SENORITA MARIA DE LOS SANTOS MARTINEZ CABRERA

Maria de los Santos waits for her chariot outside the church in Nuevo Progreso.

Maria de los Santos celebrated her Quinceanera, her fifteenth birthday Saturday, April 26, 2014. Her parents Reyna and Pancho gave her a big fiesta celebration that began with a blessing at the church given by Pastor Gerardo. Maria was beautiful in her bright iridescent pink dress and her elaborate hairdo. She wore silver high heeled slippers beneath her long gown. It was a very special occasion.



Maria de los Santos with her mother Reyna.

 After singing some songs especially for Maria, Pastor Gerardo spoke words of admonition suitable for young women her age. He read Bible passages and gave her advice about priorities in her life and for her future. His primary advice was for her to place God first in her life and to look to Him when making any decisions. He urged her to pray for guidance in choosing a future husband, one who will want to serve the Lord.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam pray for God's blessing on the senorita.

Maria de los Santos knelt at the altar before a small gathering of family and friends while Pastor Gerardo prayed a special blessing on her and on her family, reminding her how blessed she is by having parents who care for her.

Maria's parents add their blessings with hugs and kisses.

This very formal Mexican tradition is important to young ladies in Mexico.  It's their "coming out" time, their debut.  Please join your prayers with ours for Maria de los Santos Martinez Cabrera, that she will give her heart to the Lord and serve him all of her days.

LITTLE ANGELS

Little Stephanie is pesented to the Lord.

Although it wasn't planned that way, the entire Easter Sunday evening service in Nuevo Progreso seemed to be centered around the children and blessing them.  It began with a family bringing their little girl to be presented to the Lord, as Mary and Joseph did with the Baby Jesus in Luke 2:22.  "They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." 

Stephanie who looked to be about four years old, slept through the entire ceremony.  She looked like a fluffy white ball of ruffles in her father's arms.  Roman and Karen, Stephanie's uncle and aunt, were witnesses to the presentation and their signatures were added to the parents' on a beautiful certificate.  The family vowed to raise Stephanie and train her so she will always serve the Lord.

This little girl worshiped the Lord with her tambourine and her many colored ribbons.

During the worship service, one little girl came to the altar with her tambourine and her long streamers of colored ribbons. She helped lead the songs with her graceful motions and her reverent choreography. Her bowed head and her folded hands gave her an angelic quality that was very touching.

Gilberto and his wife brought their little girl forward for a birthday blessing.

At the end of the service, Gilberto Belmares and his wife brought their little girl forward for a birthday blessing. It was her third birthday. Grandmother Belmares joined them as Gerardo prayed and Miriam laid her hands on the child.

She kept her secret and the puppy didn't make a sound.

Later while the congregation visited together over coffee and cookies, another beautiful little girl revealed her secret. She had quietly smuggled her new little white puppy into church!

The white dress was made especially for the occasion.

When everything was over, Stephanie was awake and wanted to show everyone her special presentation dress. She made an adorable picture and her mother Paola was beaming with love and pride.

It was a special evening at the church in Nuevo Progreso. We experienced something unusual and touching: a visitation of little angels, the children of our church.

"He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Psalm 24:5

BENITO

Benito at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

Mariachi music is traditional Mexican folk music, usually played by a small band of strolling musicians dressed in native costumes. Benito was a mariachi, but during an extended stay in prison, he met another inmate Mario Belmares who told him about salvation in Jesus Christ. Benito was changed and now he sings only for the One who touched him.

Mario Belmares had been a drug dealer until his radical conversion in 2005. He and his wife started a church in Mercedes where he shared his testimony at every opportunity. But one day he received a call from the authorities saying he was going to be arrested for not having proper United States documents. Instead of running away, he turned himself in even though he knew he would spend time in prison. He said the Lord told him he must "clean" his name if he would be an evangelist. Now having served his time, he attends our church in Nuevo Progreso.

While in prison Mario preached God's word and shared his testimony of salvation with other inmates. Benito was one of the many who responded to his invitations to accept Christ. Now he writes only songs of praise and worship, and he is gifted with a strong clear voice that comes straight from his heart.

We met Benito one day at the church in Nuevo Progreso where he was rehearsing songs for the May 12, 2014 Mothers Day celebration. It was a pleasure to listen to his songs, some of which he had written especially for the occasion. And it was inspiring to know that he is now on the right track and in the right way, walking with the Lord.

Mario and Elida Belmares at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

MOTHER AND CHILD

Perla and Baby Eddie

Baby "Eddie" is the new son of Rogelio and Perla and the grandson of Apolinar and Carla. He was born one week ago and is the center of attention. Eddie joins a large and growing family including four uncles: Carlos, Julio, Esteban and Javier who will be more like brothers to him. Rogelio and Perla are extremely young but proud and happy parents. Their first child was stillborn exactly one year ago.

Many young people in Mexico begin their families while they are still in their teens. We know several families who have as many as thirteen children. Sometimes there are grandchildren born into the family when the grandparents are still having babies, which is the case in this family. Grandmother Carla is having her sixth baby in July. And - all of them are boys!

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

SEMANA SANTA, HOLY WEEK



Procession of young people in Nuevo Progreso reinact the first Palm Sunday.

 A large crowd was in the city for Passover. They took palm branches and went out in the street and shouted, "Hosanna! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!" A donkey was led down the busy street, covered with a blanket. And as in the Scriptures, they sang, "People rejoice, your King is coming!" (From John 12:12-14)

But it wasn't 2,000 years ago in the city of Jerusalem. It was Nuevo Progreso, Mexico on April 13, 2014 and all traffic was stopped by a procession of people carrying palm branches and singing praises to the Lord. The old long eared donkey walked slowly alongside a man dressed as Jesus. Several others walked with him and many followed, playing musical instruments and singing.

People on the sidewalks turned to gaze at the procession while others ignored them. Street vendors waited patiently for the group to pass so they could get back to their business of selling food to tourists. But mostly it was business as usual in the crowded downtown area of Nuevo Progreso. Most people just weren't interested.

The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is called Semana Santa or Holy Week. It's a time when many people in Mexico take vacations and some travel to the border and into Texas for shopping and recreation. But this year as it has been for the last few years, there are reports of shootings in big cities along the border and advisories are posted for travelers to beware. In 2013 there were soldiers posted in some places in the city of Nuevo Progreso. Their presence seemed strange during this seemingly holy week.

But even though there is still no real peace in Mexico, the message is just the same as it was that first Palm Sunday. "People rejoice, your King is coming!"

FAMILIAS FELICES - HAPPY FAMILIES

A  happy family in Nuevo Progreso.

Familias Felices is a project originated by Pastor Gerardo that was adopted by the Ministerial Alliance of Nuevo Progreso. It's made up of a group of pastors joined together to serve families and the community through the schools. The purpose of the project is to teach better moral values, propose solutions for various family problems and provide 24 hour a day counselors if there is a crisis. The mission - to encourage values and principles with recognized moral and spiritual models; to develop clear consciences; and to define each family member's role in society. The vision - strengthen families in fragile areas, and reaffirm strong areas by supporting good deeds.

This great program will establish workshops for parents, round table discussions with youth, help for minorities, counseling centers, medical and dental assistance when needed. At this time over a dozen pastors in Nuevo Progreso have provided their names and phone numbers, saying they are available at any time to be of service when a family has a need.

Familias Felices made a presentation at a school in Nuevo Progreso that was so well received that other schools are asking the group to visit their students and parents. On April 10 Familias Felices will be presented by request of the school superintendent at the preparatory school, an equivalent of high school and job training center.

We are excited about this bold project being presented in the schools. It will be openly based on the Bible and Christian teachings. In an area where there are many troubled youth and broken families, the government authorities welcome successful solutions to the problems. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

LUPITA OF EL ROSARIO

Lupita near her home in El Rosario.

Lupita lives in the little village of El Rosario. And that's the only thing anyone knows about her. She isn't sure of her age, she has no papers and she's not sure where she was born. But this spry little woman is a joy to everyone who knows her.

When anyone greets her she dances a little jig and chuckles with glee. The smile that seems permanently part of her face, broadens into deep wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Her eyes twinkle and she mumbles something unintelligible in Spanish.

Lupita walks at least a mile every day from El Rosario to Nuevo Progreso where she washes dishes in a cafe. Full of energy, she still dances and wiggles with happiness when she meets anyone on the road. And she insists that she is engaged to marry a friendly boy named Tommy who has grown up knowing her. Tommy affectionately laughs and plays along with her happy plans for the future.

Francisco and his family watch over Lupita. Whatever food she has is brought to Francisco's house where it is prepared for her. She walks the path back and forth between her little shelter and Francisco's house, talking to the children and carrying her pink flowered shoulder bag. She doesn't seem to be happy unless she is on her feet and walking.

Francisco told us that Lupita's greatest need is for adult pampers. Also she needs better walking shoes. She now wears old worn tennis shoes without laces. But these needs do not steal the joy from Lupita. She evidently has learned to be content exactly where she is.

"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11