WATER BAPTISMS PLANNED

Azucena and 3 of her daughters during English Class at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

A district wide water baptism service is being planned for next month in the nearby city of Reynosa. Churches throughout the district will take advantage of this service, baptizing all who want to follow Jesus in this sacrament.  Church of God District Supervisor Fernando Colorado will officiate at the service which is usually held in the city swimming pool.

Azucena, one of the leaders in the church in Nuevo Progreso, wants to be baptized along with 2 of her daughters.  They are attending a few classes at the church to learn more about the importance and significance of water baptism.  There may be others who decide to be baptized during this opportunity.  Everyone agrees how important this next step is in their Christian walk.

Last year 6 people were baptized in water from the church in Nuevo Progreso.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him 

deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me."  Matthew 16:24 KJV

GERSON'S NEXT STEP

Pastor Gerardo's son Gerson at the university in Reynosa, Mexico.

In April Gerson enrolled in the university in Reynosa, Mexico where he plans to study computer technology.  This is a great accomplishment and Pastor Gerardo and Miriam are very proud of him. Gerson has been working in a computer repair shop in Nuevo Progreso in order to help pay his way through school. He has an extraordinary gift working with computers, and enjoys taking them apart and putting them back together.  Because of Gerson's grades throughout his school years, he will receive government assistance to attend the university.

Gerson registering for classes in the university.

Gerson's name in the Hebrew language means "spear."  Gerson was the first son of Levi, but it is spelled Gershon in the Bible,  This is interesting because Gerson is Gerardo and Miriam's firstborn. And although he isn't specific as to his plans for the future, he has had thoughts of one day becoming a pastor like his father.

Lloyd and Gerson together at the church.  Gerson is now about 6' 2" tall.  Lloyd was attempting to stand as tall as he, but it was a stretch.  This picture was taken about 3 years ago.  

We're very proud of all of Gerardo and Miriam's children, Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly.  They all excel in school and have good plans for their future.  Nahum plans to be an architect, Dana wants to be a doctor and Esly  is still considering the possibilities.  This family is proving that nothing is impossible to those who do their best and put their trust in God.

 "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.  Daniel 11:32

LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME!

Two little girls who love puppies!

Childrens’ Day is a national holiday in Mexico.  Although April 30 is the official Day of the Children, the entire week previous to that holds festivals, parties, celebrations and events of every kind.  There are city wide gatherings in the park and there are church parties and there are family parties for the children.  It’s a week of great excitement!  Many schools celebrate the day before and parents are invited. Of course, there are usually no classes on Children's Day itself, even though it is not an official holiday in the school calendar. 

On Children's Day, the main focus is on the children and making them feel special. In shopping malls all over Mexico, special events with clowns, magicians, music, shows and balloons take place. Amusement parks as well as zoos and children's museums usually offer discounts or special deals for children on this day.. 

It was much more fun sitting on top of the table!

The church in Nuevo Progreso held parties on two occasions, inviting local children for music, Bible stories, activities and snacks.  Although there was not a large crowd of children, the ones who took part enjoyed a good time together.

Kimberly always has an enormous smile!

Day of the Children was designed to celebrate and honor the children of Mexico.  Our goal is always to point the children to the Lord and to encourage them to come to Sunday School.  

Jesus said in Luke 18:16  “Let the children come to me.”

PEPE

Pepe, several years ago at the church.

One day we stopped to visit our long time friend Pepe, who lives near the church in Nuevo Progreso.  Pepe always rode his bike to the church for special occasions.  He wore a helmet because he had frequent epileptic episodes and sometimes he would fall off his bike in the street.  Pepe loved to ask Lloyd for money to buy a Coke.  And Lloyd would always give it to him.

We hadn't seen Pepe for a long time, so we all assumed he was in Reynosa with his real father.  But when we called on the family, we quickly learned that Pepe was there and that he was much worse.  His condition had deteriorated.  He is no longer able to ride his bike or even go outside.  He needs help to dress himself, eat and he cannot be left alone. Sometimes he has 4 or 5 seizures one right after the other.  His mother Eva sits beside him every night, on guard to protect him during the seizures.

Pepe is now 29 years old.  Three years ago his brother who was 19, hung himself in their home.  That devastated Pepe and since that time his symptoms have gotten worse.  Pepe has an 11 year old brother Javier, a pleasant little boy who wants to grow up to be a lawyer.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam were with us on this visit.  Gerardo talked with Eva and her husband Domingo, while Lloyd gave Pepe his beloved Coke.  Pepe's hands could barely grip the bottle, his body twisting and curling uncontrollably.  We could see the great stress this family is under.  In fact, we could see the spiritual attacks against them.

After we all laid hands on Pepe and prayed for him, Javier agreed he would also like to be prayed for to accept Jesus into his heart.  Pepe had responded to that prayer many years ago at the church.  Gerardo took time to tell Pepe's mother Eva about his own mother who had epileptic seizures until Gerardo was 3 yeas old.  A preacher came at that time to visit Gerardo's parents to pray for them.  Gerardo's father didn't like the idea since he wasn't a Christian.  But he finally agreed that if God would heal his wife, he would serve the Lord.

Almost immediately Gerardo's mother was healed!  And then Gerardo's father had to keep his promise.  And as he did, he underwent tremendous change.  He was no longer the impatient, violent man.  He eventually became a pastor and has now spent many years keeping his promise.

Eva drank in this testimony, receiving hope for the future.  We prayed together for the family and over the house to drive away the spiritual darkness.

Miriam made plans to have the church womens' group help the family with prepared dinners and more visits in the future.  Also, it was decided they would have the next womens' Bible study at Eva's house that week.  Eva welcomed this help and said she would invite others to share the time of fellowship.

We were all very glad we took the time to visit Pepe and his family.

"Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

ROSA

Danielle, Rosa's 2 year old little girl.

Rosa, Lidia's daughter, brought her 5 children to a childrens' party Tuesday in Nuevo Progreso.  They live near the church and we'd like to see them come to Sunday School.  Rosa seemed to enjoy the activities as much as her children did; and attending Sunday School would be a great way for us to minister once again to Lidia's family.

Several days before we heard the news of Lidia's death, I ran across an old picture of her with some of her children taken about 20 years ago.  I immediately told Rosa about this family picture and promised to bring her a copy at the next church event.  It will be a privilege for us to give her an enlarged, framed copy of this long forgotten picture.  It's one she'll always cherish, and maybe it will remind her that she's always welcome at the church.

Rosa's youngest child, 2 year old Danielle, was wearing only pampers when she walked down the road by herself ahead of the others.  This independent little girl was curious about everything, including what was inside the door of the parsonage.  Tiny tables and chairs were just the right size for her and 2 other very little children.  Their feet could barely reach the floor when they colored in their books and when they ate their snacks.  But Danielle mostly enjoyed being able to pick up her little chair and move it around.

Please pray with us for Rosa and her 5 children.  Especially for little Danielle who has her whole future ahead of her.  We want them to become part of the church family at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

IN MEMORY OF LIDIA

From left to right, Rosa holding Olga, Lidia holding Javier, Marta, Domingo and me.  This picture was taken about 20 years ago.

Rosa, Lidia's daughter, was at a childrens' fiesta at the church in Nuevo Progreso.  We hadn't seen her in a long time and she was a welcome sight.  Immediately she told us that her mother and our friend Lidia had passed away recently.  It was a shock to hear this news.  Lidia was very special to us.

About 20 years ago we used to drive around Nuevo Progreso looking for large families we could help with food and clothing.  We found a one room house filled with children of all ages.  Lidia's house.  Lidia's family was supported by her stepfather Reymundo who died soon after we met him.  This left Lidia on her own with all those children.

Lidia was young and attractive, but didn't have much wisdom and had no education.  But she continued to take care of her children by moving into a smaller dwelling in Colonia Jardin where we built our church.  One very cold winter Lloyd and I bought a huge roll of black plastic and we wrapped the plastic around her house and stapled it down to keep out the cold.  She burned charcoal in a bucket on her dirt floor and the smaller children huddled around it for warmth.  Windows and doors were left open for dangerous fumes to escape.

Several times through the years we met in Lidia's tiny yard to show the Jesus Film.  Lidia loved to host these gatherings and would bring out old chairs and buckets and stumps for us to sit on.  Every year she asked again if we'd bring the film to her yard.

Lidia continued having babies even though she never remarried. When her last son was born, we visited her house with a couple from Brownsville, Texas.  After she said she hadn't named the baby yet, we all suggested names and she decided on one - Isaiah.  At 5 years old, Isaiah developed brain cancer and was totally helpless when we next saw him.  After much prayer, we took him and Lidia to the international border to ask for help.  Lloyd carried Isaiah helpless in his arms into the office and laid him on the cool tile bench to await a decision.  The couple from Brownsville had found a doctor who said he would treat the child without charge.  Within the hour we were given permission to take Isaiah and Lidia to the hospital.

Exactly 1 month later we drove to Corpus Christi, Texas where we met a radically changed child.  Isaiah was walking, talking, laughing and he even wanted a McDonald's hamburger.  Lidia had stayed with her child for 30 days after his brain surgery!  Now they were ready to go home.

It was with great delight that we drove into Lidia's yard in Nuevo Progreso and watched her other childrens' shock at the difference in Isaiah.  Was this their brother who left being carried in Lloyd's arms?  They wanted to touch him and talk to him.  Isaiah lived, laughed and played for 6 more months and then the cancer returned and he was gone.  But Lidia was given the gift of those extra months with her little boy.

It's hard to say what made Lidia so special to us.  We loved her and her children, Rosa, Domingo, Gloria, Marta, Javier, Beto, Reymundo, Olga and the others.  We often referred to Lidia as "dama de la noche," lady of the night.

Our prayer now is that those same children, most of whom are now grown with children of their own, will come to know the Lord and live for Him.  Lidia was 42 years old when she died.

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies."  Psalm 51:1

THE QUINCEAÑERA

Dana Ajeleth Estrada Razo.

Dana, Pastor Gerardo and Miriam's daughter, celebrated her fifteenth birthday March 19.  She was honored with a huge fiesta called a Quinceanera.  The family's many friends and family members sponsored the Quinceanera so that Dana would have an event she will always remember.

Dana's parents laid hands on her in a prayer of dedication to the Lord.

Brother Fernando Colorado, District Supervisor of the Church of God in Mexico spoke to all of us about the importance of serving God.  Dana's theme for the Quinceanera was grapes on the vine, so Brother Colorado used the theme to emphasize our need as branches to remain connected to the vine in order to produce real fruit.  He spoke of Dana's transition from childhood into adulthood and her new responsibilities.  As part of the ceremony, Dana was presented with gifts representing her new role in life.  Lloyd and I gave her a new Bible with her name engraved on the cover.

Dana was presented to us as a senorita, a young woman.

The Quinceanera is very popular in Mexico and many other countries.  Today's celebrations embrace religious customs, and the virtues of family and social responsibility. The Quinceanera tradition celebrates the Quinceanera, the young girl, and recognizes her journey from childhood to maturity. The customs highlight God, family, friends, music and food.

The Quinceanera celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A Reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed program performed by the Quinceanera and her Court.

Dana has many friends.  She chose ten to stand with her, including her brother Nahum and her sister Esly.

It is traditional for the Quinceanera to choose special friends to participate in what is called the Court of Honor. Usually, these young people are her closest friends, her brothers, sisters, cousins - the special people in her life with whom she wants to share the spotlight.   Dana had ten in her court, five boys and five girls.  They all wore purple to match her theme.

There are many traditions throughout the Quinceanera celebration. One of the most popular is the Changing of the Shoes. Pastor Gerardo formally changed Dana's flat shoes to high heels. This is a beautiful symbol of the Quinceañera's transformation from a little girl to a young lady.

Pastor Gerardo and his family are proud of Dana.

Dana wore a small tiara for the ceremony, but later she donned a dramatic purple sombrero.  This Spanish accent further emphasized the many years of traditions behind the Quinceanera and it's meanings to everyone.  Dana is now a señorita, a young woman.  She will begin classes at a prep school in Rio Bravo next fall and eventually hopes to become a doctor.  Dana needs our prayers as she begins this new phase of her life.