EDGAR

There was an interesting visitor at the church in Nuevo Progreso last week.  He stood and told his story and won the hearts of everyone there.  Edgar had just been released from prison and had a remarkable story to tell.

Edgar had been a member of Mexico's drug cartel and had been arrested and sent to prison in Sonora, Mexico.  He was sentenced to eight years behind bars.  While serving that time, Edgar was visited by Rafael Jiminez, a Church of God pastor with a prison ministry; and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Remarkably changed, he began praying for a miracle, "Lord please shorten my sentence!"  Edgar's sentence was soon shortened to  3½ years and he was released a short time later.

Edgar told Pastor Jiminez that he believed God had called him to preach and share his testimony, but first he wanted to go home to Matamoros to see his family.  Wanting to see him established in a church, Pastor Jiminez told him the nearest Church of God to Matamoros is Betesda in Nuevo Progrso, and he sent him there by bus.

After the service when it was too late for Edgar to take the bus to Matamoros, Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam decided to drive him 25 miles to the huge city where Edgar's family lives.  During their time together, Edgar shared that he would like to return to Sonora and attend Bible School before launching out into ministry.  They talked about how there are established churches in Reynosa and Rio Bravo, but there is no Church of God presence in the ancient city of Matamoros.  Now Edgar has a strong desire to begin a work there.

We need to pray for Edgar who was rescued from the clutches of the cartel and a life of crime.  His strong testimony will influence other young people to give their lives to the Lord.  Pastor Gerardo said he is honored to be included in this ongoing story, and hopes to be an encouragement to the new convert.

PERSECUTION IN MEXICO

Lloyd took this picture on one of his trips into Mexico with Spanish Bibles.

When we think of the persecution of Christians, we seldom think of Mexico.  But there is a long history of such activities all throughout the country south of the border.  For various reasons, many Christians have found it difficult to worship openly even in the most unexpected places.  A missionary who recently returned from a short trip into San Luis Potosi related this amazing incident:

An isolated church high in the mountains of central Mexico was harrassed by groups of people who did not want the influence of the church in their area.  They burned down the homes of the Christians and did other things to discourage church services, but worship continued.  Finally the son of one of the members of the church was kidnapped and a stern warning was sent back to the humble little group.  "Close the church and stop your meetings and we will return your son."

Members of the church immediately went into urgent prayer for the return of this young man, but they were not willing to agree to the kidnappers' terms.  The very next day their prayers were answered and they saw the victim as he made his way back home.  He said he had been set free!

When he asked his captors why they were letting him go, they said it was because they were very afraid.  During the night they had seen great balls of fire coming down out of the sky and they had been terrified.  The leader of the group said they knew that the God of the Christians was very strong and powerful, and they had to let him go.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

LAUGHING IN SPANISH!

A serious moment during the game with flash cards.

Laughter sounds the same in any language!  Laughter brings us together with a common bond!  And there's nothing better to bring on laughter than trying to learn together to speak a foreign language!

Lloyd and I enjoy teaching English at the church in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  And at the same time we are learning more Spanish and having more confidence with the different pronunciations of that language.  We make up lessons involving simple exercises such as matching words, filling in the blanks and finishing short sentences. At the end of each lesson we bring out the colorful "flash cards," a picture on one side and the appropriate English word on the other.

These flash cards represent many different things, from animals to people, food items and articles of clothing.  Most are basic words that might be used in everyday life.

Lloyd and I have created a game out of the flash cards, one that involves a prize for the person who wins.  Even though the prizes are small, the game creates quite an atmosphere of fun and excitement.  Everyone looks forward to the flash card game.

Some of the pictures are amusing to all of us.  Some are more serious and enlightening.  But there is one card that always causes quite a reaction when it turns up on the table.  It's the picture of an unusual ostrich and it looks as if it's smiling!

Everyone likes to draw this card because it makes us all laugh!

The ostrich card always brings laughter from everyone!  This amazing photograph sends everyone into spasms of giggles and funny remarks.  It's a moment we all enjoy.

Nothing brings people together quite like laughter.  And laughter sounds amazingly the same in any language.

"Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them."  Psalm 126:2

MEXICO'S MEN OF VALOR

Taking pictures of the military is not good for the safety of those involved, so this was taken from a great distance away and doesn't show clear details.

Their faces are solemn, their eyes guarded and alert.  They are heavily armed and protected with chest armor and thick helmets.  They take their jobs very seriously as Mexican soldiers.

We appreciate these young men very much.  They have worked hard to make the city safe and tranquil. There have been no incidents, shoot-outs or fights recently so residents are able to relax a little.  And they are there to make sure American tourists can visit Mexico to shop or enjoy the culture without fear.

To show our appreciation, we made up a gift package for them, some things they can share among a number of men.  Seeing one standing guard at the entrance to the city, we pulled over into a parking area and got out so we could explain our gift and express to them our thanks.  It was only seconds until several other uniformed men came out of a secluded area to find out the purpose of our stop.  We explained that it was a Christmas gift to them, having to repeat it several times because they couldn't seem to understand why we wanted to give them anything.  We emphasized that their safety is our concern since they are working in an area that has been very volatile.  And that they are very much appreciated by those of us crossing the border.

This picture was not taken recently.

It was fun to have a conversation with them and find out where they are from.  Every one of them smiled and their faces expressed their gratitude.  We said we'd be praying for their safety and that the Lord would bless each one of them.  And of course we had included several gospel tracts in our Christmas gift so they can read about how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Since we were on our way to a church service, we didn't linger long.  But we did point out that having Jesus in their hearts is primary to salvation.  We all shook hands and as we pulled away they waved goodbye and thanked us.

Please remember these fine young men in prayer, both for their safety and their salvation.  They usually come from all parts of Mexico and are lonesome, homesick and sometimes full of fear.  We feel the Lord would have us minister to them in every way possible.  They are Mexico's men of valor!

"And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"  Judges 6:12 NKJV

A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT

DiAnna, Lupita and Miriam.

A meeting was held at the home of Jose and Lupita to discuss a health fair to be held at the first of April in Nuevo Progreso.  As usual, Lupita prepared a great meal for the occasion.  These three "leading ladies" along with other members of the church spent time discussing the details of the upcoming event.

The health fair given by DiAnna Olsen and her husband Scott from Minnesota, will be sponsored by the ministerial alliance so that it will be a city-wide affair.  More people can be reached for medical attention this way while reminding the people that their help comes from the Lord.

Many good things are being accomplished in Nuevo Progreso through the church and through strong leadership.  And these three women play a major part in those accomplishments.

VICTORIES AND NEW BATTLES

Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam and their four children.  From left to right Nahum, Gerson, Esly and Dana.  This was Christmas 2015.

Christians know that when they enter new territories or have new victories, they can expect new spiritual battles.  Pastor Gerardo and Miriam have been a blessing in their city of Nuevo Progreso and it's not unexpected that there have been new challenges, problems and spiritual adversaries to their work.  But rather than becoming discouraged, they continue to say  "the greater the trials, the greater the victory will be!"

Recent heavy rains caused flooding on the east side of Nuevo Progreso where we have established the church and parsonage.  This is a very poor and low lying section of town where hundreds of families live in modest homes that are sometimes little more than sheds.   This humble area is where we felt there was a great need for a church and ministry outreach center that would serve these people.

The promised drainage system initiated by both the U. S. and the Mexican governments for environmental reasons has failed to fix the problem, it was curtailed due to lack of funds.  Although the church and parsonage are not flooded, the road to the church and the surrounding grounds are under water.  This is one of the challenges facing the church this year, ridding the city of this unhealthy situation.

Pastor Gerardo and the ministerial alliance have made big plans to improve the city of Nuevo Progreso.  Working as a team, they will be a powerful force to help the poor families and those who are sick.  Is it any wonder that there have been such attacks?

The Bible tells us to remember that "The battle is not ours, but the Lord's."  As we pray and keep our eyes on the Lord, He will bring the victory.  Meanwhile, nothing is stopping the work of the church, as services continue in other locations and in various homes.  Please join us in prayer in this spiritual battle for the city of Nuevo Progreso.

2 Chronicles 20:12 & 15 "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee."    "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."

Pastor Gerardo and family when they first arrived in Nuevo Progreso about 8 years ago.

INTO THE CITY

Pastor Gerardo prays regularly for the city of Nuevo Progreso.  He and other members of the ministerial alliance are standing in front of the office of the delegado (mayor).

We were six weeks late leaving for the mission field this year. Lloyd underwent back surgery November 10th and he spent the next five weeks recooperating.  It was Christmas week when we finally arrived in the Rio Grande Valley.

Hurricane Patricia, the strongest hurricane ever recorded, hit this area hard in October.  Fifteen trailer homes were destroyed by water in the park where we live in Texas.  Across the border in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico the ground around our church was flooded and roads were destroyed.  People are still recovering from the devastation.

During our first meeting with Pastor Gerardo at their annual Christmas party, we heard good news about the work of the church.  In spite of all the difficulties and challenges, the church is making an impact on the city of Nuevo Progreso.  Pastor Gerardo was recently elected president of the city ministerial alliance.  Nuevo Progreso has an estimated population of 25,000 and there are 53 churches, but not all pastors belong to the alliance.  Pastor Gerardo said he refuses to be called "president" but would rather be the coordinator so responsibilities can be shared equally among members.

Scott and DiAnna Olsen and a medical team from Minnesota will conduct the annual health fair in April with the help of the ministerial alliance.  This will mean reaching more people throughout the city with the gospel and with free medical attention.

Pastor Gerardo is called on frequently to preach in other churches in the area.

Pastors in the ministerial alliance have expressed appreciation for Pastor Gerardo's doctrines and teaching, especially enjoying the Sunday School literature he uses from Pathway Press, a division of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee.  We plan to order a good supply of these materials to share with churches throughout the city.

Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam and their four children, Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly.

Regardless of all kinds of difficulties, we are seeing an unusual and heart warming trend.  The Lord is showing us what He considers important.  Not big buildings or fancy equipment, but going out and reaching the city with His Word.  This fits in with our goal, to see many people saved, healed and filled with the Holy Ghost.  Jesus is coming soon!