WIN ONE, LOSE ONE

Pepe, inside the parsonage.  He always wears his helmet in case he falls with a seizure.

Pepe lives near the church in Nuevo Progreso. He's a handsome young man who always has a smile on his face and a bicycle helmet on his head. Pepe has epilepsy.

Pepe carries his medicine in his pocket and when he senses the onset of a seizure, he quickly takes one of the little white pills. Donated by friends Scott and DiAnna, this medicine helps keep his condition under control.

In August 2013 Pepe's brother hung himself in the family home. He had been engaged to marry, but things had gone wrong. He must have seen no solution to the problems and found the only way he could see to escape. Pepe and his mother are suffering severe grief over this tragedy and really need prayer.

Pepe accepted Jesus into his heart in September and now he and his mother really enjoy attending church. Pepe likes the abundant love and attention he receives from the family of God.

DENGUE FEVER EPIDEMIC

Standing water causes mosquitos that can carry diseases such as dengue fever.  When the Nuevo Progreso drainage project is finished, the problem will be solved.

There's an epidemic of dengue fever along the northern border of Mexico with many cases reported in Nuevo Progreso. Pastor Gerardo's wife Miriam was tested positive for the disease in October and spent two weeks ill and on medication. She has recovered but is still weak. Their daughters Dana and Esly had light cases of dengue fever but have returned to school. Dengue fever is carried by mosquitos and the wet weather and standing water have increased the problem.

Victoria, the state capital city of Tamaulipis, has sent spray trucks to the border in an effort to kill the mosquitos. The critical situation has made it more necessary than ever for the government to complete the drainage project started years ago. There must be no more standing water! We are confident that God is able to resolve this problem, and we know that He is in control. Meanwhile, please pray with us for protection for the people of Nuevo Progreso.

"HE BEHELD THE CITY..."

This morning Pastor Gerardo stepped inside the door of the police department, opened his Bible with the police officers present and prayed for God's blessing, favor and protection on the police and on each person in the city. As part of a new program, each Monday morning a pastor goes to the Nuevo Progreso police station where he prays. This was outstanding news for us. We heard a lot of good reports from Pastor Gerardo and his new friend and helper Mario Belmares when we arrived at the church on November 20. There have been spiritual advances in city government! Also, each and every Monday evening there is an outdoor church service in the city plaza. There someone preaches a sermon and there is prayer for the sick. The pastors take turns conducting these meetings. There are approximately 20,000 people who live in and around Nuevo Progreso, making this another great opportunity for outreach. We are beginning to see spiritual progress from our many years of work establishing the church in Nuevo Progreso! There was a lot of activity on the church grounds. Several pickup trucks were parked nearby and a large piece of machinery was in action. That day was a work day, with some chopping away brush and others working on the road. Saturday has also been declared a work day, with plans for many hands to beautify the grounds in preparation for several activities and large crowds in the future. Lloyd's primary goal and prayer had been to see this specific work done; so it was greatly encouraging that things were already in motion. There is much work to be done at the church. But the most important thing for us to remember is that Jesus weeps with compassion when he looks over cities around the world. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it." Luke 19:41

The driver of this piece of heavy equipment donated an hour of work moving a large pile of earth to a place along the church lane.

"A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES...."

Once again we made the long trip from Illinois to the south Texas border, arriving here on November 10, 2013. We've had several months to rest and regroup and now it's time to continue our work in Mexico.


Reports received from our church and mission established in Nuevo Progreso have been good since we left in June. Several events took place including a three day evangelistic campaign in the city plaza. That project involved our church and two others in Nuevo Progreso. We received reports of several healings in those meetings and other blessings.

From one year to the next we never know what to expect or what the Lord has planned for us to do. We've learned to remain flexible and try to go under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We do know there will be visits from volunteer doctors to our mission and that we have been given the use of the city's free clinic for examinations and treatments. Classes in nutrition have been planned along with the doctor visits. We look forward to our annual children's Christmas party at the church and hope to have gifts for every child who attends. If you would like to help with any of these projects, there is information on this blog about how to contact us or where to send your help.

Lloyd and I appreciate your prayers for the mission in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. There will be frequent reports and updates on this blog and without a doubt there will be challenges requiring much prayer. You are part of that great group of witnesses to this work!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2