO, HERE I WAIT FOR YOU"

2010-02-07T17:44:00.003-06:00

"Aqui los espero!" That's what Marcelino always says when we start to leave him. Now when he says that, we all laugh together. It has become a habit for him to say, "Here I wait for you." But he means it sincerely and he's always there when we need him.

Marcelino has dug ditches, laid concrete blocks, worked with long pieces of rebar and wire, made up forms and poured concrete at the church since it's beginning. He is so dependable and trustworthy that we don't know what we'd do without him. Marcelino and his wife and three children live next to the church where he acts as both caretaker and watchdog for us, always on the alert. A small wirey man, he is surprisingly strong and agile. But his health is not good.

He admires "Mr. Lloyd," and seems to want very much to please him. For years when we talked to him about living for the Lord, he would say, "maybe some day." And meanwhile his wife and kids went to church faithfully.

In the fall of 2009 Marcelino had some health issues and had a close encounter with death. At that time, he called on the Lord for help and was saved. Now his face is bright and his words are uplifting and different. "Don't worry, Mr. Lloyd, God will help. No problema!" And his sentences are peppered with "Gracias a Dios, Thanks to God."

Every time we give him building instructions his new habit is to say, "Yeah, I know." He has become so involved in building the church that he seems to know what must be done next before Lloyd tells him. And now every time he says those words, he catches what he said and we have another laugh together.

Marcelino is not the only person in Mexico who say to us, "Aqui los espero, Here I wait for you." The Apostle Paul in the New Testament was haunted by a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia who said, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:9 Just like that call from a man in Macedonia, we are haunted by many in Mexico who have said goodbye to us and added the sincere and meaningful words, "Aqui los espero, Here I wait for you."

SPEED BUMP EXPERIENCES

2010-02-07T17:25:00.003-06:00

The country of Mexico has an effective way to control speed by using speed bumps called "topes." For amusement, I began keeping track of how many of these speed bumps we drove over after we crossed the border. Since I kept a log of each day's activities on our recent drive through Mexico, it was easy to record each speed bump experience.

There are large speed bumps in Mexico and there are small ones. Sometimes we would drive over as many as fourteen speed bumps at the entrance of a town or in front of a school. Sometimes the speed bumps were painted yellow or there was a warning sign, but many times they lurked on the pavement ready to surprise travelers who weren't alert.

Lloyd has traveled in Mexico for many years and has learned a few things about watching for speed bumps. For one thing, he has learned not to be the lead car in a line of traffic. Staying behind someone and watching their brake lights saved us from being taken unaware by these brutal bumps.

Experiencing a speed bump in our long van is doubly uncomfortable. If a speed bump is not crossed at extremely low speed, every bit of cargo we carry will be tossed in the air and rearranged. And on our return to the United States another alignment of the front end will be necessary.

During our six days of traveling approximately 1,560 miles in Mexico, we experienced an amazing 690 of these very effective speed controlling bumps!

INTO THE HEART OF MEXICO

2010-01-28T18:19:00.002-06:00

Our recent trip into the interior of Mexico with Spanish Bibles was interesting and successful. We drove into the heart of the country as far south as Salvatierra, Guanajuato, traveling on winding mountain roads one day and flat desert roads the next. We thought of the Apostle Paul and his missionary journeys that took him many miles away from home. We were out of our comfort zone!

Throughout the whole trip we were never stopped and searched by the military or the federales. Only one time were our passports, visas and vehicle papers examined briefly. Once again the doors into Mexico were opened wide for God's word.

The most obvious truth was that we were traveling in Catholic territory; and there were few evangelical churches to be found. We drove into small settlements called ranchos where we questioned the people about churches. Most of the time the people directed us to Catholic establshments. Some streets were so narrow and winding that it was difficult for us to get through in the van. We were frustrated when one person would give us directions to go this way, and then another would say we should go that way. But regardless of all the difficulties, everyone was extremely kind and friendly and very willing to help.

MEXICAN HOSPITALITY

2010-01-28T17:57:00.002-06:00

The unique hospitality of Mexico was demonstrated one afternoon when we were stranded on the side of a steep mountain road in the middle of nowhere. The highway we chose to take was a long and winding passage through dense forests. Hairpin curves and switchbacks with dizzying drop offs and no shoulders kept our attention until we saw a small church and stopped to investigate. After discovering that it was an empty Catholic chapel, we started back up the hill only to have the engine stall and die. After trying to start it several times, Lloyd coasted the van back into the driveway of the church. There was a lot of heavy traffic on the road and we were on a sharp curve.

Thinking the engine had overheated, we decided to wait for it to cool and tried not to panic. Meanwhile we asked ourselves what reason could there be for this to happen. Was there someone nearby that God was leading us to? It seemed possible, so we walked across the road and down a steep embankment to a little home that was perched on the side of the steep mountainside. A man greeted us while two small children watched us with curiosity. The little boy who was very excited and happy to see us, was completely naked. We sat in the shade of tall trees and visited with the man who said he had lived there on the mountain all his life.

After an hour when the van still wouldn't start, we walked down the road and found a mechanic living nearby who was willing to help us. He picked up a small plastic bag of tools including a few screwdrivers and small wrenches and walked with us to the van. While Lloyd and the mechanic tried to find the problem, I went back across the road, down the steep bank and sat in the shade. By this time the man's wife Nellie had returned home with their third small child. Nellie invited me into the tin roofed shelter on the side of their home where she was preparing a meal. On the side of the mountain in the heat of the afternoon Nellie and I talked about the Lord until we finally heard the welcome sound of the van engine roaring to life. The heat had made the float in the carburetor stick causing what we call a vapor lock.

When everything was settled and we were ready to go, Nellie invited us to share a meal with them. We sat with the children, six year old Flor and three year old Jonathan while Nellie served up bowls of soup with spaghetti and black beans with tortillas. As the children ate and played, we talked about the importance of teaching the children about the things of God. I learned that Nellie is a Pentecostal Christian and there are two other Pentecostal families in that area, but there is no church nearby for them to attend. Her husband Gerardo is not a Christian, so it isn't easy for her. Nellie suggested that we might spend the night with them and drive down the mountain early the next morning but we declined saying that we needed to be on our way. As we prepared to leave, Nellie said with great emotion, "Remember that when you are in Mexico, this house is your house."

Altogether we spent three hours alongside the road at Nellie and Gerardo's house. We left Nellie with some Sunday School books that will help her teach her children and we urged her to continue her walk with God. Was this the reason we found ourselves forced to spend time near the top of that mountain? We may never know, but we do know that there are people living up there who want to live for God and need a church to attend. And once again we experienced the sincere and open hearted hospitality of Mexico.

HANDMADE AFGANS FOR MEXICO

2010-01-28T17:40:00.003-06:00

Don Rhodes, an elderly friend of ours who lives in Bethalto, Illinois, has a hobby of crocheting afgans using yarns of many colors. He donates many of these to our ministry and we love to give the warm and cozy wraps to the older people of Mexico. We gave out several on our recent trip into the interior of Mexico and they were very welcome. Especially since the weather was a little frosty at times. We spent a night in Ocampo at the home of Pastor Carlos Chapa who keeps a spare room ready for visitors. The next morning Pastor Chapa, his wife and his mother-in-law Matilda went with us for breakfast at a small cafe. Matilda's eyes sparkled when we wrapped one of Don Rhodes' colorful afgans around her shoulders.

TRAFFIC, FAST AND SLOW

2010-01-28T17:25:00.002-06:00

On the side of a busy highway, the old couple rode to the feed store on a little cart pulled by a donkey. They live high up on the hill in a peaceful little settlement. We stopped to visit with these senior citizens and gave them afgans. We then watched as they waited for a break in the heavy, fast moving traffic before they urged the donkey to trot across the pavement to the other side. It was obvious that they had made this dangerous trip many times before.

BITTER COLD WEATHER

2010-01-09T16:49:00.002-06:00

Record breaking cold, freeze warnings and reports of sleet. Those are foreign phrases to those of us in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico. And for the many with no heat in their homes, and no insulation, those are dangerous and sometimes deadly words.

It's always good to have blankets, sweaters, caps and jackets to give out on our visits to Nuevo Progreso. The children and the elderly especially are affected by the severe weather. In the past we have heard reports of children dying from smoke inhalation from open fires and we've also heard of babies being smothered under too many blankets.

It looks strange on cold days to see little dwellings with all their doors and windows open and little campfires blazing just outside their thresholds. But they have learned that good ventilation is critical and if they try to trap heat inside, they also bring in deadly smoke and fumes.

Our prayer is that the cold weather pattern changes soon.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

2010-01-09T16:38:00.003-06:00

How do you begin teaching the basics of the English language? Where do you start? In our first class last week in Nuevo Progreso, we began by reciting the alphabet and the vowel sounds and discussing the differences between English and Spanish. Several children came to the class with notebooks and pencils in hand, eager and excited to learn. The adults were more cautious. As you can see in the picture, they sat in the back seats and let the children take the lead.

Our plan is to share the common English phrases with the class while teaching the basic rules of the language. This will give them the ability to speak some things right away, while learning the harder things such as how to conjugate verbs and form sentences.

Bible story books for children make good teaching tools in these English classes. God's word can be used as a bridge since everyone is familiar with the wonderful old stories. Teaching English is one more way that we can minister the word of God to the people of Mexico.

TAMALES, AN OLD TRADITION

2010-01-09T16:31:00.002-06:00

Stacks of large corn husks, tubs of corn meal mix, a wash tub full of pork cooking over a fire between bricks on the ground, women working and laughing together. This is what we saw at Poli and Roberta's home on New Year's day. It was an assembly line, one woman filled the corn husks while another ground hot peppers into salsa using an ancient looking stone bowl and stone rollin pin. This is the way it has been done for generations, it's an old tradition. They were making tamales for a big celebration and they made it look like fun.

After the tamales were assembled, they were arranged in a large kettle on the open fire where they were steamed. The ladies told us they were preparing several hundred tamales because they were expecting lots of family and friends that evening.

In the picture our friend Gloria holds a stack of prepared corn husks while Rosa and another woman grind hot peppers by hand.

PRAYING FOR SOULS

2009-12-28T19:20:00.003-06:00

Lloyd is praying for a man on the street in Mexico.

RISE UP AND RESCUE SOULS!

2009-12-28T18:36:00.003-06:00

"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!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

2009-12-28T08:50:00.002-06:00

These children are fascinated with Christmas gifts provided for them by The Power Company Kids, Bethalto, Illinois Church of God. Pancho who is called Wenchi or "little old man," and Dulce are among many who will receive toys and candy during the season.

Others from Bethalto Church of God sent gift bags filled with lots of treats and good things for the children.

Praise the Lord, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare His praise? Psalm 106:1-2

JOSE LUIS

2009-12-28T08:46:00.002-06:00

Jose Luis Figuera needs a miracle. His wife left him with two little girls, eight and twelve years old. Now he needs an operation and is asking everyone to pray for his healing.

Jose Luis sells corn on the main street in Nuevo Progreso, and that barely keeps his little family going. A new Christian, he often meets with members of the church for encouragement in the faith. We met with Jose Luis one day and we were impressed with his confidence that the Lord is going to take care of him and his girls. Please join us in prayer for a miracle for Jose Luis.

LA POSADA

2009-12-28T08:30:00.002-06:00

This popular Christmas celebration in Mexico is called La Posada, a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house accompanying Mary and Joseph looking for shelter.

You can see from the picture, the children walked streets covered in mud and water. We watched as they picked their way around the neighborhood near the church, singing traditional Mexican songs.

THE STREETS OF NUEVO PROGRESO

2009-12-13T19:02:00.002-06:00

It was a standout moment when I wondered how we came to be on a muddy street on the outskirts of Nuevo Progreso. Pastor Gerardo and Miriam were in the back seat of our Jeep, their shoes so muddy that we had to put an old rug down for them to get in. Elias (aka Fish) was climbing in the back seat with them, laughing and describing loudly in Spanish the condition of his work clothes and shoes. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day and no one thought it was at all unusual for us to be there. But just a short time ago these people who are now our friends were strangers to us. I turned to Lloyd and asked, "What are two senior citizens from Illinois doing in a place like this?"

What we were doing that day was going to the office of the delegado to talk with him about the city's new storm drainage system and recent heavy rains. This remarkable drainage project is an unusual answer to prayer, but we wanted some additional information and had some suggestions. Elias was going along to help interpret. Not yet a Christian, he is called Fish because of his past drinking habits.

Every street was so full of mud and standing water that it was necessary to switch into 4 wheel drive, but we were still excited and happy about the new drainage system. While slipping and sliding like we were driving through snow, we asked ourselves how many people our age have the privilege of such grand and rewarding adventures.

Officials were happy to inform us that the North American Development Bank headquartered in Texas is financing environmental improvements to border towns. Not only are drains being installed, but the outgrown sewage plant is being enlarged and a pumping station will be built, solving the problem of being flooded so often. It was very good news, reason for rejoicing as we navigated the awful roads back to Colonia El Jardin.

Against all odds and in spite of problems that seem impossible, our mission continues to go forward. And we still wonder how it all came to be.

November 2009 Beginning

2009-11-30T20:11:00.003-06:00

We arrived in Weslaco, Texas on November 9, 2009 and began the process of unpacking and preparing for our ministry in Mexico. On our first visit across the border we learned that the church in Nuevo Progreso continues to move forward with several evangelistic events planned for the near future. Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam told us about their next project which is to take place soon. A local store has donated the one day use of a tent with a huge Pepsi logo which is to be set up on the church grounds. Chairs and tables are included with the tent. Another new church in town will join our church in this meeting and afterward they plan to saturate the adjoining neighborhoods with salvation tracts.

The Power Company childrens ministry of Bethalto, Illinois Church of God donated clown costumes and muppets to the Nuevo Progreso church. These tools will b a great help in the outreach programs to children.

Miriam reported that several in the church are hosting weekly women's meetings in their homes, inviting neighbor women to join them in worship, Bible study and fellowship. They take turns serving coffee and cookies at these meetings and the response has been very good.

Pastor Gerardo, Miriam and their children are comfortable living in the church parsonage. The building was cool in the recent heat wave and they expect it to be warm during winter months; the place is very peaceful. More than one person who has visited the location said they felt something unusual and special and they say they feel the presence of God.

Nuevo Progreso has started a huge project of installing a drainage system throughout the city even in the outlying areas near our church. In the future this drainage system will be a great blessing not only to the church, but to everyone living near flood prone areas. We're thanking the Lord for this answer to our prayers.

In the picture Esly is showing off one of the large muppets donated to the church with the help of her mother Miriam and big brother Gerson.

THEY HEARD THE CALL

2009-06-12T13:18:00.006-05:00

It was an unusual meeting. It was not an accident that the four of us were brought together in a motel on the Emerald Coast of Mexico. And it was confirmation to Ivan and Luz that the Lord was calling them to work for Him.

Lloyd and I had been driving all day in Mexico and the extreme heat added to our stress level. It was time to find a place to stop for the night. The emerald blue of the Gulf of Mexico made a beautiful backdrop for the many motels lining the highway, but we couldn’t find the right place to stay. One motel was expensive, another had little protection for vehicles and many were difficult to access. With all the choices, why was it taking so much time?

After an hour of driving to the motels, inquiring and driving out again, it began to look hopeless and the temptation was great to drive on, but something made us keep trying. Finally we saw Estrella del Mar, the Star of the Sea, a beautiful motel that was almost empty. The price was reasonable, a free breakfast was included, and the only other occupants were in the room next to ours.

The next morning when we met the other occupants we learned that it was not an accident that we had chosen to stay at Estrella del Mar. Newlyweds Ivan and Luz Sanchez were on their way to Ivan’s hometown of Jalapa, Vera Cruz where Ivan’s brother pastors a church. They had been married only 2 days and both had a strong feeling that God had a plan and a ministry for them. Ivan and Luz had prayed for the Lord to give them a sign, and as we began to share with them about our ministry they were convinced that we were their confirmation.

While the sun was rising over the Gulf of Mexico, the four of us joined hands and prayed together for God’s direction in their lives. Then we gave them Bibles and materials to start their ministry and promised to continue remembering them in prayer.

Even though we had been frustrated about finding lodging the night before, we could see the reason why the Lord had led us to Ivan and Luz. He had planned for us to meet the two young people who had heard the call into ministry. And He placed us in rooms next to each other in Estrella del Mar Motel on the Emerald Coast of Mexico.

The picture shows the four of us early the next morning outside our motel rooms.

THEY SANG IN THE NIGHT

2009-05-21T10:02:00.005-05:00

Late one night during our recent travels in Mexico Lloyd heard music that sounded like praises to the Lord. He had stepped outside our motel into the balmy night air to walk around in the walled courtyard. Since we had been looking for small churches that needed Bibles, he was excited about visiting that particular church the next morning. Because the music was so clear, he was sure it would be very near the motel. How convenient it seemed for the Lord to lead us to a place for the night right next to a church.

The next morning we left the motel and searched for blocks but didn’t see a church of any kind. We asked a boy on a bike if there was a church nearby, but the only church he knew of was several blocks away. 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 who turned out to be a member of the congregation 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 could we have heard them in our motel so far away?

By this time several others had joined the group inside the church along with Pastor Benito Zamora and his wife Anita. It was a spontaneous time of celebration because it was evident that we had been led to that place by songs in the night. This was the perfect time and place for us to take communion together as we prayed, worshipped and sang in the little church called Monte de los Olivos (The Mount of Olives).

Before we left these great and unforgettable people, the pastor’s wife Anita and the other women shared an almost unbelievable and exciting bit of information. Two months ago Anita had dreamed that Americans would come to visit their church!

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. We promised to pray with them about these needs and then we encouraged them to keep on singing and praising in the night!

THE CHILDREN OF POZA RICA

2009-05-12T18:11:00.010-05:00

Poza Rica in Vera Cruz is a large city situated near the Gulf of Mexico and surrounded by hills. Our goal was to visit the Church of God Childrens’ Home we’d heard about there. Alfa & Omega is located near the Walmart Store and Sam’s stores in Poza Rica. It’s strange to see those stores along with Home Depot, McDonalds and other familiar names so far away from home.

It wasn’t easy to find the childrens’ home. We were forced to stop several times in the heavy traffic to ask directions until finally we wound our way up a steep and narrow road to our destination. There were several clean white buildings perched at different levels on the hillside. The view from each level was breathtaking; we could see the city spread out below us. It was like we were in an eagle’s nest, protected and secure.

Pastor Elias Herrera and his wife Teresa greeted us with enthusiasm; inviting us to spend the night with them. Our room was next to a balcony that overlooked the buildings below and the countryside. The air was cool, the windows were open wide and large hawks soared in the air around us.

Pastor Herrera told us how he began over 20 years ago ministering to the abandoned children who lived under the bridge in the city park in Poza Rica. He took food to the children for some time until one night a large group of them appeared at his church parsonage. They had been threatened by a gang of older children and needed sanctuary. He took them into his own home and gradually established the childrens’ home. There are no more children living under the bridge in Poza Rica, because now they have a place where they are safe.

During the evening we had a time of sharing with the 35 children presently living in the home. It was very touching when Pastor Herrera asked them to gather around the two of us and pray. It’s hard to describe the feeling of so many soft little hands resting on our backs, along with hearing their whispered prayers for us.

Alfa & Omega continues to be challenged by the need for water for their facilities. They have drilled for water on their hill many times and have been unsuccessful. All the water they use must be purchased and hauled in by trucks.

Please pray for Alfa & Omega and for Pastor Herrera and his wife Teresa shown in the above photograph. They have given up their lives to provide a Christian home for many children who were lost in Poza Rica.

LORD, PLEASE CLEAR A PATH!

2009-05-05T18:22:00.004-05:00

Our prayer request for months had been for the Lord to clear a path into Mexico for His Word. There were many people joining us in this prayer. We had heard all the negative reports from south of the border and had been advised by many not to attempt such a trip. But we knew that we had been instructed by the Lord to go. If we were on a divine mission, there would be divine protection.
From the moment we left Weslaco, Texas until our return two weeks later, we were never once stopped, questioned or searched by authorities. Not one person asked to see our papers, our passports or our visas. We had an amazingly clear path!
We distributed hundreds of Spanish Bibles and thousands of gospel tracts to churches in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz and Tabasco. In past years it was difficult to take large amounts of materials into Mexico because of the military and federal checkpoints, the questions and the red tape. But many times on this trip we wished we had brought a lot more materials with us. This time the doors were opened wide for God’s word.
There was not only a clear path, but the liberty and boldness to witness to the people to tell them that Jesus is coming soon and that they need to be prepared. We had the distinct feeling that there were angels watching over us, preparing the way and giving us directions. More than once we wondered if the person we had just talked with was sent specifically to guide us.
We were reminded over and over that our God is full of compassion and love for the Mexican people. It was so thrilling to find small humble churches in remote areas and to tell pastors that we had come to give them Bibles. It was encouraging for them to realize that God knows exactly where they are and what they need. And it was encouraging for us to know that we were always on the right path!

AN ANCIENT LAND AND THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

2009-05-05T18:03:00.004-05:00

We took an amazing and successful trip into Mexico with Spanish Bibles last month. There were friendly people everywhere ready to help us or give us directions or just visit with us.

It’s hard to describe the many contrasts in that country. We drove slowly on dirt roads into remote areas in the mountains and we drove on new four lane highways across the flatlands. We spent nights in high places where we were surrounded by soft green hills and we stayed along the Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. In one cafe near a beautiful plaza pigeons walked around our feet searching for crumbs. In the night green geckos clung to the walls and ceilings watching for insects. Old men rode burros and carried heavy loads while young men sped around town on motorbikes. And always there was the feeling that we were traveling across an ancient land.

Our first destination was the old city of Ocampo that is nestled in a high valley. The city was established in the early 1700's near an old Catholic mission. Indians who lived in the nearby hills joined the Spaniards in farming the land and raising sugar cane. The city was first known as Santa Barbara.
We stayed in the home of Pastor Carlos Chapas, on a shady cobblestone street at the edge of town. The place was full of the sound of turtle doves singing in the enormous old trees. Almost every backyard was home to chickens and roosters, one or two pigs and lots of fruit trees. Since there was little traffic, there were always dogs sleeping in the middle of the streets.

Pastor Chapas guided us into remote areas in the countryside, down narrow winding lanes looking for small churches that needed Bibles. In one area we met Pastor Rodrigo Olvera Vazquez who had been crippled since childhood. After giving the pastor and his wife a box of Bibles, we joined with them in prayer, especially for him to be healed. And we all felt the presence of the Lord in that secluded and quiet place.

We stood holding hands in that ancient land praying to our Father in Heaven, the "Ancient of days." Daniel 7:9

The Wall of Separation

2009-04-13T17:47:00.003-05:00

This is the steel wall being constructed along the Rio Grande River in south Texas. The wall is embedded deep in concrete and it is is very high. It will be impossible to go under the wall and it will be impossible to climb over it. It is an overwhelming thing to see as it winds its way along the beautiful river that separates one country from another. It’s purpose of course is to keep people on their proper side of the river.

We sat in our Jeep and watched as flocks of birds flew noisily over the wall, back and forth, paying no attention to the barrier. The wind gusts blew dust through the wall, from one side to the other. Of course that’s because the wall is only to stop the flow of people.

Isn’t it good to know that one day when Jesus comes there will be no such fences or walls of separation between us?

José's Miracle

2009-04-13T17:13:00.006-05:00

For years José sold tacos from a little cart near the

bridge in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. But he had a sickness in his lungs and had to use oxygen. He continued to get worse and for the last two years he was attached to an oxygen tank twenty four hours a day. He could only walk a few steps without running out of breath. He was pale and sick, couldn’t sleep at night and even the smallest sounds of children playing tormented him.

Two weeks ago someone invited José and his wife to church in Nuevo Progreso. Pastor Gerardo prayed for him, and José accepted Jesus into his heart. Within twenty four hours José realized he no longer needed the oxygen and he began to walk back and forth in his yard, finally free of the four foot tank in his living room. His wife Guadalupe was concerned, but José told her God had healed him.

José's sons have been coming to see what happened to him, hardly able to believe how he looks and acts. All the neighbors are coming to his house to see the miracle!

Pastor Gerardo took us to visit José and we found him sitting outside in the shade, an open Bible and his glasses on a chair where he had been reading. Guadalupe confirmed that there have been big changes in her husband since he was prayed for at the church. She told us that his illness had caused a lot of stress in their family, but now everything is peaceful and she’s very happy. We asked José’s permission to take his picture and tell about his experience. He said he wants everyone to know what has happened.

We had a time of prayer together, thanking the Lord for His goodness for not only saving José, but healing him. And José continues to say, "Esta un milagro!" (It’s a miracle!)

Esteban and Mario

2009-04-02T09:23:00.002-05:00

This picture was taken on our recent trip taking Bibles to Ciudad Acuna. With us are our friends Esteban, Jr. and Mario.

A Week In Ciudad Acuña

2009-03-31T19:06:00.004-05:00

Twelve years ago we met Esteban and Nohemi and their two boys Esteban Jr. and Mario, in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico. Immediately drawn to them, it wasn’t long before we were visiting in their home regularly. Here's a picture of Esteban's family.

On our recent visit Nohemi told us that she had an auto accident and they had to pay the damages by selling their home. They lived with family until recently when they began constructing a new dwelling on the other side of town. Nohemi was left with damage to her neck. She had a large area of swelling and inflammation around her throat that was from all the stress and pressure they’ve had. We anointed Nohemi with oil and prayed for her to be healed. By the next evening the swelling had begun to diminish and she felt better!

Bibles Into Remote Areas

2009-03-31T19:02:00.002-05:00

On our recent trip to Mexico we were privileged to take boxes of Spanish Bibles, gospel tracts and Sunday School literature to two little churches in Ciudad Acuña, one in Santa Eulalia and one in Jimenez. We drove west of Ciudad Acuña on winding country roads to Santa Eulalia through the scrubby landscape; seeing nothing but cactus, pale green chaparral and the occasional vehicle. About the time we thought Santa Eulalia didn’t exist, we saw a small cluster of houses in the distance and finally entered the sleepy little place. There were one or two small grocery stores, a little garage and one tiny restaurant which was closed. But we found a Baptist church that gladly received a box of Bibles and materials. It was called Cristo Viene or Christ is Coming.

Trip to Jimenez in Coahuila

2009-03-31T18:51:00.003-05:00

Esteban and his family accompanied us on the trip east of Ciudad Acuña to the small settlement of Jimenez. There we visited José, whose wife who is from the jungles of Chiapas. In the last few years the two of them have successfully translated the New Testament from Spanish to the Indian language of Chiapas and recorded it on CD for distribution. We were inspired by hearing their testimonies of how the Lord has blessed their ministry. Also, we were happy that Esteban’s family shared these moments with us.

Dangerous Roads in Coahuila

2009-03-31T18:21:00.002-05:00

The sun had set long before we left Jimenez. The six of us climbed back into the Jeep and drove out of the settlement toward the main road back to town. We drove up an enbankment and made a sharp turn to the right onto the blacktop where we were almost hit by an enormous truck that was barreling toward us without any lights. That event reminded us of the importance of prayer and how necessary it is to be under the protection of the Lord at all times.

There is no way to measure the success of such a trip, but we left Ciudad Acuña knowing that we had done God’s will. We hope that perhaps we have made a difference and that we brought some encouragement and hope to the people we met. Here’s a photo of Esteban and Nohemi, Esteban Jr. and Mario along with Nohemi’s mother and father and a nephew.

Souls Saved in Nuevo Progreso

2009-03-17T19:49:00.008-05:00

Two weeks ago a young couple came to Pastor Gerardo's house asking for help. The couple had been living together not married and they were feeling very guilty. It wasn’t long before the two were on their knees repenting and accepting Jesus into their hearts. The couple wants to get married as soon as possible and they are planning to attend church.

One night soon after that Gerardo was awakened by two noisy young men outside in the street. He went out to talk to the men and learned that they live nearby and are both drug dealers. Seeing that they were evidently very troubled, Gerardo talked to them for a long time outside in the dark. Before their conversation ended, both men had repented and accepted the Lord.

Gerardo and Miriam told us of other salvations and of more families who are especially interested in the church. There are others who want to join them in their weekly Bible studies.

God is answering our prayers for the salvation of souls in Nuevo Progreso.

In the photo Pastor Gerardo and Miriam are visiting with a woman who lives next to the church.

Javier

2009-03-17T19:38:00.005-05:00

As a Bible student, Javier came to Nuevo Progreso three years ago to pastor our mission church. He worked hard to build up the congregation, visiting people in their homes, praying for the sick and making a lot of friends in the area. Many people were saved during the time he was pastor. In July of 2008 Javier accepted a position teaching in the Church of God Bible College in Hermosillo and Pastor Gerardo was sent to replace him in Nuevo Progreso.

Javier came to Nuevo Progreso early in March for a brief visit and we had a good reunion. There was a powerful moment when we all joined in prayer for the project in Nuevo Progreso. Then Lloyd laid hands on both Javier and Gerardo and asked the Lord to use them as leaders wherever they are. It’s very inspiring to see these two faithful young men committed to God’s work.

Pastor Gerardo And His Family

2009-03-03T20:35:00.012-06:00

We took our first trip of the season across the Mexican border in 100 degree weather. We travel the 8 miles to visit Nuevo Progreso, Mexico numerous times a week while here in Texas. Yes, the military presence was at the entrance to Nuevo Progreso, but there were thousands of American tourists walking down the main street enjoying themselves. Nuevo Progreso has no major city nearby and is not attractive to drug gangs. Our challenge will be to drive deeper into Mexico with Bibles. We’ll need a heavy covering of prayer. At the international bridge we heard the squawking of parrots and the calls of exotic birds. We were surprised to learn that the sounds are recordings being used to discourage the roosting of flocks of longtail grackles at the bridge.

As usual the street was lined with parked cars, the sidewalks jammed with people until many were forced to walk in the street alongside traffic. Food carts take up space in the street, and people purchasing food were standing dangerously in the lanes. It was like navigating a noisy obstacle course.

Our plan was to meet the new pastor of our church in Nuevo Progreso, Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam. Pastor Gerardo is 41 years old and Miriam is 34. They have 4 children, Gerson who is 11, Nahum 10, Dana 8 and Esly 4. The two older boys were playing with tiny green geckos, letting them sit on their shoulders, climb on their faces and sit on their heads. Gerardo and Miriam live in a 2 room apartment near the center of town. They don’t have a car yet and walk everywhere. They were both happy to see us and wanted to hear our vision for the work in Nuevo Progreso. Our first meeting with the new pastor was very encouraging.

The Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico

2009-03-03T20:24:00.004-06:00

We took Brother Gerardo and Miriam to meet the new delegado (mayor) of Nuevo Progreso. Our request was for the use of the city "payloader" so the huge piles of fill dirt we were given can be used to build up the area close to the church. There are drainage problems on the land and hurricane Dolly in 2008 caused flooding even in nearby Colonia Francisco Madero, threatening several houses. The heavy clay soil of northern Mexico holds flood waters for a very long time. We have been praying for a solution to the problem because it affects so many families in Nuevo Progreso.

The delegado told us that truckloads of caliche (gravel) were being delivered to our neighborhood for use on the streets and he would send someone to the church to see the situation. He mentioned the possibility of creating a small canal to the Rio Grande River for better drainage since we are only about a half mile from the river. There is also a plan to lay drainage pipes in the low lying area so the problems during the rainy season will be eliminated. All of this was encouraging information. We appreciate the many ways the delegado and the city of Nuevo Progreso have helped us and the church through the years.

Marcelino and his family continue to do well. It was good to visit and see how the Lord is blessing them. Marcelino did a lot of work building our church in past years, sometimes camping out on the roof of the building to keep an eye on building blocks and supplies. Even though Marcelino doesn’t attend church yet, he realizes that he is being blessed. Missionaries from the nearby Methodist church built them a new home, a one room building they and their 3 children will use for sleeping. Their old structure which leaked badly when it rained, will be rebuilt into a cooking area. They were also given a new refrigerator. Marcelino and his family are being repaid for all he has done for God’s work, and the good thing is that he acknowledges and claims that it’s true.

All the children in the colonias surrounding the church are being invited to attend Sunday School. Miriam is excited about the classes and is making plans for possibly large numbers of children to be there. Brother Gerardo plays the guitar and keyboard, so there will be music along with Bible stories and activities. Sunday School is one of the most important elements in any church since it builds a strong Biblical foundation in the lives of children. The establishment of Sunday School is a major step forward for the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.

The picture is of the sign at the church which says Iglesia De Dios, meaning Church of God in Spanish.

The Latest On Armando Treviño

2009-03-03T20:02:00.006-06:00

Last spring our friend Armando Treviño was told he had only one week to live. Because of a heart attack, his kidneys failed and improper treatment caused infection to set in. Since Mexico allows euthanasia, he made plans to die with dignity.

On one of our last visits with Armando in Mexico he prayed and accepted Jesus into his heart. At that point his life began to change. Suddenly he decided he wasn’t ready to leave his wife and little girls, so he asked his family to take him to the international bridge. Because Armando was still a US citizen, he decided to request admission into a hospital in Texas even though it meant leaving his family.

Armando’s life was saved, but both of his legs were amputated along with most of his fingers because of the infections. He now lives in his childhood home in Donna, Texas with his wife and children who joined him last summer. They are all very happy to be together again. The pictures show Armando and his three girls in their new home in Donna, Texas.

MEXICO'S DAY OF THE CHILDREN

2008-04-25T09:44:00.004-05:00

Every year on the last day of April Mexico has a national celebration just for their children. Toys are distributed, games are played, there are special food treats and of course there is the usual piñata for everyone to enjoy. The Day Of The Children is an important one for the people, so schools have special programs and events and everyone takes part.

It’s fun to participate in Day Of The Children and see all the excitement. This picture shows what a serious task it is for a child to choose just the right toy among all the colorful items on the table.

Many times we have provided toys and candy for Day Of The Children. Even though we returned to Illinois a little early this year and will not be there for the event, we will be thinking about all the excitement, praying for everyone and planning ahead toward next year. We would like for you to join us in prayer for all the children who live in Mexico, not just on April 30th but throughout the coming year.