ROGER STEVEN PEREZ

Brother Roger Perez participated in our English class. He is seated alongside Pastor Gerardo and Miriam.

It was an honor to have Roger Perez visiting Nuevo Progreso, Pastor Gerardo and our English Class.  Brother Perez is an evangelist and missionary from Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.  He attended Playa del Carmen Bible Acadamy in Mexico.  Roger has been married to Viviana Dominges for 22 years and they have two children, a daughter Noeme who is 14 and a son Adam Noe who is 11.  Brother Perez is a member of the Church of God.

We spoke with Roger about his experiences, his plans and his dreams for the future.  Eventually he wants to pastor a church, but meanwhile he feels impressed to preach God's word and sing wherever he is invited.  In the past he has preached in the Mexican states of Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon.  In the United States he has preached in Weslaco, Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas.  He speaks a little English and enjoyed the lesson we had prepared for the day he was here.

The Yucatan Peninsula is highlighted on this map.  Quintana Roo is a tiny state on the eastern side.

Roger's favorite part of the Bible is the Book of Acts.  He loves to read about the early church and how quickly the good news spread throughout the known world in such miraculous ways.  He said it was because of the power of the Holy Spirit that the church was able to withstand the persecutions they faced after the crucifiction of Jesus Christ.  Roger's message to us all is: "We need to be ready to go with our Lord, and for this it is necessary to have a clean heart and a clean mind."

A dove sat on the wall overlooking our class.  

As we visited, we learned that one of Roger's great desires is to visit the headquarters of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee.  He wants to meet some of the leaders of the church and share his vision with them.

It was just a short time together, but we all felt the bond of friendship between us.  Roger was like a part of our family, and we look forward to hearing from him again soon.  He left for a speaking engagement later that evening, and planned to fly from Reynosa to Cancun the next morning.

"They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together."  Acts 2:42 CEV

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!

Popular style tambourine used at the church in Mexico.

Tambourines are used a lot at Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso.  They are handy, portable and are easy to play.  Recently Miriam, Pastor Gerardo's wife, emphasized the importance of tambourines in their home meetings.

Several times during the week men and women of the church conduct services at various homes, or they have a time of worship during their visits to the sick.  At these times it's good to have music, and along with Pastor Gerardo's guitar, Miriam keeps rhythm with her tambourine.

Tambourines have a long history with roots in a variety of music from classical to folk.  Tambourines are simple, versatile instruments that can bring a song to life.  Best of all, tambourines are easy to carry and to play.

Another tambourine with only the metal disks.

Tambourines are hand held instruments with a round, wooden frame and a parchment or skin head. Metal disks that jingle are inserted into the wooden rim. By striking the tambourine or by shaking it, the jingles are set in motion. Rubbing the hand across the drumhead or tapping it will produce other rhythmic sounds. It's a popular instrument mostly used by women.

Though an ancient instrument, its structure has remained basically unchanged. Tambourines were played in Mesopotamia, Greece, Israel and Rome, especially in religious contexts.  They have always been prominent in Middle Eastern religious use. Crusaders took them to Europe in the 13th century. The timbrel or tabret that Miriam used in the Bible was similar to the tambourine.

Tambourines add life to music!

The tambourine is mentioned often in the Old Testament as an instrument of celebration, as here: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing."  Exodus 15:20

As the church grows in Nuevo Progreso, they will need more tambourines the women and children can use during worship services, so they can continue to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalm 95:1

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

Pastor Estrada's wife Miriam leads the Women's Ministries.

"Serving My World With Love" (Galatians 5:13), that's the slogan for Women's Ministries in the Church of God.  And that describes the women of Bethesda in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.

The last week in May is set aside to highlight Women's Ministries, and there are many programs, meetings and special events being planned.  Pastor's wife Miriam leads the women of the church.  Her schedule for the Women's Week is a very busy one.

Lupita always offers her home for meetings.

Besides the regularly scheduled church services, the women will meet every evening at the home of one of the members.  This plan is a popular one because each time the member can invite all her neighbors to the party.  It's a great way to reach out to women with spiritual, physical and emotional needs.  Along with the usual food and drinks, there is always a reading from the Bible, prayer and a time for each woman to share her burdens with the others.  Even visitors and new members quickly volunteer to have a meeting at their house.  And in this way the good news of God's love is spread to all parts of the city!

Letty is a member of the women's group.

The purpose of Womens Ministries is to encourage spiritual growth, personal development and leadership among women, and to contribute to the general welfare of the home, church, community and world.  The organization is founded on the scripture from Proverbs 31: "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gate."

One of the busy mothers who also enjoys women's fellowship.

Through this strong support group, women can be empowered -
to know Christ
to know who they are in Christ
to grow as leaders and mentors who disciple others
to act by giving their talents, money and time
to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world
to realize they are valued in God's kingdom
to form small groups with women of like passions
to strengthen their families and
to be God's hands in the world.

Paola likes to help cook and serve food.

We're proud of the strong and loving Women's Ministries group at Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso!

Praying for one another.

MOTHERS DAY SERENADE

Pastor Gerardo serenaded mothers gathered for the fiesta.

A Mothers Day fiesta was held at the home of Norma and Gil on a hot and windy Saturday evening.  There were about 40 who came to the little yard to share a meal, visit and observe the important occasion.  Here are some highlights from that party:

First of all, the phrase "dark thirty" is one we've heard for years in Mexico, long before there was a popular movie by that name.  No matter what time an event is scheduled, people don't start arriving until about half past sunset.  This time was no exception, and in addition we ended up literally in the dark!  The electricity was off in the whole neighborhood!

The setting sun brightened the small yard where we met.

Pastor Gerardo spoke a few words about the difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength, a woman who concentrates on her spiritual life and her walk with God.  Then he picked up his guitar and serenaded us all.

Lloyd had a gift for each woman present, a fancy black folding fan that could be carried in a purse.  It was something they could all use during the hot days to come.

There were 17 women present, plus all their children and a few men.

During this time some of the men began grilling chicken over charcoal fires.  Smoke quickly funneled down the driveway and enveloped our meeting place.  When the bright sun slipped down behind the buildings to our west, darkness descended within minutes. But the children still played and it didn't stop the women from starting to serve the food.  We literally ate by faith and not by sight!  There wasn't a lamp, a candle or even a flashlight to illuminate the plates in front of us on the long table.  But no difficulty or hardship was going to dampen this party!

Paola was one of the youngest mothers present.

We were served menudo to start with and then grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, pico de gallo, tortillas and coolaid.  We finished with slices of chocolate cake with creamy icing.  

This little girl, hot and tired, was comforted by her mother.

It was a great fiesta and one we'll long remember.  It was held almost totally in the dark in a very small space filled with people and covered with smoke.  That was our Mothers Day celebration in Mexico.

Beautiful personalized name tags were pinned on each lady.

A strong woman exercises all day to keep her body in shape,

but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in good condition.

The strong woman is afraid of nothing,

but the woman of strength has the fear of God.

The strong woman does not let anyone get the best of her,

but a woman of strength gives her best to everyone else.

The strong woman walks with confidence,

but a woman of strength knows where her steps are directed.

The strong woman wears the vestments of confidence,

but the woman of strength wears grace.

The strong woman knows that she is sufficiently strong for the day,

but a woman of strength has faith that she is sheltered in a very safe place.

DAY OF THE CHILDREN

Hilda had fun helping decorate for Children's Day.

Mexico celebrates Children's Day, "Dia del Niño,"  on April 30 every year and it's a very important time for everyone.  The day is always filled with activities and children look forward to a holiday all their own with fun, gifts and special events.

In larger cities there are clowns, magicians, music and shows.  Amusement parks, zoos and children's museums usually have special deals for children on this day.  It's a festivity that's quite unique, full of laughter and play, when adults are reminded of the importance of childhood.

Alondra and Francisco try to carry balloons between their legs in a relay race.

Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso celebrated Dia del Niño Saturday afternoon, May 3, with a big party with lots of decorations, balloons, games and food.  Lloyd and I enjoyed watching the women of the church bring in steaming kettles of food, baskets of fresh green salad and containers of tacos and chocolate cupcakes.  The children, approximately 25 of varying ages, were called to the driveway where relay games were played.  Inevitably there were screams and laughs as balloons were carried, passed along and popped rapidly.  Tiny green key limes were carried on plastic spoons from one end of the driveway to the other.  Who would be successful in handing over their lime before dropping it!

This baby opossum was no bigger than the hand that held it.  It was a special guest at the party!

Even the adults enjoyed the fun and laughter while they watched their children or grandchildren play until exhausted.

There was one special guest at the party, a baby opossum that had been abandoned by it's mother and siblings in the dense tropical back yard where the party was held.  The opossum was no bigger than the hand that held it cradled in an old wash cloth.  It didn't seem overly moved by all the activities and noise.  After hissing and showing it's tiny baby teeth in mock hostility, it snuggled down and went back to sleep in it's temporary nest of cloth.  And soon it was forgotten as everyone was called to the table for a feast.

Nine year old Francisco is someone we've known for about five years.  We have watched him grow into a handsome and well mannered young man.

Treat bags, candy, cupcakes and more!  It was an impressive celebration of Dia del Niño!

She obviously enjoyed her cupcake!