SUPERNATURAL PROTECTION

Pastor Gerardo broke down on the highway in Mexico Easter weekend. He waited a long time on that dangerous highway and finally a Green Angel showed up. Green Angels are people who patrol major highways in Mexico looking to help people whose vehicles have broken down. They're called Green Angels because their repair trucks are green.

The Green Angel drove past Gerardo and then turned and came back. The first thing he said was, "Where are all those young men who were with you? Where’d they go so quickly?" Gerardo said, "I'm here by myself, there's no one with me." The Green Angel said, "But there was! There was a large group of young men standing all around you when I drove by!" When Gerardo finally convinced the repairman there had been no one with him, he actually saw goosebumps on the man's arms.

The problem with the car turned out to be one small bolt that had come loose causing the power steering belt to come off. It was fixed quickly; and Gerardo and Miriam are still praising the Lord for His supernatural protection in a dangerous situation.

In the photo above Pastor Gerardo is shown with his wife Miriam and their 4 children, Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly.

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS

Esteban, Apolinar and Carla sit outside in the shade by their home on the south side of Nuevo Progreso. Esteban is sitting on their ice chest which now has a padlock on it. Their only means of keeping food cold, it has milk, eggs and a little fruit in it; and they have to replace the ice daily. Apolinar sells food and drinks to truckers and this large cooler will also hold many cans of Coke and Pepsi, their favorites.

A large blanket hangs in the trees over their laundry area for extra shade in the afternoon. Carla washes their clothes under the trees and hangs them on lines across the yard.

Theirs is a simple life, filled with hardships and challenges.

"In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

CARLA'S STOVE

The ingenious fireplace shown above was built especially for Carla and it's perfect for her since she's small. The enclosure underneath usually holds cut firewood. on this fireplace Carla cooks everything for her husband and family. With such limited tools she does an excellent job and is a good cook. The fireplace is inside a lean-to structure covered with corrugated tin. There is a chimney to carry smoke away, but many times the wind blows it back into the house. The floor of this lean-to is packed earth.

The family has no indoor plumbing and only an outside faucet in their backyard. Doors and windows are propped open in hot weather and they have no screens. We supplied some long sheer curtains for their doors that will allow cool air in but keep insects out. With the barest necessities, this family lives from day to day with no guarantees for their future.

As soon as we arrive at Carla's house she immediately starts to prepare a meal for us on this fireplace. Within a short time we are served hot plates of very good food. We wonder what she could do with more modern equipment.

NOE'S NATURAL FENCE

Noe's garden fence is very effective and it's natural. The fence is all cactus that he has planted and cultivated to keep out chickens and animals. Noe's corn crop has grown tall and is lush and green since he waters it often. He has used this uneven shaped area between his house and the road to good advantage. It would take a brave animal to get into Noe's garden through his natural fence!

COLONIA SAN ANTONIO

This is Colonia San Antonio which is on the southern edge of Nuevo Progreso. Our friend Nachita lives in one of these little homes.

Colonia San Antonio is a small group of homes at the edge of town. It's a long way from the tourist area, but many who live in San Antonio walk that distance very day in order to sell trinkets or beg for food. Many who live here used to live by the truck road at the north end of town, but the city cleared that area of residents and helped the people set up these homes. We often visited people who lived by the truck road and we remember thick white dust from heavy traffic blowing into their windows and doors. Many times it was difficult to tell what color their skin and hair was because of so much powder settling on them. But these were people who had no alternative, they lived wherever they could find a spot to build a shelter. Colonia San Antonio is now a quiet haven for those people. The air is clear and even though the roads aren't paved, dust no longer plagues them. Usually there are lots of children playing outside in the common area. The road to Colonia San Antonio is a dead-end street, so they no longer have to worry about traffic.

We are acquainted with many people who live in Colonia San Antonio.

GOOD WAY TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS

A good way to make a new friend is to stop and admire his nice garden. We pulled over last week to look closer at a wedge shaped area with neat well cultivated rows of corn, green beans, squash, melons and other vegetables. There aren't many gardens like this in Nuevo Progreso because the soil is poor heavy clay, so we were really impressed.

On our next trip to Nuevo Progreso Lloyd stopped and visited Noe (Noah) the owner of this garden, who was more than happy to show us around. Lloyd gave him a new garden sprinkler to help in his work. Noe was happy to get the sprinker, but was even happier to have his garden admired. Noe's mother Ninfa pointed out her favorite plants in the garden. We could tell she is very proud of her son's work.

On another visit we left them several more packets of garden seeds including okra and radishes. During our conversations with them we learned that Ninfa attends church in Nuevo Progreso, but Noe does not go to church. We're hoping that we can develop our new friendship with this family and continue to direct them toward the Lord.

MORE GARDEN SEEDS

Four more families received packets of garden seeds on our last trip to Nuevo Progreso. This is a great way to help those who are willing to work hard for fresh food. We believe the Lord will bless these gifts of friendship; and our friends will learn to put their trust in Him.

Lloyd enjoyed showing ten year old Julio some seedlings that were ready to plant in their tiny garden.

REYNA AND PANCHO

Pancho greeted us with a big smile as usual. He has a job helping park cars in the crowded market area of Nuevo Progreso, but since tourism has diminished, his income is much less. And now his wife Reyna needs to see a doctor as she is having stomach problems.

We've known Pancho and Reyna for many years and have always liked them a lot. They have thirteen children, so life has been a challenge for them but they are always cheerful and they have a positive attitude. They have a reputation for taking good care of their children, several of whom are now grown with children of their own.

The next time we go to Nuevo Progreso we plan to take extra food for Pancho and Reyna and their family. We ask for your prayers for this couple, for Reyna's complete healing so she can continue to be a great mother and leader in her colonia.

The picture of Reyna was taken last year after the birth of their latest grandbaby.

GOOD REPORT FROM THE CHURCH

Gerardo, pastor of the Church of God we established in Nuevo Progreso, continues to have good reports. April 16 three local pastors will join him in a service in our building. The main purpose of the meeting will be to have everyone come together for worship and prayer for the church property and for the water drainage and pumping system now being constructed. According to a report from the Sub Delegado (Assistant Mayor) of Nuevo Progreso, the project will continue to move forward swiftly because it is top priority. It will be operational soon! This drainage system will improve the lives of many families that surround our church. The Sub Delegado is a Christian and a friend of the church. We plan to meet with him soon to discuss and pray about events in Nuevo Progreso.