IN MEMORY OF EVA



Eva attended events at the church whenever she was able.

Eva passed away Monday, January 27, 2014 in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  She leaves behind her husband Joel and three little girls.  They live next to the church on the edge of town.

Eva had been ill for several months and had been taking medicine for pain.  Pastor Gerardo and Miriam visited her and Joel often to encourage and help them.  Eva gave her heart to the Lord many months ago during one of Gerardo and Miriam's visits.

Eva will be greatly missed by her family, her neighbors and the church.

Eva's husband and three little girls need help to bury her and take care of the expenses.  Please pray with us for this special family.

Eva with her little girls last December with Christmas gifts.

AFTERGLOW IN NUEVO PROGRESO

Esly and Dana and their friend visiting after church.

After a church service at Bethesda Tabernacle in Nuevo Progreso, we all enjoyed coconut cookies baked by Cindy Jalife.  Cindy and her husband Danny manage Leisure World Park in Weslaco, Texas. 

There was plenty of steaming hot coffee made in a 30 cup electric urn.  The temperature that night was in the 60's and there was a slight breeze.  The coffee and cookies were welcomed.

Lloyd, Mario Belmares and Pastor Gerardo.

Lloyd, Evangelist Mario Belmares and Pastor Gerardo visited inside the parsonage.  Mario, who also attends Bethesda Tabernacle, preaches regularly on Radio VIDA and is heard on both sides of the border.  He will soon conduct a radio crusade to raise funds for the church.

Many people had already gone home, but these two ladies stayed longer so they could visit.

Dana, Pastor Gerardo's daughter, pretended to stand guard over the cookies!  Cindy had wrapped them in foil to keep them warm.  They were fresh from the oven and a real treat.

After church Esly showed off their new puppy.  Once during the service the puppy ventured out into the congregation but was quickly scooped up and taken back into the parsonage. 

After participating in a good worship service and hearing an encouraging message, people were reluctant to leave the church.  The warmth of fellowship lingered and there was an atmosphere of love.  It was very late when Lloyd and I drove back across the international bridge, through customs and then home.  The afterglow lingered long into the night.

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3:11

PIONEERS OF SAN FRANCISCO

This little girl lives with her parents in the tiny settlement of San Francisco which is east of Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. 

Because of the forecast of cold weather along the border, we paid a visit to the new settlement of San Francisco.  Since they don't have electricity in their homes, we wanted to distribute some blankets along with beans, rice and candles and matches.  It was a springlike day with blue skies and warm temperatures which made it hard for us to believe the dramatic forecast.  The yellow gravel road out of Nuevo Progreso was baked dry, but it was still like a washboard full of ruts, ridges and holes.  Occasionally we got a glimpse of the Rio Grande River through the trees to our left. 

Cindy Jalife had sent home baked coconut cookies with us.  This little baby chewed on a cookie while I visited with her mother.

Families seem very happy with their new homes in San Francisco.  Even though they don't have the usual conveniences of electricity and water in their humble dwellings, they have peace and more freedom than in the city.  Here they can make new beginnings.  They build their houses little at a time while living in makeshift shelters. 

We were pleased to hear this baby's name is Milagro (Miracle).  Her mother has a growth on one eye and wears a patch over it.  With her permission, Lloyd and I prayed for God to heal her.

Each family has a small lot where they can plant a small garden and maybe a tree or two beside their home.  There are no street lights, so when the sun goes down it is extremely dark.

Santos and his wife load their beans, rice, candles and blanket on the front of their bicycle.  We have known Santos since he was in his teens and lived with his large family of brothers and sisters in Nuevo Progreso.  They have made a new start in San Francisco.

It was good to visit with old friends on such a beautiful day.  Everyone is friendly and welcoming in this new community.  They are especially happy to receive candles and matches so they can have a little light in their homes after the sun goes down.  Next month we will begin distributing garden seeds to the residents of San Francisco.

Our friend Marcelino loves to show off his garden where he has grown cilantro almost waist high.  He also has a fig tree, jicama and other plants but doesn't have enough water to keep things growing.

Many of the residents of San Francisco carry buckets of water to their homes from the Rio Grande River which is just a few blocks to their north.  This water is fine for their plants and for mixing cement for building, but they have to buy their drinking water. 

Francisco is an old friend who was formerly a policeman in Nuevo Progreso.  Francisco quit his job for political reasons.  We're proud of Francisco for making that decision, but now he needs another job to support his family.  His daughter Stephanie is here with him.

While in San Francisco we extended an invitation to our friends to join us for church Sunday evening in Nuevo Progreso.  Several said weather permitting they and their families will be there.  They didn't seem to be discouraged by the thought of walking down that rough road after dark.

MARIA

Maria with one of her new grandbabies.

Maria lives near the church in Nuevo Progreso with three of her grown children and several grandchildren. Sadly, her oldest daughter Lupita died last December and doctors could not determine the cause of her death. Lupita's three children now also live with Maria, putting a strain on an already large household. Cezar, Maria's son who is thirty three years old, has been in a wheelchair for almost ten years due to an auto accident.

Maria along with Lupita's three children walked down the rough, hard baked road to church Sunday evening. Leo who is eight, Nahamy eleven and Ivan twelve, seemed to enjoy the service but they were quiet and serious throughout the evening. After church Maria enjoyed visiting with others while drinking a cup of hot black coffee. Even the children drank cups of coffee heavily laced with cream. Then they smilingly refused our offer to drive them home and took off cheerfully down the road. It was a dark warm night and loud music blared from somewhere nearby. Lights from open doorways illuminated the ditches and holes made in the road in preparation for future drainage pipes. Like all other families in this neighborhood, they had walked these roads many times and they knew their way even in the dark.

Wanting to help this family in their difficult time, we asked Maria what things are most needed in addition to the obvious need of more food. She told us that Leo, Nahamy and Ivan need school shoes and they are quickly outgrowing their school uniforms. Please pray with us for Maria and her large family. We know she will find encouragement and help by walking with the Lord and attending church. But she needs a miracle in order to solve her problems and overcome her grief.

"If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 CEV

THE CARPENTER

A small pew made by Robert Masero to be used as a pattern for many larger pews in the future.

A small wooden pew sits on the platform in the church in Nuevo Progreso. Made as a pattern for many more like it, this pew was lovingly made by Robert Masero, a member of the Church of God in Bethalto, Illinois. The pew is used as a seat for guest speakers or musicians at times when they're not performing. It's a very special pew.

Robert Masero was not only a good carpenter, he made himself available to build whatever was needed at his home church. He built the sets for Christmas pageants and the pastor's illustrated sermons. He did repair work and whatever else was needed; and he was known for his skill and willingness to work.  

Pastor Gerardo is standing on the concrete platform with the wooden pulpit and the small pew.  These are essential items used during worship services at the church.

Along with the small pew, Robert made and donated a wooden pulpit for use in the church. Every time the Word of God is preached, it is done over one of Robert's creations.

There is still a lot of work to do at the church and many things are needed. Little by little we can see the church becoming the place of worship we envisioned.

Robert Masero is now with the Lord, but he left behind not only good memories, but many useful things in the church and on the mission field. Every time we see the pew on the platform behind the altar at the church in Mexico, we remember Robert and the unique skill he used for the Lord.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

REYNA, QUEEN OF HER FAMILY



Reyna and one of her grandchildren.

Warm hearted and affectionate, Reyna has been our friend in Nuevo Progreso for over fifteen years. The mother of twelve children, Reyna is always smiling and happy, positive and active, helpful and caring. When there's an activity at the church, she volunteers to help, she's not afraid of work. The name Reyna means Queen in Spanish.

Reyna has very curly hair which sets her apart from most women in Mexico. She always wears it short and close to her head, framing her face attractively. Her children are handsome and her many grandchildren are mannerly. Reyna stands out as Queen of her family because she works very hard to feed and clothe them all under very difficult circumstances. She would fight for the sake of her family!

Reyna's husband Pancho is a tall happy man. He can usually be seen in the market area washing cars or out on the road sweeping up grain that has spilled from the large canvas covered trucks. Pancho was almost killed many years ago as he was cutting weeds next to an illegal fireworks factory when it exploded outside of Nuevo Progreso. The explosion blew him over a parked car where he landed on a gravel road. He was airlifted by compassionate friends to a hospital in Texas where he was treated for some time. He carries the scars from that accident and likes to roll up his sleeves and show us bits of gravel still embedded under the skin on his hands and arms!

It takes a lot to feed so many children and it would be easy to become discouraged. At one time Reyna and Pancho had to sell their little home in order to purchase medicines for Pancho's injuries. But they found a new area being settled nearby and in no time they had a shelter to live in. Not very substantial at first, they improved the place bit by bit until it was a decent place to live. They now have running water in the house and were recently able to hook on to the city drainage system. Their next goal is to install a proper bathroom, so they are searching and saving for bathroom fixtures.

Reyna and Pancho and many of their children and grandchildren came to the children's fiesta held at our church January 5th. Reyna reported that several of her grand babies were very ill with the flu. The family needed medicines and more blankets because of the recent severe weather in Nuevo Progreso. The temperatures fell into the mid thirties one night and there were reports of sleet mixed in the rain.

We stopped at Reyna's house January 9th to give them food, blankets and medicines for the babies. This hard working family needs a lot of prayer. Reyna is a leader among women, faithful mother and good friend, who is an asset to the church. And to us she really is a Queen!

"Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her price is far above rubies."  Proverbs 31:10

THE GREATEST GIFT!

Overflow crowd at the Christmas fiesta in Nuevo Progreso.

125 children came to the Christmas fiesta at the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso.  They were accompanied by about 30 adults who enjoyed the event almost as much as the children.  Benches were filled and extra chairs were brought until there was standing room only in the auditorium.  Amazingly everything was orderly and controlled.  Pastor Gerardo held everyone captive with his games and illustrations that all pointed to the greatest Christmas gift of all, the birth of Jesus.

At one point the children were asked if they would like to give their greatest gift back to Jesus.  36 boys and girls came forward to stand at the altar to give their hearts to Him!

Three boys with gift bags and happy smiles.

A hot meal was served and then everyone received a fat bag of treats filled with toys and candy.

This one was overwhelmed with the music and activities.

The fiesta was officially ended by the traditional breaking of the piñata.  The children lined up, youngest first, and everyone took a turn hitting the large piñata several times with a broomstick.  The children all crowded close so if the piñata broke they could catch the candy.  Precautions were made so no one was hurt.

The piñata is at the heart of any celebration involving children in Mexico.  They even have favorite songs to sing while trying to hit their target.  When at last it was broken, bigger children were allowed to pounce on the remains.  Squealing and laughing, children and parents ended up in a pile on the ground!

The piñata was savagely beaten until broken. 

There was a lot of love and friendship at the heart of this fiesta celebrating the gift of the birth of Jesus.  It was important that everyone had a good time, but most important was the message of salvation and hope shared with everyone!  "Thank God for His gift that is too wonderful for words!"  2 Corinthians 9:15 CEV.