A MERRY CHRISTMAS FIESTA!

This little boy had so much fun he almost fell asleep by the end of the fiesta.

About 70 children and 20 adults attended a big Christmas party at the church in Nuevo Progreso.  Everything was well planned and went smoothly.  Most of the kids arrived early, so Pastor Gerardo kept them busy singing and playing along with songs and games.

Miriam and her helpers served sandwiches and coolaid.  Sandwiches are a novelty in Mexico, tacos are the usual fare.  Then treat bags containing toys, books, pencils and candy were distributed.  Kids clutched their bags happily and examined each item carefully.  Even the adults happily accepted gift bags when all the children had been served.

The boys were on one side and the girls on the other for games.

Lots of thanks came from everyone as they left the church with their goodies.  And everyone was invited back to Sunday  School the next morning.

Many of the children sat on boards between concrete blocks.  Last winter Walter LeGette made several benches and tables for the church.  There are so many children who love to attend activities at the church that we need lots more benches!

Treat bags held lots of treasures!

Even the simplest of gifts makes the children happy.  Most of the bags for boys contained Hot Wheel cars which they love, coloring books, bright new pencils, other small toys and candy.

The girls each received small dolls, bright knit caps, bath soaps, pencils, coloring books along with their candy.

Thank you everyone who has given us these items in past years to make this possible.  You were a part of Christmas in Nuevo Progreso!

Pastor Gerardo always has fun with the children.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam have a strong ministry to children.  They seem to attract them wherever they go and maybe this is in part because of their own four children.  Gerardo can pick up his guitar and immediately have everyone's attention.

Because Miriam fell and injured her back last week, she was unable to take an active part in the festivities.  But she enlisted a lot of helpers and things went very well.  All the adults were impressed with the party and they seemed to enjoy it almost as much as the children.

Meanwhile Miriam's back is much better.  After much prayer and some treatments, she is able to move around without severe pain.  The walker we took helps her move a lot easier.  We are all very thankful that she was only bruised and didn't break any bones.

Baby Javier enjoyed the Christmas party!

Javier is the son of Apolinar and Carla.  At 18 months old, he is a tiny little boy who has learned his way around quickly.  Already he knows us well and has confidence in us.  He came to the party without his parents, only his two brothers and Bella, Rogelio's girlfriend.

These four children enjoyed the fiesta very much and when Miriam invited them to come back for Sunday School the next morning, they said they would be there.  They live close enough to the church that they walked to the party, but we drove them home.  It would be a tremendous blessing if these children would become faithful members of Sunday School.

Pray for the children of Nuevo Progreso!

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!

Excited children at a party at the church.

The greatest gift of all was offered to another large group of children who gathered at the church for a meeting.  They were told about God's gift of His Son Jesus who came to live in their hearts.  TWENTY MORE CHILDREN HURRIED FORWARD TO ACCEPT THIS GREATEST GIFT!!

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam's ministry to the children is prospering.  The latest event featured clowns, music, gifts and guest speakers.  The challenge in the future will be to disciple these children through regular Sunday School classes.

Mexico has many "idle" children.  These are children who no longer attend school and they roam the streets with idle time on their hands and no money.  The schools do not force the children to attend classes, in fact teachers are too quick to write them off as hopeless.  Marcelino, Jr. is now one of those children.  He's 14 years old and no longer wants to study with the others.  His father told him he would have to go to work if he won't go to school, but there are few jobs available.  These "idle" children are prime targets for criminals.

Sunday School is the only answer!  And we must reach as many children as possible with this great gift of salvation!

APOLINAR'S GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT

Lloyd with his arms around Apolinar.

Apolinar always enjoys a hug from Lloyd when we visit him.  There is gradual improvement, but he still needs pain medication in order to sleep at night.  Even though he can't work in the near future, he enjoys helping us plan for work to be done.  And we assured him we would try to use his stepsons on the job with his supervision.

Esteban and Javier, Apolinar and Carla's little boys both have chicken pox.  Both of them were outside playing although Javier was fretful and sleepy.  Other neighborhood children were playing with Esteban.  Lloyd noticed spots all over Javier's little body when Carla changed his clothes, and that's when they told us they'd been to the doctor for medicine.  How many others will now have this very contagious disease?  No wonder these things spread so quickly throughout the city.

STRANGE WELCOME NOISES!



This picture was taken with a zoom lense from a considerable distance.  It shows city equipment being used to pump away unwanted floodwaters from around the church.

 It was bright and sunny with few clouds in the sky.  A cool breeze refreshed us, a welcome relief from recent hot weather.  As we drove onto the church grounds, we could hear the thrumming of a motor in the distance.  Unable to find the source of the noise, finally we saw in the distance a lone man sitting on a trailer on the crest of the hill.  He lifted his arm in a big wave of greeting.  We waved back even though we didn't know who he was or what was making the noise.  After all, everyone is friendly in Mexico!

Then Gerardo told us the good news - the sound was the sound of water being pumped away from the church grounds!  The picture above which was taken at considerable distance, shows a large pipe carrying the unwanted water back where it belongs.  Again the man watching over the pump waved to us and this time we sensed he was sharing our victory.

It will take many days for the water to totally disappear, but it's a move in the right direction.

TWO YOUNG PEOPLE MISSING

Two young men, relatives of a family who live near the church, disappeared after attending a holiday celebration in Nuevo Progreso.  Late in the evening against the family's advice, they decided to drive back to their home in Matamoros, and that was the last time they were seen.  Details are sketchy since nothing about the event has been on the news.  But the family is grieving and requesting prayer for their son and grandson's return.  Their car has not been found, further adding to the mystery.

Gerardo and Miriam have made themselves available in support to the family during this time.  One positive result of the incident is that members of the family have committed their lives to the Lord, believing that God alone holds the answers.  Unfortunately it's not unusual these days for people to disappear in Mexico, sometimes being held for ransom and other times without leaving a trace.  Please join us in prayer for this family, that their loved ones will be returned safely.