A GLIMPSE OF HIS WONDER

God is never on the surface very long. His face cannot be seen, but let's be thankful for those precious fleeting glimpses of His wonder! We had a glimpse of that wonder on Christmas Eve when over 150 showed up at our fiesta at the church in Nuevo Progreso. It was a well organized party with music, games, candy, a traditional pinata and tamales. It was cold and windy with a mist that threatened to dampen the fun. People were huddled under layers of sweaters and shawls and some gathered around a small bonfire to keep warm.

As each child went through the line to receive a gift, his name card was punched insuring that no one was left out. Sunday School volunteers served food and bags of candy while Miriam gave out shoe box gifts.

The pinata as beaten by the youngest children and then the oldest to the sounds of chants and songs. This old Christmas tradition is at the heart of every fiesta and makes it complete. Miriam read words from the Bible about the true meaning of Christmas and many of the children came forward and repeated a prayer with Pastor Gerardo.

The even was a token of the future and the events that will take place at the church in Nuevo Progreso. And it was our glimpse of God!

"FEED MY LAMBS!"

The church is becoming known as a church for the children and what could be better! At every event it's the children who respond and come running to hear the gospel. Christmas Eve over one hundred children listened to Pastor Gerardo's story of the birth of Jesus, and many of them went forward to accept Him as Savior. In John 21:15 Jesus passionately told Peter to "feed my lambs!" and it is a command that continues today.

TAMALES, TABLES AND CHAIRS

The children had their hands full and there was no place to go but on the floor against the wall. Pastor Gerardo and Miriam have been making tables for Sunday School by using sheets of plywood over old metal bed frames. Children's tables and chairs are high on our list of things needed at the church right away; and we believe the Lord will bring them in.

SHOE BOX GIFTS

The boys and girls were speechless when they were each handed a box stuffed with little gifts and treats. They carefully opened the boxes and pulled out small toys, party favors, games, candy and other things. Mothers were happy when their children's boxes were plastic because they can be reused.

The shoe box gift project took time and the help of many who sent their boxes to us, and it began early last year. If you would like to send a shoe box gift for next Christmas, it's not too early to begin planning.

CHAMPURRADO

Another little girl is happy with her shoe box gift.

Christmas day was a time to share traditional Mexican treats. Apolinar and Carla offered us a dish called menudo, a stew made with bits of pork stomach and hominy. They also served cups of champurrado, a hot chocolate drink thickened with finely ground corn. These dishes warmed and strengthened us, and we were honored to share in their holiday traditions.

"HAPPINESS OF THE FLOOD"

A country was experiencing the worst floods in years where villages were washed away and half the crops were ruined. One government worker said, "Let me tell you the happiness of the flood. Each flood replenishes the soil by the silt it leaves. Without the floods our farmland would be worn out in a generation."

"Happiness of the flood" recognizes that difficult times are necessary to survival and thriving. Floods come every year in some countries and the people receive them prepared for hardship and with thanksgiving for future crops. We've faced flooding and other difficulties while planting the church in Nuevo Progreso. But even with an unfinished building the work is still growing and thriving. Could we see in these events the "happiness of the flood?"

Job 2:10 (NLT) Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?

We photographed two happy little girls who live near the church in Nuevo Progreso.

YOLANDA

Yolanda and her husband Pancho are some of the first people we met in Nuevo Progreso about fifteen years ago. Many times we used their yard to show the Jesus Film and for neighborhood meetings. Through these people we met many others who are special to us. Yolanda now works in a beauty shop.

MEET OUR FRIENDS

We'd like to introduce you to some of our long time friends in Nuevo Progreso. The picture is of Paola and me in her family's jewelry store. Poli and Roberta purchase jewelry in southern Mexico to sell in Nuevo Progreso. They and other members of their extended family have booths on the street or in malls. Their money is invested in inventory, and they are hurting because of diminished tourism. Paola is the youngest of their children. When she could barely talk, he loved to visit with "Hermano (Brother) Lloyd."

NANCY

Nancy is an old friend of ours in Nuevo Progreso, shown here in her school uniform. She was only four years old when we met her and she's now fourteen. We've watched so many kids grow up and be productive; they are evidence of seeds we have planted.

PASTOR'S KIDS

From left to right are Gerson, Nahum, Esly and Dana. They are Pastor Gerardo and Miriam's kids. They always seem happy and willing to work as a team in Sunday School and childrens ministries at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

JAVIER AND ELIZABETH

Francisco Javier Perez Jimenez worked with us in Nuevo Progreso for two years and then accepted a position in the Church of God Bible college in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He furthered his studies and now teaches Greek and Hebrew there to students of the Bible. Twenty seven years old and not married, Javier has always said he was waiting for the right girl. He has finally met that girl, he and Elizabeth plan to be married in Acapulco next July!

Javier is like family and we stay in touch. He was excited to tell us his good news and invite us to the wedding. Since Javier has given his life to serving the Lord through teaching and pastoring, Elizabeth will face many challenges and will need our prayers. This is another opportunity to invest in the lives of young people of Mexico, Javier and Elizabeth represent the next generation of church leaders. Join us in prayer for their future.