ANTONIO'S VISION

Antonio the goat herder.

Antonio watched his herd of goats Tuesday as they grazed in the tall grass at the church. It was obvious that he was excited and had something he wanted to tell us. Antonio then said he had a vision from the Lord and in the vision the Lord said that he is to come and join us and help with our church. He said, “I want to come and bring my people with me. And I want to bring all the children. I want to see them with their hands raised praising the Lord.” He swung his arm dramatically out over the nearby neighborhood to emphasize what he said. 

Then he took my hand and began to pray and praise the Lord. The Spirit was so strong on him that I could feel the Lord all around us there in the lane. 

“I will be at the church Sunday,” he said. “And I will bring my people and I will bring the children”

I don’t know if he referred to his family or people from his church, but he seemed very sure as if he had been touched and moved by this experience. He then hurried away to follow his goats and I went back into the church, and both of us were still praising the Lord. 

PERLA AND ROGELIO

Perla and new baby.

Rogelio spent over two years behind bars somewhere in Reynosa. He had to leave behind his wife Perla and their new baby girl. But now he is free and they are once again living with his parents Apolinar and Carla. Being in jail in Mexico is nothing like it is in the United States. Rogelio’s family visited him often, taking him basic necessities that he would otherwise do without.

Their baby girl is now almost three years old and Perla and Rogelio are also the proud parents of a new baby boy they named Rogelio. The little girl’s name is Stephany. About five years ago this young couple lost their first child and now Perla proudly wears his name in a tatoo on her arm. Little Eriberto was only two years old when he died of influenza.

Their first child's name is forever on Perla's arm.

Apolinar and Carla weren’t at home when we stopped to visit. They have a good business selling tacos and drinks to the many truckers who are sometimes lined up on the road that leads to the international bridge. Truckers who are forced to wait long periods of time before they can proceed are happy to have homemade lunches delivered by bicycle right to their trucks.  And these huge 18 wheelers go right past Apolinar’s house.

Estevan, Javier and Cynthia came running out of the house when we drove up. These handsome and lovable children call us abuelo y abuela, grandpa and grandma. They always like to help us carry in the things we bring for their family. This time besides the food, we included cold medicines and garden seeds. Estevan and Javier quickly plundered through the bags and found special treats for them, M&M’s and peanuts. We always like to emphasize to these special families that their help comes from the Lord. 

Estevan showed us his new puppy.

Perla is with Javier, Stephany and Estevan.

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:2

A FISH STORY

Alejandro expertly cast his net on the water.

Many people in Mexico fish with nets as they did in Bible days. They are expert in casting a very large net across the water. Alejandro Canales Medina is an avid sportsman both with a net and with a rod and reel. He often fishes the Rio Grande River and participates in competitions to catch the biggest fish.

Lloyd showed them how big the turtle was.

Catfish are caught in the Rio Grande along with many other species, including Tilapia which can be found in small lakes near the border. Tilapia is similar to the type of fish that was found in the Sea of Galilee when the disciples fished along the shores.

One evening after church Lloyd told Alejandro that he had seen an extremely large turtle swimming in the waters near the church. Alejandro hurried home to get his fishing net and within minutes he returned to try and catch the giant turtle. He loves a challenge.

Alejandro is a true fisherman and a good sport.

All Alejandro managed to catch were tree limbs that had fallen into the water. Then he had to remove his shoes and wade into the mud to retrieve his net. But he was enjoying every bit of it.

The sun was setting and it was getting too dark to cast the net more than once or twice into the muddy water. But Alejandro said he would definitely return to that spot so he would possibly see the turtle. No doubt he would catch and release the critter after taking some pictures.

The time we spent that evening near the water was reminiscent of Jesus calling his disciples as they fished with their nets along the seashore. Having a greater purpose in mind, he said:
  “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”  Matthew 4:19&20

VISITING PASTORS

Sister Saturnina Navarro Flores is with her husband Primitivo.

Last night we were honored to have visiting pastors from Rio Bravo and Reynosa, Mexico.  Claudia Leticia Lugo Briones is the pastor of the Church of God in Rio Bravo. Saturnina (Nina) Navarro Flores and her husband Primitivo pastor the church in Reynosa. Saturnina Navarro Flores is the Superintendent of the Northeast District of the Church of God in Mexico.  Brother Oliver Altamirano from Rio Bravo was also with us.

Brother Primitivo led us in some choruses, along with Azucena.

Brother Primitivo brought his guitar and led us in some choruses and then Sister Saturnina gave a message from 1 Corinthians 15:58 - “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  It was very encouraging. She emphasized our need to be firm and constant, keeping our hope only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We spent some time at the altar, praying for special needs and praying for those who were absent. 

Later we had a time of fellowship and time to get acquainted with each other. These pastors were very encouraging to all of us. They promised to be in prayer for the church in Nuevo Progreso, and promised to be there to help us until our new pastor arrives.

We gathered at the altar to pray for special needs.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

PRESENTED TO THE LORD

Roman and Karen and their baby Oliver.

February 18, 2018 Roman and Karen Robles presented their baby to the Lord at Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. Pastor Oliver Altamirano spoke briefly about the meanings behind the presentation, explaining that the baby Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph when he was only a few days old. Since the very beginning of time, this has been practiced in one way or another, giving the child back to the Lord who created him and as parents promising to raise him in the faith.

Reymundo and Brenda took part in the presentation.

Reymundo and Brenda were the official witnesses at the presentation. They promised to help Roman and Karen raise their baby in God’s ways. Sometimes these witnesses are called “godparents.”  Reymundo and Karen were very proud to be in this capacity.

Baby Oliver slept through the service.

In most cultures a baby presentation, sometimes called a dedication, is a time for great celebration and a big fiesta. And it’s the same in Mexico.  After church Roman and Karen invited us all to their home a few blocks away for a delicious meal of barbecued chicken and all the trimmings. There was also a Mexican favorite, a Tres Leche cake, three milk cake. Balloons, Mickey Mouse figures with red and yellow streamers decorated tables and formed an arch over Roman’s small patio. About 40 people helped to celebrate this precious new addition to Roman and Karen’s family.

Over 40 people attended the fiesta in Roman's patio.

Roman and Karen are with Brenda and Reymundo. Brenda is holding baby Oliver. 

Among the people who attended the evening service and the fiesta was the family of Jose Angel. Recently arriving from Oklahoma where he worked in landscaping. Jose and his wife Patty and their three children temporarily live with Jose’s sister Aurelia near our church.  They are currently looking for a house in our area. We had special prayer for Jose and his family for their future. Their family seemed to fit in very well with others in the church.

A new family at the church, Jose Angel is almost hidden behind his wife Patty and his daughter. 

Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Luke 2:22

PROGRESO INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE

Bridge over the Rio Grande River,  on the Mexican border.

Traffic, huge lines of loaded trucks, pedestrians and long waits. That’s what we think of when planning to cross the Progreso International Bridge back into the United States. Some times we’ve waited over an hour on this short stretch of concrete between the Mexican exit point and U.S. Border Customs.

Nuevo Progreso is a huge town that sits conveniently right on the border. It developed over the years as a safe, user friendly tourist place where people could walk across the border to shop or they could use their motorized wheel chairs to access the many stores, pharmacies and dentist offices that are available. February 3, 2018 over 7,000 tourists were counted in one day coming through the checkpoint in Nuevo Progreso.  This is no longer a sleepy little Mexican village.

Huge trucks crossing the bridge into Mexico.

Tandem trucks line the bridge on some days, entering Mexico filled with grain from nearby elevators. Trucks entering the United States are filled with fruits, vegetables, grain headed for the elevators, gravel and other items.    The bridge was built to carry extremely heavy loads such as these.  It’s a good thing that there is a separate extension of the bridge for the volume and the size of the trucks entering the U.S.

The first 2 lane bridge was built on this location in 1952, but it was replaced by a much sturdier structure and increased to six lanes in 2003.  This is the most heavily traveled bridge for tourism in the Rio Grande Valley and Nuevo Progreso is the most popular destination.

Mexican Marines stand guard on the Mexican side of the bridge.

We spend a lot of time on this bridge waiting in long lines of traffic to reach customs, show our passports and answer questions about what we purchased in Mexico. Once in a while we are asked to pull over into an inspection lane where officers check our Jeep for drugs or other items that we are not allowed to bring into the States. It takes a lot of patience, especially after a long day when we’re more than ready to go home. 

The owners of the Progreso bridge have a heart for missions. For many years they have graciously allowed us to cross the bridge into Mexico without charge, saving us a lot of money over time.

We have had the experience of seeing with our own eyes the situation on the border between the United States and Mexico. We know how much attention is given to vehicles and whether or not permission is given for entry. Also, parts of the WALL are visible from the bridge. It’s a different scenario from what is portrayed on the national news. 

We never cross the bridge into Mexico without first praying for protection and for God's guidance. It’s a serious thing to leave our country and enter a foreign land.

In reality, Nuevo Progreso has become a lot more than a tourist spot. It is home to thousands of Mexican people who have come from their homes in the south to be closer to the U.S. border. There are people here from almost every southern state and even Central America. Some of these people have arts and crafts to sell while others are searching for employment in order to care for their families. Whatever the reasons, they feel there are more opportunities for them in Nuevo Progreso.

"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things."  Mark 6:34

ANOTHER SUPER SUNDAY

Lots of visiting children enjoyed pizza after church.

It was great to hear the sound of so many children laughing and playing at church last night. Since there were a lot of young ones, we set up small tables and chairs for them in another room where they could have their own activities.  Azucena's daughter Monica was appointed their teacher for the evening.

Monica watched over the children during church.

After church we surprised everyone with pizza! Everyone loves pizza! There was plenty for everyone, along with cold drinks and coffee for the adults.

Some of the children waiting for time to start.

It was a super evening and we felt the presence of the Lord.  Since we are currently without a full time pastor, we appreciate knowing that the church is still alive and well and that it's being a blessing to so many people.

This is our prayer:   “Let the kindness of the Lord our God be over us. Make the work of our hands last.” Psalm 90:17