AMIGOS

Marcelino, Jaime and Nagro.

Smoke was coming from the back of the church when we drove up Friday. Then we saw men back there moving around. We were surprised to see Marcelino and two others chopping, raking and burning piles of weeds and brush on the north side of the church.

We had agreed to meet Marcelino there at noon, but evidently he had been there awhile and was already hard at work. And he brought helpers. He had brought his stepson Jaime and another young man from the neighborhood.  This was beyond what we expected and it was a pleasant surprise.

Lloyd had asked Marcelino to help find and repair the water line coming into the church. After several years, the faucet had been taken out and the exact location lost. Water was leaking badly at the base of the wall. Since Marcelino helped install the original pipes, he would be the best person to help make these repairs. Meanwhile the back yard was beginning to look much better, cleaner and less overgrown with thorny mesquite trees.

It was good to see Jaime, who had spent the last two years in a United States prison. We never knew exactly why he was incarcerated, but assumed it was because he had illegally crossed the Rio Grande River and got into trouble. He is now 21 years old and much taller than when we last saw him. Jaime worked energetically, obviously glad to be there. He had missed his family.

Marcelino dug in the mud and easily found the water line. Lloyd had brought pipe and fittings and between the two of them, they soon had the leak fixed. Meanwhile Jaime and his friend Nagro kept chopping and cleaning and burning. The property is large and gets quickly covered in deep vegetation. Besides being unsightly, it invites snakes and other varmints to come up close and personal! Once Pastor Gerardo encountered a hissing snake inside their bathroom!

New faucets were installed and repairs made in less than an hour.

Roman also came to visit us Friday. When he found out we were replacing fixtures and doing repairs, he volunteered quickly. We had all the necessary parts and tools, so within an hour he had fixed things in the bathroom. It was refreshing to hear him say he loved to do these things for the Lord. Since he made it clear he didn’t want to be paid for his work, we loaded him down with lots of food for his family. Roman has a wife and three small children to take care of. His newest child is only two weeks old. 

Roman gets around the neighborhood on his bike, and because roads are so rough, this is probably the best and fastest mode of travel. He loaded all the cereal, powdered milk, baby food, cornmeal and rice into a huge trash bag and tied it to his handlebars. He made quite a picture going up the lane with his treasures.

Roman on his bike with a bag of food.

We feel grateful and honored to have the help of these capable young men in Mexico. They are our amigos, friends and even feel like family. They are ones who help us carry the load of maintaining the building and the grounds. And everything we’re doing right now will prepare the church and the parsonage for new pastors who will be here soon. 

“I love the temple where you live and where your glory shines.” Psalm 26:8 CEV

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Pretty little girl who lives close to the church.

Laughing, playing, eating, opening treats, what else could we want for Christmas! It was wild at first, the auditorium was filled with overactive and excited boys and girls from all around the church in Nuevo Progreso. We were having a party!

Our visiting pastor, Brother Oliver, easily brought order to the scrambling bunch and soon had them sitting quietly while he slowly told the old story of the meaning of Christmas. He first asked their names one by one and later questioned them about the story. Many were very familiar with the facts, of Mary and Joseph and their trip to Bethlehem. Even though they were too excited to sit still, they quickly absorbed the meaning and the truth of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ on that very first Christmas day.

Azucena and Dulce served the food.

A table was set up outside the kitchen door where Azucena and her daughter Dulce could get ready to serve the food. Smallest ones first and in an orderly line, they were each served their favorite food - hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, cookies and coolaid! Most of them needed help carrying so much, but before long most of them had found a place to sit. We could see several come back for seconds, so it was a good thing we had more than enough for everyone.

Brother Oliver helped with the hot dogs.

“What would you like on your hot dog?” each one was asked. And many times the answer was, “mayonaise!” In the United States we prefer mustard and sometimes ketchup on our hot dogs, but Mexican children like mayonnaise. Thankfully we had mayonnaise in the kitchen. Even Brother Oliver pitched in and helped serve the crowd of hungry children.

Gifts were given to everyone.

When things settled down again somewhat, we lined everyone up in two lines, boys in one and girls in another, smallest ones first. There were treat bags for everyone containing stuffed animals, trinkets, candy, little cars and trucks, little dolls for the girls and other goodies.  That was an especially fun time, watching their faces as most of them couldn’t resist opening their bag on the spot.

Jesus is the oldest of 10 children in one family near the church.

There were some very pleased children playing together after so much excitement and fun. One family nearest the church has 10 children. Jesus, the oldest, wanted to stay cool, but he definitely enjoyed the activities and the atmosphere that was created at the church. Families like this one are the reason for the church being there on the eastern edge of Nuevo Progreso.

Almost too much excitement for this one.

What did you get for Christmas?

Before the party Lloyd and I stopped at Apolinar’s house and picked up Esteban, Javier and Cynthia. These three little ones came running out of the house crying, “Abuelo! Abuela!” (Grandpa, Grandma!) They readily climbed into our Jeep and were our guests at the Christmas party. We aren’t strangers to them and we are honored to be considered part of their family.

Esteban holding Cynthia before the party. Cynthia is 4 years old.

We drove home across an almost deserted international bridge knowing the party had been a success. For ages the story has been told of the birth of Jesus and there have been countless celebrations of that event all over the world. And now we have told that story once again to a whole new generation.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9

A DOG'S TALE

Lloyd made a bed for Pelon and gave him a toy.

This is about a small white dog that is holding fast to the only home he’s ever known, Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  There’s an important lesson in this, one we should all learn. The Lord teaches us great things through the humble animals.

Pelon (Baldy) had to be left behind when Pastor Gerardo and Miriam moved away. They lovingly found a new home for Pelon with friends of the church in a neighborhood not far away. But before long Pelon escaped his new home and quickly made his way back to the church. It was his place of refuge and safety.

Pelon didn’t know if anyone would ever return to the empty church. He didn’t know if he would be fed or loved again. Regardless of all this, he refused to leave the church. He was faithful and committed without knowing he would ever receive anything in return.

When we arrived at the church in November, Pelon greeted us like an old friend. Since we had always carried dog food and fed him in the past, he got all excited. Pelon was able to jump into the church through a window opening and had been sleeping inside on a cushion.  Lloyd fixed him a bed in a sheltered corner, gave him an old blanket and pillow along with a stuffed teddy bear. He curled up immediately after eating and went to sleep.

Since Pelon greets us every time we go to the church, we’re calling him the Guardian of the Church.  He’s a presence around the building and he gives the illusion of someone living there. In fact, we’re beginning to see him as a symbol of God’s protection there. He may not look aggressive and mean curled up with his teddy bear, but who knows what impression he gives to strangers who trespass.

This is a great picture of being faithful even when it seems useless.  Pelon waited at the church for someone to return and he did not give up. Even if he didn’t seem to benefit from waiting, he could not be enticed to leave. Pelon’s commitment to the church is wholehearted. Can we say the same ourselves? Do we wait, still expecting the Lord’s return even when years go by and things remain the same? Or do we wait, saying that if we do not receive what we want, we’ll go somewhere else. Is the church our refuge? Could you be called a guardian of the church?

Pelon doesn't look threatening with his toy.

But this is the way we see Pelon guarding the church!

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

WHEN GOD DOES THE UNEXPECTED

Sunrise over southern Texas near the Mexican border.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” 

Isaiah 55:8

It snowed in southern Texas and in Mexico last week!  Heavy, wet flakes that blanketed cars and yards. It was cold, windy and generally miserable outside. But it was pretty.

Cold weather is very hard for the people in Mexico who have no furnaces in their homes. Most people have very little insulation in their walls and most have sheet metal roofs on bare rafters. The only way to stay warm is for them to stay inside or for the children to wrap up in blankets and huddle together in bed.

The snow was unexpected. In fact the last time it snowed here was December 2004 when six inches fell in Brownsville, Texas on Christmas Day. People still wear T shirts commemorating that occasion.  

Snow stuck on metal surfaces and on the grass.

By noon all the snow was gone, leaving a fine drizzle in it’s place. The only proof we had of the event were pictures hurriedly taken out in the cold.

The snow called to mind a recent sermon at the church in Nuevo Progreso.  Brother Fernando reminded us that God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and He is past our understanding. We sometimes question why certain things happen or why He allows sickness, trouble or grief in the lives of faithful Christians. The example was given of John the Baptist who was a great man of God. In his time of trouble in prison, he was not rescued and set free by some miracle, but God allowed him to be beheaded.   God did not do what we would have expected.

God brings beautiful sunrises and He also brings the snow, and He surprises us with His actions. But we know without doubt that He wants what is best for us and for our future. We must always put our trust in Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 

Proverbs 3:5

FERNANDO AND VENTURA

Ventura was behind the pulpit that night.

District Superintendent Fernando Colorado and his wife Ventura shared their future with us at the church in Nuevo Progreso. The Lord has called them to leave the church they pastor in Reynosa and start a new church in the vacinity of Monterrey. They will be leaving us at the end of December to begin their journey into an exciting but insecure future. 

Fernando and Ventura have three small children. They have no promise of a congregation in their new work and will be starting out with very little, not even a building. But they both are sure of this assignment from the Lord and are not hesitant about it.  

In the heart of Mexico, around Monterrey, there are very few evangelical churches. On our travels through Mexico, we have often said that there is a need for missionaries to open this area to the gospel. So even though we’ll miss Fernando and Ventura here in the northeast district of the Church of God, we are happy and very proud of them for taking this bold step. They will need lots of prayer in the future.

Fernando had his arm around one of the volunteers who came with him to the service.

Ventura spoke from Romans 8:28. She began by saying she likes to speak from life’s experiences and likes to use their own lives as examples. She told us how the Lord had spoken to them both individually until they came to the conclusion that there would be a change in their future. Many in their church seemed to think it was a foolish decision to leave the security of their church for an unknown venture, but they are both happy and content in their decision. She emphasized that God has a plan for each of us, a good plan, and that all things work together for good.

A super moon hung in the sky over Nuevo Progreso when we started home.  Surely it was a sign of God’s blessing on our work and on the church.

A bright super moon lit our way home.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Dust accumulated on everything while the building was empty.

It was really fun working around the church, cleaning and burning trash and sorting useful things from what could be thrown away. All of us were laughing and sharing even though it was tiring and sometimes difficult work. Who knew that work could be so fun and satisfying!

It all started when Lloyd and I said we were going to be at the church Wednesday afternoon. Azucena said she’d meet us there to help. We also planned to stop and visit Florencio and Josefina who missed church Sunday.  When we got to their house, they asked if we wanted their help. Of course we did! Along with that, Lloyd invited Omar to go with us to Nuevo Progreso. Omar is our Mexican/American neighbor in Weslaco. So there were seven of us working together around the building.

Florencio was delighted to work at the church.

So many incidents during the day showed us that the Lord had a plan for everyone involved. Each person seemed chosen specifically and for a purpose. We were surprised when Omar agreed to go with us just for a work day. Omar was a truck driver in the US for many years, but three years ago he had a massive stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. He now spends his days walking and exercising and trying to regain his former good health. He doesn’t attend a church and does not profess to be a Christian, but he is a good man and a good neighbor.

Paola with her new baby, Allen.

When we stopped on the way to check on Florencio and his family, we accidently stopped at the wrong house. It was Catalina at the gate instead. We were one block away from Florencio’s house. But Catalina was happy to see us and invited us in. There we met Catalina’s husband for the first time. “Eno” was gracious and friendly. He runs a taco stand on the main street of town. Eno doesn’t attend church, but he is happy for his wife to go. Just last Sunday Lloyd had told Catalina he wanted to meet her husband!  We knew the Lord had brought us together!

 Catalina’s daughter Paola was there with her new baby boy, Allen. He is the newest member of our church and is a handsome baby.

The Jeep was loaded with people by that time, but we all squeezed together, anticipating a good time ahead. When we got there, Josefina got busy in the kitchen, washing counters and cabinets that had grown dusty. A large furry mouse had taken up residence in the bathroom, but he was disposed of quickly in a bucket of water. Screens on the windows need to be repaired along with several other things we made note of to do soon. While the parsonage is empty, it’s a good time to repair and remodel all that we can.

Florencio started a small fire outside where we burned empty boxes and assorted papers and things. It was his job to see that the fire didn’t spread, although there was nowhere it could go. Lloyd and Omar sorted through tools that remained at the church and I helped wherever I could. Before long everything looked better and we decided to take one room at a time. The building is constructed of concrete blocks with a concrete floor that has become rough after so many years of use.

Before the job was finished, we all wished we’d brought hot dogs for the fire or some other things to eat. We had worked up an appetite!  So a plan was made to come back in one week to work again and that time we’d come prepared! 

When Lloyd locked the front entrance and we once again piled into the Jeep, we were all excited and content. This church, God’s house, belongs to all of us, and He has placed it in our care. It’s a humble place in a very poor area, but there’s a reason for it’s existence. We’ll treat it reverently and give thanks to the Lord for it. And He showed us through the day’s events that we can make our plans, but He is the one who brings things to pass.

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1 KJV

FOOD TO SHARE

Our country has had some disasters this year and there are lots of people who need things like food, blankets and medicine.  In Mexico there are people who live in extreme poverty all of the time. There are many who find it necessary to beg for their next meal. To them a pound of pinto beans can be a treasure and they will stand in line gladly to receive other staple food items for their families.

Way of the Cross warehouse.

Every winter we collect supplies of beans and rice to distribute in the poorest areas of Nuevo Progreso. There are several colonias (neighborhoods) where people live in very humble one room houses that have been built for them by missionaries.  There are other dwellings that are barely more than shacks with dirt floors. Some have no running water or indoor plumbing. Their only way to heat their homes is with open fires and the only way to cool them is to open a door or a window.

Yesterday we made our first monthly visit to the Way of the Cross warehouse in Harlingen, Texas where they give out food for distribution in Mexico and in Spanish colonias on this side of the border. We left the warehouse with our Jeep loaded with bottled water, baby food, corn meal, and dried fruit. Now the job will be to open and package these items for individual families. 

It's a heavy job lifting large cases of food and water.

They gave us five cases of Vita-Meal rice and lentil mix, which is a product from Feed the Children. The mix is fortified with vitamins and minerals designed to be as nutritious as possible. It’s a “stand alone” food item that will sustain children even if they have nothing else to eat.

Next month we’ll make the 25 mile trip to Harlingen, Texas again to replenish our food supplies. Food distribution is an important part of our ministry. It’s difficult to talk to people about the Lord when they are hungry.

“But don’t forget to help others and to share your possessions with them. This too is like offering a sacrifice that pleases God.”  Hebrews 13:16 CEV

AFTERGLOW

The sun set as the church service ended in Nuevo Progreso.

We’re a church without a pastor, but not for long. Somewhere there is someone the Lord has to lead the church forward in Nuevo Progreso. Meanwhile, the Church of God makes sure there is an interim pastor behind the pulpit each Sunday evening. This week we welcomed Pastor Oliver from Rio Bravo and he brought his two little girls - Dulce and Estefania. Pastor Oliver spoke about the importance of having the Holy Spirit within us to give us boldness to speak God’s word.

After the service, we all gathered around to visit and fellowship. Fellowship binds us together and is a very important part of any church. It helps make us a family.

The rich smell of coffee drifted into the auditorium. Azucena and Catalina helped bring out the large coffee urn, sugar and cream and all the other necessary items. Alejandro brought in a huge container of atole, a mixture that tasted like thickened strawberry milk, and a tray of cookies. In this relaxed atmosphere, we talked about plans for the future.

Brother Oliver is standing at the far right with his daughter Dulce. Lloyd is talking with Sister Catalina and her brother.

Soon we had established a workday for Wednesday. Several of us planned to meet and begin cleaning out the rooms in the parsonage making it ready for the future. We planned a huge bonfire to do away with anything that couldn’t be used. Enthusiasm was high and volunteers were eager to be more involved.

Azucena and Catalina set out the coffee service.

Even a small stray puppy had a good time during the afterglow. The tiny little black and brown dog slipped in unnoticed during the service and went to sleep under a bench. A small white dog called Pela is in residence at the building. We call him the guardian of the church because he seems to stand watch at the front gate. Lloyd took a large container of dog kibble for him and a dish that’s all his own. It feels good to know that a dog is always present at the building during the week when there are no activities there.

Estafania made friends with the puppy.

It was good to see the children happily coloring in their books while we talked and drank our coffee and atole. Soon they too were standing at the serving table wanting their cups of atole and their cookies. 

Children active at their favorite pastime.

There certainly was a glow at the church, a real glow!  The sun began to set just as the service was dismissed and Brother Oliver pronounced the benediction over us. Rays of the setting sun came through the windows forming large bright patterns on the walls behind the pulpit. It was a perfect illustration of what we call an afterglow, that time of fellowship after spending time with God!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

CHURCH NEWS FROM MEXICO

Our arrival in south Texas on the Mexican border November 13, 2017.

Every year we go back to Illinois for the summer to rest and regroup, leaving the church in Nuevo Progreso in good hands. Late this summer our Pastor Gerardo Estrada sent us word that he was resigning from the church and was returning to his former home in Nayarit, Mexico.  Gerardo’s father, a pastor in Mexico, passed away in June. Gerardo had been asked to take his father’s place in that church. We will greatly miss Pastor Gerardo, his wife Miriam and their four children: Gerson, Nahum, Dana and Esly. They pastored the church in Nuevo Progreso almost 10 years and they had worked hard. They were multi-talented, spirit filled and well educated people. We pray they will succeed in their new assignment.

Pastor Feernando Colorado with his 2 children.

Pastor Gerardo placed the church in the hands of the northeast district of the Church of God, Superintendent Fernando Colorado who pastors a church in Reynosa.  And every Sunday evening since that time, Pastor Colorado and a small crew of volunteers have arrived at the church to maintain the grounds and conduct a church service.

Several families remained faithful to the church, although some drifted away. We had no idea what we would find when we first went across the border to the church.

It was chilly and windy when we drove over the rough unpaved roads through Colonia Jardin (the Garden) to the eastern side of town.  This is one of the poorest areas of Nuevo Progreso. The last row of little dwellings before reaching the farmer’s plowed fields led us to the place where the Lord had directed us to build a church.  When we drove over the hill we immediately saw men with machetes hacking away at weeds on the south side of the building. There was lush green grass in the front and east side and the building didn’t look abandoned.

Lush green grass surrounded the building. Everything looked well maintained.

Pastor Fernando greeted us and explained that friends from the church in Reynosa came an hour or so early each Sunday to do things around the building. Everything looked well kept and inviting. Soon Sister Catalina arrived and after lots of hugs and enthusiastic greetings, she and her son Nicholas and his wife brought out their brooms and buckets of water to sweep and wash down the pews that had accumulated a lot of dust during the week. There was sugar cane “snow” on the floor. When nearby sugar cane fields are burned off, black ash drifts through the air to fall like black snow to decorate everything.  The men and women made quick work of the place, readying it for church.

Pastor Fernando led us in some worship songs and then preached a short sermon. He then asked everyone to bring at least one other person next Sunday. One volunteer from Reynosa works in a bakery. He brought along a small bag of freshly baked rolls and pan dulce (sweet bread) that we all shared before leaving the church. Lloyd and I promised that next Sunday there would be coffee to go along with his promise of more cinnamon flavored rolls.

The church in Nuevo Progreso, Bethesda Tabernacle, remains firm and stable even without a pastor. Until a pastor is appointed for this mission outreach, we are confident that the work will continue with God’s blessings. It was evident that the people were taking over responsibility for their church. This is the goal for our mission, that one day we can leave the work in their hands.

Catalina cleaned the furniture before church began.

Another lady swept Texas black "snow" from the floor.

“Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”  Psalm 2:12

ISAIAH'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

Isaiah

God bless the United States for having compassion on those in desperate need!  Isaiah (Isaias in Spanish) was one of those who was blessed and helped and given an extension of life by United States immigration officers several years ago.  Isaiah was five years old. He was the youngest child of our friend Lydia in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.

When Isaiah was born, we along with some friends from Brownsville, Texas visited Lydia and we prayed for her and helped her name her new little boy. Lydia was a single parent and life was always a challenge for her, but she loved all of her children and took care of them the best she could.  Five years passed and the next time we saw Lydia she was begging for help on the streets of Nuevo Progreso.  Isaiah was very ill.  Lydia had been given permission by the city to ask anyone she could find for help.

Isaiah was blind, couldn't speak and was unable to sit up or stand.

We learned that Isaiah had a tumor in his head and that a lot of money would be needed in order to treat him.  At the same time, our Texas friends contacted doctors in Brownsville and found one who was willing to treat Isaiah if we could get him into Texas.  That’s when doors were opened for Isaiah and the Lord helped him.

Early one afternoon we went to Lydia’s house, Lloyd picked Isaiah up in his arms, put him in our Jeep and along with his mother, we headed for the International Bridge. We parked the Jeep near the office and Lloyd carried the helpless child into the Customs and Immigration office where we were met with frowns from the group of people trying to get visas and also from the officers behind the counters. Lloyd hurriedly explained that there was a doctor waiting on the other side of the border if they would give us permission to take him across.

Of course there were decisions to be made, questions asked and time kept passing by. Lloyd laid Isaiah down on the cool tile floor and tried to make him comfortable, but Isaiah kept rolling around restlessly, gripping his head. Finally after making us promise we would return Isaiah and his mother to Mexico within 2 days, United States Immigration officers granted us permission to take Isaiah to the doctor who was waiting for us in Brownsville.

After a 40 mile drive, we placed Isaiah in the doctor’s hands, planning to come back for him the next day. But plans were changed dramatically!  Isaiah’s condition was so severe that he was air lifted to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. There was no way we could keep our promise and return him to Mexico in 2 days.

Isaiah held my hand as we walked out of the hospital.

One of the best children’s surgeons in the United States operated on Isaiah and removed a large cancerous tumor from his head. Isaiah was in Corpus Christi for 30 days, during which time we visited once or twice. His mother Lydia remained at his bedside or in a room nearby all that time, even though she worried about her other children who were left in the care of her oldest daughter. Finally they called and said we could come and get Isaiah.

We will never forget the experience of walking into Isaiah’s room and seeing a beautiful five year old child who could see us, hear us and talk to us. He was so happy! His eyes were bright with excitement!  We passed a McDonalds in the hospital lobby and he insisted we go in and get a treat.

It was December 23rd and there were Christmas lights everywhere on trees, on fences, in windows and hanging over city streets.  “Mira! Mira!” (Look! Look!) he kept crying!  For the entire 2 hour trip home Isaiah exclaimed over all the Christmas lights and the displays in yards. It was all new to him and he loved it.

Isaiah in our van. He kept shouting, "Look! Look!" at the Christmas lights.

 When we drove up outside Lydia’s little dwelling in Nuevo Progreso, several of her children came running out to meet us. We opened the doors of the van and the lights came on, illuminating Isaiah who was now standing up. They said, “Who is that? That’s not Isaiah!” and they stood speechless for moments.  Finally Lydia lifted him out and stood him beside her while everyone pressed around him wanting to touch him.  It was overwhelming.  Isaiah was home and the family was together again.

We made sure the records in the Immigration office were updated on Isaiah’s return although we couldn’t keep our promise of returning him in 2 days.

Time went by and doctors in Mexico told Lydia that Isaiah needed further treatments to completely get rid of the cancer. But treatments were almost impossible because the nearest facilities were 400 miles away.  Friends helped Lydia take Isaiah to Ciudad Victoria once or twice, but it wasn’t enough.

Isaiah after one treatment for cancer.

At Christmas time that year Isaiah had been given the gift of an extra six months of happy and normal life with his family. Lydia took him to church and he played with the neighborhood children.  He had changed from the limp and helpless and blind child who cried all the time to one who never stopped smiling. Around Easter the next year he passed away. 

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him.” Mark 1:41

BEYOND THE OPEN DOOR

Poli and Pastor Javier are on the left and Lloyd has his arm around Moises. They are packed and ready to start the trip. Poli and Moises accompanied them part of the way.

Beyond the open door

is a new and fresh anointing,

hear the Spirit calling you to go.

Walk on through the door,

for the Lord will go before you,

to a greater place than you have been before.

(Author Unknown)

Three thousand miles over rough and winding roads. Continuous rain made driving a challenge. The trip into Mexico February 2007 with Spanish Bibles was anything but easy.

Lloyd and Pastor Javier drove through several states in Mexico including Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco and Chiapas before entering the country of Guatamala. There they had to exchange their pesos into the currency of Guatamala and apply for another official registration sticker for the van. Everywhere they went the people turned their faces away from them, as if they were extremely shy. Of Mayan descent, it may be that one of Guatamala’s beliefs is that they must not make eye contact with strangers.

Chili cayotes for sale in Guatamala. The children turned their faces away from the strangers.

The land in Guatamala was very poor and mountainous. Corn was planted on terraced hillsides that were almost too steep to climb. And there was a different kind of vegetable called a chili cayote. These enormous melon or squash like vegetables were grown in abundance and sold along the roads.

At one of the churches in Guatamala a tiny elderly woman said she wanted to pray for Lloyd and Javier before they left. She insisted they get on their knees and she prayed earnestly and fervently for them. Later, exiting Guatamala was as difficult as entering the country had been. They were required to show all their papers and pay additional fees at the border.  The situation was so tense at one point that they were beginning to be concerned. But they had the blessing of the Lord on them, their papers were cleared and they were allowed to cross back into Mexico.  It was a difficult time but worth the effort to know they were able to leave many Spanish Bibles and thousands of gospel tracts in that country.

The entire trip took nine days. There are sure to be lasting results from the many Spanish Bibles that were distributed to churches along the way. And many new doors were opened for us to minister south of the border.

“I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”  Revelation 3:8

LITTLE YELLOW JEEP

If you want to let your light shine, drive a yellow Jeep!  

That’s what we learned to say after several years of driving throughout Mexico in a 1980 something two door yellow Jeep Wrangler. We didn’t think a bright colored vehicle was appropriate for us, especially when Jeeps weren’t all the rage at that time. But we needed a stick shift four wheel drive vehicle we could tow behind our motorhome without special equipment. The Jeep seemed what we needed, but there weren’t many used Jeeps for sale in our area. We had others helping us in our search but time was running short. It was almost time for us to load up and head for Mexico.

When a car dealership called with the news that they had a Jeep for sale in excellent condition, we jumped at the chance to see it.  “There’s only one thing,” he said.  “It’s yellow.”  We both said, “No way!  We’re not driving around in a bright yellow Jeep!”  But it was the only choice we had.  At the last minute we bought the yellow Jeep, hooked it up behind our vehicle that was loaded with Spanish Bibles and we headed down the road.

Fording the Rio Grande River in the Jeep.

It wasn’t long before we realized that the Lord had a plan for the little yellow Jeep. When we drove across the border and into Mexico, it drew lots of attention. When we drove into a colonia with Bibles, blankets, food and other necessities, the people saw us and began to recognize our vehicle. More than once we’d be driving slowly through town and someone would run out and knock on the back of the Jeep to get our attention.  Usually it meant someone in their family was sick and needed prayer.  The yellow Jeep was our calling card.

Sizing each other up, each loaded with cargo.

The trusty little vehicle carried Spanish Bibles to many states in Mexico. Once we forded the Rio Grande River at a low spot because there was no bridge.  We’d heard there was a small town across the river, and in those days we made sure to visit every town we could find across the border. Many times the bright and cheery vehicle broke the ice for us in new areas.  People were curious and we stood out and were different.  So the very reason we didn’t think yellow was right for us was the very reason that it could be used by the Lord.

The little yellow Jeep eventually wore out and had to be replaced. There have been two more Jeeps since those early years, but we’ll always remember those days when people.would greet us and say, “We saw you coming way down the road and we knew your Jeep!”

The Jeep took us where there were no roads.

We’re convinced that the Lord has a sense of humor and of course He knew all along exactly what we needed to help us get started.  These days there are Jeeps of every color being driven everywhere by people of every age.  Now we are proud to say that we once drove a brightly colored little yellow Jeep!

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

THE JESUS FILM

Scene from the Jesus Film

While distributing Spanish Bibles in Mexico we heard about The Jesus Film and that it could be shown in any language.  Since our knowledge of Spanish was scant at that time, we liked the idea of purchasing a projector, a generator and a video copy of the film we could show out in the open whenever and wherever we chose.  The Jesus Film was a great way to tell the story, to present Jesus in an entertaining and yet sensitive and caring way.

Many times we loaded up our Jeep with our video projector, small and quiet generator, movie screen and various other necessary equipment for the showing of the video.  We’d drive across the border into Mexico and go into a small obscure neighborhood and begin to set up our equipment.  Sometimes we made plans ahead with a church in Mexico or with someone who had an empty yard, but it was always outside where people could come by an see the film or listen to it.  Many rode their bikes past our gatherings and would stop and watch. Some pulled up a concrete block or a stump to sit on, others sat on the ground or on a blanket, but everyone would quickly become absorbed in the lifelike images of Jesus on the screen. There were times we tacked a sheet on the side of a building and didn’t use the movie screen. More than once we projected the beautiful images directly onto the side of a building, making the life sized people in the film come to life before our eyes.

Here we are tacking up a white sheet so we can show the video.

Because it was necessary for us to wait for sunset to show the film outside, we have few photographs of these adventures. Also, the equipment was complicated at that time, so all of our time was taken up with getting things ready. Now it’s hard to imagine that we went through these procedures many many times, just the two of us! And the film spoke for itself - the life of Jesus - from His birth to His death on the cross - all taken from the Bible account in the Book of Luke.


The most effective part of each showing of the Jesus Film was the narrative. We cranked the sound up as high as it would go until the story could be heard across the streets and yards and out into the fields. People could hear the story and hear the invitation to come to Him for salvation. All that was necessary at the end of each showing was for us to stand in the front and beckon to those who were interested to come forward for prayer.  Even nature responded to the sounds from the film.  At the point in the story when Peter denies Jesus three times, a rooster crows.  And always there would be a response from all the local roosters to that sound!

Scene from the Jesus Film.

There are many good memories of projecting the film life sized against the side of a snow white building, making it appear as if the people in the story walked among us. Always the children present would sit on the ground nearest the film and once one little girl begged her mother to let her go join the Bible characters as they opened a door and seemed to walk through it. We heard her say, “Mama, can I go in there with them?” The experience was made so real, especially because the rocks, the plants and even the ground in the film resembled that of Mexico. And everyone wanted to be with Jesus!

We lost count of how many people came to know the Lord when we used the Jesus Film. But there were many. And there were surely many who did not come forward, but whose lives were touched by seeing and hearing the film. We had many requests to come back and show it again, or someone would say, “Come show the film in my yard.”  There were never any problems with authorities, we never tried to get permission to hold a meeting, we just showed up and set up the equipment. And the people would always come.  We went into areas that were probably unsafe for us, but we always felt welcome. Our pass into any area was the Jesus Film!

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32

ON THE RIVER

Church service in an empty lot.

Someone told us there was a group of people who lived near the banks of the Rio Grande River in Matamoros.  They said they were very poor and their dwellings were makeshift and their roads unpaved.  They said they had started out by camping in whatever location seemed the best with whatever means they had. These were people we knew would need food, blankets and Bibles.

 As usual, we had few directions to this colonia by the river, and could only start out at the international bridge to search for it. We made a left turn after crossing into Mexico and proceeded down the roads closest to the river until we found what seemed to be the newest and most humble neighborhood around. This had to be the place.  We met a few of the people, gave out the gifts we had brought, prayed for the sick and made our way back across the bridge into the United States.  Lloyd had one comment about the people so near the river - they needed a church.

Each week more people gathered in the empty lot.

A few weeks later we took two ladies with us and returned to the colonia by the river. One of the ladies was a Spanish woman we had just met.  She was an evangelist who liked to preach out in the open. Soon a crowd gathered around us in one of the empty lots near the center of the colonia.  We had a short worship service and then the evangelist preached God’s word. The empty lot was full of people who were hungry to hear her message.

We went back to the colonia by the river several times that winter, sometimes by ourselves and sometimes taking a speaker with us. It was evident the people wanted to have a church they could attend regularly, there was always a crowd in attendance.  And Lloyd continued to say, The people in the colonia by the river need a church.

A small church had been built.

It was almost a year before we were able to make it back to visit the people on that street. But we prayed and asked the Lord to make it possible for a church to be built in that location.  We were  surprised and delighted when we turned the corner and saw a small humble metal building standing in the formerly empty lot. The words identifying the building as a church were printed across the front!

Sunday School was held in the street.

Later we learned that the owner of the empty lot had donated her land for a church. With help from others, they had erected a small one room building there.  And already the building was full and running over with people.  The morning we were there, Sunday School for the children was conducted out in the middle of the street because there were no classrooms.

Children enjoying songs with actions in Sunday School.

God had answered our prayers.  And Lloyd was right, the people in the colonia by the river needed and wanted a church!

Acts 2:47

"And the Lord added to the church daily 

such as should be saved."

KJV