FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER

Joe and Lynette Rainer and son from Minneapolis.

From the family of Joe and Lynette Rainer to the family of Pastor Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam!  A 2001 GMC Yukon!  A vehicle that is greatly needed by the church and by their family!  Thank you, Joe and Lynette and your family for this generous and most useful gift!

There are many in the church in Nuevo Progreso who cannot walk to the church for services.  Some are elderly and others have small children and maybe a great distance to walk.  Pastor Gerardo and Miriam constantly visit the sick and needy in homes all over town.  When it's raining and the streets are muddy, it's difficult to get to the church.  This vehicle will be used to transport people to services and special events.  And since the church is located on the east edge of Nuevo Progreso, transportation is needed back and forth to school for Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly. The GMC Yukon is well equipped for the rough and unpaved roads in the colonias.

Up to this time, Pastor Gerardo drove a 1996 Ford Explorer that was paid for by friends in Bethalto Church of God, Bethalto, Illinois.  The Ford Explorer has served them well for the last six years, but is beginning to wear out and needs lots of repair.  It was time for a replacement.

Thank you, Joe and Lynette Rainer, for giving a gift that will keep the church moving forward in Nuevo Progreso!

Gerardo and Miriam Estrada with their children, Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly.

"A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth." 
Proverbs 17:8

IN MEMORY OF CECELIA

Cecelia with her daughter Yaslin.

Cecelia passed away the first week in July in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  She leaves a son, Axel and a 3 year old daughter Yaslin.  Cecelia was the sister of Paola who is a member of the church in Nuevo Progreso.  She had many other family members who will be taking care of her children.  

Cecelia will be greatly missed by family and friends.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

BAPTIZED IN WATER!

Arely, Paola, Yaneth, Karen and Roman.

Six people were baptized in water June 27th in Reynosa, Mexico.  Members of Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, the six people joined several others in a joint meeting of district Churches of God  for the event.  They were baptized by Pastor Gerardo Estrada and Brother Fernando, the District Supervisor in Reynosa.

Roman was baptized as the others watched.

A city swimming pool was used for the baptisms.  It was a hot and sunny day and the water must have been very refreshing to everyone.

It was an emotional moment for Roman.

Roman and his wife Karen, Paola and Yaneth had been planning on being baptized for weeks.  Arely made a last minute decision and joined them.

Paola, Yaneth, Karen and her husband Roman.

¡¡Felicidades!!  Congratulations, Roman, Karen, Paola, Yaneth and Arely!!

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."  Matthew 28:19

NEWS FROM THE CHURCH

Pastor's wife Miriam looks happy as she cuddles a pet rabbit at the home of Jose and Lupita.

Lloyd and I have returned to Illinois for a few months rest and to regroup, but our mission project in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico continues on with renewed strength.  Here is news we received from Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam:

"We have been praying for many people connected with the church who are gravely ill; and some have been given little hope to live.  Glory to God, we have seen their health improve!

Cecilia had pneumonia and other problems in her lungs.  The church prayed for her and she is no longer critically ill.  While praying, Pastor Gerardo shared the gospel with her and she accepted Christ.  With her renewed faith, she believes she will be completely healed.

Paulina had cancer.  She recently moved away from her family and had also moved away from God.  After we all prayed for her, she renewed her relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Then she received good news from her doctor.  He could find no cancer in her body and disagrees with the former diagnosis!  She had been told that her kidneys and lungs were affected, but they are now clean.  She's thanking God for complete healing!

Inocencio had a severe respiratory attack that caused him to pass out.  He has a history of smoking for many years.  Some of us from the church went to his house to pray for him and for the first time in his life he opened his heart and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior!  With tears, he acknowledged his need of God and said he had already made up his mind to never smoke again!  Glory to God!

We thank God for blessing the church.  He gives us all things in His time!"

"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."  Acts 5:16

ONE MORE LION!

Lions watching and waiting, on guard.

Joe and Lynette Rainer from Minnesota have donated a 2000 GMC Yukon to the church in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  This generous gift will not only be used for the pastor's family, but for transporting people to church.  The Yukon is a great gift from the Lord!

Joe and Lynette became aware of the need for a newer vehicle through the medical ministry of Scott and DiAnna from Minneapolis, who work alongside us in Mexico.  Joe and Lynette have plans to accompany Scott and DiAnna to Mexico in July to deliver the vehicle to the church.  This will be an adventure for them, and they'll get to see exactly where the Yukon will be used.

Example of a 2000 GMC Yukon.

This much needed vehicle will replace the 1996 Ford Explorer Pastor Gerardo and Miriam have used for several years.  The Explorer served them well, but it has had numerous repairs and now has many problems and is unreliable.  We thank the Lord for sending the Yukon; and we also thank Him for sending Joe and Lynette Rainer to the church

To quote DiAnna Olsen, "This family is one more lion on the team of God!"

(Newsboys)

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:15

THROUGH THE FIRE!

The clay bowl with lid purchased in Control, Mexico.

One day on one of our trips across the border into Mexico, we drove through the little town of Control.  Control is an interesting little town on one of the main roads between Rio Bravo and Matamoros.  A railroad track dissects the place; and there is evidence that at one time this was a busy commercial area devoted mainly to agriculture.  Now most of the buildings are abandoned, but there is still a petroleum establishment, some grain elevators and the usual small stores along the heavily traveled road.

A pottery stand caught our attention, so we stopped to see their wares.  Behind the pottery stand was a strange looking cone shaped structure we soon learned was a kiln or oven for firing pottery.  Evidently, they made the pottery there and baked it themselves.

I picked out a bowl with a lid that resembled a casserole dish.  Wanting to use the vessel for serving traditional Mexican dishes, I needed to be sure it would be suitable.  The gentleman who waited on us was happy to talk about his pottery, so I asked him if the bowl and lid could be used for food and if they could be put into a hot oven without breaking.

His interest in his craft was evident as he eagerly pointed out the kiln and other equipment behind the little open shed.  "Of course it can be used!" he said emphatically.  "It has already been through the fire!"

We purchased the pretty clay bowl with the lid and brought it home with us.   It always reminds us that as sure as the little clay vessel could be used in a hot oven, we can be vessels for the Lord because we have already been through the fire!

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3

SERVANTS OF THE LORD!

Conversations and laughter accompanied worship and the word of God in the women's meetings.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."Joshua 24:15

This was the message for the women who met every day the last week of May.  There was renewed interest in God's word and in worship among the women of the church.  It almost sounded like the stories from the book of Acts in the New Testament.  They went from house to house, breaking bread and with fellowship.  

Since the meetings were held in a different neighborhood each night, there were always visitors and new friends to make things interesting.  The women took turns learning to lead in worship and in reading God's word to their sisters.  And every evening there was time set aside for prayer, interceding to be filled and refilled with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts.

Sister Norma prayed with her mother-in-law Sister Belmares.

Sister Lily and Sister Karen were acknowledged for their faithful attendance of 4 nights in a row to the special meetings.  It was a challenge for them to leave husbands and children to attend this intense week of services, but it was worth the price.

The first meeting on Monday evening was in the church, while the second was held at the home of Francisca Belmares.  Sister Belmares served coffee and cookies.  During the time of fellowship, conversations led to laughter and everyone had a very good time.

The third day the meeting was at the home of Sister Julia in Colonia Francisco Madera.  Julia attends another church, but is always very happy to open her home to friends of our church.  Sister Julia has been seriously ill in the last few months.  These meetings and the prayers of the women have been a great encouragement to her, and her health is gradually improving.

The fourth day was at Sister Catalina's house.  There the women were served a refreshing salad with a hearty soup.  Sister Catalina is known as a very good cook!

Sister Azucena is shown here with one of her children.

The fifth day was at Lupita's house.  As always, she welcomed the women with great joy, and she also served salad and soup. Even though it was the same menu, everything was different. Everyone agreed the evening was a glorious one in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sister Azucena lead the times of praise; and even though this was new to her, she was very willing and enthusiastic.  What great experience and practice this was to these new believers!

Sister Norma participated in the reading of the Bible and also in the leading of praise and worship.

The women prayed for each other, shed tears for each other and asked the Lord for the touch of the Holy Spirit!  THE WEEK ENDED IN GREAT VICTORY!

"And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:"  Acts 2:18