THEY HEARD THE CALL

We stood with Ivan and Luz Sanchez outside our motel room along the beautiful Emerald Coast of Mexico.

It was an extraordinary meeting. The four of us agreed that the Lord brought us together in a motel on the Emerald Coast of Mexico; it was not accidental.


In 2009 we were driving through Vera Cruz, Mexico distributing Spanish Bibles. We'd had a long day of driving, the extreme heat added to our stress level, so we decided it was time to find a place to stop for the night. The emerald blue of the Gulf of Mexico made a beautiful backdrop for the many motels lining the highway, but we couldn't seem to find the right place to stay. One motel was expensive, another had little protection for vehicles and many were difficult to access. With all the choices, why were we having so much difficulty?

After an hour of checking all the motels, it began to look hopeless and the temptation was great to drive on to another location. But something made us keep trying. Finally we saw Estrella del Mar, the Star of the Sea, a beautifully manicured three story motel that was almost empty. The price was extremely reasonable and free breakfast was included, so we were relieved to be in a good place. The only other customers occupied the room next to ours.

The next morning we learned that it was not an accident that we finally had chosen Estrella del Mar. Ivan and Luz Sanchez, in the room next to ours, were on their way to Ivan's hometown of Jalapa, Vera Cruz. They had been married only 2 days and both of them knew God had a plan and a ministry for them. They had prayed for the Lord to give them a sign, and as we began to share our ministry with them they were convinced that our meeting was their confirmation. While the morning sun was just rising over the Gulf of Mexico, the four of us joined hands and prayed together for God's continued direction in their lives. Then we presented them with a box of New Testaments and other materials to help begin their ministry.

Even though we had been frustrated and had difficulties, the Lord was always in control. He had a plan for us to be blessed by meeting those young people who are called into ministry. And He placed us in rooms next to each other on the Emerald Coast.

View of the Gulf of Mexico from our motel.

LOST CHILDREN OF POZA RICA

Here are some of the children at Alpha and Omega in 2009.

Poza Rica in Vera Cruz is a large city situated near the Gulf of Mexico and surrounded by hills. In 2009 we wanted to visit the Church of God Childrens Home we'd heard about there. Alpha & Omega is located near the Walmart Store and Sam's stores in Poza Rica. It's strange to see those stores along with Home Depot, McDonalds and other familiar names so far away from home.

It wasn't easy to find the childrens home. We were forced to stop several times in the heavy traffic to ask directions until finally we wound our way up a steep and narrow road to our destination. There were several clean white buildings perched at different levels on the hillside. The view from each level was breathtaking; we could see the city spread out below us. It was like we were in an eagle's nest, protected and secure.

This is the breathtaking view from our bedroom at the childrens home in Poza Rica.

Pastor Elias Herrera and his wife Teresa greeted us with enthusiasm; inviting us to spend the night with them. Our room was next to a balcony that overlooked the buildings below and the countryside. The air was cool, the windows were open wide and large hawks soared in the air around us.

Pastor Herrera told how he began 20 years ago ministering to the abandoned children who lived under the bridge in the city park in Poza Rica. He took food to the children for some time until one night a large group of them appeared at his church parsonage. They had been beaten and threatened by a gang of older children and needed sanctuary. He took them into his own home and gradually established the childrens' home. There are no more children living under the bridge in Poza Rica, because now they have a place where they are safe. During the evening we had a time of sharing with the 35 children presently living in the home. It was very touching when Pastor Herrera asked them to gather around the two of us and pray. It's hard to describe the feeling of so many soft little hands resting on our backs, along with hearing their whispered prayers for us.

Alpha & Omega continues to be challenged by the need for water for their facilities. They have drilled for water on their hill many times and have been unsuccessful. All the water they use must be purchased and hauled in by trucks. Please pray for Alpha & Omega and for Pastor Herrera and his wife. They have given up their lives to provide a Christian home for many children who were lost in Poza Rica.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13

Lloyd spoke to the children during a time of worship.

AN ANCIENT LAND AND THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

Left to right, Lloyd, Pastor Vazquez and his wife and Pastor Chapas.

It's hard to describe the many contrasts in Mexico. We drove slowly on dirt roads into remote areas in mountains and we drove on four lane highways across flatlands. We spent nights in high places surrounded by soft green hills and we stayed along the Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. In one cafe near a beautiful plaza pigeons walked around our feet searching for crumbs. In the night green geckos clung to the walls and ceilings watching for insects. Old men rode burros and carried heavy loads while young men sped around town on motorbikes. And always there was the feeling that we were traveling across an ancient land.


In 2009 we drove through Mexico distributing Spanish Bibles.  Our first destination was the old village of Ocampo, nestled in a high valley in the state of Tamaulipis.  The village was established in the early 1700s near an old Catholic mission.  Indians who lived in the nearby hills joined the Spaniards in farming the land and raising sugar cane.  The place was first known as Santa Barbara.

We stayed in the home of Pastor Carlos Chapas on a shady cobblestone street at the edge of town.  The place was full of the sound of turtle doves singing in the enormous old trees.  Almost every backyard was home to chickens, roosters, one or two pigs and lots of fruit trees.  Since there was little traffic, there were always dogs sleeping in the middle of the streets.

Pastor Chapas guided us into remote areas in the countryside, down narrow winding lanes looking for small churches.  In one area we met Pastor Rodrigo Olvera Vazquez who had been crippled since childhood.  After giving the pastor a box of Bibles, we had prayer together especially for his healing.  And we all felt the presence of the Lord in this secluded and quiet place.

We stood holding hands in that ancient land praying to our Father in Heaven, the Ancient of Days.

"I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool:  His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire."  Daniel 7:8-10

To be continued.....

Very old trees grace the plaza in Ocampo.

HELP FOR EVA AND JOEL

Eva and Joel surrounded by medicines and supplies.

We recently reported that Joel, a neighbor of our church in Mexico, had a perforated intestine and was in critical condition.  Joel, who is being cared for at home by his wife Eva, is feeling better and is encouraged and grateful for the help they have received.  Medicines and supplies were sent to them by DiAnna and Scott Olsen from Minneapolis, Minnesota via Pastor Gerardo.  Eva and Joel expressed their gratitude for these necessary medicines they cannot afford to buy.

Eva has asked Miriam to teach her the art of baking fruit filled empanadas she can sell to give them an income.  Miriam sells dozens of empanadas each week to friends, neighbors and store owners for sale to their customers.  And this will give Eva and Miriam a lot of quality time together to talk about the Lord.

Our desire is that the Lord will wrap His arms of love around this family and heal them.  There is no distance in prayer!  Send your prayers along with ours for Eva and Joel and their special family.

A special family, Eva and Joel and their little girls.

CLEAR A PATH, LORD!

Highway in Mexico

In 2009 we drove 2,000 miles in Mexico distributing Spanish Bibles to churches.  Our prayer request for months had been for the Lord to clear a path for His Word.  There were many people joining us in this prayer.  We had heard all the negative reports from south of the border and had been advised by many not to attempt such a trip.  But we knew that we had been instructed by the Lord to go.  If we were on a divine mission, there would be divine protection.

From the moment we left Weslaco, Texas until our return two weeks later, we were never stopped and searched by federal authorities.  Not one person asked to see our papers, our passports or our visas.  We had an amazingly clear path!

We distributed hundreds of Spanish Bibles and thousands of gospel tracts to churches in the states of Tamaulipis, Vera Cruz and Tabasco.  In past years it was difficult to take large amounts of materials into Mexico because of the military and federal checkpoints, the questions and the red tape.  But many times on this trip we wished we had brought a lot more materials with us.  This time the doors were opened wide for God's Word.

There was not only a clear path, but the liberty and boldness to witness to the people, to tell them that Jesus is coming soon and that they need to be prepared.  We had the distinct feeling that there were angels watching over us, preparing the way and giving us directions.  More than once we wondered if the person we had just talked with was sent specifically to guide us.

We were reminded over and over that our God is full of compassion and love for the Mexican people.  It was so thrilling to find small humble churches in remote areas and to tell pastors that we had come to give them Bibles.  It was encouraging for them to realize that God knows exactly where they are and what they need.  And it was encouraging for us to know that we were always on the right path!

                 To be continued....

One tiny church we discovered at the end of a narrow dirt road in the mountains.

We left Spanish Bibles with this gentleman who watched over  the church.

EVA AND JOEL

Eva at a Christmas party at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

Eva and her husband Joel live next to our church in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, and they both need a healing miracle.  Eva was diagnosed with cancer last year and now Joel was recently diagnosed with a perforated colon.  Several major organs are affected by the infection in his body.

Eva came to the church and asked Pastor Gerardo and Miriam for prayer and help.  She is taking care of her husband at home and they need help with medicines.

Eva gave her heart to the Lord over a year ago during a meeting with Pastor Gerardo and Miriam.  When they called on Joel this week, he gladly accepted their prayers and words of encouragement.  They are all believing for a miracle.

Please join us in prayer for Eva and Joel.