PRAYING FOR SOULS

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

RISE UP AND RESCUE SOULS!

"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!

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

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

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

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.