VALIENT MEN AND WOMEN

Roman got emotional when he told how he was treated.

A valiant person is one of boldness or determination in facing great danger.  Courageous, brave and stout-hearted.  Two members of our church in Nuevo Progreso testified yesterday about their recent encounters with great danger.  And both said that they felt the Lord with them and they were saved from death.

Roman came forward at church to emotionally describe what happened to him and his wife Karen last week when they drove their pickup truck to nearby Rio Bravo.

Their childrens' toys were left in the truck and Karen began to gather them together.  She picked up a pair of plastic handcuffs and put them on her wrists in fun.  At the same time a police vehicle came alongside them and continued to watch them for a long distance.  Then they signaled for them to pull over and suddenly there were 12 police cars surrounding them and men with heavy weapons came rushing toward them.  It was evident immediately that the police were accusing Roman, a young man with a mustache and beard, of being a member of the cartel and it looked like he had taken Karen as prisoner!

It is rumored that in their efforts to control violence,  the Mexican government wants the police to shoot first and investigate later when the cartel is suspected.  In this encounter, they yanked Roman from the truck, struck him in the face, hit him in the back and side with their weapons and made him put his hands behind his head and lean over the truck so they could search him.  Roman kept trying to tell them the handcuffs were plastic toys, but no one would listen to him.  For five hours they searched all over their truck for drugs and continued to harass Roman and Karen!  Finally the police released them and without any explanation they drove away.

Roman said he was really scared during the whole time, but now realizes just how the Lord kept them safe.  When asked for his final thoughts on the whole affair, Roman said:  "Dios es grande! God is great!"

Later when they got home, Roman hurriedly shaved off his beard so he would no longer even faintly resemble a member of the cartel!

Jose Luis lives in Rio Bravo and attends our church in Nuevo Progreso.

Then we learned that Jose Luis had also been a victim of violence, but this time it was the cartel. He had been so calm and confident during the attack by a group of men that after they roughed him up and stole from him, they asked why he wasn't afraid.  He quietly told them that he was a Christian and God was with him.  He was not afraid!

Jose Luis works in the petroleum industry, driving in Rio Bravo, Matamoros and Reynosa inspecting equipment.  The attack took place during the day while he was working in Rio Bravo.  The men took all his money and the company computer while trying to intimidate him, but he remained peaceful.  When they saw his faith and humility in action, they left him and drove away quickly.

We asked Jose Luis if peace suddenly came on him when he was attacked.  He said no, that he always has peace surrounding him wherever he goes.  He told us with great and quiet assurance that the Lord is constantly with him.

Francisco loves the church and has found his place as caretaker.

There is another stout hearted man in our church, our new friend Francisco.  It warmed our hearts Sunday morning to see him at the task he loves  He came early before Sunday School to sweep and clean the church!  "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10

There are other men of valor in the church who constantly demonstrate God's love and His protection.  We are inspired by their testimonies, their humility and their service to the people of Nuevo Progreso.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14